Welcome to the FIDM Museum!

Located in downtown Los Angeles, the FIDM Museum is devoted to the exhibition and interpretation of dress and textiles. Our collection focuses primarily on the 19th and 20th centuries, with an emphasis on American and European dress. Like all museums, we have thousands of objects housed in our secure, climate controlled storage areas. Until now, these objects were only available for viewing by those able to visit us in Los Angeles. But now we have a blog! And we're so excited!

The FIDM Museum Blog will be dedicated to showcasing selected garments and accessories from our fabulous collection, while also featuring occasional "behind the scenes" glimpses of museum life. The Museum Staff is extremely privileged to work with these objects on a regular basis and we want to share this privilege with YOU. By providing context and interpretation for specific items in our collection, we hope that you will find objects that speak to you, whether you are a student, designer, or someone who enjoys the creative potential of fashion. We look forward to your comments and questions. Don't be shy...we love to talk about the FIDM Museum!

 

Comments

[Sheila Savell / Out of the Ashes Collectibles]

I'm thrilled to discover this website and blog. Truly something for everyone. I'll post a link to you thru my own blog at http://risingfeenix.blogspot.com/ and have my subscribers check out all you have to offer!

[Rachel]

Thanks so much for your kind comment, Sheila! We'll be sure to check out your blog asap.

[loopy]

I have just discovered your site, I was not aware of the museum. It is truely wonderful. I am trying to research a couture house in the name of ' CAUET' 6 Rue de la Paix Paris. Circa 1900 - 1930. Only a few doors away from The Boue Sisters! Do you possibly have any info?
Many thanks.

[Rachel]

Our curator had the following piece of information for you:"Milliner Camille Roger was located at the same address during the years Loopy is researching. Most designers did not occupy their entire building...Worth was never the sole resident of #7 and his was one of the largest businesses." Unfortunately, that's all we know! If you have access to an academic database like Proquest, I'd give that a try. A Paris city directory might have some additional information too. I've found that if you look in older sources (which not be considered definitive today) you can sometimes find references to now forgotten designers. Good luck with your search and please let us know what you discover

[Patricia]

This is a great site and your exhibitions look fantastic. Wish I had known about this when I was last in LA. Will look you up some time, but for now readings the blogs is very informative.

Who does your fabulous exhibition mounting and do you have a conservator on staff?

[Rachel]

Hi Patricia,

Sorry you missed us...be sure to come and visit next time you're in town. If you're interested in purchasing a catalog of the Betsy Bloomindale exhibit, visit our Museum Shop.

We don't have a conservator on staff. When we need conservation work done, we work with various contract conservators.

The invisible mounts for the Betsy Bloomingdale show were were made in-house, by our very own Study Collection Manager Carolyn Jamerson. We'll be posting some images related to this process in the next few weeks!

[thecostumecollector]

I am a great fan of the FIDM blog and enjoy visting very much. I am also great admirer of dress and textile and espcially film costume. I ove to read the articles and look at the amazing items on display.

I am a collector myslelf and have started a blog on my collection

http://vintagefilmpropsandcostumes.blogspot.com/

Job well done FIDM!

[Rachel]

Thanks for your kind comments about our blog! I'll be sure to visit your blog too.

[Micheline]

Hi - Congratulations on providing such a wonderful virtual costume Museum! The phtograhs are stunning...

I wondered if you had in your collection, a garment or garments adorned by large jewel buttons that date from the 1885-1915 time period... I have been looking to find such a garment, but have not succeeded so far. I am a button collector and one of my favourite types are large jewel buttons, but I am unable to find a period garment showing these buttons.... Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank You ! Micheline

[Rachel]

Micheline, so glad you found our blog and that you're enjoying it!

As for the buttons you mention, I can't think of any garments in our collection that have the type of button you describe. If you are able to find them, I'd take a look at fashion periodicals from this time frame and see if you can find any mention of the buttons.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help in your button quest!

[Joezermeno@ca.rr.com]

As a fashion illustration student, will I be able to photograph costumes at the exhibits, in particular, the upcoming motion picture exhibit?

Joe Zermeno, February 8, 2010

[Rachel]

Hi Joe,

We typically don't allow photography during exhibitions. You are, however, welcome to sketch the garments during your visit to the FIDM Museum. There are a few press images available online...just search for the exhibit and you should find several sites.

Hope you enjoy the Hollywood exhibition!

[Perry]

Wonderful site, thanks!

-Perry-

[Rachel]

Hi Perry, We're always happy to have a new reader. Glad you're enjoying our blog!

[Ingrid Mida]

I recently visited the Museum and wrote a post about my visit on my blog Fashion is my Muse! I wished I could visit more often! What a delight!

[Randy The Orange County Wedding Photographer]

A friend of mine attended FIDM and I have to be candid - her skill set improved dramatically. For confidentiality's sake, I won't post her name, but she comes from Japan, and speaks OK English, not great. When she first started, she was an amateur at best. When she "graduated" in 2009, her portfolio was fantastic, her sketching ability was unbelievable, and immediately after school, she obtained a career level job in her chosen industry. I am excited to see more and learn more about FIDM and their museum.