About this collection
- Dorothy Horvorka wore this dress for her final solo piano performance with the Cleveland Summer Orchestra in 1959. One might imagine that a classical musician should wear more serious clothing, but Dorothy dressed with color and flair onstage. This dress is made of layers of dusty purple net, but a bright pink lining peeks through, and glows in certain light. She found success as a pianist for decades before devoting herself to musical philanthropy, as a trustee of the Cleveland Orchestra and President of its Women’s Committee, and as President of the Cleveland Music School Settlement., Made of synthetic net. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Dorothy Humel Hovorka (1921-2017). Gift of Dorothy Humel Hovorka 81.51.2. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
- The city’s eyes were on the White family, who made their name through manufacturing, with the White Sewing Machine Co., and later with Rollin White’s co-ownership of the White Motor Corporation. He and his wife Katharine had a taste for adventure and the outdoors. Family photo albums depict her enjoying golfing and sailing, and during the 1930s she and her family cruised around the world on the SS Columbus. Around the time she would have worn this dress, she took her granddaughter, also named Katharine, on a North Cape cruise aboard the SS Kungsholm. Kate would have been 65 that year, and her willingness to shine in this silver dress hadn’t faded., Made of silk lamé. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Katharine King White (1872-1949). Gift of Mrs. W. Griffin King, 58.282. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
- The layer around Honey Rosenthal’s shoulders can be primped and puffed to give it volume, creating impact with a dramatic silhouette. Honey wore this dress to the WRHS in 1977 for an event honoring Charles, Prince of Wales. Honey’s English-made dress subtly honored the monarchy: the designer, Norman Hartnell, was appointed dressmaker to the Royal Family in 1938. The press took note of Honey’s style, and in 1981 Town & Country named her one of the “Turned Out Twenty,” amongst the likes of Nancy Reagan., Made of silk. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Honey Rosenthal (1917-2005). Gift of Mrs. Leighton Rosenthal, 93.99.1. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
- “If it’s a special dress, I’ll keep it for five years… I truly love all of my dresses and I like to wear them more than once.” In 1989, Terry Adelman described her approach to benefit dressing for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She appreciated the importance of the little black dress, but in 1988 she wore this shocking pink confection to the “Renaissance Romance” benefit for the Cleveland Ballet, which she co-chaired. Terry’s dedication to philanthropy began as a teenager, when she volunteered at Rainbow Babies Hospital. Today, she supports Cleveland’s hospitals with a passion., Made of silk, synthetic horsehair. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Terry Goldstein Adelman (b. 1942). Gift of Mrs. Sheldon Adelman, 1999.59.1.