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 ››

Hanae Mori jumpsuit, late 1960s
  Evening Jumpsuit Ensemble Hanae Mori c. 1968-1970 Printed silk twill, printed silk crepe, silk crepe Gift of Anonymous Donor2012.40.9AB By 1965, when Hanae Mori (b. 1926) first showed her designs outside of her native Japan, she was already a... Read Article ››

Fashion Birthday: Miuccia Prada
Happy birthday to Miuccia Prada, born on May 10, 1949! Prada, the creative force behind her family's 100 year old company, has a knack for distilling her interests (in and outside of fashion) into influential collections that chart the course of fashion.... Read Article ››

Merlot-Larchevêque day ensemble, c. 1867
Day Ensemble c. 1867 Madame Merlot-Larchevêque Museum Purchase 2008.5.45A-C The rise of France's haute couture industry in the mid-nineteenth century coincided with the astounding growth of industrial family fortunes in the United States. Couturiers... Read Article ››

Green in fashion
Thanks to Pantone, avoiding a pinch on St. Patrick's Day will be much easier this year. According to their decree, 2013 is the year of emerald green, a rich jewel tone "that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."1 Due to... Read Article ››

Silk handkerchiefs, c. 1926
These charmingly presented silk handkerchiefs prove that the whole is usually greater than the sum of its parts. Their colorful, festive packaging elevates them to something memorable. Carefully folded and arranged to form full skirts, the hand-painted... Read Article ››

Moschino Couture! evening gown, 1992
Made of rainbow-hued silk satin, this Moschino Couture! evening gown was worn to an early 1990s costume ball. Though we have few details about the event, if all the costumes were this eye-catching, it was surely a splendid evening. Any guesses as to the... Read Article ››

Fashion Birthday: Hubert de Givenchy
  Couturier Hubert de Givenchy was born on this day in 1927. Now retired, Givenchy is one of the last living couturiers to have learned his art during the golden age of the haute couture. His training began in 1945 when he took a position with Jacques... Read Article ››

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 ››
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