CHICAGO (September 18, 2024) – As the Chicago History Museum celebrates major milestones for its costume collection and Costume Council’s history, it is thrilled to announce its newest exhibition, Dressed in History: A Costume Collection Retrospective. Opening October 19, the exhibition will offer guests an exclusive look at dozens of extraordinary objects, including some that have never been displayed. Through the exhibition, visitors will explore how clothing captures material, social, and changing cultural values throughout history.
Featuring over 70 artifacts, Dressed in History is an eclectic mix of garments and accessories representing men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing that spans from couture designer ensembles to home-sewn items. Highlighting the long and rich history of fashion, manufacturing, and retail that has been part of the city’s identity for nearly 200 years, the exhibition is divided into four different sections: Everyday/Sportswear, Couture & Designer, Historic Dress, and Art & Fashion. Within the space, guests will be able to see a range of artifacts from a Christian Dior gown to a baby’s wool bathing suit.
“Clothing is an artifact all of us can relate to, and Chicagoans have a long history with fashion as consumers, retailers, designers, and manufacturers,” says exhibition curator, Jessica Pushor. “From the birthplace of mail-order catalogs to the large garment manufacturing industry from 1880 to the 1920s, Chicago has had a major impact on fashion history and continues to do so through the city’s design schools, local designers who call Chicago home, and retail establishments. We hope visitors will leave the exhibition with a better understanding of the holdings in our costume collection and the intriguing stories these objects can tell.”
The Chicago History Museum invites the public to join them in exploring fashion history through this rare behind-the-scenes look at its vast costume collection.
A preview week for Dressed in History will be held October 16‒18, during which members of the press are invited to tour the exhibition and hear from the curator. For more information, please visit the Chicago History Museum’s website or contact the Museum’s press office.
Media kit available here: https://chicagohistory.box.com/s/b5qfpiukm7fu8zob5k1dhxajkkplu7ce
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ABOUT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. A major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. The Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, and images to assist in sharing Chicago stories. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.