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To contribute to this collective history project, send pictures and stories about the older women in your life to americanagefashion@gmail.com. The more information you can include (date, place, etc.), the better.-
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Tag Archives: resources
Learning from the Facebook Group “Mid Century in Color”
Sometimes I wonder just who Facebook thinks I am, sending me links to sites about farms and baby animals. But recently the mysterious algorithm provided something I treasure—a link to the wonderful resource Mid Century in Color: Amateur Photographic Slides … Continue reading
Treasure and Trash on Pinterest
I have given up on Pinterest many times. After getting recommendations from friends and sewing teachers, I’ve tried to assemble various “collections” of things that inspire me. Each time I have delved into that chaotic bundle of images, I have … Continue reading
Getting Out the Vote, 1956
The current election has reminded us once again that African American women are the bedrock of the Democratic Party. They also did a lot of the hard work of turning California from red (as it was when I was growing … Continue reading
Posted in 1950s
Tagged African American, California, resources, sheath dress, shirtwaist, shoes
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New Archives to Explore—Textile Records at Cornell University
Not everyone gets excited when they hear the word “archive,” but I do. And combine “archive” with “textiles” and my blood really starts rushing. Recently, the history librarian at my university sent me news that Cornell University Library has acquired … Continue reading
Exploring Harvard’s “Women Working, 1800-1930” Collection
I never had to walk five miles in the snow to get to school, but I used to travel long distances to libraries and archives in order to do my research. These days you can sit at home and discover … Continue reading
The Gimbel Book: Paris, London, and American Styles, 1910
On the website for the Thomas J. Watson Library at Metropolitan Museum Library, I browsed through the 1910 catalog for the Gimbel Brothers department store, then in Philadelphia. I had my eye out for clothes and accessories especially aimed at … Continue reading
Trying on Hats in Bronzeville, 1941
This evocative photo, captioned “Buying hats in a ten cent store which caters to Negroes,” is included in the volume Bronzeville: Black Chicago in Pictures, 1941-43 (2003). The book matches photos taken by photographers working for the federal government with … Continue reading
Singer Showcase, Issue 1
We all know that Singer makes sewing machines. But were you aware the company also ventured into the pattern business? I discovered this by chance (a favorite research method) when I came across the first issue of Singer Showcase from … Continue reading
California Stylist: A Trade Magazine for the West Coast Garment Industry
The California garment industry began expanding in leaps and bounds in the 1930s, and the magazine California Stylist (1937-1971) was there to document the process. I first discovered it while doing research in the Irene Saltern archive, which contained issues … Continue reading