Fashion Design

The Costume collection of Phoenix Art Museum was renamed the Fashion Design Collection in 1996. Its steady growth is made possible by gifts from private donors and purchases funded by the Arizona Costume Institute, one of the Museum's ten volunteer support organizations. The Collection is comprised of more than 4,500 American and European garments, shoes and accessories. It houses important fashions from the 18th to late 20th centuries. The Collection emphasizes major American designers of the 20th century including Adrian, Norell, Galanos, and Claire McCardell; and European Designers such as Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Exhibitions that focus on clothing both as an art form and cultural phenomenon are rotated regularly in The Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. They underscore the significance of fashion as it relates to social and economic history. The Astaire Library of Costumes included in the Museum's Art Research Library houses many rare books and print relating to costume and textiles.

Left: Perfecto "One Star" Jacket, SCHOTT,early 1960s. Horsehide, metal Talon zipper, metal snaps and buckle. Gift of Mrs. Kelly Ellman. Center: Dress, Emilio Pucci, c. 1960s. Printed cotton velveteen. Wool jersey knit. Gift of Mort and Marilyn Bloom. Right: Delphos Dress and Jacket, Mariano Fortuny, 1920s-1930s. Silk; Velvet stenciled with metals. Gift of Mrs. Burton Tremaine, 1970.c.229; Gift of Mrs. Joseph McMullan.