From a fragment of 16th century Italian velvet to an evening dress by New York designer Alexander Wang from 2012, the first large-scale, retrospective exhibition of highlights from Drexel University’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) will trace the arc of fashion history over the course of more than three centuries.

Immortal Beauty: Highlights from the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection

The collection will feature select artifacts from the museum-quality collection of more than 14,000 notable garments, accessories and textiles, one of the finest and oldest research collections in the nation.

The exhibition will be on display from Oct. 2 – Dec. 14 in the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery (3401 Filbert St.) of Drexel’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. The gallery is free and open to the public, Tuesday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The exhibition of more than 75 items will largely focus on international high style of the 20th century. Examples include garments by Charles James, Gabrielle Chanel, Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Mary Quant and Elsa Schiaparelli. Other notable pieces include couture by Philadelphia natives James Galanos and Ralph Rucci, and garments worn by women of style such as American socialite Babe Paley and Princess Grace of Monaco. 

Purchase the exhibition catalogue online here.