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Checked Suit
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Checked Suit
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Checked Suit

Artifact IDMO 63.1384a-b
Object Type Suit
Date 1961
Date Worn6/4/1961
Maker (American, est. 1927)
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States
Place WornVienna, Austria, Europe
Medium Wool tweed
DimensionsOverall (jacket) L 21 in (53.3 cm)
 Overall (skirt) L 25 in (63.5 cm)
Physical DescriptionA two piece suit with skirt and jacket in blue and black checked wool tweed. The jacket has a collar and three buttons down the center front with two notches at the hip.
Historical NoteFirst Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore this suit on June 3, 1961 when she accompanied President Kennedy to Saint Stephan's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria for a mass presided over by the archbishop, Cardinal Franz Koenig, where the Vienna Boys' Choir sang. Afterward she toured the Vienna porcelain factory and attended a special performance of the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School.

The suit's maker, Chez Ninon, was an exclusive Park Avenue custom dressmaking establishment opened by Nona Park and Sophie Shonnard in the late 1920s. Park and Shonnard were celebrated for their authorized European couture copies. Here, Chez Ninon adapted a suit in the Cardin style, with signature touches of bold scallop detailing, overscaled buttons, and fabric with a dramatic presence.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem is from the personal collection of President and Mrs. Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
Place WornVienna, Austria, Europe
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesFirst Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NotePlease contact the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for permission to use this image. IP@jfklfoundation.org Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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