Bissonnette on Costume
Time Search; The Twentieth Century: 1947 to 1966
Anne Bissonnette, Curator
Kent State University Museum

Suit attributed to Christian Dior, France, circa 1948.
Gray wool bodice and skirt with permanently pleated back panel.
Kent State University Museum
Gift of Anne Slater
KSUM 1990.68.1ab

"Vénus" evening dress by Christian Dior, France, 1949.
Pink tulle embroidered with paillettes, sequins, rhinestones, and crystals.
From the wardrobe of Marlene Dietrich
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1983.1.2062ab

Day suit by Jacques Fath, France, circa 1950.
Jacket and skirt of gray wool flannel trimmed with black faille.
From the wardrobe of Mrs. Audrey Zauderer
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1997.71.1ab

Evening dress by Alix Grès, France, circa 1950.
Gold lamé bodice and belt overlaid with brown gauze. Gold lamé skirt with wide bias gores of steel gray, maroon, lichen green and brown.
From the wardrobe of Mrs. Sylvan Rich
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1983.1.407a-d

Evening dress by Pierre Balmain, France, 1952.
Strapless evening dress of white crepe organza with shell pink satin sash.
From the wardrobe of Mrs. Nina De Witz
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1983.001.0043

Dinner dress by Gabrielle Chanel, France, circa 1954.
Two piece dinner dress of black silk velvet with white organza collar and cuffs.
From the wardrobe of Marlene Dietrich
Kent State University Museum
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1983.1.1252ab

"Butterfly" evening dress by Charles James, born in England, establish in the United States of America, 1954.
Smoke-grey chiffon over white satin with sides structured of light mauve satin and back of dark brown, sienna and lavender tulle. Several version of this style were published in fashion magazines over a four-year period. Elizabeth Ann Coleman in The Genius of Charles James describes the back as having "25 yards of tulle weighing 18 pounds" suspended from the waist. This dress belonged to Melanie Kahane of New York, who wore it to a Metropolitan Opera opening -she needed three seats. The first version was sold to Mrs. Randolph Hearst, Jr. for $1250 in 1954.
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1997.71.1

Evening dress by Yves St-Laurent for Christian Dior, France, 1955.
Black silk velvet worn with a reconstructed long white sash. The sash was reconstructed in 1996 by the Dior house. The dress is part of the first collection of Yves Saint-Laurent for Christian Dior.
From the wardrobe of Marlene Dietrich
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1983.1.1253

Cocktail suit by Gabrielle Chanel, France, circa 1960.
Two-piece cocktail ensemble of iced lime ground with silver and turquoise brocaded trellis pattern.
From the wardrobe of Marlene Dietrich
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
Gift of Marti Stevens
KSUM 1983.1.1198ab

Cocktail suit by Gabrielle Chanel, France, circa 1965.
Beige satin with gold and silver brocaded Persian motifs. Classic Chanel buttoned jacket with lining and accompanying blouse of turquoise silk and knee-high skirt.
From the wardrobe of Marlene Dietrich
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
Gift of Marti Stevens
KSUM 1983.1.1865a-d

Evening dress and coat by Cristobal Balenciaga, born in Spain, established in France, Fall 1966.
Pale flesh colored silk crepe with sleeveless open coat of net embroidered with nylon horsehair ribbon.
From the wardrobe of Mona, Countess Bismark
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection
KSUM 1985.38.6ab

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Copyright © 2001 Anne Bissonnette. All Rights Reserved.