1920's Black velvet with black lace Robe de Style dress

Black velvet with black lace Robe de Style dress; black black velvet with black lace Robe de Style dress; black lace overskirt extended out at hips by thick wired cord decorated with beads, the dress further trimmed with thin sequined strips attached at center front and back waist; size 10 silk velvet; lace; sequins

HCT.1999.43.2

1922-1923

This dress was purchased at auction, however, much is known about the designer, Farquharson & Wheelock. Jessie Farquharson and Margaret Wheelock were sisters who immigrated from Scotland around 1900. They began their dressmaking business in New York City in 1906. They were very successful as evidenced by their property transactions. The firm purchased a property at 724 Fifth Avenue in 1911, and in 1920 enlarged the premises by purchasing the Louis P. Hoyt mansion next door for roughly $600,000. The NY Times called this the highest price ever paid for an inside lot on Fifth Avenue north of Forty-second Street"."

Farquharson & Wheelock

Butterfly Sleeve, Pannier, Bell Silhouette

1920-1929