Browse Items (1978 total)
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Pantsuit
Brown silk shantung pantsuit. A. Cardigan style jacket; jewel neckline, hidden placket buttons at center front, ¾ length set-in straight sleeves, two patch pockets at hipline. Lined with brown taffeta. B. Long slacks; straight legs, no waistband, double gusset at crotch, center front fly zipper opening. Unlined. Worn by Valentina. This ensemble does not have her couture construction techniques. -
Three piece ensemble
Warp print white taffeta gown with pattern of bouquets of light blue roses with green leaves, rosebuds scattered about. A. Halter top bodice; jewel neckline with center front slit, low back with a long center back zipper. Lined in slubby silk plain weave. B. Long skirt; gathered into straight waistband, side inseam pockets, ankle length, unlined, hand finished. C. Stole; rectangular. Possibly this material was pleated and attached to the back of the halter top to form a bustle. Worn by Valentina. -
Skirt
A. Red silk taffeta tartan plaid skirt with green, yellow and white stripes. Dirndl skirt; gathered waist, knee length, has many small pleats, hem narrowly turned under once but not sewn, pins holding seam at the center back, unlined, unfinished. Red grosgrain ribbon hanging from the waist, likely meant as a waistband, white Valentina label. Worn by Valentina.
Worn with kerchief (Object ID #1995.393.B) -
Evening coat
Black silk taffeta evening coat; A-line trapeze shape, jewel neckline, tucks off of neckline; one button and bound buttonhole closure at center front neck, short batwing sleeves with tucks, A-line skirt with deep pleats at underarm side seams, hidden pockets, tea length, appears to have been re-lined. Worn by Valentina. -
Cape pulled over head
Dark blue sheer chiffon cape; fabric is gathered into a neckline with a bias tie at center front, large hood can also be worn as a double capelet, knee length. Unlined. Worn by Valentina. -
Suit
Beige and dark brown hand-woven wool tweed suit; yarn appears hand spun with large slubs. A. Jacket; cardigan shape, collarless, six plastic beige buttons and hand stitched buttonholes, slash pocket vents in the back on the princess line. B. Skirt; waist facing, center back zipper, one slash pocket on the right-hand side, separate silk lining attached to the waist facing. Label Valentina. -
Dinner dress
Gold jersey ankle length dinner dress; gathered jewel neckline with small slit on center front, bodice has side seams. High-waisted skirt with seams on center front and princess line, no side seams. Batwing long sleeves, back button closure at neck. Large keyhole upper back is open between neck and midriff, back waist is pieced in five narrow V-shaped panels divided by a metal zipper with hook and eye at top of skirt. Back of skirt has seams on the princess line. Dress is very worn, especially at seams; large repairs on front of bodice, several small patches.
According to Charles Kleibacker this dress is from the personal wardrobe of Gloria Swanson (1899-1983). -
Cape
Gold silk marquisette burnoose cape; shape is triangular with tip snipped off to form a ‘hood’ or turned back section. Tip folds back over the back of the neck, shorter length at center back, unlined, completely hand finished. Unusual piece. Worn with white charmeuse gown (Object ID #1995.342). Worn by Valentina. -
Bolero
White heavily ribbed silk bengaline bolero jacket; jewel neckline, shoulder yoke, ¾ length set-in sleeves, center front opening with no closures, hip length, extra piece under the arms, unlined except for a piece of muslin across the shoulders. Worn by Valentina. -
Jacket
Red wool fitted jacket; high Mandarin collar, long sleeves darted at shoulders, five button closure at center front, bound buttonholes, covered buttons (two missing), flap pockets at hip. Alteration at center front.
Worn by Lynn Fontanne. Donor was the niece of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. -
Evening gown
White silk organza evening gown; V-neckline, long full bell sleeves, full skirt, belt or waist tie made of the same fabric to accompany the gown. Several stains and discoloration throughout.
Worn by Lynn Fontanne. Either this version or the pale pink version (Object ID #1983.184.ABC) was worn to the 1941 Academy Awards. Donor was the niece of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. -
Evening gown
Pale pink silk organza evening gown ensemble. A. Gown; v-neckline, long full bell sleeves, criss-cross bodice extending into tie belt at center front, very full flared skirt, ankle length. B. Neck sash; 120" long by 5.5" wide, doubled. C. Slip; one layer of organza and one layer of taffeta, V-neckline with 2" strap narrowing to 1" at shoulder, full length. Slight discoloration throughout, torn in several places near waist and bodice. Some patching has been done.
Worn by Lynn Fontanne. Either this version or the white version (Object ID #1983.185) was worn to the 1941 Academy Awards ceremony. Donor was the niece of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. -
Jacket
White medium-heavy linen jacket; collarless, square set-in sleeves, side front seams, waist seam, hip length, hemline dips at center back seam. Front opening slightly overlaps in V-shape with small notch opening at top of neckline. Three button closure at center front, bound buttonholes, matching fabric-covered buttons. Discoloration at center front closure.
Worn by Lynn Fontanne. Donor was the niece of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.