Camisole of machine-made net, possibly made in France or England, ca. 1920

Camisole made from a band of machine-made coffee-coloured net with a floral design. Waist length, semi-circular, and shaped with machine-made hem-stitched seams. It has two narrow white silk satin ribbon shoulder straps and fastens with black metal hooks and stitched eyes on the left side of the back.

This was 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.195-1967