Oklahoma Fashion Museum Collection
The University of Central Oklahoma has a wonderful designer collection of women’s garments and accessories from the late 1800s through the early 1980s. The collection was donated to UCO by the Fashion Group, Inc. of Oklahoma City in 1989 and is currently stored in the Human Environmental Sciences building on campus. The collection consists of over 800 items of clothing, 300+ hats, 150+ pairs of shoes, 50+ purses, some jewelry gloves, and miscellaneous items. Some of the designers represented in the collection include:
- Pauline Trigere
- Norman Norell
- Geoffrey Beene
- Irene
- Oscar de la Renta
- Adele Simpson
- Bill Blass
- Christian Dior
All of the items were donated by prominent women in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. The original mission of the collection was to have quality designer garments or outfits representative of each decade, with vintage pieces for contrasts to current fashion. UCO’s Department of Human Environmental Sciences incorporates the OFMC into the curriculum as a away to introduce students to the historical significance of fashion and material culture. Utilizing the OFMC allows students to trace the history and craftmanship of garments from the late 1800s through the 1980s.
View selections from the OFMC below or see the entire fashion collection online in SHAREOK. For more information about the collection, please contact Dr. Susan Miller, Professor of Fashion Marketing in the Human Environmental Sciences department, at (405) 974-5807.
1890 Brown Velvet Dolman Mantelet and Capelet
Category: Jacket and capelet
Donated by: Haywood Vaughan, Ardmore, OK, October 16, 1989
Description: This tuxedo style brown velvet mantelet has a high collar, long bell sleeves, a 3 loop closure in the front, and long tails (lappets) in the front. The sleeves and edges of the lappets have brown mink balls. The bottom of the tails have decorative braid, and there is pocket on the underneath side of one of the tails. A matching shoulder cape (capelet) with a hook and eye closure at the neck is part of this ensemble. A very unique jacket.
1920s Day Dress in Ecru Lace & Net
Category: Dress
Designer: Unknown
Donated by: “Nelle” Nellie Florence Goodner Randle (wife of Rivers McFerrin Randle), Nov. 18, 1985
Description: This day dress is made of sheer ecru curtain lace. It has a round neck, short cape sleeves, and an attached belt below the waist. A satin slip shows underneath with the dress being longer than the slip. This dress has a headband which matches the belt.
1950s Beige Taffeta Cocktail Dress by Mignon
Category: Cocktail Dress Acquisition
Designer: Mignon; Paris-New York
Donated by: Lillian Mary Tidman Earp (wife of Ancel Earp Sr.), Jan. 22, 1986
Description: A pale beige taffeta cocktail dress, sleeveless with double spaghetti straps. The skirt is balloon type with roses and beads as trim. The bodice is boned, and it closes with a metal zipper in back.
1970s Red Print Chiffon Long Pajama Pants by Arendine
Category: Evening Lounge Wear
Designer: Arendine
Donated by: Mary Lou Bohnard, October 1, 1985
Description: This ensemble consists of pants, an over-blouse and 2 bras. The pants have a 28 inseam, wide legs, hang ties inside, and a side zipper with 1 hook & eye. The see-through over-blouse has 7 buttons down the front, long sleeves with cuffs and 2 red buttons. A black bra and a nude bra complete this ensemble.
1940s—1950s Dark Green Suit, an Aldrich Original
Category: Suit
Designer: An Aldrich Original
Owned by: Carol McLemore Loving (wife of William Albert Loving)
Donated by: Pat Schweinsberg (daughter), Feb. 1, 1986
Description: A dark green suit with a jacket and skirt. The tailored jacket is unlined, and the front has an asymmetric opening with one side overlapping on the other and fastens with 5 self buttons. It has long sleeves, a wing collar on the right side, and a big bow at the hipline on the right side. The skirt is unlined, has a side zipper with 2 hooks and 1 snap.
1930s Beige Floral Print Long Dress
Category: Long Dress
Designer: Unknown
Estimated date: 1939
Donor: Helen Cabell, June 20, 1988
Description: A sleeveless floor length dress in a beige floral print. The neckline has a chiffon ruffle in front and back with blue grosgrain ribbon interwoven on the edges, and the dress has a side zipper. The dress has a white petticoat with an unfinished hem.
1960s Coral, Beige & Brown Evening Dress and Coat
Category: Coat and Dress
Designer: Unknown
Donated by: Ann Howard Tilghman (wife of Charles Conklin Tilghman), May 25, 1988
Description: A two piece evening ensemble with a matching dress and coat. In brown, beige, and coral brocade fabric. The sleeveless dress has a V neck with 2 gold & rhinestone buttons at the V, an empire waist and a back zipper. The coat has a pointed collar, long sleeves with sable cuffs, and 5 large covered button with 3 covered snaps.
