Antique-Gown

MARY CUMMINGS Summer Dress, Louisville, ca. 1918

 
Very elegant summer dress, ca. 1918. American label of a famous fashion designer: Mary Cummings * Louisville (Kentucky). The dress is made of white gauze with purple vertical stripes. Closure in the front with hooks and eyelets. U-shaped neckline. Underdress made of yellow silk (not original). A scarf or sash belongs to the dress. Beautiful hand embroidery on dress and sash. Excellent condition. Very discreet discoloration. The decoration is not included.

Mary Cummings (Paine) Eudy was born in Louisville, Kentucky, February 17, 1874, the daughter of Enoch Hale Paine, of Portland, Maine, and Kate (Moore) Paine, of Louisville (died 1952 New York City). On June 30, 1896, she and William Harrison Eudy were married. Their son, Enoch Harrison Eudy, was born March 1, 1899. September 4, 1908, Mrs. Mary Cummings (Paine) Eudy embarked in business. "Mary Cummings," Incorporated, has grown into one of Louisville's leading profitsharing industries, affording, as well, every opportunity for the development of artistic talent and skill on the part of its employes. Each employe simultaneously works for the interests of Mary Cummings, the growth of the business, and the advancement and welfare of her associates. Mrs. Eudy is genuinely interested in the development of this business for women which affords them the opportunity, in her workshop, to apply their knowledge and skill, to discover their talents and latent possibilities, thus calling forth their best effort. Those employes who are taught the hand-embroidery are able to do it in their own homes for profit as well as pleasure. Mrs. Eudy's ideal included the creating of new materials, new models and hand-embroidering her original designs. The result is that not a few materials are especially woven and imported for the Mary Cummings creations, and all original designs are artistically embroidered by hand. With the beginning of World War II, Mary Cummings Inc. went out of business because ir become impossible ot get imported fabrics and embroidery materials (Source: https://muse.jhu.edu).

Bust: ~ 85 cm
Waist: ~ 72 cm
Length: ~ 125 cm