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Re–Designing History: The FIDM Museum Study Collections

Start Date 20 October 2010
End Date 17 December 2010
Venue FIDM
Location Los Angeles, USA
Curator Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson
Exhibition display of dressed mannequins

Re-Designing History: The FIDM Museum Study Collections, 1850–2000 demonstrates that great design remains a potent inspiration even when outmoded. Fashion is cyclical, and savvy designers frequently glean inspiration from previous centuries. Exhibition highlights include a chantilly lace c. 1900 evening gown, a 1940s Gilbert Adrian suit, an emerald green 1950s James Galanos cocktail dress, and a 1990s black leather and gold safety pin Gianni Versace ensemble.

The FIDM Museum Study Collection spans 200 years and contains 2,000 objects, including haute couture and ready-to-wear garments, accessories, non-western dress, and textiles. Study Collections are located on all four FIDM campuses: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, and San Diego. Individual objects are examined in Museum storage or groupings of garments are assembled for study in FIDM classrooms. Students, scholars, designers, and the general public are invited to access the collections for hands-on education for school projects, personal research, or design inspiration.