In our latest blog post, CHM costume collection manager Jessica Pushor talks about the fascinating life of Louis “Scotty” Piper, his career as a tailor, and his generous donations to the Chicago History Museum. Piper is one of the designers featured in Treasured Ten: Selections from the Costume Collection, which runs through January 16, 2023. More
In the run-up to the opening of our newest exhibition, Treasured Ten: Selections from the Costume Collection, we’re spotlighting one of its co-curators, Jessica Pushor, as she gives some insight into her job and how the garments were selected. Jessica in costume storage during Members’ Open House, June 2014. All photographs by CHM staff “If More
Head into costume storage with CHM costume collection manager Jessica Pushor as she discusses the iconic costume pieces that came out of the partnership between dancer and choreographer Ruth Page and artist Isamu Noguchi. Ruth Page (1899–1991) was a legendary ballerina and innovative choreographer. She was the first American guest ballet soloist with the Metropolitan Opera, and More
Editor’s note: This weekend is the last chance to see Making Mainbocher. The exhibition closes on Sunday, August 20. In fashion exhibitions, many things vie for attention. The focus, of course, is on the garments with their rich fabrics, vibrant colors, and sparkly embellishments. But, how do these pieces go from collection storage (hanging on More
With a lifelong interest in music, no Mainbocher exhibition would be complete without a sampling of the songs that inspired and touched the designer. Many of his clients were performers and composers, and Mainbocher is credited with creating costumes for a total of eighteen Broadway plays, concerts, or musicals from 1941 to 1964. The Making More
Two years ago, Christian Dior in Paris submitted a request for an inventory of our Dior holdings. The House was compiling an anthology to honor the seventieth anniversary of the company, celebrating the work of the seven couturiers who have led the House of Dior since its founding in 1947. This was a big request, More
CHM curator of costume Petra Slinkard recounts the history of the Museum’s FashioNext program and the upcoming Finale for FashioNext 2017. FashioNext is one of my favorite Chicago History Museum events. It was born out of a program established in 2009 with the opening of Chic Chicago: Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum, where More
In the midst of hockey season, costume collection intern Corie Azem takes a close look at the uniform of a hockey legend. When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on home ice on June 15, 2015, the team dedicated that win to former Blackhawks standout and team ambassador Stan Mikita. Mikita played his entire More
Marnie Fogg. The Dress: 100 Ideas that Changed Fashion Forever. London: Goodman (2015). 100 dresses, 100 ideas. The author identifies each innovative idea and follows the reverberations. The dresses date from the nineteenth century to the present. The photographs come from a variety More
Costume collection manager Jessica Pushor puts one of our Bes-Ben hats in the spotlight. With the autumn chill in the air, stores are enticing shoppers with warm clothes for the fall. Hats were once a major part of a woman’s wardrobe, and here at the Chicago History Museum, we have found the perfect one for More