Shippensburg University’s Fashion Archives and Museum hosted its first exhibit with Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education (SHAPE) gallery.

The exhibit, “Our New Old Clothes: Recent Acquisitions of the Fashion Archives and Museum,” debuted at SHAPE Friday evening with an opening reception.

The exhibit curated by Karin Bohleke, Director of SU’s Fashion Archives and Museum, featured 31 pieces of donated clothing, some dating to the 1800s. The pieces ranged from children’s robes from 1825 to a woman’s silk chiffon dress from the 1920s.

SHAPE provided guests with wine, soft drinks and assorted hors d’oeuvre and pastries. The gallery also provided copies of a gallery guide with thorough descriptions and backgrounds for each of the pieces on display.

“I think it’s been a great success,” said Katie McGowan, SU alumna and Fashion Archives volunteer. McGowan describes “Our New Old Clothes” as a “retrospective exhibit” featuring the donations the Fashion Archives has received since Bohleke became director five years ago.

This is the first collaboration that the Fashion Archives has done with SHAPE. “It’s really great bringing the SHAPE gallery audience with the archive audience,” McGowan said.

In the past, the Fashion Archives have hosted exhibits at the Hanover Historical Society.
Previous exhibits include “Titanic Fashions: High Styles in the 1900s” and “19th Century Costume Treasures.” Catalogs from both those exhibits and the current one were on sale as a fundraiser for the archives.

Also on sale as part of the fundraiser, were American Girl Dolls and totes, shoes and jewelry bags designed by New York-based costume historian Martha McCain.

The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 22. The gallery is located at 20 W. King St. Regular operating hours are Wednesday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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