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Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising Programs and Events

Our programs highlight the wide range of the Avenir’s current exhibitions, as well as guest presenters on unique subjects. Join us for these free, public lectures on an intriguing array of textile topics!

Nostalgia Night

Thursday, March 2/ 7-8:30pm, RM. 157

Have you kept your favourite garment from the 1970s? Perhaps you have a special photograph or a story that was passed down generationally? Whether you experienced the 1970s firsthand or recently scored a fabulous vintage piece from the period, join us for a night of “show and tell” style sharing as we explore personal and collective memories that have shaped the way we remember the 1970s.

Thrift Style: Using our past to improve our present

Thursday, March 23/ 7-8:30pm, RM. 157

When you look around your home, what could you repurpose and restyle to meet a need? ‘Making something from nothing’ is a saying that can spark ingenuity. This program explores the history of feed sacks, the reuse of a simple piece of leftover fabric, and how homemakers used what was available to them to meet the needs of their families and can inspire us today.  A message that resonates with consumers during our current economic climate.

Marla Day received her B.S. and M.S. in Apparel and Textiles from Kansas State University and serves as the curator of the university’s Historic Costume and Textile Museum.

Battle of Versailles ‘73: American Runway Revolution

Thursday, April 13/ 7-8:30pm, RM. 157

Join us for a screening of the film Versailles ’73 directed by Deborah Riley Draper. In 1973, French and American designers faced off in a fashion show at Versailles. This iconic event asserted the presence of the American fashion industry, including many Black models, on an international stage.

Upcoming Events

Past Programs, Museum Hours and Contact Info

Past Programs Location, Hours, and Maps
students studying old textile