Fashion on Main
February 19 – May 7, 2010
Children’s clothing today embodies abundance. It is reflective of a variety of activities, emerging personalities and development milestones, while still being colorful, creative and fun. At what other point in life can one wear tulle, stripes, appliqued jersey and polka dots together? Today many parents let their children choose their own outfits as they would let them color their own pictures. We have come a long way from the days of handmade clothing and children being dressed as miniature adults.
This exhibition will allow a social and historical look at childhood over time beginning with the post Civil War era, and continuing through The Great Depression. Girls’ party dresses, several boys’ outfits, and many other children’s wear treasures from the Texas Fashion Collection and from the private collection of Steven Porterfield, owner of the Cat’s Meow in Midland, Texas will be featured. We will see the influence of children on the shaping and shifting of fabrics and palettes, and the casting off of corsets and crinolines in the name of Child’s Play.
This exhibition was curated by Dawn Figueroa, TFC Collection Manager. Dawn joined the TFC staff in November of 2008. The TFC is part of the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas.
Fashion on Main is located in the Universities Center at Dallas, 1901 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201. Hours are Thursday and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. E-mail: tfc@unt.edu
Object of Fashion 