Perfect Little Ladies: Fashion Dolls and the Art of Dress

The prettiest playthings 

Before Barbie and American Girl, there was Miss Fanchon. The ultimate toy for privileged girls in the 1860s and 1870s, she and her friends were seen as models of ladylike perfection. These dolls came with an amazing array of dresses, undergarments, and meticulously crafted accessories, from gloves and jewelry to roller skates and calling cards. Bring the kids—or just your love of all things miniature—and marvel at these tiny Victorian treasures. 

Sponsors 

This exhibition has been made possible by PNC, The Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Exhibition Fund, and Constance and Sankey Williams. 

Curator: Kristina Haugland, The Le Vine Associate Curator of Costume and Textiles and Supervising Curator for the Study Room 

Location: Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, first floor