Texas Fashion Collection

09/04/2026

Carolina Herrera used luxurious textiles to create this structured, feminine design. Note the multicolored, large-scale floral motif with a repeat so large that you don’t see the same image twice on the bodice. That boldness is complemented by an all-over pattern seen through the subtle sheen of the weave of the silk damask textile.

Image 1: Detail of the bodice of a cocktail dress with an all-over floral motif in light pink, blue, yellow, orange, and green, with a shaped neckline, shoulder pads, and structured bodice, shown on a mannequin with a white backdrop

Image 2: Detail of a Carolina Herrera designer label surrounded by white lining fabric and printed floral fabric

08/31/2026

While patchwork historically signaled scarcity, this Spring 2024 runway dress celebrates its visual richness. Here, ASHISH combines varied examples of patterned fabrics, a delightful mix of patterns and colors. Rather than being scraps of printed and woven material, these are instead hand-beaded swatches, the evidence of their production seen through dazzling surfaces and careful stitches on the back.

Image 1: Patchwork mini dress of various beaded swatches, shown on a white mannequin and blue backdrop

Image 2: Runway image of two models wearing patchwork garments - one in a mini dress and another in a pants ensemble - in a black space with fantastical props in the background

Image 3: Detail of colorful and patterned beaded swatches pieced together

Image 4: Detail of the back side of hand-beaded fabric pieced together

08/28/2026

This late eighteenth-century men’s court coat features luxurious textiles and beautiful floral embroidery. The primary green fabric includes a dense pile that creates tufted stripes and absorb light, while the cuffs are made of white silk satin. The cuff’s qualities are echoed in the embroidery, with lighter colored silk threads bringing in the color and floral motifs calling attention to the architecture of the jacket.

Image 1: Detail of a bright green coat with white silk cuffs and all-over white and brown floral embroidery, shown on a white mannequin and white background

Image 2: Detail of the opening and pocket flap of a green court coat with all-over floral embroidery in whites and browns

08/25/2026

Join TFC director Annette Becker this Saturday for a program related to the current exhibition "What's For Dinner?" The project features several artifacts from the collection, and Dr. Becker's lecture will offer behind-the-scenes histories of those designs!

08/25/2026

We're so pleased to welcome Natalie and Brianna to the TFC team this academic year! Their research interests include library studies, metadata, art librarianship, dress codes, public history, and cultural history - all topics they'll explore through research, programming, and professional development!

Onstead Institute Announcement: 2026-2027 Fellows!

Fellowships are monetary awards given to scholars to support their academic pursuits — typically a merit-based scholarship for advanced study of an academic subject.

Congratulations to our 2026-2027 fellows who will complete their fellowships at the following art institutions!

Amon Carter Museum of American Art Fellowship
Jane Anne Carroll
Erin Elisabeth Ivey

Greater Denton Arts Council Fellowship
Nasrin Tork
Andres Briones

Kinfolk House Fellowship in Community Art Education
Bria Maiden

CVAD Texas Fashion Collection Fellowship in Collections Research
Brianna Mangrum
Natalie Bennett

Sid Richardson Museum Fellowship
Lelaina Aguirre

For more information about Onstead Fellowships, email [email protected]. And be sure to visit UNT Financial Aid and Scholarships and the CVAD Paying for College webpage, cvad.unt.edu/resources/paying-for-college.

08/25/2026

The 1950s conjure images of dresses with emphasized bustlines, nipped waists and full skirts. However, archives like the TFC offer a broader and more complete understanding of history. Here we see a dress designed by Norman Norell in 1958 and collected that same year by retailer Neiman Marcus. Part of the designer’s spring collection for the label Traina Norell, the dress includes a straight silhouette, dropped waist, and gathered skirt.

Image 1: Dress with an all-over floral motif of abstracted roses, a straight silhouette, short sleeves, drop waist, and pleated skirt, shown on a black mannequin and white background

Image 2: Scrapbook page with a black and white documentary photograph of a dress with a straight silhouette and drop waist shown on a dress form

Image 3: Detail of a white textile with a dense all-over jewel-tone floral pattern with abstract, cartoon-like roses, with a band and bow of green and red floral pattern

08/20/2026

This 1970s Richard Tam dress and jacket are made of a beautiful silk brocade. The shiny satin textile is complemented by supplementary weft threads that float along the surface. Rendered in both matching ivory and multicolored threads, floral motifs appear as both subtle outlines and bolder figures.

Image 1: Detail of the waistline of a dress with a bow of self, the fabric an off-white silk with both matching monochromatic and green and yellow floral motifs

Image 2: Strapless dress of off-white silk with both matching monochromatic and green and yellow floral motifs, with a natural waistline, and long narrow skirt, shown on a white mannequin and dark blue backdrop

Image 3: Detail of a cropped jacket and dress of off-white silk with both matching monochromatic and green and yellow floral motifs, shown on a white mannequin and dark blue backdrop

08/17/2026

TFC records share that this romantic ensemble was designed and donated by stylist, floral designer, and Dallasite Jimmie Henslee. The 1983 ensemble makes beautiful use of design principles he uses professionally: coordinated saturated colors, complementary luxurious textiles, and bold volume (here a bubble-hem silhouette filled out with netting)!

Image 1: Draped red blouse with high neckline and full gathered skirt of black and red floral fabric, shown on a white mannequin and background

Image 2: Detail of a skirt’s red silk lining with a red and black floral faille as a waistband and skirt, shown with an open zipper revealing a hint of netting

08/14/2026

This ornate embroidery was created over half a century before sewing machines and synthetic dyes were invented - a true testament to the artisan and craft skills of late eighteen-century makers.

Image 1: Detail of the embroidery at the center front of a dark green velvet court coat, with floral and leaf patterns in greens, oranges, and whites, accented with round buttons of self

Image 2: Front ¾ view of a long dark green velvet court coat, with floral and leaf patterns in greens, oranges, and whites, shown on a black form and white background