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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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398 results for: Clothing and Dress

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Image of Seamstresses sewing skiwear at Roffe, Inc., Seattle, circa 1960
Photograph

Seamstresses sewing skiwear at Roffe, Inc., Seattle, circa 1960

Seattle ski wear company Roffe, Inc., was founded by Sam Roffe (1909-1994) in 1953. Until 1996 it operated as one of the largest stretch ski-pants-manufacturing factories in the United States, even outfitting the 1960 U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team. In this image seamstresses work on garments at the Roffe manufacturing site at 419 First Avenue South in downtown Seattle. Handwritten…
ID Number:1986.5.11420.2
Date:circa 1960
Image of Women demonstrating welding suit at Associated Shipyards, Seattle, 1943
Photograph

Women demonstrating welding suit at Associated Shipyards, Seattle, 1943

During World War II, many women worked in Seattle's shipyards while the men fought overseas. Here, at Associated Shipbuilders, a part of the Seattle-based Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Company on Harbor Island, two well-dressed women show off their fashions. The woman on the left is wearing a new style of protective welding gear. She has tipped her mask up…
ID Number:1986.5.11800.1
Date:1943
Image of Daffodil princesses at Spring Festival of Fun, Seattle, March 14, 1964
Photograph

Daffodil princesses at Spring Festival of Fun, Seattle, March 14, 1964

Seattle's "Spring Festival of Fun" was held over nine days in March 1964, from March 13th -21st. Sponsored by the Central Association of Seattle, the festival was designed to promote the advantages of the downtown area. Daily events, such as art exhibits, performances, and retail events, were held in locations from the waterfront to First Hill, and from the central…
ID Number:1986.5.11906.1
Date:1964
Image of Saleswoman assisting customer at Best's Apparel millinery salon, Seattle, circa 1930
Photograph

Saleswoman assisting customer at Best's Apparel millinery salon, Seattle, circa 1930

Premiere Seattle women's fashion store Best Apparel was located on the corner of Fifth and Pine Streets in downtown Seattle from the 1920s until the 1960s. Owned by Dorothy Cabot Best (1888-1958) and her husband Ivan L. Best (1887-1979), the store was sold to Nordstrom in 1964, as Nordstrom began growing from a shoe store into a fashion-oriented specialty store.In…
ID Number:1986.5.11963.1
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Dressing rooms at Best's Apparel, September 1935
Photograph

Dressing rooms at Best's Apparel, September 1935

Best’s Apparel was a women’s clothing store founded in Seattle by Dorothy Cabot Best (1888-1958) and Ivan Lovich Best (1887-1979). The store opened in 1925 on Third Avenue between Pine and Pike, and moved to a larger location in 1935. Best's Apparel was sold to Nordstrom in 1963 as Nordstrom began growing from a shoe store into a fashion-oriented specialty…
ID Number:1986.5.11963.2
Date:1935
Image of Saleswomen displaying garments at Best's Apparel, Seattle, circa 1940
Photograph

Saleswomen displaying garments at Best's Apparel, Seattle, circa 1940

Premiere Seattle women's fashion store Best Apparel was located on the corner of Fifth and Pine Streets in downtown Seattle from the 1920s until the 1960s. Owned by Dorothy Cabot Best (1888-1958) and her husband Ivan L. Best (1887-1979), the store was sold to Nordstrom in 1964, as Nordstrom began growing from a shoe store into a fashion-oriented specialty store.In…
ID Number:1986.5.11966.1
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Saleswoman displaying garments at Best's Apparel, Seattle, circa 1940
Photograph

Saleswoman displaying garments at Best's Apparel, Seattle, circa 1940

Premiere Seattle women's fashion store Best Apparel was located on the corner of Fifth and Pine Streets in downtown Seattle from the 1920s until the 1960s. Owned by Dorothy Cabot Best (1888-1958) and her husband Ivan L. Best (1887-1979), the store was sold to Nordstrom in 1964, as Nordstrom began growing from a shoe store into a fashion-oriented specialty store.In…
ID Number:1986.5.11966.2
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Exterior of Best's Apparel, Seattle, December 3, 1954
Photograph

Exterior of Best's Apparel, Seattle, December 3, 1954

Premiere Seattle women's fashion store Best's Apparel was located on the corner of Fifth and Pine Streets in downtown Seattle from the 1920s until the 1960s. Owned by Dorothy Cabot Best (1888-1958) and her husband Ivan L. Best (1887-1979), the store was sold to Nordstrom in 1964, as Nordstrom began growing from a shoe store into a fashion-oriented specialty store.This…
ID Number:1986.5.11967.1
Date:1954
Image of Exterior of John Doyle Bishop store, Seattle, December 1954
Photograph

Exterior of John Doyle Bishop store, Seattle, December 1954

Fashion designer and retailer John Doyle Bishop (1913-1980), known as "Seattle's most colorful Irishman," opened his first store in 1950 when he purchased Helen Igoe's exclusive women's apparel shop at 1331 Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle. In 1954 Bishop moved the shop to 1334 Fifth Avenue, where he sold his and other designs to a wealthy clientèle. His impeccable style…
ID Number:1986.5.11972.1
Date:1954
Image of Interior of John Doyle Bishop store, Seattle, December 1954
Photograph

Interior of John Doyle Bishop store, Seattle, December 1954

Fashion designer and retailer John Doyle Bishop (1913-1980), known as "Seattle's most colorful Irishman," opened his first store in 1950 when he purchased Helen Igoe's exclusive women's apparel shop at 1331 Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle. In 1954 Bishop moved the shop to 1334 Fifth Avenue, where he sold his and other designs to a wealthy clientèle. His impeccable style…
ID Number:1986.5.11972.2
Date:1954
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