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Faculty Experts
Curator of the Historic Costume Collection
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Expertise:
fashion
Contact:
clare.m.sauro@drexel.edu
215.571.3504
In addition to her role as curator of the Drexel Historic Costume Collection, Sauro teaches courses in the history of fashion. Prior to this position, she supervised the Accessories Collection and worked as Assistant Curator in the Costume Collection at the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. At the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she contributed to several exhibitions including “The Tailor’s Art and Arbiters of Style: Women at the Forefront of Fashion.” In 2005, she co-curated the exhibition “Dutch at the Edge of Design: Fashion and Textiles from the Netherlands.” Sauro is a frequent lecturer on the history of fashion and has contributed essays to the Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion (Scribner Library of Daily Life, January 2005) and Ralph Rucci: The Art of Weightlessness (Yale University Press, February 2007).
The Philadelphia Orchestra Is About To Take On a More Casual Look
Clare Sauro, director of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection and an assistant professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in an Oct. 5 Philadelphia Inquirer article about the Philadelphia Orchestra’s new all-black outfits which will replace its former uniform of white tie and tails.
‘Succession’ Season 3 Means Shiv’s Power Pants Are Back
Clare Sauro, director of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection and an assistant professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Sept. 17 Wall Street Journal article about the prevalence of “power pants” in the upcoming third season of HBO’s show ‘Succession.’
This Is Our Pajama Moment
Clare Sauro, director of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection and an assistant professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Dec. 7 Washington Post article about the transformation of pajamas to athleisure in light of lockdowns.
How to Store, Sell and Donate the Clothes You Aren’t Wearing Right Now
Clare Sauro, director of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection and an assistant professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in an Aug. 13 Philadelphia Inquirer article about how to store, sell and donate clothes.
Why Some Men Favor Dresses—Ahem, Nightshirts—Over Pajamas
Claire Sauro, an assistant professor in Westphal College and Fox Historical Costume Collection curator, was quoted in a March 23 Wall Street Journal story about the potential of nightshirts for men making a comeback.
Now In: Your Personal Bucket List for Philadelphia's Art, Culture and Fashion Scenes
The Suit Yourself! 75 Years of Powerful Style exhibition by the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) of the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, that showcases the many, evolving styles of women’s suits, was noted a Jan.6 Philadelphia Style article. Claire Sauro, an assistant professor in Westphal College and FHCC curator, was quoted.
Drexel Exhibit Highlights Fashion Icon Nicole Miller’s Work
Clare Sauro, an assistant professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, was a guest on a WCAU-TV (NBC-10) “10@Issue” segment on June 16 about the FHCC’s exhibition, “A Philadelphia Store-y: 25 Years of Nicole Miller Philadelphia.”
Billy Porter's Fabulous Red Carpet Gown Says Nothing About Any Lack of Masculinity. Deal with It.
Jeffrey Popyack, PhD, a professor in the College of Computing & Informatics, was quoted in a Feb. 28 Philadelphia Business Journal story about Philadelphia’s preparedness for the integration of artificial intelligence in industry.
This Philadelphia Designer is Putting 'Today's' Sheinelle Jones in This Red Dress and That Makes Me Smile
Clare Sauro, an assistant professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, was quoted in a Feb. 6 Philadelphia Inquirer story about a gown that will be worn by Today anchor Sheinelle Jones on the Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection runway that was created by a Philadelphia designer.
Elegance Everlasting
Clare Sauro, an assistant professor in Westphal College and curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, was quoted in the January issue of Philadelphia Style magazine in an article about the Collection's current exhibition featuring the work of fashion designer James G. Galanos.
James Galanos and the Integrity of 20th Century Fashion
Clare Sauro, an assistant professor in Westphal College and curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, was quoted in a Nov. 6 Town & Country magazine story about the Collection's current exhibition featuring the work of fashion designer James Galanos. The story was also picked up by Yahoo! Style.
Kate Spade's Legacy
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was interviewed in a June 5 KYW NewsRadio segment about the sudden death of fashion designer Kate Spade and her legacy.
How Museums and Cultural Institutions Have Shaped the History of Body Diversity
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Dec. 6 Fashionista article about how museums and cultural institutions have shaped the history of body diversity.
Mary Tyler Moore Introduced Fashion for the Working Girl
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Jan 26. Philadelphia Inquirer story about Mary Tyler Moore's impact on fashion.
James Galanos Remembered as a Hands-On Craftsman Who Adhered to Exacting Standards
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quote in a Nov. 1 Women's Wear Daily story about the passing of designer James Galanos. Galanos recently donated nearly 700 pieces to the collection.
