Historic Costume & Textiles Collection

The Silk Road

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During Campbell Hall building renovation, the Historic Costume & Textiles Collection partnered with Dr. Amanda Respess to present The Silk Road.

Examine the textiles that gave the Silk Road its name, and travel across the trade routes that connected the cultures of Afro-Eurasia for centuries. The Silk Road exhibit weaves together the brilliant colors and feather-light textures of silks from China, India, the Islamic world, and Europe, telling the story of silk and the history of movement across empires and time. Historic textiles, jades, and jewels from the 1400’s to the present illuminate the origins of commerce and connections in the Old World and provide design inspiration for today. Featuring luxurious gowns, religious banners, brocades, saris and the designer fashions of Oscar de la Renta and Dior.

This exhibition complements Dr. Respess’ class about the history of trade along the Silk Road and features several clothing and textile selections from the HCTC that follow the Silk Road from China through Asia to Europe and America. The exhibition is on display in the Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery in Morrill Hall on the OSU Marion campus from January 22 – March 15, 2024. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8am – 5 pm, with evening hours on Thursdays in February and March 14 till 7pm. The gallery is located at 1465 Mt Vernon Avenue in Marion.

Fashion & Music

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Explore the intersections of fashion and music from Folk to Rock to HipHop. Select artifacts from the original exhibition are currently on display in the Thompson Library Special Collections Display Cases on the first floor outside the gallery through mid December 2024. The full exhibition is also archived as a digital exhibition here.

Curated by Julie Hillery, PhD and Marlise Schoeny

long sequin evening gown shading from yellow at shoulders to green at hips and blue at hem

Halston sequin gown similar to gowns worn by Motown artists, The Supremes

leather motorcycle jacket with arm patches of Union Jack flag and skull, shoulder epaulets have spike studs

Motorcycle jacket worn to punk concerts decorated with spikes on shoulders and band patches

Music and dress are a reflection of society at any given point in time. The diverse population of the United States has always, and continues to, influence both music and fashion. This exhibition displays artifacts tracing the history of American music and their influence on fashion. Beginning with the turn of the 20th century, it follows the relationship between fashion and music from its beginnings in vaudeville and with itinerant country singers to the current fashion companies run by rap superstars. From folk music to hip-hop, and related dress trends, from flapper dresses to Timberland boots, this exhibit provides examples of the interplay between music and fashion trends. Moreover, it examines how human behavior is influenced by the use of dress and how music serves as a means of communication between individuals.

Over 50 examples are on display in the Gladys Keller Snowden gallery, along with interactive links to listen to the top 10 songs of the decades of the 20th century.

Jane Austen Remembered

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Jane Austen Remembered at Thompson Library

First edition Austen novels from Rare Books and Manuscripts Library

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Austen’s novels enjoy a huge popularity in spite of the shortness of her career, which ended at the age of 42 on July 18, 1817.

In recognition of her work and popularity, three Austen-era dresses from the HCTC accompanied by three first edition Austen novels from the OSU Rare Books and Manuscripts Library are on exhibit through December 15, 2017 at the Thompson Library in a large display case adjacent to the gallery on the first floor. More about Austen is covered on our blog.

c. 1817 silk evening dress

1797-1810 silk stripe day dress

 

1800-1810 cotton apron-front dress

Note: the apron front dress will be moving to the Cartoon Couture exhibit at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum on November 2, but available for viewing there beginning November 4 through April 15, 2018.

The wedding story of Henriette Seroi Robertson

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The wedding story of Henriette Seroi and her WWI soldier, Colin Robertson was featured in part one of our exhibition, And the Bride Wore…, as well as on Columbus Bride‘s blog! Be sure to check out the article and come to see part two of the exhibition!

  • Click here to read the Columbus Bride Blog.

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.

Visitors

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.

Research

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.

Contact Us

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

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