Women's Look

Christian Lacroix evening gown, fall/winter 1993–94.

In 1993, Marshall Field & Company hosted Christian Lacroix at the Chicago History Museum, where he reprised his Paris runway show on the Museum’s plaza. At the conclusion of his visit, Lacroix donated two haute couture ensembles he designed for the fashion show to the Museum's costume collection, including this evening gown with lace jumpsuit, silk chiffon ombré skirt, and beaded flowers on the bodice. Lacroix was also honored by the Costume Committee with their Designer of Excellence Award that year.

J. & J. Slater women’s shoes, c. 1905.

These bright pink velvet shoes with rhinestone buckles were made by the American company J. & J. Slater. They were owned and worn by Mrs. Marshall Field, née Delia Spencer, who Marshall Field’s second wife. Spencer and Field were married for only a few months before his death from pneumonia in 1906. Prior to marrying Field, Spencer was married to Arthur Caton from 1876 until his death in 1904. The shoes were gifted to the Museum by Mr. Albert J. Beveridge III.

Bes-Ben's women’s cone-style crown hat, 1957.

This plastic, buckram, and velvet hat by Bes-Ben of Chicago is covered with red, blue, silver, green, purple polychrome faceted stones of various shapes and sizes. Gifted by Mr. Benjamin B. Green-Field himself, this hat was named “Sputnik.”

Fashion to Figure: A Head to Toe Appeal

Fashion to Figure: A Head to Toe Appeal supporting the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum

Fashion to Figure: A Head to Toe Appeal

Fashion to Figure: A Head to Toe Appeal supporting the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum