This striped denim dress belonged to Olive J. Smith (1917-1996), fashion buyer and Seattle style authority. It was designed in New York by Larry Aldrich. Smith worked for Rhodes and The Bon Marché department stores until 1963 when she was recruited by Nordstrom. Nordstrom had just purchased women’s specialty store Best’s Apparel, and so Smith was brought on to help with the pivotal transition from being a shoes-only retailer to selling a full range of fashionable clothing. As a member of Fashion Group of Seattle, Smith also mentored and supported many women in the local industry.