Ivory crêpe de chine knickers with deep lace frills, possibly made in France or Great Britain, ca. 1920

Ivory crêpe de chine knickers cut in two panels of fabric connected with ruched fabric bands at the waist and lower leg. The outside seams otherwise open and bordered with deep flounces of cream lace frill. Embroidered with 'EMILIE' on one leg.

Registered File number 1989/1229.
These knickers were worn by Miss Emilie Grigsby (1876-1964) who was a wealthy independent American who came to England from New York. She established a salon which was frequented by writers and the military. She was considered to be one of the great international beauties, with extremely pale, almost transparent, skin and golden hair. She was frequently the subject of articles in the New York Times during the early 20th century. Her clothes were purchased from couturiers in London, Paris, and New York, and demonstrated an elegantly avant-garde approach to style.

T.324-1989