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Cornell University

Public Safety Communications Center

Division of Public Safety

Threads of Progress: 100 Years of Fashion & Innovation

Start Date: May 1, 2025
Start Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Human Ecology Building (HEB)

Threads of Progress: 100 Years of Fashion & Innovation celebrates over a century of fashion innovation, education, and outreach at Cornell University, tracing the evolution of the Textiles and Clothing program from its early days in the College of Home Economics to its current home in the Department of Human Centered Design in the College of Human Ecology. Visitors will see garments worn and made by students, faculty, and extension agents—from wartime uniforms to Olympic leotards—showcasing how fashion at Cornell has long blended function, creativity, and social purpose. Historic pieces, including Eleanor Roosevelt’s inaugural gown and early 20th-century teaching dresses, highlight the program’s deep roots in public engagement and design education. The exhibit is on display in honor of the CHE Centennial and invites audiences to explore how Cornell’s legacy in fashion continues to shape identity, community, and innovation today.  This exhibit is funded by the Cornell Council for the Arts and the College of Human Ecology.