Browse Items · Mount Mary University Digital Collections

Blouse

White plain weave linen day blouse; wide square neckline; sleeveless; large ball pearl buttoned shoulders; waist darts; left side zipper closure.

Tags 1950s, blouse, Claire McCardell, linen, white

A. Blue floral print cotton dress; fabric pattern of abstracted white and yellow flowers and a floating man playing a green violin; jewel neckline; short kimono sleeves; fitted bodice; side zipper closure; full skirt has been shortened, hem is now released; it is likely the dress was originally mid-calf length and has been shortened to knee length. B. Blue floral print cotton belt; fabric pattern of abstracted white and yellow flowers; 5/8 inches wide; covered buckle.

Fabric designed by Marc Chagall. Worn as a "going away" dress on May 5, 1956 for wedding at St. Sebastian's church.

Tags 1950s, belt, Claire McCardell, cotton, dress, floral, Marc Chagall

Vest

Black and green feather pattern velvet vest; back of vest is solid black wool; jewel collar; double-breasted with 8 silver filigree button closure; front has princess line seams; back has modified princess line; waist length; lined in red and green plaid cotton.

Tags 1950s, black, Claire McCardell, green, velvet, vest

Dress

Blue-green cotton A-line dress; printed fabric with a dark green tassel motif; princess seams; collarless; open at center front overlap; 3/4 length kimono sleeves; ruched fabric under empire line; left side zipper closure.

Tags 1950s, blue green, Claire McCardell, cotton, dress, tassel

Dress

Muted red silk faille fitted dress; natural waistline; Peter Pan collar; long batwing sleeves; with shaped hem and black ball button closures; skirt with unpressed pleats; 4 inch black band at hem; mid-calf length; side zipper closure; back neck opening; originally had a black sash and gold-tone book fastener that were lost before dress was accessioned into collection.

Tags 1940s, 1950s, black, Claire McCardell, dress, red, silk faille

Three piece ensemble

A. Brown wool tweed suit jacket; collarless; bias cut; shallow V-neckline; long dolman sleeves; double-breasted with gold metal dome buttons/slanted buttonholes. B. Brown wool tweed suit skirt; straightline; horizontal buttonhole pockets. C. Orange silk shantung blouse; brass ball button closure; convertible collar; self-fabric tie stitched along front shoulder; long straight sleeves on slanted armhole.

Tags 1950s, blouse, brown, Claire McCardell, ensemble, jacket, orange, silk shantung, skirt, wool tweed

Dress

Gray linen fit and flare dress; natural waistline; square neckline; pewter button center front closure; top-stitched trim; sleeves cut in shoulder line; short sleeves; circular skirt with mock tiers created with top-stitching; mid-calf length.

Tags 1950s, Claire McCardell, dress, gray, linen

Evening gown

A. Gold silk chiffon evening gown; strapless; draped bodice; full skirt; floor length. B. Gold silk chiffon belt; hook and eye closure.

Worn by Lynn Fontanne. This is likely the gown Lynn wore with a mink collar on the November 19, 1951 cover of Life Magazine. Lynn likely also wore this dress when she was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Purchased at the auction of Lynn Fontanne's estate using funds from Mount Mary alumnae.

Tags 1940s, 1950s, belt, evening gown, gold, Lynn Fontanne, Molyneux, silk chiffon

Dressing gown

Pearl gray crepe dressing gown; square set-in sleeves, very full; 3 inch turned-back cuffs; 10 button front closure, hand-worked buttonholes and covered buttons; floor length; lined in pink crepe. Worn with sash (Object ID #1985.08.b).

Worn by Lynn Fontanne. This dressing gown is heavily inspired by a Molyneux piece worn by Lynn in the play "O Mistress Mine." Lynn had this dressing gown made by the custom dressmakers at Saks Fifth Avenue for her personal use for a more affordable price. Donor was the niece of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.

Tags 1940s, 1950s, crepe, dressing gown, gray, Lynn Fontanne, pink, sash, taffeta