October 05, 2016

The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC), housed in the Westphal College, has received a gift of nearly 700 couture ensembles from the James G. Galanos Foundation, dating from the 1960s to Galanos’ retirement in 1998. The donation, which will form The James G. Galanos Archive at Drexel University, will be augmented in the coming year by additional support materials relating to the career of James Galanos from the James G. Galanos Foundation. Called the ‘’master of chiffon’’ by the New York Times– Galanos was known for using the finest materials, his impeccable garment construction and, most famously, for designing Inaugural gowns for former First Lady Nancy Reagan. An undisputed master of 20th century fashion, Galanos’ career spanned five decades and earned him countless industry accolades including lifetime achievement awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and Coty Inc., as well as a coveted spot on the Fashion Walk of Fame on New York’s Seventh Avenue.

“Born in Philadelphia and raised in South Jersey, James Galanos became a legend in the world of American fashion design. Drexel is deeply grateful to the James G. Galanos Foundation to be chosen as the repository of this extraordinary collection of his work,” Drexel President John A. Fry said. “This transformative gift will position Drexel’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection as the preeminent university-based fashion collection in the nation.”

The James G. Galanos Archive at the FHCC will serve as a centralized repository for the incomparable work of Galanos and will provide students, scholars and the greater public unparalleled access to the Galanos legacy through their holdings of garments, sketches, photographs and other archival materials. Additionally, through exhibition, publication and digital media, the Archive will promote the legacy of James G. Galanos to a wide audience.

To read the more about this outstanding development for the Robert & Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, click here.