Dress, Fashion and Textiles

The Dress, Fashion and Textiles collection comprises more than 27,000 garments and accessories from the past three centuries, made or worn primarily in Montreal. The collection covers all aspects of women’s, men’s and children’s fashionable dress of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, including indoor and outdoor garments, underclothing, sports attire, everyday clothing, and dress for special occasions such as weddings and christenings.
Explore the collection online

Accessories like gloves, stockings, shoes and women’s parasols, fans and purses are well represented. Numerous items of everyday dress and several 18^th-century garments and accessories are prized for their rarity.

The many examples of mid to late 20^th century fashion by local manufacturers and designers and international couturiers illustrate the development of Montreal’s apparel industry, retail sector and import market. Some items are associated with historic Canadian events and renowned individuals.

Given the collection’s social history orientation, most items have been well documented as to their owner, maker, or context of use. The collection is an invaluable research resource for many aspects of the history of fashion in Montreal and Canada and material culture relating to appearance.

Cynthia joined the McCord Museum team in 1998. She is drawn to telling stories about clothing and fashion trends that have become entangled with Canadian identity projects. She is a three-time recipient of the Richard Martin Exhibition Award from the Costume Society of America.

Meet curator Cynthia Cooper and learn more about her expertise and her work.
Learn more