The FIDM Museum is in the final months of a major fundraising campaign to purchase the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, a private collection of 1,400 historic garments and accessories from four centuries. Each Friday, this blog will present exquisite pieces from the Larson Collection. 

Queen Victoria's Dolman
1875
Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection

In the late 19th century, a dolman–from the Turkish word for "robe"–was a loose, front-fastening overgarment, resembling a cape with voluminous sleeves. Often decorated with military-style fringe, braid, and soutache, the dolman was the perfect cold-weather companion to the unwieldy crinoline and bustle skirts then in fashion. Today, the term "dolman sleeve" is still used to denote a very low armscye. 

Detail

These two examples were worn by Queen Victoria and her stylish daughter-in-law, Alexandra, Princess of Wales. The Larson Collection includes 30 pieces of Queen Victoria's wardrobe, and several more associated with Alexandra, who became queen consort upon Victoria's death in 1901.

Princess Alexandra's Dolman
Dieulefait & E. Bouclier, France
c. 1870
Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection

Helen Larson spent 50 years assembling her collection; now, it is in danger of being dispersed forever or absorbed into another private collection, inaccessible to students, researchers, and the general public. The FIDM Museum urgently needs your help to save the Larson collection. Please open your own pocketbook and make a contribution online or by mail, or join our #4for400 social media campaign to donate $4 (or more) by texting "Museum" to 243725. Donations are tax deductible; if your company or organization has a matching gift program, your support will go even further. You can also help by spreading the word on social media, using the #4for400 hashtag. The FIDM Museum as until the end of 2015 to finish raising the necessary funds, so please join the campaign and help save 400 years of fashion history!