Written by: Bhagyashri Sisodia (LinkedIn), Digital Business Management BComm student
Wednesday, December 4th, marked an unforgettable day at Humber’s new Cultural Hub as I attended the 2024 Fashion History Museum Exhibit.
I got a chance to attend the stunning 20th Century Fashion History Museum Exhibit, called Memories, by the Lakeshore Fashion Management students. This event was led by Francesca D’Angelo, professor and program coordinator of the B.Com Fashion Management degree, and supported by Hanadi Alnawab, professor and program coordinator of the B.Com Digital Business Management program, and Bruce Sinclair, associate dean of Business, Marketing, Fashion, and Beauty.
The event was a true celebration of global fashion, perfectly capturing the theme of a “global village.” It brought together culture, history, and creativity in the most unique ways.
Walking into the exhibit felt like stepping into a heritage-rich museum. I was awestruck by the diversity of pieces on display. There were garments, accessories, and artifacts from Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, UAE, USA, UK, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. It was incredible to see how these exhibits from around the world were beautifully showcased under one roof, with each piece telling its own unique story. The exhibit wasn’t just about fashion; it was a sociological narrative that highlighted the traditions and stories behind each artifact.
What stood out most to me was the passion and affection in the eyes of the students as they presented their exhibits. They were eager to share anecdotes and stories about the cultural significance of their items. From family heirlooms passed down through generations to clothing representing different walks of life, each exhibit captured one’s attention with its fascinating story.
One of the coolest parts was how they combined fashion and technology. Every item had a QR code in front of it. Scanning the code redirected visitors to a dedicated webpage with a detailed description of the items. This innovative approach made the whole experience a lot more engaging and interactive for anyone who wanted to dive deeper to know more about the exhibits!
Alongside the wonderful exhibits, there was live orchestral music performed by Humber students. The event was graced by various faculty members, fellow students, and fashion enthusiasts as well.
As I left the Cultural Hub, I couldn’t help but reflect on the power of fashion to tell stories and bring people together. The event was a holistic blend of classic exhibits brought to life with tales of origin, history, and cultural significance.
If you missed the event, don’t worry! The exhibit is available online, thanks to a website created by the Digital Business Management students. The website serves as a repository for the showcased items and will continue to grow as the archive expands each year. You can explore the collection at https://fashionhistoryproject.ca/
Congratulations to the Fashion Management students on the incredible culmination of their term-end projects. I’m already looking forward to next year’s exhibit, knowing it will only get better from here!
Until next time,
Bhagyashri Sisodia
The Fashion History Project 