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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 1h

At @thehenryford's #FabricofAmerica exhibit there was a section on influential American designers. There, by a wonderful surprise, I saw this 1948-1950 dress by Claire McCardell! I adore McCardell. She was known for her practical designs, minimalism, inventive fastenings, and, as

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Another theme in @thehenryford's #FabricofAmerca exhibit was innovation. In this section, they talked about evolving technologies, including the sewing machine. This 1880-2 chambray and seeersucker dress was displayed to show how the sewing machine revolutionized how clothing was

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Another of my favorite outfits from @thehenryford's #FabricofAmerica exhibit was this 1942 zoot suit worn by Joseph W Yogus from Detroit. Zoot suits have a fascinating history that originate in African American culture and then spread amongst young Mexican Americans. In an era of

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ok, so we have one last Elizabeth Parke Firestone dress that was featured in @thehenryford's #FabricofAmerica and it is my favorite- this 1955 Dior dress designed by Yves Saint Laurent. It was a custom order with Firestone writing Dior's technical director, Marguerite Carre, "I

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Another of Balenciaga's blue creations for Elizabeth Parke Firestone is this 1950-53 navy velvet evening gown and cape. @thehenryford.bsky.social's pictures on their website sadly don't do it much justice. In person the velvet was rich and defined vs the pictures which are a little

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

For your #MondayBlues, we have this lovely 1950s Balenciaga afternoon dress and jacket, owned by Elizabeth Parke Firestone. As with Dior, Firestone corresponded with Balenciaga for custom garments. Her favorite color was blue, hence this blue plaid. @thehenryford.bsky.social #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#Ootd is this 1950 wool flannel Dior suit that Elizabeth Parke Firestone wore on her trips with her husband to Europe for business. The suit is expertly tailored and corresponds to her measurements. I mean look at those curves! #Fashionhistory #FabricofAmerica #thehenryford

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#Ootd is another of Elizabeth Parke Firestone's Dior dresses featured in #FabricofAmerica. This 1957 "Rococo" cocktail dress was designed by Dior and presented to Firestone by post (see post below). The original sketch was in red, but she requested blue. Firestone has numerous

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

;'s #FabricofAmerica exhibit was the display on Elizabeth Parke Firestone, whose husband was the chairman of Firestone Tune and Rubber Company. This outfit was a 1953 Dior woolen day dress, called Victorine. It is so lovely. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#FabricofAmerica exhibit had a small display on practicality in fashion. Fashion relies on form & function as much as its style. People's needs move certain trends forward, as with this 1900 cycling outfit. Women began wearing bifurcated garments in earnest in order to ride bikes. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

@thehenryford museum's #FabricofAmerica exhibit also highlighted the craftsmanship and technological advancement of fabric throughout history, for example with pleating. These two pieces of fabric from 2018 were made by Tom's Sons International Pleating, a textile company still

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

@thehenryford's #FabricofAmerica exhibit had a subsections was called "Abundance," which charted the progression of textiles as a person's most valuable possessions to the fast fashion of today. An example, is this 1947 wedding dress made of a WW2 parachute. Women used

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This week's #FridayFrills is this 1920s Italian black chiffon evening gown with embroidered rhinestones like fireworks exploding at the side. Imagine that glittering in a lowly lit room. Stunning. #Fashionhistory #ootd

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

@thehenryford's #FabricofAmerica included a special display on LGBTQ rights in their Liberty subsection. The phrase "The Gay Nineties are back" references the 1890s Gilded Age and advertises for the Gay Chicago Magazine, which was founded in 1976. The 1993 shorts were made by

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In there discussion on Liberty the #FabricofAmerica exhibit also mentioned those without liberty, aka the enslaved people that picked cotton, America's biggest export. This 1860-5 dress stands in for the numerous enslaved laborers that made cotton abundant in the United States.

