Preserving the Past. Inspiring the Future.
the fashion archive
The Fashion Archive at The University of Alabama offers state-of-the-art research facilities dedicated to the study, preservation, and interpretation of historic and contemporary dress. Anchored by a specialized conservation lab, a fully equipped photography studio, and a professional-grade workroom, The Fashion Archive supports hands-on learning, scholarly research, and digital documentation. These integrated spaces allow students, faculty, and visiting researchers to engage deeply with the collection through creative exploration.
purpose
to inspire meaningful connections with fashion by cultivating curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking – bridging past traditions with future innovation and diverse perspectives.
mission
to spark innovation and inclusion in fashion by redefining how it is studied, preserved, and shared through interdisciplinary exploration and creative collaboration.
vision
to lead a global shift in how fashion is explored, interpreted, and engaged – with transformative research, inclusive storytelling, and boundary-breaking collaboration across disciplines.
scope
The Fashion Archive contains over 8,000 dress and related objects dating from the 15th century to present day.
collection plan
The primary emphasis of The Fashion Archive is acquiring dress and related objects of outstanding aesthetic quality, technical construction, and interesting provenance from the 19th century to present day for study, research, and exhibition.
The Fashion Archive ensures:
- all objects in the collection are documented in the collection database and accounted for through inventory practices
- all objects are cared for, protected, secure, and preserved using the highest professional and ethical standards
- access to the collection and its information is allowed and regulated
- accessioning, deaccessioning, and loans reflect the highest professional standards and ethics in compliance with the mission
- all activities related to the collection are to promote the public good
The Fashion Archive will:
- expand the collection of historic and contemporary dress and related objects
- engage, interact, and collaborate with members of the University as well as local to international communities
- increase global awareness and use of the collection through digital access and social media applications
- provide undergraduate students with unique opportunities to study and explore techniques and creativity
- offer top-quality graduate level courses in collections management, curatorial practices, and exhibition design
- develop innovative exhibitions to advance the knowledge and appreciation of fashion
- implement effective outreach efforts through public programs, lectures, and special events/activities
- maintain professional curatorial procedures, practices, and ethics
history
In the 1930s, Miss Henrietta Thompson established the core collection for teaching purposes in the College of Human Environmental Sciences’ Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design. Initially, it resided in a non-climate-controlled room on the fourth floor of Doster Hall, later moving to Alumni Hall in the 1980s, and then to Mary Harmon Bryant Hall in the mid-1990s. In 2018, the appointment of a new curator marked a pivotal moment for the collection. This curator ushered in a period of revitalization by introducing professional standards, ethics, and best practices in collections management and preservation.