Slow Research: The Unfolding of a Lifetime Project

Cynthia Cooper, Head, Collections and Research and Curator, Dress, Fashion and Textiles, revisits the remarkable discoveries that have helped her draw connections between the collection’s garments and archival images documenting the practice of dressing up in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This slow research involves the kind of serendipity that comes from  sitting with this material for decades!

Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870-1927

A century and a half ago, extravagant costume balls and skating carnivals were the pinnacle of society entertainments, bringing forth a kaleidoscopic array of fanciful costumed characters and providing a unique opportunity to reinvent oneself as a historical figure. But, beneath all the anachronistic exuberance, these balls reinforced core myths of colonial destiny and imperial futures.

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Step into the world of the exhibition!

Creating the exhibition Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870-1927 is the result of a monumental effort. Meet the Museum’s teams of experts and learn more about their work and their discoveries through blog articles, video interviews, behind-the-scenes photos, and much more!

Step into the world of the exhibition