August 2011 » News and Events » FIDM Museum & Galleries

The new FIDM Museum & Galleries website has launched, bringing a new design, and expanded content and functionality to students and to the community. The goal of the redesign was to give the user a richer experience, both visually and intellectually. The new Collections section provides access to information on the multitude of pieces that the Museum holds in the Permanent, Study, and Special Collections. The new site makes it easier for users to find general information, make donations, and learn more about upcoming events and exhibitions, creating a living document of the FIDM Museum.

According to the Museum Association: “Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artifacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society.” As part of an educational institution, the FIDM Museum takes this mission to heart, and the new website is an effective way of building relationships and providing educational opportunities to students and the public. Another educational tool is the FIDM Museum Blog, which has already earned international attention for its insightful and scholarly posts on pieces within the collection. The FIDM Museum and FIDM Museum Shop also reach out via social media, and through hosting free public events and seminars.

A few points of interest:

The FIDM Museum has attracted more than one thousand donors over the past thirty-three years. These generous patrons contributed 70% of the current collections.

The collections currently consist of approximately 15,000 historical objects covering more than 200 years, from 1800 to the present.

The first FIDM Museum was formed in 1973 as a teaching tool for fashion students with the personal contributions of faculty and staff.

The nonprofit FIDM Museum Foundation was formally established in 1978. Betsy Bloomingdale was the founding donor, with a generous gift of French haute couture ensembles.

In 1985, the estate of Rudi Gernreich bequeathed the designer’s extensive archive to the FIDM Museum.

The Annette Green Fragrance Archive was donated to the FIDM Museum in 2005.

The Gianni Versace Menswear Archive is a recent standout acquisition.

For more information, spend some time on the new FIDMMuseum.org.

Scores of LA residents, students, and visitors have visited the FIDM Museum this summer to take in the ultra-chic intimate installation, LBD: An Homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. While the film continually plays, groups gather to watch their favorite scenes, then take their time examining the vintage and contemporary little black dresses on display. The design illustrations by FIDM costume and fashion design students have delighted visitors with their fresh take on the iconic film and the LBD. Be sure to view this stunning exhibit before it closes on August 13th.

Photo by Alex J. Berliner/abimages

No visit to FIDM is complete without a stop at the Museum Shop. Summer visitors have picked up exhibition-related merchandise ranging from fun Breakfast at Tiffany’s mugs and bookmarks, to a quirky diamond ring coffee cup, to deluxe fashion tomes on the impact of the Little Black Dress.

Other popular items to enhance a stylish summer in the city are the vivid melamine picnic ware pieces from French Bull (great for the Hollywood Bowl), ultra-feminine (and affordable) necklaces from Rafia Jewelry (perfect with a Tee or an LBD), and non-toxic nail polish from Scotch Naturals, in a full range of summer-to-fall transitional colors.

The most fashionable book flying off the shelves this summer? Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This book transports readers into the inspired, provocative, and avant-garde world of the late influential designer.

And if you are over 21, breeze by Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, for their exhibition-inspired, Moon River Martini. (Tell them Holly sent you.)

