Christian Dior Evening Dress, Worn by Elizabeth Parke Firestone to the Reopening of the Vienna Opera House, 1955

Elizabeth Parke Firestone's refined sense of fashion reflected years of interest in clothing design and collaboration with world-renowned couturiers. Firestone requested this custom gown from the Paris design house of Christian Dior for the November 5, 1955 Vienna Opera House reopening. Later that month, Firestone--wearing the blue-grey ball gown with metallic embroidery and iridescent rhinestones--was featured in LIFE magazine.