Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870–1927
Costume Balls Dressing Up History, 1870-1927
A century and a half ago, extravagant costume balls and skating carnivals were the pinnacle of society entertainments, bringing forth a kaleidoscopic array of fanciful costumed characters. But, beneath all the anachronistic exuberance, these balls reinforced core myths of colonial destiny and imperial futures.This exhibition captures the splendour of entertainments where, for just one evening, guests transformed themselves into characters inspired by history or fantasy. The invitation to reimagine oneself as an alter ego was no less than an opportunity of a lifetime, occasioning study, expense, and a trip to the photographer’s studio. Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870-1927 tells an extraordinary story, showcasing some of the most extraordinary objects in the Museum’s collections.Rarely do visitors get a chance to see so many garments from the nineteenth century —that have survived in spite of being created to last a single evening— in an exhibition space. And rarely do we see captured in photography such a lighthearted side of life from a time where public presentation of the self was a most serious matter. The exhibition fully explores the tremendous scale of the efforts to commemorate these balls, which in itself will surprise visitors, making clever use of digital technology all while taking a critical look at the way these grand events helped reinforce imperialist myths.Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870-1927, will open on November 14, 2024, 100 years to the day of a large costume ball held on November 14, 1924, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal. Presented by La Presse and in collaboration with College LaSalle Montréal, a member of LCI Education, the exhibition is running until August 17, 2025.
Extraordinary objects from the Museum’s collectionsOver 40 dazzling outfits worn will be on display as well as photographs of guests in costume, souvenir publications and more —that capture the spirit and prestige of these grand events. This exhibition and the accompanying publication represent the culmination of a research effort which draws on the quintessential strengths of the McCord Stewart Museum’s rich collections. Many remarkable discoveries, unveiled to the public for the first time.
Images Courtesy of © Laura Dumitriu – Musée McCord Stewart.