Fashion

Marjorie Post preserved her clothing quite carefully and in some cases, pinned handwritten notes to the fabric to document the occasion on which the dress was worn. Charting her development from a Midwestern youth to a confident businesswoman, philanthropist, and collector, Post’s clothing tells her story through their rich fabrics, expert tailoring, and elegant designs.  Fashions recently displayed in the closets in the Post bedroom suite have included a dashing Madame Frances evening ensemble from the debut of her daughter Eleanor in 1927, two Russian-style day dresses worn while in Moscow in 1937 and 1938, and a 1957 evening dress created for the ceremony in which she received the French Legion of Honor.

Jewelry

Post approached all aspects of jewelry collecting just as she did her fine and decorative art collections—with an eye for objects that were exceptionally beautiful, skillfully crafted, and historically important. Interested in more than just wearing exquisite jewels, Post was a jewelry connoisseur. Having remained largely intact, her collection, composed of masterpieces from Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Harry Winston, and boutique designers like Verdura, is a very important aspect of Hillwood’s holdings. This unique collection serves as a backdrop for viewing the scope of jewelry history.