What do a red sequin burlesque costume, a pair of original Air Jordan 1s, a baby’s wool bathing suit, and an enormous white tulle Christian Dior gown have in common? All these wearable artifacts are preserved in the Chicago History Museum’s vast costume collection, which strives to represent the many different people and stories that make up our city.

Featuring 70 rarely seen objects, from glamorous gowns and sharp suits to housedresses and sneakers, Dressed in history: a costume collection retrospective explores how clothing captures the material, social, and changing cultural values throughout history. The exhibition celebrates 100 years of an incredible collection and the donors, curators, and staff who have shaped it.

Curators and contributors

Jessica Pushor, collections manager of costume and textiles, exhibition curator

Jessica Pushor is the collections manager of costume and textiles at CHM. She holds a MA in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Pushor previously co-curated "Treasured Ten: Selections from the Costume Collection" and has assisted on several fashion exhibitions in the past. At CHM, she worked on Silver screen to mainstream: American fashion in the 1930s and '40s and Making mainbocher: the first American couturier.

Virginia Heaven, curator of costume, 2019–21

Inspiring beauty: 50 years of ebony fashion fair (March 16, 2013–May 11, 2014), Silver screen to mainstream: American fashion in the 1930s and ’40s (April 8, 2019–January 21, 2020).

Petra Slinkard, curator of costume, 2013–17

Chicago styled: fashioning the magnificent mile (November 15, 2014–August 16, 2015), Making mainbocher: the first American couturier (October 22, 2016–August 20, 2017).

Timothy A. Long, curator of costume, 2006–11

Dior: the new look (September 30, 2006–May 28, 2007), Chic Chicago: couture treasures from the Chicago History Museum (September 27, 2008–July 26, 2009), Bertha Honoré Palmer (May 23, 2009–January 4, 2010), I Do! Chicago ties the knot (May 22, 2010–January 3, 2011), Charles James: genius deconstructed (October 22, 2011–April 16, 2012).

Elizabeth Jachimowicz, curator of costume, 1974–89

Elizabeth Jachimowicz has curated more than 20 exhibitions for CHM, including Chicagoans in Paris, Social history through the mirror of fashion, A sampling of children’s clothes, Fashions from the wardrobe of Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln, 1860–1920, Women’s fashions of the 1920s, and The wit and fantasy of Ben Green-Field.