Whiting & Davis Co. (American, Plainville, MA)
Dance costume 1926
gold-plated brass wire mesh, silk satin ribbon, metallic braid
Gift of Mrs. Laura Rice Kelly 2004.97

In May 1926, young Laura Rice took to the stage of the old Morse Opera House in Woonsocket, RI to perform “Our Golden Girl” at her dancing school’s annual recital. For the occasion, her grandfather, Charles A. Whiting, had this mesh dress made especially for her at his factory in Plainville, MA. Whiting & Davis made metal mesh mainly for industrial purposes, but the company had a healthy sideline in the fashion world, and was particularly known for evening purses and “chain mail” armor for stage and screen.

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