Collection & Preservation
The Texas Fashion Collection was formed by people with a passion for great design and a love of fashion history. In 1972, the combined collections of the Dallas Museum of Fashion grew to more than 3,000 items when Dr. Edward Mattil, then chairman of the art department, helped transfer ownership and brought the collection to the UNT campus. In 1989, Patti Lou Cobb joined the staff at UNT and instigated museum standards and practices that improved the level of preservation for the collection. In 1993, the university provided a newly renovated building that consolidated the collection into Scoular Hall. A National Endowment for the Arts grant for history and documentation was awarded to the Texas Fashion Collection in 1995. This grant laid the groundwork for the retrospective conversion of the catalog.
Today, over 15,000 objects are housed in a 4,500 square foot climate-controlled space which makes it possible to inventory the collection as a whole for the first time. The Texas Fashion Collection is dedicated to preserving and documenting historically significant fashion, as an educational resource for students, researchers and the general public.
Collection Storage:
- 4,500 square foot climate-controlled room
- 24-hour video surveillance
- Maintained on a daily basis by curatorial staff, students, and volunteers
- Open storage model, which allows for a small number of visitors
New Acquisitions:
The TFC has limited resources available to purchase items from individuals, dealers, or at auction. Individuals may donate an item of clothing to the TFC or make contributions designated for acquiring new artifacts.
Collection Criteria:
The TFC collects 19th and 20th century couture, high fashion, and principal ready-to-wear designs by American and international designers who have designs under their own name or in conjunction with the fashion industry.
Additions to the Collection Must:
- represent a significant design aspect of 19th or 20th century dress for women, men, and children
- not duplicate artifacts already in the collection
- be in pristine to good condition with no damage
- be well documented as to the garment’s origin
The TFC does not accept:
- military, scout, or nursing uniforms
- theatrical, Halloween, or performing arts costumes
- dress designed for pageants, festivals, or theme parties
- household items unrelated to dress, such as tablecloth, linens, quilts or samplers
Acquisition Process:
- A potential donor should contact the TFC curator or collection manager (TFC@unt.edu).
- Submit a photograph of the object before sending an unsolicited item. Unsolicited packages may be returned to sender.
- Agree upon a delivery method or send to the TFC shipping address.
- In the case of a large donation in the Dallas are, the curator may schedule a visit to evaluate the clothing.
- The donor will be issued a temporary receipt while the objects are considered of accession.
- The donor will be notified by letter of an accepted acquisition and mailed a receipt of gift form. This form must be signed and returned to the TFC to finalize the process.
Preservation:
- Archival preservation materials, which include acid-free boxes, tissues, and conservation supplies, are purchased annually.
- The TFC endorses the standards and practices of the American Association of Museums
- The TFC upholds the resolution of the Costume Society of America that prohibits the wearing or modeling of articles in costume collections intended for preservation.