When 1930s Glamour Meets 1970s Disco Chic
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Sept. 11 Philadelphia Inquirer story about the style of merging of 1930s glamour and 1970s disco chic, which was picked up by the The Oklahoman on Oct. 6.
If Disney Princesses Wore Historically Accurate Underwear
Clare Sauro, curator of the Fox Historic Costume Collection in Westphal College, was quoted in an April 21 post on the blog HelloGiggles about historically accurate undergarments for Disney princesses.
Doylestown Fashion Exhibit Showcases 'Philadelphia in Style'
Clare Sauro, curator of the Fox Historic Costume Collection in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was mentioned in an April 18 feature in the Allentown Morning Call about an exhibit at the Michener Art Museum featuring the collection.
The Man Who Changed The Red Carpet Forever
Clare Sauro, curator of the Fox Historic Costume Collection in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a New York Post story on Feb. 27 about Oscar fashions.
Mirror, Mirror: Collection Showcases History of Fashion, Costume Collection
The “Immortal Beauty” exhibition hosted by the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design was featured on the front page of the “Style & Soul” section of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Oct. 7. It was also spotlighted on the Weekender on Oct 6 and on Two Nerdy History Girls blog on Oct. 7.
New Exhibit At Drexel University Showcases Fashion Through The Centuries
The “Immortal Beauty” exhibition hosted by the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design was featured on KYW Newsradio 1060-AM and WXTF-TV (FOX-29) on Sept. 30. Curator Clare Sauro was quoted. The exhibition was also featured on the Two Nerdy History Girls blog.
First look: Drexel's Incredible New Exhibit is a Fashion Lover's Dream
The Immortal Beauty exhibition in the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery of the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design was featured on PhillyVoice.com on Sept. 30, as well as Worn Through. It also was spotlighted in University City Review on Sept. 29.
Drexel University Exhibits Historic Fashion By Halston, Schiaparelli, Wang And More In Immortal Beauty, Opening Friday, October 2
The Immortal Beauty exhibition of highlights from the Fox Historic Costume Collection, hosted by the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was featured on Uwishunu.com on Sept. 28. It also was spotlighted in MainLine Magazine.
Now You Can View Drexel University's Amazing Costume Archives
The upcoming “Immortal Beauty” exhibition in the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design was featured in Philadelphia STYLE magazine on Aug. 25.
Mirror, Mirror: The Dinner Jacket is Back With a Few Updates
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Jan. 15 Philadelphia Inquirer story about the resurgence of the men’s dinner jacket.
The winter fashion focus is on outerwear
Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer story on Sept. 3 about outerwear.
Mirror, Mirror: Rings of mangagement
Clare Sauro, curator of the Fox Historic Costume Collection, was quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer article on June 25 about the new trend of engagement rings for men.
Drexel Historic Costume Collection Receives $1 Million Gift from Robert and Penny Fox
The unveiling of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design was featured on WPVI-TV (6-abc) on June 24. President John A. Fry and Clare Sauro, curator of the collection, were interviewed. It was also spotlighted in the Philadelphia Daily News and the University City Review on June 24.
Mirror, Mirror: With clear-bag rule, NFL's a fashion trendsetter
Clare Sauro, director of the Historic Costume Collection in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer story on August 21 about the new trend of clear handbags.
A History of the Drexel Costume Collection
Drexel’s Historic Costume Collection in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design was featured in Philadelphia STYLE magazine’s September issue. Clare Sauro, curator of the collection, was quoted.
Spring Brings The Power Of Pleats
Clare Sauro, curator of the Historic Costume Collection in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, was quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer fashion story on pleats.
Fashion From the 1920s Roars Into Display for Drexel’s New Fox Historic Costume Collection Exhibition
A stunning collection of women’s fashions from the 1920s will be on display from Friday, Nov. 5 – Friday, April 8, as part of Venus & Diana: Fashioning the Jazz Age, presented by Drexel University’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
Drexel Debuts First Exhibit in Custom-Built Gallery Gifted from Robert and Penny Fox
Drexel University’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is opening its new, custom-built gallery space with the presentation of The Fox Collection, 2008-2018: A Decade of Renewal. The exhibition honors Robert (Hon. ’13) and Penny Fox (Hon.’13) for their generous support, which made the new gallery possible. It will open to the public on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 and run through March 23, 2019.
Drexel Exhibit Pays Tribute to Design Integrity of Fashion Legend James Galanos
The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) of Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design will present a retrospective exhibition of work by renowned fashion designer James Galanos. The exhibition, James Galanos: Design Integrity (October 19-December 8, January 8-27 2019), will celebrate the artistry of James Galanos, considered by his peers to be one of the greatest and most creative of American designers of the 20th century.
