Fashion Through Ages

  At the time of the Museum's founding in 1870, Boston and the surrounding area were at the center of the American textile industry. In 1877, the first costume entered the museum - an 18th century brocade court dress. The Textile and Fashion Arts Collection now holds approximately 40,000 objects and is global in scope, ranging from Egyptian pleated dresses from 2323-2150 BC to contemporary haute couture. Two major collections form the backbone of the costume holdings: the Mrs. Philip (Carrie) Lehman Collection of textiles and costume accessories, donated in 1938; and the extensive collection of costumes, accessories, needlework, costume books and prints from Elizabeth Day McCormick acquired between 1943 and 1953. The MFA also holds an extensive and important collection of fans, assembled by Esther Oldham, and the largest collection of sable beadwork in the world. The objects here are Western fashion and accessories from the 16th through the 20th centuries, some of which were exhibi