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Textile Treasures: Selections from the OSU Historic Costume & Textiles Collection

March 17, 2000 by Marlise Schoeny

October 8, 1999 – March 18, 2000

Textile-Treasures-Gallery-2Rare and beautiful textile treasures fill the gallery.

Textiles, with their many uses, are intimate aspects of our lives. During every moment of the day, we touch and view textiles that have been produced for our comfort and pleasure.

In their two-dimensional form, textiles serve many purposes, from wall hangings to floor coverings. Once textiles are draped around a body or shaped to adorn furniture, they are transformed, taking on a third dimension.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions

The Art of Selling: A History of Visual Merchandising

April 8, 1999 by Marlise Schoeny

April 8 – September 4, 1999

Every shopkeeper and merchant’s primary objective is to sell merchandise. When the giant nineteenth century dry goods establishments like Marshall Field & Co. shifted their business from wholesale to retail the visual display of goods became necessary to attract the retail customer. The store windows no longer simply allowed natural light to shine in the building or act as storage space for stock, they became important venues to attractively display the store’s merchandise. Gradually, the design aesthetic used in window displays moved indoors and became part of the overall interior store design, eventually displacing the importance windows altogether in suburban malls.

“Looking at the store windows is great entertainment because you can see all of these things and be really glad it’s not in your home filling up your closets and drawers.”
– Andy Warhol

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions

Scaasi: The Joy of Dressing Up

October 9, 1998 by Marlise Schoeny

October 9, 1998 – February 27, 1999

Scassi-booklet-cover

Red strapless gown with bustle. Gift of Arnold Scaasi.

Scaasi: The Joy of Dressing Up showcases the work of renowned New York fashion designer, Arnold Scaasi. Centering around a donation of 26 sample garments donated by the designer in 1997, and a collection of Scaasi garments from the Historic Costume & Textiles Collection, the exhibition explores the themes and influences of this award-winning designer. One of New York’s last true couturiers, Arnold Scaasi’s early career years were spent working with designers such as Paquin and Charles James. Their influence is evident in the garments Scaasi created for celebrated national figures from Barbra Streisand to Barbara Bush, and local celebrities such as Mrs Marvin (Terre Blair) Hamlisch, all featured in the exhibition.

“I put on a Scaasi and I feel ‘right’ and comfortable and easy.” 
– Liz Smith, New York Post columnist; friend and client of fashion designer Arnold Scaasi

This is the exact reaction Arnold Scaasi wishes to achieve with his designs. His philosophy regarding clothing is that it should enhance a woman’s body and lift her mood, essentially making her feel good about herself.

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions

Wedding Traditions

January 10, 1998 by Marlise Schoeny

January 10 – April 11, 1998

Priscilla-Wedding-Dress

  • The Traditional White Wedding Dress
  • Early Victorian 1837-1867
  • Late Victorian 1868-1901
  • Early 20th Century 1901-1935
  • Mid 20th Century, 1936-1965
  • Late 20th Century, 1966-1998
  • Cultural Wedding Traditions

All around the world, we can find people celebrating the passages from one stage of life to the next with some type of formal ceremony. These ceremonies, such as births, weddings, and funerals, usually incorporate special foods, rituals, and clothing specific to the occasion celebrated.

“Wedding Traditions” is an exhibition that explores the specific types of garments worn in marriage ceremonies, including an historical examination of the traditional white wedding dress worn in American and European weddings, as well as an overview of the garments and surrounding traditions of several cultures represented in the Historic Costume & Textiles Collection.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions

Fashioning the Future: Our Future from Our Past

October 30, 1996 by Marlise Schoeny

October 30, 1996 – April 11, 1997

ftfView the exhibition catalog (pdf).

As we sit on the threshold of a new millennium, it seems only natural to reflect on the past and contemplate the future. Contemplation of the future of any endeavor requires that we put it in proper historical perspective. We can use history to gain an understanding of our present situation and to guide us in deciding our future direction. This exhibition shows how historicism in fashionable dress reveals ways in which we create our future, not simply by incorporating new ideas and technologies, but by building on our past.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions

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Welcome

The Historic Costume & Textiles Collection is a scholarly and artistic resource of apparel and textile material culture. The 11,500+ holdings encompass a range of three dimensional objects such as textiles and articles of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children, including national dress costume, from the mid-18th century to contemporary 21st century designers.

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Visitors are welcome to tour exhibitions when they are on display in gallery spaces. Gallery hours and location can be found on the visit us page or you may contact us for upcoming information on exhibitions, programs, and events.

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The Collection is available to researchers by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call or email to make arrangements.

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The Historic Costume & Textiles Collection
1787 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210

Telephone: (614) 292-3090
Fax: (614) 688-8133
Email: strege.2@osu.edu

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