Two Jackets: One Christian Dior, One Lilli Ann, 1950s

This lot includes two jackets. The Lilli Ann jacket was printed in a 1955 Lilli Ann advertisement in Vogue, photographed by Roger Prigent.

Bio on Lilli Ann:
Founded by Adolph Schuman in 1934, the San Francisco-based label was named for the proprietor’s wife, Lillian Brown. Lilli Ann was founded thanks to an $800 loan, enabling Schuman to transition from wholesale fashion to creating his own line of womenswear. Schuman developed key partnerships with Jean Wright and Billie Dugan, young women who began as models for the brand, and later served as pattern cutters and lead designers. Savvy in his dealings, Schuman began purchasing large quantities of fine fabrics from small European textile mills in the 1950s, helping to revitalize the French and Italian textile industries which had been decimated by the Second World War.

THE FIRST
Grey woven jacket with large spread collar, three quarter length sleeves, two front welted pockets, attached neck tie, and open front.
Label: Christian Dior Original
Made in U.S.A. Christian Dior-New York Inc.
Size Label: Unlabeled

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 14"
Chest: 39"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 38.75"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 23.5"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 23.25"

THE SECOND
White wool woven with black thread jacket with shawl lapel, set-in pleated bell sleeves with rhinestone embellished buckles, and center front button closure. The full hips are supported by an inner-construction of extra layers of fabric and ribbon.
Label: An Original from Lilli Ann of San Francisco
Size Label: Unlabeled

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 16.5"
Chest: 29.5"
Waist: 25.75"
Hips: 40.75"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 26"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 26"

Property from the Collection of the North Coast College