Peggy Hamilton modeling a Max Rée gown as "Queen Olympia," 1931

Description

Handwritten on edge of negative: RKO-30, Peggy Hamilton standing on a grand spiral staircase, wearing a regal evening gown with empire lines in ivory satin embroidered with pearls and rhinestones, with puffed sleeves and a flared stand-up collar of Alençon lace. Her red velvet train, 15 yards in length, is decorated with large flowers created from gold metallic ribbon and has an ermine border. Her crown is ornamented with diamonds and pearls., This gown was designed by Max Rée, courtesy of Radio Pictures Corporation, for the Coronation Ball at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles at which Hamilton was crowned as Queen Olympia. Hamilton was the Los Angeles County Official Hostess during the 1932 summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. The location of this photograph with grand spiral staircase is not documented., A different photograph of Peggy Hamilton wearing this gown and train appears in her Los Angeles Times feature "Fashions," August 23, 1931. pg. H3, Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds.