Mount Mary University Digital Collections

Browse Items (90 total)

  • Coral pink cotton chambray skirt; dirndl style, 2" waistband, very full skirt with gathers regularly spaced for a pleated effect, full length. Worn by Valentina.
  • Black wool crepe flared skirt; cut on bias, high waisted with small ‘v’ cut out at center front, two large buttons on placket for center front closure with inverted pleat at center front, waistline faced with silk crepe, tea length, completely hand over-cast and finished. Worn by Valentina.
  • Dark red evening bolero jacket with scoop neckline; deeply plunging at center front. Two hook and eye closures at overlapped center front waist. Dolman sleeves with invisible piecing at cuff for a tight fit. Unlined, completely hand-overcast and finished. Worn by Valentina.
  • 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.
  • Black silk tulle surplice wrap overdress; jewel neckline, straight long sleeves, hook and eye closure at left side front. Gathered skirt with stabilized waistband, mid-calf length. Finished with tiny machine-sewn French seams. Worn over underdress (Object ID #1995.331). Worn by Valentina.
  • Black flannel overcoat; jewel neckline with purple fox fur collar, center front opening with two large black buttons at neck and waist, long set-in sleeves with purple fox fur cuffs, unlined.
  • B. Red silk taffeta tartan plaid kerchief with green, yellow and white stripes; Triangular; unhemmed. Could have been worn around head or neck. Worn by Valentina.

    Worn with skirt (Object ID #1995.383.A).
  • 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.
  • Black wool jacket; collarless, long square set-in sleeves, one hook/loop at waist, basting stitches still present on wearer's left side.

    Worn by Lynn Fontanne. Donor was the niece of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.
  • 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.
  • Dark brown wool crepe swing jacket; Chelsea collar with multiple rows of topstitching, drop shoulder sleeves with double gusset, buttonhole opening through collar with bias tube tie closure, two tiny slash pockets, inverted pleat at center back. Multiple rows of topstitching down center front, hemline, and at back yoke. Reversible. Worn by Valentina.
  • Navy blue wool bouclé cardigan jacket; jewel neckline with one large covered button closure at the neck, center front opening is formed with the selvedges, two diagonal single welt pockets, drop shoulder sleeves with gussets. Sleeves are cut on the bias. Swing style slightly longer at center back, hip length. Unlined, hand finished. Worn by Valentina.
  • Off-white silk charmeuse peignoir gown; bias cut, standing collar, drop shoulder long sleeves with gussets, pointed seaming into shoulder, dips to "v" at center back, high waist forms a point at center front and center back, full evening length flared skirt. All seaming is hand-faggoting, fabric over-printed with subtle brushy floral. Worn with ochre crepe cape (Object ID #1995.369). Worn by Valentina.
  • A. Purple crepe back satin evening gown; Grecian inspired, very deep U-shaped neckline, sleeveless with shoulder pads. A-line skirt, ankle length. Unlined. B. Very long sash of the same fabric. Possibly worn by Lynn Fontanne.
  • Beige with brown spatter print silk ensemble. A. Fit and flare dress; normal waist, halter neckline, center back nylon zipper. Halter has a front slit with a reverse, skirt is gathered. Unlined, knee length. B. A-line coat; jewel neckline, Chinese ball and loop center front closure, 3/4 length kimono sleeves, cut in one with the coat. Same length as dress, unlined. Possibly had longer sleeves at some point. C. Short bolero jacket; jewel neckline, 3/4 length kimono sleeves, cut in one with body of jacket. French darts, unlined. D. Wrap, single piece of fabric. E. Belt latches in back with hook and eyes and snap closure. Small, flat bow.

    This ensemble was used for Valentina's famous "Quick change" routine.
  • Reproduction of Valentina white evening gown worn by Lynn Fontanne (Object ID #1983.185); white chiffon; low V-neckline; full, long bishop sleeves; attached waist ties wrap around the midriff; very large gored skirt; ankle length; lined.

    This was made for an exhibition. The maker Pam Rehberg was a professor of theatrical costume at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
  • Off-white silk chiffon over silk evening gown with blue rose print; V-neckline in front, square neckline in back; square set-in sleeves. Worn with evening coat (Object ID #1983.239).

    Worn by Lynn Fontanne to receive a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1970, although the gown was created much earlier. This gown was possibly made by Valentina, but has been significantly altered. Purchased at the auction of Lynn Fontanne's estate using funds from Mount Mary alumnae.
  • Monastic style black silk velvet evening gown; jewel neckline edged with black cording, long dolman sleeves, empire waist, cording runs through thread carriers at waistline, extended with shirring at wrist, A-line skirt, full evening length. Hand over-cast & hand finished. Lots of small tears throughout, some of which have been patched or mended. Worn by Valentina.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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