Dress, Irene Castle
Object number1987.021.01
Datec. 1920
MediumSilk, Beadwork, Rhinestones
DimensionsA. 34.5" L x 18" W
B. 30" L
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionA beige silk underslip with 1/4" straps, trimmed under arms with silver metallic thread. The straps and 2" wide piece around top of bodice. Skirt trimmed with rhinestones and two tiers of white and silver beadwork. The bottom is trimmed with beaded fringe and lace. There are four water stains on the top portion and three areas of rust stains in the front; the back left side has very large water stain. Soil is apparent all over dress. Also, there is a 3 1/2" tear under right arm behind the six sets of hooks and eyes.An over blouse that is beige silk with rhinestones and white metallic beadwork. The bottom edge of the blouse is beaded fringe with rhinestone brooch. The blouse also has a secured shoulder scarf of beige silk. .
File includes a letter that is dated June 1, 1987, from Phyllis McGuire, subsequent owner of the dress: "This beaded crystal dress given to me when I was 16 years old from Irene Castle. That was in 1961. My mother was employed as a companion to Ms. Castle and I spent many hours with her listening to wonderful accounts of her show days. She told me that this particular dress was made for her in Paris and she wore it at a show in Chicago when she and Vernon danced at a charity benefit."
Vernon and Irene Castle were a husband-and-wife team of ballroom dancers of the early 20th century. They are credited with invigorating the popularity of modern dancing. They were so famous that a dance was named for them -- the "Castle Walk” -- and a movie was made in the late 1930s starring, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. When Irene was 96, she was living under the care of a woman in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Status
Not on view
January 11, 1927
January 11, 1955
Unknown Date