Collection
The Costume Collection is especially rich in clothing from the mid-19th Century to the mid-20th Century.
Approximately 85 % of the collection consists of women's clothing and accessories. The balance of the collection is evenly divided between men's and children's clothing and accessories. Local dressmakers, tailors, and milliners are represented, as are some of the great designers of the world, including: Mariano Fortuny, Callot Soeurs, Luciene LaLong, and Jean Patou.
There is always some element of the costume collection on display in the Charles Gates Dawes House. Costume historians and researchers may access the collection by appointment with the Costume Curator.
Some examples of the exquiste costume collection can be viewed below:
White silk crepe beaded evening dress worn by Mrs. Charles Gates Dawes for her presentation at the Court of St. James June 26, 1929, together with a gold silk voided velvet evening jacket trimmed with red sable and faced with gold tissue. Both were worn for the formal portrait, which was painted while Charles Gates Dawes served as United States Ambassador to England under Herbert Hoover.
(Top of page)
Ca. 1894, A floral print and lavender striped evening gown. The bodice features very large puffed sleeves, typical of the period, and purple velvet trim. The gentleman, Ca. 1896, is wearing a three-piece frock suit of black wool trimmed with black silk satin.
(Top of page)
Ca. 1935, Deep raspberry velvet "medieval" gown with matching pleated Japanese silk side and sleeve insert panels. The dress is printed with bronze powders to resemble gold embroidery, a technique for which the designer Mariano Fortuny was famous. Vera Megowen purchased the dress in Venice from Fortuny.
(Top of page)
1879, Princess line "mermaid silhouette" wedding dress of tan silk peau de soie and brocade, worn by Jennie Josephine Cook for her marriage to Jesse K. Farley. Many Victorian brides chose colored wedding dresses for personal preference or practicality over the increasingly popular white gowns.
(Top of page)
Ca. 1900, Man's knitted wool two-piece navy blue bathing suit, accented with red stripes. This bathing costume was worn by Mr. William B. Denny. Bathing suits for men had only recently become fashionable. Previous to the 1890's, many men preferred bathing in the nude on beaches reserved for men and boys only.
(Top of page)
Back to Exhibits
