Elizabeth Parke Firestone's refined sense of fashion reflected years of interest in clothing design and collaboration with world-renowned couturiers. Firestone requested this custom gown from the Paris design house of Christian Dior for the November 5, 1955, Vienna Opera House reopening. Later that month, Firestone--wearing the blue-grey ball gown with metallic embroidery and iridescent rhinestones--was featured in LIFE magazine.