Red and black ensemble, 1894-96

In the 1890s, most women’s dresses were made-to-measure. Though ready-made clothing was increasingly common, garments that required a precise fit or featured delicate embellishment were typically custom-made, either by the wearer herself, or by a trusted... Read Article ››

Butterflies abound

Though we're not a natural history museum or a science center, we have lots of butterflies in our collection. No taxidermy specimens here, FIDM Museum butterflies are woven, printed, painted, and embroidered. Our curatorial team has no specific intent to... Read Article ››

Gianni Versace leather suit, 1994

Schoolgirl chic with a naughty edge was a strong theme throughout Gianni Versace’s Autumn/Winter 1994-95 collection. Statuesque supermodels Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Nadja Auermann walked the runway clad in shiny,... Read Article ››

Behind the Scenes: Collection inventory

  Getting organized is a great way to usher in a new year. With everything in its place, new projects are easy to plan and efficient to manage. In preparation for 2013, FIDM Museum Collections Manager and Assistant Registrar Danielle Killam spent... Read Article ››