1. Amazingly, Lucile’s most important contributions to the world of fashion were probably not her designs. Lucile is credited with hiring and training the world’s first profession fashion models and using them to stage the very first catwalk-style runway shows! This photograph was taken of one of Lucile’s models (which she called mannequins) in 1912.

    Amazingly, Lucile’s most important contributions to the world of fashion were probably not her designs.

    Lucile is credited with hiring and training the world’s first profession fashion models and using them to stage the very first catwalk-style runway shows!

    This photograph was taken of one of Lucile’s models (which she called mannequins) in 1912.

  2. Two sisters wearing homemade versions of the latest fashionable dresses in a tintype photograph from the late 1870s. (From my personal collection.)

    Two sisters wearing homemade versions of the latest fashionable dresses in a tintype photograph from the late 1870s.

    (From my personal collection.)

  3. 21-month-old Charlie Hejda in a ridiculously cute knitted ensemble, taken April 1913. (From my personal collection.)

    21-month-old Charlie Hejda in a ridiculously cute knitted ensemble, taken April 1913.

    (From my personal collection.)

  4. Three brothers wearing their best suits for the photographer circa 1908. (my person collection)

    Three brothers wearing their best suits for the photographer circa 1908.

    (my person collection)

  5. Lucile (12), Mary (8) and Dorothy Fleming (1) sit with their cousin Laurence Foster (6) on their Uncle’s porch in Albion, Michigan in 1896. This photo album is one of my favorite things I own.

    Lucile (12), Mary (8) and Dorothy Fleming (1) sit with their cousin Laurence Foster (6) on their Uncle’s porch in Albion, Michigan in 1896.

    This photo album is one of my favorite things I own.

  6. A girl wearing a very fashionable winter ensemble circa 1895. I love the button detail on the sleeves. Also note the amazing wooden sidewalk. My scanner’s not high quality enough to show it clearly, but her cheeks and nose are absolutely covered in freckles. I adore this picture more than I can possibly say. (From my personal collection.)

    A girl wearing a very fashionable winter ensemble circa 1895. I love the button detail on the sleeves. Also note the amazing wooden sidewalk.

    My scanner’s not high quality enough to show it clearly, but her cheeks and nose are absolutely covered in freckles. I adore this picture more than I can possibly say.

    (From my personal collection.)

  7. A photograph of an absolutely precious girl (her name is Iva) in a simple white dress, taken between 1890 and 1892. (From my personal collection.)

    A photograph of an absolutely precious girl (her name is Iva) in a simple white dress, taken between 1890 and 1892.

    (From my personal collection.)

  8. It’s the first week in September and for many of you time to head back to school. I recently received an anonymous message in my ask box inquiring as to what exactly was worn to school in the past. The answer to this question is complicated. School-wear in the past varied just as much as it does now, so it is difficult to pick out pieces of clothing to post. Therefore I’ve decided to post photographs as they contain many people and show the range of clothing worn better than individual pieces ever could. This above photograph is of a graduating high school class in Dayton, Ohio in 1890. Three-piece suits are the standard for young men, and the young ladies wear a huge variety of fashionable attire. I especially love the assortment of hat styles.

    It’s the first week in September and for many of you time to head back to school.

    I recently received an anonymous message in my ask box inquiring as to what exactly was worn to school in the past. The answer to this question is complicated. School-wear in the past varied just as much as it does now, so it is difficult to pick out pieces of clothing to post. Therefore I’ve decided to post photographs as they contain many people and show the range of clothing worn better than individual pieces ever could.

    This above photograph is of a graduating high school class in Dayton, Ohio in 1890. Three-piece suits are the standard for young men, and the young ladies wear a huge variety of fashionable attire. I especially love the assortment of hat styles.

  9. A photograph of a prostitute in striped stockings, circa 1912. Part of E. J. Bellocq’s famed collection taken in Storyville, the legal red light district in turn of the century New Orleans.

    A photograph of a prostitute in striped stockings, circa 1912. Part of E. J. Bellocq’s famed collection taken in Storyville, the legal red light district in turn of the century New Orleans.