September 22, 2014

The Robert & Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection has received a generous foundation grant that will allow the Collection to be shared with the public for the very first time in its first large-scale exhibition. The Richard C. von Hess Foundation awarded $220,000 to support the fall 2015 exhibition, which will be accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue. An academic symposium will bring together international scholars and experts to reflect on the significance of the Collection and other historic costume collections in university settings. The objects on exhibit will reflect the breadth of the FHCC holdings and include a group of renaissance velvets, an 18th century robe à l'anglaise, and contemporary couture by Philadelphia native Ralph Rucci. The Richard C. von Hess Foundation provides support to a wide variety of major museums and cultural organizations for conservation, exhibitions and publications.