	The new FIDM Museum & Galleries website has launched, bringing a new design, and expanded content and functionality to students and to the community. The goal of the redesign was to give the user a richer experience, both visually and intellectually. The new Collections section provides access to information on the multitude of pieces that the Museum holds in the Permanent, Study, and Special Collections. The new site makes it easier for users to find general information, make donations, and learn more about upcoming events and exhibitions, creating a living document of the FIDM Museum. According to the Museum Association: “Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artifacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society.” As part of an educational institution, the FIDM Museum takes this mission to heart, and the new website is an effective way of building relationships and providing educational opportunities to students and the public. Another educational tool is the FIDM Museum Blog, which has already earned international attention for its insightful and scholarly posts on pieces within the collection. The FIDM Museum and FIDM Museum Shop also reach out via social media, and through hosting free public events and seminars. A few points of interest: The FIDM Museum has attracted more than one thousand donors over the past thirty-three years. These generous patrons contributed 70% of the current collections. The collections currently consist of approximately 15,000 historical objects covering more than 200 years, from 1800 to the present. The first FIDM Museum was formed in 1973 as a teaching tool for fashion students with the personal contributions of faculty and staff. The nonprofit FIDM Museum Foundation was formally established in 1978. Betsy Bloomingdale was the founding donor, with a generous gift of French haute couture ensembles. In 1985, the estate of Rudi Gernreich bequeathed the designer’s extensive archive to the FIDM Museum. The Annette Green Fragrance Archive was donated to the FIDM Museum in 2005. The Gianni Versace Menswear Archive is a recent standout acquisition. For more information, spend some time on the new FIDMMuseum.org. Scores of LA residents, students, and visitors have visited the FIDM Museum this summer to take in the ultra-chic intimate installation, LBD: An Homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. While the film continually plays, groups gather to watch their favorite scenes, then take their time examining the vintage and contemporary little black dresses on display. The design illustrations by FIDM costume and fashion design students have delighted visitors with their fresh take on the iconic film and the LBD. Be sure to view this stunning exhibit before it closes on August 13th. Photo by Alex J. Berliner/abimages No visit to FIDM is complete without a stop at the Museum Shop. Summer visitors have picked up exhibition-related merchandise ranging from fun Breakfast at Tiffany’s mugs and bookmarks, to a quirky diamond ring coffee cup, to deluxe fashion tomes on the impact of the Little Black Dress. Other popular items to enhance a stylish summer in the city are the vivid melamine picnic ware pieces from French Bull (great for the Hollywood Bowl), ultra-feminine (and affordable) necklaces from Rafia Jewelry (perfect with a Tee or an LBD), and non-toxic nail polish from Scotch Naturals, in a full range of summer-to-fall transitional colors. The most fashionable book flying off the shelves this summer? Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This book transports readers into the inspired, provocative, and avant-garde world of the late influential designer. And if you are over 21, breeze by Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, for their exhibition-inspired, Moon River Martini. (Tell them Holly sent you.)				Mark your calendars for a special day of Summer Style at the FIDM Museum & Museum Shop. The day begins with the rescheduled Hilary Beane Design – Pearls: The LBD of Jewelry Presentation & Trunk Show* and will conclude with an evening panel discussion with three influential stylists: Defining Style – A Conversation with Stylists. Have you wondered what the difference is between a Tahitian, fresh water, Keshi, or a coin pearl? Pearls 101, a presentation and Q&A session with jewelry designer Hilary Beane, will address these and other questions. Beane is an innovator in her treatments of Tahitian and South Sea pearls, bezel–setting diamonds and colored stones into their surfaces. The collections have been available at Bergdorf-Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Beane is bringing her new collection to the FIDM Museum Shop and will discuss the line and her aesthetic vision at the Pearls: The LBD of Jewelry Presentation. Presentation 12:30 – 1:30 pm Trunk Show 1:30 – 5:30 pm Location FIDM Museum Shop This event has been rescheduled from August 4th. Light refreshments will be served in the Museum foyer between 5 and 6 pm. Styled by Kendrick Osorio The role of the stylist continues to evolve in the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle. Their growing influence, their impact on trends, and their role in society and culture will be discussed by three industry insiders. Styled by Jean Getson Niecy Nash, styled by Melissa Chataigne Join panelists Kendrick Osorio, Jean Getson, and Melissa Chataigne for an inside look at their style-driven world. The FIDM Museum will be open after the panel. Free & open to the public* 6:30 – 8 pm Location FIDM Main Building, Room 500 Or meet in the FIDM Museum foyer RSVP to rsvp@fidmmuseum.org. LBD: An Homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s June 15 – August 13 Fabulous! Ten Years of FIDM Museum Acquisitions, 2000 - 2010 September 13 – December 17, 2011 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Pre-Inventory Sale FIDM Museum Shop August 17 – 26th Store hours during sale: Monday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm