The Design Center

The Design Center at Philadelphia University tumblr blog highlights the University's remarkable Textile and Costume Collection of objects relating to textiles and dress. It also features "Wardrobe Wednesdays," a student project.

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Hello! My name is Alix Hagan and I’ve been curating the Design Center’s social media this semester. It’s been such a privilege to work alongside such beautiful pieces of history. For my final #WardrobeWedneday, I’d like to publicly share my excitement at getting to admire in person the replica of Grace Kelly’s wedding dress we have currently on display as part of the Design Center’s exhibit “The Swan: Grace Kelly and A Century of Bridal Fashion”. It truly is a work of art, and it continues to influence bridal design houses like Ersa Atelier today. I’m signing off for the summer, but be sure to look out for more of our collection right here in the fall!

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Another traditional Panamanian mola from our collection. This farm scene was created using embroidery and appliqué techniques.

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Signs of age can’t take away from the luscious design of this shawl from our collection!

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Happy #WardrobeWednesday! Pieces like this Peruvian ceremonial jacket from our collection show their influence in the most luxurious of modern ensembles. 

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This huipil from our collection is a part of the traditional costume worn by indigenous women from central Mexico to central South America for hundreds of years.

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This 1950’s cocktail dress from our collection features exquisite pleating and beading.

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The colors in this kente cloth from our collection represent peace and harmony, mother earth, harvesting and growth, and spiritual purity.

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In Panama, a Kuna woman’s traditional costume includes two molas, like these examples from our collection, that form the front and back of her blouse.

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Happy #WardrobeWednesday! You never know what global influences might sneak their way into your closet. Look how closely this ASOS jacket emulates the embroidered patterns on this 20th century Greek vest from our collection!

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Happy #WardrobeWednesday! Project Runway Season 14 winner Ashley Tipton accented the competition’s first plus-size collection with festive flower crowns like this beauty from our collection!

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In the 1870s and 80s, bustles were considered the highlight of a woman’s ensemble. It isn’t surprising when considering the bustle featured on this wedding gown from 1886, which is currently part of our exhibition, “The Swan: Grace Kelly and A Century of Bridal Fashion,” in the Gutman Library at Philadelphia University! Please join us for a lecture by Kristina Haugland on Grace Kelly’s classic wedding gown, and her influence on fashion, this Thursday from 6-8pm in the media classroom. Admission is free and open to students and the public!

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There were so many beautiful bridal silhouettes in the past, like this one from 1886. Come see what else we have on display in the Gutman Library - our opening reception for the campus community is today at two!

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This beautiful Philadelphia-made silk gown from 1902 will be one of the objects featured in our upcoming exhibit, “The Swan: Grace Kelly and A Century of Bridal Fashion”. The design of this gown shows a great attention to detail in intricate pleating on the skirt, and beautiful draping on the bodice.

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Join us on April 2nd to celebrate the opening of "The Swan: Grace Kelly and A Century of Bridal Fashion".

The exhibition will feature highlights from the Textile and Costume Collection at Philadelphia University and a replica of Grace Kelly's timeless wedding gown.

If you can't join us on the 2nd, the exhibit will be free and open to the public from April 3rd-June 24th.

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On this #WardrobeWednesday, the warm weather has us aching for spring blooms, like the ones featured on this 1998 Todd Oldham evening gown. The flowers on this dress were crafted using glass beads, sequins, rick-rack chenille yarns, and mini bugle beads.

Todd Oldham’s piece was inspired by an Impressionist painting of a vase, an idea you can see emulated in pieces like this dress from ModCloth.

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Happy #WardrobeWednesday! We’re thrilled that pieces inspired by antique kimonos like the ones in our collection are being incorporated in wardrobes all over the world.

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Sometimes it can be tough to get out of bed on a rainy morning, and we imagine it would be even tougher if you were draped in silk! We wouldn’t mind celebrating this #WardrobeWednesday curled up in this gorgeous black and gold jacquard loungewear ensemble from 1924.