Browse Items (27 total)

Combining history, anthropology, and art, Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949) is revered as a maestro of creating dyed and patterned fabrics. His aspirations and inspirations came to him young; Mariano Fortuny was born into a renowned family of artists in…

The object in question is identified in curatorial records as a “dress of blue silk velvet” purchased by the donor in 1926 or 1927. It was likely made the same year by a yet-undetermined designer, from “an exclusive NewYork [City] dress shop”. It…

Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949) is a well known Spanish-born artist who built his career in Venice beginning in 1906, finding great popularity during the 1920s and '30s. A Fortuny shop opened in New York City at 509 Madison Avenue in 1928, after interior…

This ensemble was donated in May 1979 by Mrs. Thyra Jane Foster (née Meyers, 1898-1984), part of a large gift that includes women’s evening dresses and children’s clothing, most from the first half of the 20th century. Little documentation exists…

This coat of beige silk crepe decorated with braid and cording has a label identifying it as designed by Lucien Lelong (1889-1958). The tag stitched into the lining of the coat labels it as Lucien Lelong, made in Paris, France at 16 Rue Matignon and…

This dress was given to the University of Rhode Island prior to the establishment of the Historic Textile and Costume Collection. Information concerning the donor remains incomplete. Information on the probable original owner of the dress can be…

This peacock blue dress is from the Liberty department store in London, England. Arthur Lasenby Liberty (1843-1917) began his career in fashion at Farmer and Roger’s, a firm selling cloaks and shawls imported from China and India. The 1862 Great…

Dominating post-World War II fashion, the House of Christian Dior set a precedent that still carries its legacy today. Christian Dior (1905-1957) began his career in fashion working for designer Robert Piguet (1898-1953) prior to World War II. In…

This dress with matching shoes was donated to the university in 1984 by John Pierrepont Sturges (1912-2001) and his wife Alice Challifoux Ellsworth [Davis] Sturges (1914-2008). The dress has is a single tag sewn into the bodice, from a store called…

Emilio Pucci’s (1914-1992) journey to becoming a fashion designer did not follow the same trajectory as other mid-twentieth century designers. Born into an Italian aristocratic family, with no expectations of having the necessity to work, Pucci’s…