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Brooks Uniform Co.

Suit worn by Michael Strange (pseudonym of Blanche Oelrichs)

Maker

Brooks Uniform Co., tailor

Title

Suit worn by Michael Strange (pseudonym of Blanche Oelrichs)

Year

1927

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

cotton, wool, linen, silk

Dimensions

Center back length: 100.3 cm (39 1/2 inches) (jacket)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Label: Brooks Uniform Co. / 143 West 40th St. New York / Mr. M. Strange

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Joan Avillez

Object Number

2011.84

Type

Publications

Exhibition History

Artist, Rebel, Dandy
Men of Fashion
Apr 26, 2013 – Aug 18, 2013

Label copy

This tailor-made suit, worn by Michael Strange (pseudonym of poet and actor Blanche Oelrichs), exemplifies socio-political dandyism as expressed by women. Married to John Barrymore, Strange described the pleasure they enjoyed as a couple as they explored the boundaries of gender definition through clothing choice: "Jack and I dressed in a manner never affected before or since. Pleatings and flutings appeared on his trousers, duplications of the ones on my skirt....He considerably lowered his shirt collars, of which I instantly had a dozen copies made."

Strange wore this suit, tailored by Brooks Uniform Company, in everyday life and when she played the role of Napoleon II in L'Aiglon. The suit's skillful construction is offset by the ethereal silk organdy dickey and trompe l'oeil bow time.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Brooks Uniform Co., tailor
Suit worn by Michael Strange (pseudonym of Blanche Oelrichs), 1927
Wool crepe coat with silk velvet collar, wool crepe trousers, silk plain weave dickie
Center back length: 100.3 cm (39 1/2 inches) (jacket)
Gift of Joan Avillez 2011.84

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