Behind the Seams

On November 4, the Royal Ontario Museum welcomed guests to The Art of Fashion, the dazzling launch of the ROM Immortal Gala series—now an annual fundraising event celebrating the Museum’s vast collections and honouring the living impact of art, culture, and nature.

Each year, the Gala will spotlight a different facet of the Museum’s work and collections, culminating in the presentation of the ROM Immortal Award to a trailblazer whose contributions transcend time and transform their field.

The inaugural theme drew inspiration from ROM’s renowned Global Fashion and Textiles Collection—the fourth largest in the world, with objects spanning continents and centuries.
 

In keeping with this mission, ROM proudly presented the inaugural ROM Immortal Award to Suzanne Rogers , recognizing her immeasurable contributions to fashion and philanthropy. Suzanne’s longtime support of Canadian designers and commitment to children’s causes have made her a force both for fashion and for good.

Throughout the evening, guests heard reflections from ROM Director & CEO Josh Basseches , ROM Governors President & CEO Janice Price, ICD.D , Director of the Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University Robert Ott, Gala Chair Jenna Bitove Naumovich, Honorary Chair Sylvia Mantella, designer Kirk Pickersgill of Canadian fashion house Greta Constantine, and Suzanne Rogers.

Together, they explored how Suzanne’s philanthropy and influence have shaped the Canadian fashion landscape.

The evening’s aesthetic took inspiration from one of ROM’s most celebrated pieces: a court dress attributed to Marie Antoinette and her famed dressmaker, Rose Bertin. Its embroidered motifs of feathers, flowers, and ribbons in soft pastels served as a mood board for the Gala’s decor and spectacular floral installations, creating a setting where the elegance of the past met the glamour of the present. This perfectly embodies the spirit of the Immortal Gala and the timeless influence of the objects in ROM’s care—preserving stories of the past while inspiring the future in ways we cannot yet foresee.

For this one special evening, some of the Museum’s most treasured textiles came out of the archives and into the ballroom. In the weeks and days leading up to the gala, the Collections and Conservation teams meticulously prepared and transported a selection of garments and accessories that exemplify the artistic innovation and cultural exchange within ROM’s collections. Some standout pieces included a resplendent kimono from Edo-period Japan, a sculptural Comme des Garçons dress, and a showstopping Dior couture gown designed by John Galliano.

The Art of Fashion was made possible through the generosity and vision of ROM’s partners and sponsors.

With thanks to Presenting Sponsor Rogers Communications , Atelier Sponsors Kensington Tours and the Hennick Family Foundation, Runway Sponsors the Mantella Corporation and CIBC, and our many guests, the Gala raised more than $1.1 million in support of ROM’s mission.

The Art of Fashion was more than a launch; it was a testament to how the stories held within ROM’s collections—and the people who bring them to life—will continue to inspire us for generations to come.