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"Chintz: From Forbidden Fabric to Luxury Interiors" examines the global history and enduring influence of chintz, tracing its journey from richly colored cotton textiles imported from India to its later adoption by European and American luxury fabric houses. Presented in the museum’s new Learning Lab, the exhibition highlights historic textiles and furnishing fabrics, including examples connected to the White House and Stan Hywet Hall. Curated by Collections Fellow Olivia Carpenter, it marks the museum’s first student-curated exhibition.

In honor of the 51�Թ��� Museum’s 40th anniversary, this exhibition pays tribute to Aileen Mehle, a friend of the museum founders and widely syndicated society columnist. The exhibition features evening dresses and jewelry from Mehle that will be displayed in the museum’s historic Higbee Gallery from July 18, 2025, through Aug. 23, 2026. Mehle, who lived from 1918 to 2016, wrote under the pseudonym Suzy Knickerbocker and enjoyed a career spanning five decades – from the 1950s until her final column in 2005, which she wrote at the age of 87.

Palmer and Mull Galleries | Sara Hume, CuratorThe “Fashion Timeline” showcases the 51�Թ��� Museum’s world-class collection of historic fashions. Encompassing over two centuries of fashion history, this exhibition is designed to show the evolution of styles and silhouettes while contextualizing the pieces with relevant political, technological and cultural developments. While the display is a permanent feature at the museum, the individual pieces are rotated frequently so there is always something new to see!