Browse Items (90 total)
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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. -
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). -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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) -
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. -
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. -
Bolero
Gold silk hopsack bolero jacket; V neckline slightly open at top, asymmetrical front wrap secured with gold hardware style snap hook and metal eyes, drop shoulder sleeves with gussets, dips slightly at center back, unlined, hand finished. Worn by Valentina. -
Detail of culottes to show shorts
Detail of culottes with front flap pulled away to show shorts.
Dark gray wool twill culotte skirt; floating panel covers both front and back splits, shaped flaps with button on front. Left side front is actual opening, concealing center front zipper in culotte. Knee length. Worn by Valentina. -
Skirt
Black wool crepe skirt; inverted pleats to either side of center front, no side seams, diagonal darts at side fronts with inseam style pockets, center back zipper, split at center front waistband, hand finished. Worn by Valentina.