By Dale Peers,
Thanksgiving weekend is almost upon us and the lovely fall weather might be double the encouragement for a little fashion field trip.
There are some wonderful exhibitions in full swing that you will want to catch before they, like the fall leaves, disappear. The Fashion History Museum in Hespler makes for a lovely and not too distant drive to the west of the city. Their exhibit: “Wild and Rare: Fashion and Endangered Species” which opened October 6th in Gallery 1 includes a few pieces from our Fashion Resource Centre. We’ve provided a purse with Kangaroo fur as well as an ocelot coat.
The “200 years of Wedding Attire Exhibition” is awash in all shades of white and some beautiful bridal pieces. This exhibition runs until December 18, 2016.
If you are already west of the city, the Guelph Museum is just a few minutes away from the Fashion History Museum and is celebrating the fashion career of Lady Lucille Duff Gordon. Originally from the Guelph area, Lady Duff survived the Titanic and is remembered for “inventing” the fashion show as well as the Merry Widow, wide brimmed hats so popular at the turn of the twentieth century.
The garments on display are truly amazing because they are so incredibly delicate. And, perfectly feminine and appropriate for the “Lady” of the times.
Many of the garments are fragile and one beautiful piece is carefully presented lying flat so no further damage can occur.
Lucille also did designed costumes for many theatre companies including the Ziegfeld Follies.
Some of Lady Duff’s original design sketches are on display and show the silhouette of the period.
Also on display is a depiction of the sinking of the Titanic by fabric artist John Willard. It contains the names of all the passengers and officers including Lucile, and her husband Cosmo.
The exhibition is there until November 13th. For more details:
http://guelphmuseums.ca/event/lucile-fashion-titanic-scandal/
Although not technically “fashion” the Dale Chihuily glass exhibition at the ROM is a masterful use of colour, texture and pattern that needs to be experienced! There is a wonderful “room” in the midst of the exhibition with a literal glass ceiling, and comfy “pillows” on the floor that allows visitors to take in the display in comfort.
On until January 2, 2017.
Our favourite shoe museum, The Bata has “The Curious History of Men in Heels” exhibition until May of next year. It shows a range of outstanding men’s shoes from the 1800’s beautiful shoes worn by members of the aristocracy to the rhinestone encrusted platforms of Elton John. The exhibit certainly tells a tall tale.
I think we are so fortunate to live in a city and province that provides such “feasts” for the soul in the museum exhibitions available to us. Enjoy your fall fashion field trips!
