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Image: Passage # 5, Haute Couture Collection / Spring Summer 2011 - Dior by John Galliano. Courtesy of Laziz Hamani.Dr. Alexandra Palmer, Senior Curator, Nora E. Vaughan Fashion Costume Curatorship opens a package from Dior.Image: Men's trousers. Cotton, wool. c. 1925 – 1950. Nigeria. Gift from the Estate of Rev. A.W. Banfield.“Water sleeve” evening gown. Vivienne Tam, Jade Collection Fall 2011. Digitally printed silk. USA. Gift of Vivienne Tam. © Thomas Kletecka.Abstract Fiberglas furnishing textile by Owens-Corning for Co-FabCo. c. 1950 – 1954. USA. This acquisition was made possible by the generous support of the Textile Endowment Fund.
Image: Passage # 5, Haute Couture Collection / Spring Summer 2011 - Dior by John Galliano. Courtesy of Laziz Hamani.Passage # 5Haute Couture Collection / Spring Summer 2011 - Dior by John Galliano. Image courtesy of Laziz Hamani. Commissioned by the ROM thanks to the generous support of the Louise Hawley Stone Charitable Trust. BIG TIME: took 500 hours to make; BIG SIZE: 175 metres of cloth; BIG EVENT: Last and most technically challenging collection by John Galliano for Christian Dior.

Image: Men's trousers. Cotton, wool. c. 1925 – 1950. Nigeria. Gift from the Estate of Rev. A.W. Banfield.Men's trousersCotton, wool. c. 1925 – 1950. Nigeria. Gift from the Estate of Rev. A.W. Banfield. BIG SIZE: While the West African dress style values mass and the projection of stature, the most prestigious garments are assembled from the narrowest hand-woven strips of cloth - just two centimetres wide. BIG EVENT: Kings and clerics don up to eight layers of clothing for state events.
“Water sleeve” evening gown. Vivienne Tam, Jade Collection Fall 2011. Digitally printed silk. USA. Gift of Vivienne Tam. © Thomas Kletecka.“Water sleeve” evening gownVivienne Tam, Jade Collection Fall 2011. Digitally printed silk. USA. Gift of Vivienne Tam. © Thomas Kletecka. BIG NAME: Vivienne Tam (Chinese-American) known for modern fashions based on Chinese imagery and traditions. BIG MESSAGE: Retro luxury meets glamorous 21st century China chic; references historic Chinese Imperial court robes and rank badges which clearly display a courtier’s status.
Abstract Fiberglas furnishing textile by Owens-Corning for Co-FabCo. c. 1950 – 1954. USA. This acquisition was made possible by the generous support of the Textile Endowment Fund.Abstract Fiberglas furnishing textileBy Owens-Corning for Co-FabCo. c. 1950 – 1954. USA. This acquisition was made possible by the generous support of the Textile Endowment Fund. BIG INNOVATION: Fibreglass textiles do not shrink, stretch, swell, rot, burn or wrinkle and are resistant to sunlight. BIG TIME SAVER: Low maintenance – no ironing - and ideal for the “servantless” needs of postwar housewives.