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

@thehenryford.bsky.social's exhibit #FabricofAmerica was split into five sections, from which I will post some of my favorites in the next couple weeks. The first dresses that caught my eye were from their section- Liberty. The 1952 "I Like Ike" dress and the 1968 Nixon campaign dress show

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Designer Bob Mackie died today at 87 years old. While I would not call myself a fan of his works, I appreciate the imagination and skill that went into designing them. They are iconic for a reason, and it's not just from of their scandalous nature. I believe it is because his

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

So, I did some more traveling, this time to Detroit's @thehenryford museum for their exhibit- Fashion of America, which closed today (way to get in there at the last minute). It was a lovely exhibit that I will go through in the next couple of weeks. But that drew my eye to it

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

For this week's #FridayFrills, #ootd is this 1947 Jaques Fath evening dress made of tulle, satin, and chiffon, making it extremely airy. Yet, the embroidered bodice is boned to provide structure. The contrast makes a gown that glides effortlessly across the floor. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#Ootd is this 1961-62 Chanel gold lame dress. The full skirt is created by through tight pleats on the waist that then flow over three organza petticoats. The glamor of the dress is contrasted with her more minimalistic and refined daywear. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#Ootd is this 1956 Dior bubble dress. The "bubble" is made from folding the hem back into itself, which with the volume of a Dior dress creates this little poof. The bow is also a main element of this masterpiece, reminding me of a 1700s bodice and petticoat. #fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Sorry for going awol for a bit. I was in St. Louis over the Labor Day weekend. In honor of the trip, #ootd is this 1909 graduation dress. Frances Reid Jones, daughter of a prominent banker and US Missouri Congressman, wore this dress when she graduated from the Mary Institute in

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Here we have another of Grace Coolidge's 1920s dresses- this one of black velvet appliques on metallic threaded lace over a metallic colored underdress. The geometric shapes are quite Art Deco although also very romantic with the velvet roses. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#Ootd is this 1920s flapper dress owned by First Lady Grace Coolidge. Coolidge was known for her style, which was influenced by the newest trends versus previous First Ladies' conservative attire. Although she stayed away from more radical styles. She was beloved by Americans and

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

For this week's #WeddingWednesday, we have this 1950s Marie of Pandora lily of the valley wedding dress. Marie of Pandora is a little documented bridal designer from the 50-60s. Absolutely magnificent. Very Grace Kelly. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#Ootd is this evening dress worn by Princess Alice of Athlone, Queen Victoria's granddaughter. She wore it to a dinner for the African Society in 1930. Her husband just ended his post as Governor General of the Union of South Africa, so they were guests of honor #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

As we say goodbye to August, #ootd is this 1907 supper dress. The white silk is decorated with hand-painted chrysanthemums, which are accented with yellow velvet. Yet, the star of this dress is the corded passementerie (decorative trimmings). #nordiskamuseet #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

AI is a curious thing. It's controversial but in some ways I think it can be put to good use. For example, here is a robe a la francaise from "the 18th c." I prompted AI- "Using expert knowledge in 18th century trends in style and fabric, try to date this dress as precisely as possible." It came

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#Ootd is this Worth gown worn by Willia Alice Wilson Page when she was presented to King George V in 1914. She was accompanied by her husband, Walter Hines Page, the US ambassador to the UK. Keeping with court dress rules, she wore it with a feather in her hair. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

For this week's #FridayFrills, we have this 1750s robe a la francaise. The fabric- an ivory and green floral and foliage pattern on pink satin- was from 30 years earlier. The 1720s was known for large botanical themes, slightly exaggerated over more realistic depictions later.

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1911 Shogren evening dress. It is a gorgeous neoclassical influenced gown. I especially love the small little multicolored flowers on the skirt and net over the bodice. Also, notice that motifs on he bodice and hemline are embroidered in beads. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1929 evening dress made of silk embroidered with sequins and glass beads and worn by who else, but fashion icon, Queen Maud of Norway. #Fashionhistory @nasjonalmuseet

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Here's another 1960s dress- Mary Quant's 1962 Stampede Dress. The A-lined dress has four big asymmetrical decorative buttons that fasten the front wrap to the rest of the dress. It's one of Quant's early works- exemplified through the relatively long skirt length. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I recently went to a 60s party, so when I was scrolling through #V&A collection, this dress popped out to me. It is a 1967 pink silk dress embroidered with sequins and covered with a pink chiffon overdress. Sandie Shaw wore it as she sung "Puppet on a String" for the United

