Museum of the City of New York's Costume and Textile Collection preserves over 25,000 garments and accessories dating from the mid-18th century to the present, all with a documented history linking them to the New Yorkers who wore them. The collection captures the history not only of changing fashion tastes but also of the evolving culture and social mores of the city.

Holdings include:

• A legendary collection of clothing worn by fashionable New York women bearing the label of Parisian couturier Charles Frederick Worth. 

• Significant holdings of 20th-century designs by New York designers, including Claire McCardell, Mainbocher, Vera Maxwell, Norman Norell, and Valentina.

• Items identified with city personalities, including John Jay's velvet frockcoat, Al Smith's trademark derby, and a military uniform issued to a New York City National Guard Member who served in Operation Desert Storm.

• Fashion accessories including gloves, fans, stockings, shoes and boots, parasols, collars, ties, hats and headresses, and purses as well as costume jewelry.

• A chronological reference archive of primary source materials directly related to the history of fashion trends and the fashion industry in New York City. Included are photographs, clippings from periodicals, vintage store catalogues and bound fashion publications.

For more information about the Costume and Textile Collection, please contact Collections Access at research@mcny.org or call 212-534-1672 extension 3399.  For more information on the Museum's research policies, click here

For information about reproducing material from the collection, please visit Rights & Reproductions