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FABULOUS! opened one year ago this week! To celebrate, we're taking a look back at the exhibition via a brief video. Short and sweet, it takes you inside the exhibition for a chance to revist your favorite pieces. You'll even see some pieces that have... Read Article ››
Todd Oldham patchwork vest
Todd Oldham1991-92Museum Purchase2005.5.9 Todd Oldham's (b. 1961) designs were anything but basic. Instead of tasteful button down shirts or quiet business suits, Oldham offered eclectic ornamentation and an exuberant, catch-all approach to inspiration.... Read Article ››
Side-button boots, 1870s
The Victorian woman's wardrobe was divided into a dizzying array of categories. Morning, visiting, walking, evening, traveling, shopping, and mourning are just some of the activities and circumstances that demanded a dedicated ensemble.... Read Article ››
Princess Mary’s 1922 going-away dress
The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, which the FIDM Museum is currently fundraising to acquire, includes over 50 ensembles worn by British royal women. In this blog post, Associate Curator Christina Johnson examines a dress with royal provenance,... Read Article ››
Crochet can hat, 1968-1970
We try to approach every object in the FIDM Museum collection with a critical, evaluative eye. But how do you maintain the necessary scholarly distance when confronted with a hat made from beer cans? It's hard not to smile, or at least raise an eyebrow... Read Article ››
Surrealist circle skirt, c. 1955
There's so much to say about this skirt! It's a classic 1950s circle skirt, but the embroidered, bejeweled hands decorating the skirt can be interpreted through a variety of lenses. More than just a decorative motif, these hands reach toward artistic... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Stephen Burrows wrap dress
Today's post features a neon yellow jersey wrap dress by Stephen Burrows. Though it was designed in the 1970s, this dress could easily be worn today. This points to our interest in recycling historic and vintage styles, while also suggesting the... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Tina Leser skirt
Today's post highlights the value of primary source research. Because of its label, we knew that this was a Tina Leser skirt. Using one of the FIDM Library databases, we found a brief mention of this exact skirt in a New York Times article. Finding... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Holly’s Harp evening dress
Today's post features a late 1970s Holly's Harp dress. We've reposted this garment today because it is currently on view at The Autry in California's Designing Women, 1896–1986. On view through January 2013, this exhibit focuses on... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Discovering Counterfeit Chanel No. 5 in a Museum Collection
For the next two weeks, we'll be featuring posts from our extensive blog archives. Today's post was written by Meghan Hansen, FIDM Museum Registrar, in 2009. In this post, she dives into our fragrance archive with an investigation into a counterfeit Chanel... Read Article ››
Wedding gown, 1910-1911
One of the priciest clothing purchases a woman can make, a wedding gown is worn only once. After the wedding, the gown is carefully tucked away, becoming an heirloom for future generations. In some families, a wedding gown is later altered and worn by... Read Article ››
A Century of Millinery Style: Hats from the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, 1820s – 1920s
A Century of Millinery Style: Hats from the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, 1820s – 1920s is the latest installation in the FIDM Museum's Larson Gallery. Twenty-five rare women's hats, bonnets, and toques fill the... Read Article ››