Stephens College
Costume Research Library
The
Costume Research Library, begun in 1958, has grown by donations from
alumnae, friends and designers to more than 12,000 pieces, including
representations of ethnic wear, everyday clothes of women, men and children,
and an impressive list of designer garments. Oleg Cassini and Arnold
Scaasi recently contributed more than 200 garments to the collection.
Among the many other designers represented are Gilbert Adrian, Bill
Blass, Bonnie Cashin, Chanel, Courreges, Madame Etta, Claire McCardell,
Norman Norell, Oscar de la Renta and Valentino.
This working collection of garments and accessories dating back to 1790
allows students to study not only garment construction but fashion trends
that provide inspiration for current styles with actual hands-on experience.
In Summer 2006, the Costume Research Library moved to its new permanent
location, Lela
Raney Wood Hall, on the Stephens College campus. The Historic Costume
Gallery opened to the public in October 2006.
Historic Costume Gallery
Location: Stephens College campus,
mezzanine floor of Lela Raney Wood Hall, 6 N. College Ave.
Gallery hours: noon-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and 5:30-8:30
p.m. Thursday. Special tours can be scheduled for groups of five or
more.
Admission is free. Call (573) 876-7233 for more information.
Recent news
- Costume Box Vintage (Columbia Daily Tribune)
- Oleg Cassini Fashion Displayed at Stephens (Columbia Missourian article).
- Stephens College Receives duPont Grant to Digitize Costume Research Collection
Samples from the Collection
"Synthetic
Evolution: The Rise of Polyester and Other Synthetic Fibers"- “My
Other Skin: A Collection of Coats and Wraps from the Late 19th and
20th Centuries”
- "New
Year, New Acquisitions"
- Lela
Raney Wood Hall Costume Gallery
- Fashion
students help with CRL tea
- Mourning
Attire
- Mourning
Accessories
- Wedding
gowns(pdf)
- Various
garments, including a hat designed by Bob Mackie (pdf).
Special Feature: Wedding Dress Collection
The below pictured wedding dresses were featured
in the 2004 Historic Fashions Calendar Series: The Wedding Dress.
The dresses are as follows (from left to right): 1940s dressmaker wedding suit with MGM/Hollywood female icon styling, silk satin jacket, nine-foot train with lace, 38 covered buttons; 1910s wedding dress inspired by Art Nouveau, dressmaker or homemade, with silk charmeuse wrapped/draped bodice; 1985 dress, created by Mary McFadden, an American designer, that utilizes McFadden's "Fortuny" pleating, Egyptian styling and trim detail; 1964, Montaldo's label dress with Cassini/Jackie Kennedy styling, cotton/silk brocade, six-foot train, frog closures and covered buttons on center back; 1980s Priscilla of Boston gown by John Burbidge with white chiffon/taffeta and individual flower/sequin applique.
Delicate 3-D chiffon flower applique with sequin centers.
