A new feature exhibition Dressed for History: Why Costume Collections Matter is opening to the public on March 16th at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV).

Clothing is the most personal of artefacts. It reveals so much about who we are, what we do and what we value. Clothing conveys information about occupation, social and economic status, gender and cultural identity and political and religious affiliation.

Clothing not only expresses aspects of a wearer’s identity, but it also reveals much about the larger context of production. As products of available raw materials, textile technologies, designs and styles, what we wear connects us to local and global stories of resource extraction, trade, labour and technology.

Four remarkable local collectors have recognized the importance of preserving costumes to document the past and inspire our present and future. 

The Museum of Vancouver has invited these collectors to share their deep knowledge of costume history by showcasing pieces from their collections.

Last modified: March 14, 2023

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