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While butterflies often symbolize springtime, lightness, and new beginnings, these pieces in the FIDM Museum collection refashion them as creatures of the night, equally at home in the darkness of winter. Evening SuitElsa Schiaparelli, ParisFall/Winter... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Embroidered girl’s ensemble
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 ››
Linen jacket, c. 1912
Linen jacketc. 1912Gift of Wendy Cohen2012.1186.2 Decorated with butterflies, this charming jacket was made sometime around 1912. During the 1910s, mainstream fashion moved away from the rigid S-bend silhouette of the Edwardian Era (1901-1910).... Read Article ››
Chanel evening ensemble, 1985
Designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, this dramatic evening ensemble includes a floor-length silk crepe evening gown and feathered cape. Covered with iridescent coque (rooster) feathers, the cape is a true show-stopper. Because of the inherent... Read Article ››
Top five posts of 2013: Skirt lifter, c. 1876
Our most popular blog post of 2013 examines a clever Victorian accessory: the skirt lifter. Researched and written by summer intern Joanna Abijaoude, the post explores skirt lifters from a variety of perspectives. Thanks to Joanna for sharing her... Read Article ››
Thea Porter butterfly print dress
Want to see this vibrant Thea Porter dress in person? Make a beeline for the MFA Boston, where it's currently on display in Hippie Chic, an exhibit celebrating the fashions of the Woodstock generation. On view through November 11, 2013, Hippie Chic... 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 ››