Bullock Museum to celebrate opening of original exhibition highlighting Texas's ties to the evolution of fashion

JANUARY 7, 2020 (AUSTIN, TX) — The Bullock Texas State History Museum will host an exclusive member event this Friday, January 10 at 6 pm featuring a runway fashion show and curator discussion. The event celebrates Fashion Forward, an original exhibition exploring the evolution of style and the role Dallas played in bringing fashion to Texas and the nation.

Fashion Forward features a collection of key pieces from the Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas, one of the most significant fashion archives in the United States. Each designer featured in the exhibition earned the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion from the Dallas-based luxury department store. Designers featured in the exhibition include Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Emilio Pucci, Missoni, Hanae Mori, and more.

"We are so excited to highlight some of the world's most famous and award-winning designers in our first-ever fashion exhibition," said Bullock Museum Director Margaret Koch. "By requiring that each designer travel to Dallas to collect their award, visionary Texan Stanley Marcus set the stage for the Lone Star State to become an unexpected fashion epicenter in the 20th century."

Through large-scale photographs and sketches, tactile interactives, and stunning textiles, the exhibition provides an in-depth look at the historical and cultural context of each featured design. Visitors learn how to speak the language of fashion design, explore the details featured in the beautiful textiles on display, and feel actual fabrics to better understand why and how designers use them. A draping station allows visitors to try out their own designs, and a runway backdrop provides a place to strike a pose and snap a photo.

The exhibition's member celebration on Friday, January 10 will feature a live runway show by students from the Austin School of Fashion Design. Following the runway show, a presentation by Annette Becker, guest curator and director of the Texas Fashion Collection in the College of Visual Arts & Design at University of North Texas, will provide an insider's view into the collection and the history of the Neiman Marcus Award. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the exhibition and enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

"We encourage everyone to come and see this fantastic exhibition to explore beautiful clothing and innovative designs, reflecting the designers’ talents through the decades," said Koch. "The exhibition gives context to the story of each internationally-renowned designer's vision and inspires future generations of Texan fashion designers as well."

Fashion Forward is on view through April 12, 2020. For more information, visit TheStoryofTexas.com.

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Organized by the Bullock Museum in collaboration with the Texas Fashion Collection, College of Visual Arts & Design, University of North Texas.

Special exhibitions are generously sponsored by Union Pacific.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or call (866)369-7108.

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a division of the Texas State Preservation Board. Additional support for educational programming provided by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.