Silk moire bonnet, c. 1845
Bonnet c. 1845 2008.5.32 Museum Purchase During the 1840s, headcoverings were an essential part of every women's wardrobe. Inside the home, women often wore delicate, lacy caps which covered the hair and tied under the chin. When venturing out into the... Read Article ››

Thanks for a great year!
One year ago this month, we started the FIDM Museum blog as a way to share our objects with a wider audience. It has been a great experience, bringing us in closer contact with fashion history aficionados around the world. Thanks to all of YOU for reading,... Read Article ››

Silver paper headdress, c. 1860
Anyone interested in the history of fashion quickly realizes that fashion is a series of cyclical repetitions. Contemporary silhouettes, colors and design details reference recent and historic styles, often with only slight modifications to bring a garment... Read Article ››

Carolina Herrera evening gowns
Even before launching her own line in 1981, Carolina Herrera (b. 1939) had established a reputation for elegance and personal style. As an adolescent, she sometimes accompanied her grandmother on haute couture buying trips to Paris. When at home in Caracas,... Read Article ››

Traveling in High Style
Have you ever wondered how a complete exhibition gets from one museum to another? In this post, FIDM Museum Registrar Meghan Grossman Hansen fills you in on the process.This month, the FIDM Museum’s award-winning exhibition High Style: Betsy Bloomingdale... Read Article ››

Roberto Cavalli poncho c. 1970
Though Roberto Cavalli's aesthetic is closely associated with flamboyant animal printed textiles crafted into overtly sexy garments, the designer's career actually began with T-shirts. In the late 1960s, Cavalli designed and silk-screened a batch of... Read Article ››

James Galanos cocktail dress, c. 1955
During the 1950s, French haute couture was a dominant force in fashion. Elite American women traveled to Paris and purchased their wardrobes directly from renowned couturiers, while many others experienced haute couture through mass-produced versions of the... Read Article ››