Selections from the Archive
From Charles James to Chloe Dao's Project Runway dress, this is a small diverse sample from our archive.
Welcome
The Houston Community College Fashion Archive is a teaching collection of over 8,500 items from the 1740s to the present and from cultures all over the world with a Texas emphasis. Established as a teaching archive the collection grew to include historical and global items as well as alumni work. Digitization and preservation efforts to make this unique collection an open resource has been a collaborative effort between the HCC Fashion Design and Merchandising program and HCC Libraries.
Timeless - Chloe Dao
Closing the runway for the season 2 Project Runway Finale with this modern yet timeless look, Dao won the popular reality competition. The dress highlights the designer’s signature style of feminine yet well-constructed garments.
Trailblazer
Chanel green and gold brocade coat and dress from the 1970's woven with metallic gold and purple thread with gold, ribbon trim detail.
Iconic - Adrian
Wool skirt suit with overcoat ensemble designed by Adrian Greenburg, the American costume designer credited for making Hollywood high fashion.
Prolific - Gilbert Muniz
Polka dots to the extreme. Each circle is embellished with shisha embroidery and sequins designed to contrast the dominant color. The entire jacket is machine quilted to give the overall shape structure. All of the fabric and embroidery floss was hand dyed.
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HCC Fashion Archive Alumni Room
Welcome to our Alumni Space. Each piece highlights special sewing, draping, fabric dying, and embellishing techniques taught in our program.
Sculptural - Overbust Corset
Dated around the 1880s, donated by Elizabeth S. Brown. Corsetry from the Historical Fashion Collection allow us to see how the garments we wore underneath gave shape to our clothes.
For more, check out The Corset: Fashioning the Body (Museum at FIT).
Opulence
Tan, silk taffeta bodice made during the 1870s includes a skirt ensemble made with wool, floral embroidery and precious metal, fringe trim. Photographed and handled with care to preserve the delicate fabric embellishment.
Ceremonial
Silk wedding kimono donated by Kay King, acquired on her travels to Japan. Cranes in wedding attire often symbolize longevity and good fortune.
Visionary - Issey Miyake
Brown and black striped polyester skirt ensemble from the 1990s. His designs shows the globalization and modernization of fashion by combining both Eastern and Western influences, merging old techniques with new innovations. Explore more at Issey Miyake Inc.
Imperial
Mens Imperial style robe donated by Carol Lane Saber, acquired in the 1990's during her travels to China. Dragons on the robe indicate the Imperial Court while the blue color indicates a lower member of the court.
Explore more at Reading a Dragon Robe (Chester Beatty Library).
The Master - Charles James
This 1953 silk duchess satin version of Charles James’ “Cloverleaf” gown is a stunning example of the couturier’s meticulous construction to produce dynamic and fluid designs.
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HCC Fashion Department
Learn more about HCC Fashion Department by visiting our website here.
Houston Community College Fashion Archive
Contributors
Art Direction & Narrator: Alexander Chapman
Editor: Bethany Herman
Photography: Shane Qureshi
Audio: Shane Qureshi
VR/Immersive technology: Marisabel Morales
Donors
Elizabeth Brown
Alexander Chapman
Chloe Dao
Kay King
Gilbert Muniz
Samuel Sprunt
Lynn Wyatt
