The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most renowned fashion institutions in the world. The Costume Institute was established in 1937 and is a permanent collection of over 50,000 garments and accessories spanning five centuries of fashion history. It is a comprehensive collection that includes rare and one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as designer and couture clothing. The Costume Institute is an essential resource for fashion designers, historians, and scholars.
History
The Costume Institute began as a small department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1937. The Institute was founded by the museum’s first curator, Edna Woolman Chase, who was a fashion editor at Vogue. She was determined to create a comprehensive collection of fashion that could be studied and used for research and educational purposes. The Institute has grown over the years and now includes a permanent collection, an extensive library, and a study center.
Collection
The Costume Institute’s collection consists of over 50,000 garments and accessories, spanning five centuries of fashion history. The collection includes rare and one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as designer and couture clothing. It is divided into two sections: the permanent collection and the study collection. The permanent collection includes pieces that are considered to be of historical and cultural significance, while the study collection consists of pieces that are used for research and educational purposes.
The Permanent Collection
The permanent collection includes garments and accessories from the 15th century to the present day. It is divided into five sections: Western European, American, Non-Western, Special Exhibitions, and Designers. The collection includes rare and one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as designer and couture clothing. It is an essential resource for fashion designers, historians, and scholars.
The Study Collection
The study collection consists of over 5,000 garments and accessories that are used for research and educational purposes. It includes pieces from the 15th century to the present day, and is divided into four sections: Western European, American, Non-Western, and Special Exhibitions. The collection is open to the public and is an important resource for fashion designers, historians, and scholars.
Exhibitions
The Costume Institute hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibitions feature garments from the permanent and study collections, as well as special exhibitions from renowned fashion designers and couturiers. The exhibitions are open to the public and are an important resource for fashion designers, historians, and scholars.
Conclusion
The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most renowned fashion institutions in the world. The Institute has an extensive collection of over 50,000 garments and accessories spanning five centuries of fashion history. It is an essential resource for fashion designers, historians, and scholars. The Costume Institute hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, which are open to the public. The exhibitions are an important resource for fashion designers, historians, and scholars.