Google’s New Virtual Exhibition Includes Iconic Pieces from Drexel’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection
Three-thousand years of the world’s fashion is being brought together in the largest virtual exhibition of style. The “We wear culture” project, by Google Arts & Culture, is a collaboration with Drexel University’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection and more than 180 renowned cultural institutions from New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, São Paulo and others around the world.
Drexel’s Fox Historic Costume Collection Receives Gift from James G. Galanos Foundation
The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) of the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design has received a gift from the James G. Galanos Foundation. This gift, comprising nearly 700 couture-level ensembles dating from the 1960s to his retirement in 1998 will form The James G. Galanos Archive at Drexel University. This donation will be augmented in the coming year by additional support materials relating to the career of James Galanos from the James G. Galanos Foundation.
A Century of Philadelphia Fashion from Drexel’s Fox Historic Costume Collection on Display at Michener Art Museum
A stunning collection of clothing and accessories created, worn and sold in Philadelphia from 1896 to 1994 will be on display from March 13 – June 26 as part of Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion from the Robert & Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa. The special exhibition of dresses, wedding gowns, shoes, hats and other items will be drawn from Drexel University’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, which will loan the items from its holdings of more than 14,000 garments, accessories and textiles from the last three centuries.
Drexel's Fox Historic Costume Collection Receives $2 Million Gift from Robert and Penny Fox
Heralded as a “world-class collection of fashion and textiles” by the Wall Street Journal, Drexel University’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design has received a $2 million commitment from Robert (Hon. ’13) and Penny Fox (Hon.’13). The museum-quality collection of more than 14,000 garments, textiles and accessories spanning three centuries is one of the finest and oldest research collections in the nation.
One Month Left to See Immortal Beauty Exhibition of Rare Artifacts from Three Centuries of Fashion History
Only one month remains to see Immortal Beauty: Highlights from the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, the first large-scale, retrospective exhibition of highlights from the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) in Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
Immortal Beauty Exhibition Displays Artifacts from Three Centuries of Fashion History
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 the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design will trace the arc of fashion history over the course of more than three centuries.
Go “Behind the Seams” of Drexel’s Upcoming Historic Costume Exhibition
Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look Saturday at what it takes to bring an empty gallery to life with Clare Suro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection.
1980s Fashion is Back at Drexel’s “Style Saturday” Event
“There were gorgeous things happening in the ’80s, from beautiful textiles to masterful silhouettes. We need to put aside our embarrassment over some of our personal style choices at that time and look at fashion from that period through fresh eyes."
For the Love of Couture
Next fall, some select pieces from the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection will be a part of the largest exhibit in its history, thanks to a generous gift from the Richard C. von Hess Foundation.
Italy Comes to Philly with “Men of the Cloth” Film Screening and Italian Footwear Event at Drexel
Italian fashion and culture descend on Philadelphia this October, with two events hosted by Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design – a screening of a new documentary on Italian master tailors on Oct. 2 and a seminar on the rich history of Italian footwear on Oct. 15. The events are part of Ciao Philadelphia, a month-long celebration of Italian arts, culture and industry, organized by the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Style Icon Grace Kelly Gets a Close-Up at Drexel’s “Style Saturday” Event
Beloved Philadelphia native and fashion icon Grace Kelly’s star-powered style will captivate audiences once again on Mother’s Day weekend at Drexel University’s “Style Saturday” event, hosted by the recently renamed Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection.
Drexel University’s museum-quality collection of more than 12,000 garments, textiles and accessories has been renamed The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection.
Explore Florals in Fashion at the Drexel Historic Costume Collection’s “Style Saturday” Event
Fashion journalists heralded the return of floral prints and motifs for spring 2014 – but did they ever really go away? From the rococo rose to the pop art daisy, floral motifs have been a perennial favorite. On March 8, Drexel University’s Historic Costume Collection, a treasure trove of textiles and garments spanning more than 200 years, is once again opening its doors to the public with “In Bloom: The Fashion for Florals,” the next installment in a series of quarterly events which include an educational seminar on a particular aspect of fashion history and a specialized viewing of the collection.
Drexel’s Historic Costume Collection Opens to the Public for the First Time with “Fashion Fridays”
Feature Content Teaser
What I’m Reading: Clare Sauro
Clare Sauro, curator of the Drexel Historic Costume Collection, is reading "Gold Digger: The Outrageous Life and Times of Peggy Hopkins Joyce" by Constance Rosenblum.