Pasadena Museum of History unveils major two-part exhibition

Treasures from Pasadena Museum of History’s extensive Costume and Textile Collection and stunning gowns on loan from individuals and top designers will come out of wraps in an unprecedented two-part exhibition devoted to the form, fashion, and social history of the wedding dress from mid-nineteenth century to present day.
Opening this Valentine’s Day — Thursday, February 14 – and on view in the PMH History Center Galleries through Sunday, July 14, Part I of I Do! I Do! Pasadena Ties the Knot will showcase more than forty vintage wedding gowns from the PMH collection, along with historical narratives that tell the tale of a changing society as illustrated by this singular fashion item. The garments, dating from 1850 to 1950, show the evolution of the wedding ensemble from a woman’s best dress worn in the 1860s, to the lace and high waists of the 1900s, the long silk trains of the 1930s, and, finally, the hourglass silhouettes of the 1950s.
Part II — on view from Friday, August 2 through Sunday, October 20 — presents gowns on loan from local residents, bridal shops, and designers that define a specific style and together create a chronology of bridal fashion decade by decade from 1950 to today. Each dress represents a momentary standard of what a bride should look like. Its style is wholeheartedly adopted by the American consumer, and is copied again and again, until the next vision comes along. Featured designers include William Cahill, Priscilla of Boston, Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, and Monique Lhuillier.
Special tours and programs that further explore the fashions and themes of I Do! I Do! will be offered throughout the run of the exhibitions. Please check the PMH website for program dates and details: www.pasadenahistory.org.
Exhibition Location | Hours| Admission: I Do! I Do! Pasadena Ties the Knot is on view from 12 Noon to 5 pm Wednesdays through Sundays in the History Center Galleries at Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut St. (corner Walnut St. and Orange Grove Blvd.), Pasadena, CA 91103. Free parking is available in the Museum lot and on Walnut St. Admission: $7 General; $6 Students & Seniors; Museum Members & Children under 12 Free. Free admission every “Community Wednesday” to anyone who lives, works or is a student in any of the following local communities: Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Bradbury, Duarte, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Glendale, Highland Park, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and Temple City. Please mention this offer and show some form of I.D. in the Museum Store.
Information: For further information, please visit www.pasadenahistory.org or call 626.577.1660, ext.

-Courtesy Photo

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