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1792 dress. It was made in England with fabric from Bengal. At the time, Indian fabrics were highly fashionable. @V_and_A notes the embroidered Neo-classical motifs- a popular trend in Europe, shows that the fabric was intended for a Western market #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

For this week's #FridayFrills and for my last Sadie Nemser dress is my favorite- a 1920-25 afternoon dress in the style of a robe de style. It's made of and once again has the sweetest flower embriodery. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Here's another 1920s Sadie Nemser evening dress made of black velvet and lace embroidered with ribbon flowers. Nesmer's husband also worked on her fashion house with her. They went to Paris as delegates of the Congress of Garment Retailers of America and they were rewarded the

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Here is another Sadie Nemser gown, this one from the 1930s. It's made of black velvet and evru velvet embroidered with rhinestones and pearl beads. The picture quality isn't great but the dress is so unique, I couldn't not feature it. The beading produces the illusion that there

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Sadie Nesmer is most well known as the designer of Grace Coolidge's 1923 inauguration gown...well at least it says so online. After some research, I have not been able to confirm that by a scholarly source. In fact, the Smithsonian's website agrees that the dress as belongs to

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#Ootd is another Sadie Nemser original- a 1920s periwinkle silk chiffon dress with elaborate beadwork on it's two tiers. The triangular creme and light teal remind me of shells, giving this a sea goddess type feel. Just extraordinary. There is one imperfection though (seen in a

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Today's Sadie Nemser 1920s dress is very similar to yesterday's #ootd. It's made of a matching baby blue velvet and cream lace and embroidered with 3D flowers. Yet, there are some notable differences- the lace exclusively being at the bottom of the dress (I love the Van Dyke

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I went into a little rabbit hole with Sadie Nemser Couture. I found a lot of dresses from her and am going to showcase them for a week. This one is a 1924 robe de style dress made of baby blue velvet and creme lace with extraordinarily elaborate embroidery of silk flowers with

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

And now for something completely different. #Ootd is this 1920s Sadie Nemser evening dress made of embroidered panne silk velvet and lined in silver lame and crepe chiffon. It also has a matching handbag of the same materials. Sadie Nemser was an American designer known for her

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1948-59 Horrockses Fashion evening dress. Horrockses was a British cotton manufacturing firm before they went into ready-to-wear in 1946. They were known for their bright and vibrant prints, like this cotton based iris pattern. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1934 A. & L. Tirocchi cotton playsuit. It's perfect for the beach, sports, and an active lifestyle, but also has a cover up skirt for more public situations. Honestly, it's the ideal from work to play outfit. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

It's #FridayFrills so let's do some more Dior. Here is his 1955 gown, Jour de fete (Celebration Day). This white organza dress does look like it was made for a celebration but of a more formal kind. His Spring-Summer 1955 collection had other celebration themed dresses like Fete

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1952-3 Dior evening dress. This dress is called "La Cigale," meaning Cicada, reflecting the dress's hard shell incapsulated in a grey moire silk. In 1952, Vogue wrote that this dress was, “a masterpiece of construction and execution." Later, the historian Barbara

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

#Ootd is this 1947 Dior "Pré Catelan" dress, made of linen and glass beads. It is from the year that Dior released his first collection and is apart of his En huit (figure 8) line, which epitomizes his New Look aesthetic- a cinched waist and fuller bust and hips. #Fashionhistory

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

#Ootd's a whimsical item for ya'll. It's a 1979 Lanvin cropped jacket made of golden lamé with floral chain stitched embroidery, accented with colored crystal beads. At this time Jules-Francois Crahay was the Lanvin's head designer, and he often made colorful, bohemian-inspired

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LaurenCDeutsch @laurencdeutsch.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Here's another Norman Norell dress- this one from 1952. Like yesterday's #ootd is was under the label Traina-Norell. It has a similar silhouette- a fitted bodice, a tight, belted waist, and a full, knee length skirt, but a drastically different, whimsical fabric. #Fashionhistory

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