CHICAGO (June 17, 2025) – There are only a few weeks left to see “Dressed in History: A Costume Collection Retrospective” at the Chicago History Museum. Closing on July 27, the exhibition celebrates major milestones and acquisitions for its costume collection and the Costume Council’s history and offers guests an exclusive look at dozens of extraordinary objects, including some that have never been displayed. Through the exhibition, visitors can explore how clothing captures material, social and changing cultural values throughout history.
“Seeing the physical fashion pieces rather than just photos enhanced the experience for us,” said one guest after their visit. “We loved getting to see pieces from a wide range of times and a diverse range of designers. Fashion is so entwined with history, and the exhibition does a fabulous job showing that.”
Featuring more than 70 artifacts, “Dressed in History” is an eclectic mix of garments and accessories representing men’s, women’s and children’s clothing that spans from couture ensembles to home-sewn items. The exhibition highlights the long and rich history of fashion, manufacturing, and retail that has been part of the city’s identity for nearly 200 years. The gallery is divided into four different sections: Everyday/Sportswear, Couture & Designer, Historic Dress, and Art & Fashion. Within the space, guests see a range of artifacts from a Christian Dior gown to a baby’s wool bathing suit.
“Clothing is an artifact all of us can relate to, and Chicagoans have a long history with fashion as consumers, retailers, designers, and manufacturers,” says exhibition curator, Jessica Pushor. “From the birthplace of mail-order catalogs to the large garment manufacturing industry from 1880 to the 1920s, Chicago has had a major impact on fashion history and continues to do so through the city’s design schools, local designers who call Chicago home and retail establishments. We hope visitors leave the exhibition with a better understanding of the holdings in our costume collection and the intriguing stories these objects can tell.”
For more information, please visit the Chicago History Museum’s website or contact the Museum’s press office.
Media kit available here: https://chicagohistory.box.com/s/b5qfpiukm7fu8zob5k1dhxajkkplu7ce
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ABOUT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. A major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. The Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, and images to assist in sharing Chicago stories. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.