The Fashion History Museum (FHM) in Cambridge, Ontario (www.fashionhistorymuseum.com) houses some pretty cool historic items. Currently and until January 7, 2024, they are showcasing some of designer Bob Mackie's gowns that were designed for and worn by Cher. The exhibit is called "The Bead Goes On: Bob Mackie Gowns for Cher" (... the bead goes on... ha ha!). I am sorry I won't be in that part of Canada to see the exhibit.
As a child, I recall watching "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" each week and loving Cher, but thinking Sonny was, well, how do I put this kindly... a little lacking. I mean no offense to the late Sonny Bono; perhaps Cher's style and voice were simply too much of a contrast to Sonny's, for my senses.
I loved Cher's costumes and her hair. Only when I began to see her in televised award shows wearing Mackie's striking (and perceived to be "scandalous" by some) gowns did I begin to realize that a career in fashion was maybe something I wanted for myself.
I read in the "History of the FHM" (https://www.fashionhistorymuseum.com/history) that FHM founder Jonathan Walford worked with Sonja Bata and the Bata Shoe Museum (https://batashoemuseum.ca/) in Toronto, Ontario. I was fortunate to be able to get to the Bata museum in 2019. If you enjoy design and/or history, the Bata Shoe Museum is well worth your time. I've posted some of my photos from my visit below. Please forgive the fact that these images are poor; as one would expect, the footwear at the museum is under glass, to protect them from peoples' touch.
My personal connection to the Bata Shoe Museum is that in undergrad, I had one incredibly interesting class ("History of Canadian Dress") with now Dr. Jill Oakes. At the time, she was completing research about footwear production in Canada's north. The course was heavily influenced by her research and Dr. Oakes worked closely with the Bata Shoe Museum.
Later in my undergrad, I completed a practicum at the Dugald Costume Museum in Dugald, Manitoba and was lucky to get some "hands-on" work experience with historic textile products. Some years ago, the Dugald museum collection was moved to downtown Winnipeg (www.costumemuseumofcanada.com). If you are considering a visit, check the website or social media first, as the museum is volunteer run and has limited hours! I visited there last summer and was in awe with all they do in their small space.
I've gone down a museum memory rabbit hole and haven't mentioned what I was chosen for. I guess I need a part 2 to this post!
The photos below were taken in 2019 and are in no particular order. If you find them interesting and if you are able, I encourage you to visit the Bata Shoe Museum, or any museum or fibre exhibit.
