The dressmakers and dress designers of Bloomington held a fashion show one hundred years ago today at the Chatterton Opera House. They were all members of the Bloomington Auxiliary of the Fashion Art League. All of the dresses, coats, lingerie and accessories were entirely of local manufacture. The models were all young women of Bloomington. The theme of the show was "American Clothes for American Women."
By wearing a dress or coat of local making, a woman could be sure of a unique article of superior fit. Some women would of course ensure that their clothes were unique by travelling to Chicago, New York or even Europe for new fashions. The war in Europe though, would have put a halt to shopping trips abroad.