House of Worth, design house

Edith was one of many elite clients who traveled to Paris to purchase their wardrobes. The House of Worth, known for its use of lavish materials, was a good match for Edith’s sumptuous taste. The lamé used here, made of both silver and gold threads, shines like liquid metal. From 1895, the House of Worth was led by Jean-Philippe Worth, whose work expounded upon his father’s aesthetic. The firm flourished during Jean-Philippe’s tenure and into the 1920s.

The RISD Museum collection includes some of the few remaining items from Edith’s wardrobe, and they must have been especially cherished. Biltmore documentation shows Edith often donated her own clothing, and that of her daughter, Cornelia, to the staff.