Eras of Impact, Signatures of Style

Step into the lives of remarkable WCW women through the garments they wore and the moments they lived. This special presentation brings history to life through pieces preserved in the Mount Mary University Fashion Archive, each one reflecting a woman, an era, and a story of impact.

From an 1880s Paris haute couture gown by Emile Pingat, worn by Laura Chapman Miller, to a bold Yves Saint Laurent shift dress from his Fall/Winter 1965–66 Pop Art collection worn by Peg Bradley, the program traces decades of style shaped by travel, service, and cultural influence. Discover the intricate beauty of Alice Miller Chester’s beaded late 1910s evening gown, likely purchased in France during her time abroad in 1917.

Experience the significance of garments tied to royal occasions through Lillian Day Sivyer and her daughter, Alcy Sivyer Hacker. Alcy’s Paquin court presentation ensemble marks her introduction at the British court in 1928, while Lillian’s brocade evening gown was worn to the coronation of King George VI in 1937.

The narrative continues with the strength and service represented by Jean Judge’s WWII WAVES uniform, designed by Mainbocher in the early 1940s. Mid-century elegance follows Elizabeth Ogden’s pink sari-inspired evening gown by Ann Lowe, the celebrated designer behind Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress. The presentation concludes with the distinctive style of Barbara Wiley, as seen in her collection of Frank Olive hats, spanning the 1970s through the 1990s, honoring the work of the Milwaukee-born milliner.

Each piece offers a glimpse into how WCW members moved through the world with confidence, presence, and purpose. Together, these garments form a visual legacy of women who made their mark not only in what they wore but in the lives they led.

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Chicken Pot Pie

Root vegetable medley, sage cream, fresh herbs in a puff pastry, comes with a side salad

Warm Rolls with Butter

Strawberry Shortcake

Coffee and Tea Service Included