The Kaleidoscope of Textiles: Dress as Multidimensional Cultural Documents

THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF TEXTILES: Dress as Multidimensional Cultural Documents

Material culture studies form an interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the idea that materiality is a vital dimension of culture which assists in the understanding of social existence. Clothing and textiles constitute the widest category of material culture and are rich in symbolic communication.

The University of Rhode Island’s Historic Textile and Costume Collection (HTCC) contains approximately 285 ethnic garments. 

The garments on display in this omeka exhibit represent clothing identified with the various ethnic groups present in the United States.  By examining the relationship between ethnicity with dress, viewers can gain an awareness and appreciation of the kaleidoscope of ethnicity that makes up our population and conceivably the experiences of those who have immigrated to the U.S. Viewers will also be introduced to the technical study and professional practice of textiles and clothing studies presented in the conservation projects of our students.

This exhibition could not have been created without the help of many people.  Special thanks go to:

• The URI Center for the Humanities for the “Winnie” grant that supported the installation of this exhibition.  
• The students for their dedication to, and preparation of, this exhibit: Christina Adamo, Mariela Agüero, Susan Day, Erika Holshoe, Michelle Leung, Cordelia Mueller, Samantha Myette, Katy Williams-O’Donnell, and Alyssa Opishinski.
• Collections Manager, Susie Jerome, for her guidance and assistance in the Historic Textile and Costume Collection.
• Connor Steere for the photography
• Rebecca Kelly, Adjunct Instructor, for all her work with students and staff

Garments, accessories and textiles can be found in the Collection titles "Kaleidoscope of Textiles: Dress as Multi-Dimensional Cultural Documents."