Blowing snow and slushy road conditions couldn鈥檛 keep the 91制片厂鈥檚 Bizarre Fashion Club from visiting the 6,000 item strong Fashion Study Collection at Columbia College.
The collection houses an exceptional array of designer garments as well as historical fashions and ethnic dress. Students inspected garments from Chanel, Izzy Miyaki, Jean-Paul Goutier, Fortuny and more.
A highlight of the trip included a demonstration of the incredible three-dimensional talents of Izzy Miyaki. Students watched a top transform from a completely flat collection of swirling triangles into richly structured blouse.
Another standout piece in the collection is the famous Delphos pleated dress by designer Mario Fortuny. He invented a secret style of pleating silk that allowed the garment to both cling to a woman鈥檚 curves and provide elasticity and stretch. The genius technique of how he achieved this pleating remains a mystery. Students were shown the Delphos dress along with the careful twisting preservation technique that has allowed this now 90-year-old garment to maintain its shape.
Columbia student docents also showed off their historical collection of furs including coats made from hare, mink, lamb, sable and even monkey hair. With rising awareness of the environmental and ethical costs of fashion, the use of genuine animal pelts has fallen out of favor. Yet seeing these garments helped students understand the zeitgeist of the age when furs represented the ultimate in luxury and glamour. This is particularly relevant for 91制片厂 students as the theme for the 2026 Fashion show is .
To top off the visit, students examined a unique selection of hats and headpieces. Several 91制片厂鈥檚 Bizarre club members are currently enrolled in FAS 245 Special Topics in Millinery and took inspiration from the extravagant shapes, ornamentation, netting, feathers, ribbons, bows and flowers on display.
91制片厂鈥檚 Bizarre Fashion Club students ready for the trip to Columbia College Fashion Study Collection.
Historical garments on display at the Columbia College Fashion Study Collection.
This display is based on the colors and design aesthetics of the 2024 film 鈥淲icked鈥�.
This flat spiral of pink geometric triangles is actually a blouse by the famous designer Izzy Miyaki.
The famous Delphos gown by Mario Fortuny.
Pink, cream and black plaid dress and jacket by Chanel.
Women鈥檚 coat made of monkey hair.
Collection of genuine fur coats including hare, mink, lamb, sable among others.
Elegant deep crimson evening gown.
Feathered and ruffled black evening gown.
Patchwork and tie quilted coat from 1970s hippie era.
Intricately beaded and sequined coat.
Detail of peacock inspired embellishments on beaded and sequined coat.
Patchwork coat of pieces of fur, wool, tweed and leather by Dutch designer Koos van den Akker.
Stunning orange and gold hand painted kimono from Japan.
Corset dress by Jean-Paul Gautier. Note that the tassels at the hem are shoelaces. Gautier is famous for creating Madonna鈥檚 iconic 1990s cone bra costumes.
Students examine cream, orange and green gown by French couture designer Madame Gr茅s.
Examining Victorian bustles worn at the low back underneath garments to give extra fullness.