Flower Girls

Spring is in the air! Flowers have long symbolized the simplicity and transience of youth, making them perfect ornaments for these three girl's ensembles in the FIDM Museum's collection.   United Statesc 18972007.897.3Gift of Steven... Read Article ››

Put on your Easter bonnet!

Just in time for Easter bonnet inspiration, the FIDM Museum's Orange County Gallery is presenting A Century of Millinery Style: Hats from the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, open through June 17. The installation–a modified version... Read Article ››

From the Archives: Duvelleroy fan-bag

  The FIDM Museum blog will be on hiatus through early January 2015. In the meantime, enjoy weekly posts from the archives. To keep up with our current projects, find us on Facebook and Twitter, which will be updated regularly during... Read Article ››

Jaeger wool corset, 1890s

  Corset 1890s Gustav Jaeger, Designer Wool & metal Museum Purchase 2009.5.1 German physician Gustav Jaeger (1832-1917) advocated wearing wool undergarments next to the skin for health purposes in his book Sanitary Woolen System, first published in... Read Article ››

Fashion Birthday: Charles Frederick Worth

  Charles Frederick Worth was born 189 years ago today, on October 13, 1825! Considered the pre-eminent fashion tastemaker of the latter nineteenth-century, Worth labeled his garments, ensuring that his creations were perpetually associated with his... Read Article ››

Hairwork diadem

  Diadem 1875-1900 Bolognese & Son, Jeweler Gift of Andrea Tice in memory of Carmelita Johnson 2008.46.278AB This diadem of human hair ornamented with gold and semiprecious stones appears to be a one-of-a-kind accessory. Such a unique headpiece was... Read Article ››

Underpinnings, c. 1900-1903

Underpinnings c. 1900-1903 Edwardian era (1901-1910) underclothing was the height of seductiveness, erotic and extravagant. The laborious application of embroidery, lace insertions, and ribbon work onto foundations of silk faille and cotton lawn was excessive... Read Article ››

1890s evening ensemble

  Astute fashion observers quickly realize that fashion is cyclical. Silhouettes, colors, motifs, and styles disappear, only to reappear years, or even decades, later. Some styles, like the diaphanous drapes of ancient Greco-Roman dress, seem to inspire... Read Article ››

Silk gauze dress, c. 1855-1860

  c. 1855-1860 Gift of Jane M. Gincig and Patricia Larson KalayjianS2011.1087.189 With a low, curved neckline and short sleeves, this silk gauze dress was meant for evening. Day dresses of this era featured long sleeves and modest necklines, but evening... Read Article ››