Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection

Join us Tuesday, May 19th at 4:30 PM in HEB T45 Gallery for the opening reception of “Who Owns What?” curated by Ashley Kim ‘26. The exhibition investigates fashion’s relationship with identity through the various perspectives of those who may refer to themselves as “The Owner.” The exhibit is divided into three sections: “The Creator,” “The Wearer,” and “The Steward.” “The Creator” explores design process, brand identity, labor, and consumerism. “The Wearer,” reveals how clothing can become intimately personalized. “The Steward,” raises questions about the slipperiness of meanings over time. Through a series of vignettes, identity becomes something owned and shown in a multitude of ways. Funded by the Charlotte A. Jirousek fellowship.

There’s still time to apply for a Master’s of Professional Studies - deadline is Friday, May 1! If you are interested in building a career at the intersection of fashion, curation, collections, design, innovation, and human thriving, the MPS in Human Ecology offers a specialization in Fiber Science and Apparel Design. For students drawn to the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection, the MPS can support focused study in fashion collection management, curation, fashion history, material culture, and textile conservation, with the opportunity to expand expertise in areas such as fiber science, apparel design practice, wearable technology, sizing and fit, functional apparel, branding, sourcing, supply chain management, trend forecasting, mass customization, and other digital and technological areas of innovation.

The program includes 30 credits of graduate coursework, with up to 6 of those credits dedicated to an independent project, allowing students to develop a focused professional project aligned with their interests, expertise, and career goals.

Potential career pathways include museums, archives, fashion and textile collections, curation, fashion history, apparel design, product development, fashion business, sourcing and supply chain management, wearable technology, and textile innovation.

Learn more about Cornell’s MPS in Human Ecology with a specialization in Fiber Science and Apparel Design and how to apply (by May 1!) through the link in our bio or contact [email protected] 📧

It’s Dragon Day at Cornell 🐉 so thought we would share a few pieces from the collection featuring dragon motifs: a silk embroidered Chinese wedding robe from the 1920s (photos 1 and 2); a woven placemat from the 1930s, made in Italy (photo 3); a late 18th century silk embroidered textile from China (photo 4); a pin purchased in Paris in 1930 (photo 5); a robe embroidered with silk and metallic threads from China, likely early 20th century (photos 6 and 7); and an early 20th century opera robe with dragon closure at the neckline (photos 8 and 9).

Today would have been Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 93rd birthday—making it extra meaningful to spend the day putting finishing touches on our installation of “Fashioning Justice: Ruth Bader Ginsburg ‘54 and the Power of Presence.” The exhibition opens to the public March 16. Visit the Rachel Hope Doran ‘19 Level T Display Cases in the Human Ecology Building to see pieces worn by Ginsburg alongside selections from the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection that explore her legacy and the intersections of fashion and justice. Here’s a sneak peek!

We begin installation tomorrow and look forward to welcoming everyone to see the show in the Rachel Hope Doran ‘19 Level T Display cases in the Human Ecology Building on March 16!

RBG’s influences featured in ‘Fashioning Justice’ exhibit | Cornell Chronicle Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 was a champion for women’s equality. Her style, and the substance behind it, will be on display in an exhibit, “Fashioning Justice: Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 and the Power of Presence.”