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Fashion History Museum now is open in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

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Fashion History Museum now is open in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Fashion History MuseumThe FHM is located in the old post office of the former town of Hespeler at 74 Queen Street East, Cambridge, Ontario, and can be reached from the 401 via the Townline or Hespeler road exits.

Starting July 1, the museum will be open regular hours Wednesday – Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Tours can be booked by appointment.

Museum gallery phone 519 654-0009

 

Our opening exhibition in gallery one ‘Treasures from the Collection’ will feature some of the rarest and most interesting pieces from the collection including: what may be the oldest extant European-made shoe worn in North America, a paper corset, and a suit designed for Eva Peron.

In gallery two ‘Back to the Eighties’ looks at the fashions from that decade through specific themes such as glamour, power, shock, innovation, and romance. Both these exhibitions will remain until the end of the year.

Until August 2 gallery three will host ‘What to do with an Old Post Office’, a display of the winning boards from the Construction Specifications Canada student design competition this past winter. Our building was a case study for students to design projects repurposing the structure. The winning ideas ranged from a day spa to a museum for comics!

Opening August 5, Gallery Three will showcase ‘Punks and Posers: Portraits from New York and London’, a photographic exhibition of 1980s street photography. This exhibition will coincide with the launch of our Fashion Film Fridays on August 7. Every Friday evening at 7 p.m. from August 7 – November 20, the museum will host a fashion-essential film from the 1980s. The films will include: Pretty in Pink; Earth Girls are Easy; Flashdance; Slaves of New York; Ruthless People, and Desperately Seeking Susan.
Purple wool dress with black print, Vivienne Westwood ‘Witches’ collection, 1983
Westwood dress from Fashion History Museum
On display in ‘Back to the Eighties’

Welcome Jemma Cerson – Volunteer Coordinator

The FHM relies upon volunteers for its operation, especially at the reception desk once we open. Jemma is our official volunteer coordinator and is currently training and managing our first intake of recruits into the volunteer corps. If you would like the opportunity to volunteer with the FHM, please contact Jemma at: volunteer.FHM@gmail.com
Polka-dot silk dress by Christian Dior, spring 1948 ‘Envol’ collection

Christian Dior Paris requested an image of this dress for their records and possible inclusion in a book being published by Dior in 2017 celebrating the 70th anniversary of Dior’s New Look

A New Look for the FHM

As you may have noticed, our website has not changed for a few months. We were hacked last year and lost our calendar update. However, we are endeavouring to launch a new website with a new look just in time for the opening.
In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the Fashion History Museum on Facebook. We post an artifact of the week every Monday as well as updates on the progress of the museum and any relevant information about FHM events. And don’t forget to ‘like’ us when you are on facebook!
Bone and paper fan, German, c. 1690

We are Looking for Fans

With our opening on June 27 we will also be launching our ‘Friends of the Fashion History Museum’ campaign. We invite individuals who wish to support and experience a closer relationship with the museum to become a Friend of the FHM. Join other fashion enthusiasts and friends at exclusive exhibition previews and enlightening talks from a variety of speakers. All levels of support are annually renewable but everyone who signs up before October 1 will have their benefits extended until October 1 2016. The levels of contribution are:

Fan
Anyone can become a fan by signing up for the quarterly newsletter – and it’s free! If you are reading this, you probably already are a fan – spread the word.

Garter supporter
For an annual contribution of $40.00 ($25.00 for students), you will receive the quarterly newsletter as well as one copy of the annual FHM journal (distributed in September), access to the FHM research library and archives (by appointment), advance notification of museum programs and events, invitation to all curator lead exhibition preview tours, and a 10% discount on all FHM gift shop and bookstore purchases.

Blue Stocking Club
For an annual contribution of $200.00, garter level benefits are expanded to include six passes to museum events, invitations to all exhibition previews, and priority ticketing for all events and programs. The Blue Stocking club is invited to meet guest speakers at receptions and attend an annual cocktail party every September. The Blue Stocking club level is also eligible to rent the museum for private events.

Couture Circle
Tailored for your level of support – along with all other benefit levels, couture donors will be invited to an annual curator’s dinner, as well as receive a tax receipt for their annual contribution for any amount that exceeds $250.00. Name is added on the annual donor recognition list unless donor wishes to remain anonymous.

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