We love participating in Museum Week, the annual social media campaign that encourages institutions around the world to take their online community behind-the-scenes. Today’s theme is Professions: who works at the FIDM Museum and what do they do?
It takes so many capable hands to keep a museum running. There are countless moving parts that occur ‘behind the curtain’ – the exhibition you see is the result of months or even years of arduous planning – not to mention the day-to-day tasks of operating a non-profit institution. Like most museums, we have a small but mighty staff that works incredibly hard to complete our rather ambitious list of projects. With the help of our invaluable volunteers and interns, we mount multiple exhibitions per year (including two that are entirely comprised of loaned items!); we conduct research and acquire new objects; we care for a collection made up of garments, accessories, and fashion ephemera like photographs, magazines, and books; and most importantly, we educate and share this information with our community. Each of our staff members has a unique educational background, work experience, and skill set – and we think it’s our combined talents that make the FIDM Museum a truly exceptional institution!
Curious about working in a museum? Below, we asked our team to briefly describe their jobs, and to pick one item they would take from the FIDM Museum Collection if they were stranded on a desert island (ironically, no one selected our actual Moschino survival jacket!). We hope to meet you in our gallery soon!
Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson
Name: Kevin Jones
Job Title: Curator
What does that mean? My entire existence swirls around objects: hunting for them; hunting for money to pay for them; research, writing, publishing, and exhibiting them; giving lectures and tours about them; and repeating the process to acquire more of them.
Desert Island Object: Yesterday: 1935-1940 man’s swim set. Today: c. 1890-1900 red & white silk sport cap and a c. 1820 painted parasol. Tomorrow: ?
My job in one word: Multitasking
Man’s Robe and swim trunks
McGregor, 1935-1940
FIDM Museum Purchase, 2014.5.48A-C
Name: Christina Johnson
Job Title: Associate Curator
What does that mean? I’m responsible for acquiring and researching remarkable objects, and for ensuring they are preserved and recorded for today’s fashion scholars and for the future historians whom I’ll never meet.
Desert Island Object: The Museum’s ‘Flapper Float’ water wings might come in handy!
My job in one word: Memorable
“The Flapper Float” Water Wings, 1925-1929
Cotton, rubber & metal
FIDM Museum purchase, 2009.5.52
Name: Peter Lam
Job Title: Creative Director
What does that mean? I design the exhibitions for the Museum and oversee the creative direction.
Desert Island Object: Probably the Thom Browne suit so when I get rescued I can look my best. Plus, the hat is the perfect sunshade.
My job in one word: Imaginative
Suit Ensemble (photo by AB Images)
Thom Browne, Fall/Winter 2013/14
Gift of Thom Browne, New York
2013.1249.1A-K; 2013.1260.1A/E
Leigh Wishner and Meghan Hansen
Name: Meghan Hansen
Job Title: Registrar
What does that mean? I do all the paperwork! Incoming and outgoing loans, insurance, new acquisitions, etc.
Desert Island Object: I’m a pragmatist, so I’d probably go for the sewing bag so I had some supplies for life on a desert island.
My job in one word: Logistics
Sewing bag, 1820-1830
Silk and leather
FIDM Museum Purchase: Funds generously donated by Arlene Baker
2016.5.35A-D
Name: Leigh Wishner
Job Title: Museum Coordinator
What does that mean? As a “jack of all trades,” I assist with curatorial projects, handle logistics for Museum events, help with coordinating loans and shipments, provide support to the Museum staff as needed…and I pay the bills!
Desert Island Object: I’d pack the rhinestone encrusted turquoise Catalina swimsuit c. 1955-58, and to match I’d grab the 1959 Roger Vivier kingfisher feather shoes with “choc” heels…these aqua shades would echo the water surrounding my tropical hideaway!
My job in one word: Facilitation
Rhinestone bathing suit
Catalina, 1955-1958
Gift of Anonymous Donor
2008.10.5
Evening shoes
Paris, France, 1959
Roger Vivier for Christian Dior
Kingfisher feathers & leather
FIDM Museum purchase, 2009.5.50AB
Name: Carolyn Jamerson
Job Title: Collections Manager & Mount Maker
What does that mean? My job is the care, storage, and preservation of our museum objects, and the visual display of objects for exhibition.
Desert Island Object: A parasol covered in faux flowers for shade because I burn so easily!
My job in one word: One-Stop-Shop
Parasol with violet flowers, c. 1895
FIDM Museum Purchase
2017.5.60
Name: Joanna Abijaoude
Job Title: Museum Associate
What does that mean? I manage our Study Collection, oversee our social media and digital platforms, assist with exhibition planning and installation, and as we like to say in the office, “all other assigned duties!”
Desert Island Object: It’s not very practical, but I love the c. 1912 beaded silk gown by Gustave Beer, currently on display in our Acquiring Beauty exhibition. It’s a gorgeous shade of chartreuse – perfect for tropical camouflage!
My job in one word: Educational
Evening Gown
Gustave Beer, Paris France, c. 1912-13
Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection
FIDM Museum Purchase: Funds raised by the FIDM Museum Fashion Council, 2011-2015 in honor of Mima Ransom
