The Lois Jett Historic Costume Collection (LJHCC) in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State University invites the public to the collection’s new exhibition, Grooving Through the 1960s, running through September 8, 2023.
Grooving Through the 1960s showcases ensembles from the 1960s that range in style, occasion, texture, and season, and highlights popular styles and colors of the decade. The exhibition was planned and installed by students in the fashion design and merchandising program at Illinois State. According to exhibition lead curators Melanie Guzman ’23 and Michele Parr ’23, the goal is to have the viewer consider and feel what it was like to live in the 1960s.
Collaborating on this exhibit drew on the individual strengths of both Guzman and Parr. Guzman, who enjoys planning and setting up displays, explained, “when people walk into the exhibit, I want them to imagine themselves walking through a shopping center in the 1960s.” Parr, who enjoys styling outfits, wants the viewer to be able to visualize the styles and trends from the ’60s. She elaborated, “each garment that was chosen represents different kinds of fashion trends that were popular.” It is important for everyone to understand the significance of fashion history because it demonstrates changes in society.
This free exhibition is located in Turner Hall 126 on Illinois State’s campus and is open to the campus and community.
The LJHCC was created in 1962 by Lois Jett, a professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Over the years, the collection has expanded to more than 2,000 items of men’s, women’s, and children’s dress and related artifacts from around the world dating from the 1840s to today. Follow the LJHCC on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and additional information about holdings. Gallery hours through May 5, 2023, are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. It will also be open Sunday, April 2 and Sunday, April 16 from 1-4 p.m. To schedule additional times, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or for more information, contact LJHCC director Jennifer Banning.
