First Full Season Is Underway for Fashion History Museum

Cambridge’s Fashion History Museum recently launched its first full season with three new exhibits at the former Hespeler post office.

“It’s been a lot of work,” admits Jonathon Walford, the museum’s co-founder and curatorial director. “I think I was able to take one day off since we closed at Christmas.”

The three exhibits range from the very stayed and traditional to the whacky and whimsical.

At the front of the museum, located at 74 Queen St. E., is an exhibit called “To Meet the Queen,” featuring attire worn by people over two centuries to meet the royals.

Among the highlights is a silk gown worn in 1860 to meet the Prince of Wales, who later became Edward VII, on his visit to London, Ont., a Mountie’s red serge jacket, and a hat and boots worn by Staff Sgt. Douglas Elmquist, who served on royal tours to Ottawa in the 1960s and 1970s.

There are also gowns from the 1920s, as well as suits from modern day.

This exhibit continues through May 29.

In the second gallery, homage is paid to Canadian designer Pat McDonagh (1934-2014), who was known for designing the first uniform for staff at the CN Tower in the early ‘70s, and coming up with Weekender wear in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

In 2003, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Fashion Design Council of Canada, having created two collections per year each year for more than 40 years.

This exhibit runs to April 24.

The new exhibit in the fashion museum’s third gallery has a Mardi Gras theme and is called “Throw Me Something, Sister? Muses, Mardi Gras and Glittered Shoes”.

It has an outrageous collection of beads, bags and glitter shoes designed for celebrating New Orleans style.

This exhibit continues to May 16.Read more at:http://www.queenieau.com | http://www.queenieau.com/bridesmaid-dresses