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CSO AGM “GUEST STAR!”

New International fashion star, Ashley Alexis McFarlane, will be the Special Guest speaker at the Costume Society General Meeting, Saturday, November 26, 2016, commencing at 1 p.m. Ashley has wowed the fashion world by combining both her Canadian roots and her African heritage to create a fashion fusion delight. Melding traditional fabrics and designs with contemporary styles, she thrilled the attendees at African Fashion Week. Working with local native organizations and individuals in Africa to develop materials for fashion and bring them to world attention, has awakened an intense interest in new possibilities for textiles, design, and wearable art. Come out and see and hear about new trends in fashion and its effect direct from the source!

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CSO coach trip through fashion history, Sunday May 15, 2016

 

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The CSO is bussing to Guelph and Cambridge for a Special Day outing to visit, view and enjoy two special exhibitions and locations in celebration of our 45th Anniversary! The Guelph Museum is hosting an display of fashions by Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon, from around the continent! Tied to the Titanic and the inspiration for the Downton Abbey outfit craze, these are rarely seen gowns and dresses. The CSO gets an exclusive look and lecture!

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After the grand tour, hop back on the bus for a short trip to the Old Post Office at Hespeler, the New Home of the Fashion History Museum and CSO friends and family, Jonathan Walford and Kenn Norman, to enjoy the newest exhibits on Canada’s fashion contributions. Many years in the making, this is a ‘must see’ place to be!

Plus the opportunity to enjoy fine local cuisine and the great communities just beyond !

The bus leaves Yorkmills Subway Station at 9:00 a.m. and will stop at Islington Subway Station at 9:30 a.m.

ONLY 33 SPACES!    Book Early!   $65 per person To Sign Up, or for more information, Contact:

Diane Reid–     dhreid65@gmail.com

Tour of the ROM’s Viva Mexico! exhibition, February 27, 2016

For our second outing in our anniversary year, our Stalwart Secretary, Dawna Pym, has arranged for the CSO members to have a special tour of the ROM exhibit: Viva Mexico, Clothing and Culture. Our intrepid Dawna will conduct the guided tour which has been arranged for Saturday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m. The cost is $ 21.50 per person for members and we’re following the tour up with an optional lunch gathering with ‘real’ Mexican food.

There is an entire gallery dedicated to Mexican textiles, with many items never seen before. “The exhibit displays pieces with remarkable technical skill and exquisite artistry”. Items reflect historic and contemporary elements. There are costume ensembles, serapes, rebozos, textiles, embroidery, beadwork and lots more to intrigue and educate.  To register for this event and to get more details email us at costumesociety@gmail.com to put your name on the list or to get further information as it becomes available.

Hollywood Costume Night Thursday January 28, 2016

Join us for a night all about Hollywood Costume Designer Orry Kelly, held at Spadina Museum on Thursday January 28, with doors opening at 6.45pm

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CSO member Diane Reid will be giving a talk about the illustrious career of hollywood costume designer Orry Kelly. He designed costumes in the first half of the twentieth century for movies such as Casablanca, Arsenic and Old Lace and An American in Paris.  He also designed for historic movies like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (starring Bette Davis and Errol Flynn) which will be the focus of the night.

This free presentation will be a beginning to our 45th Anniversary celebration of the CSO.

Space is limited so please sign up by contacting us at the email address costumesocietyontario@gmail.com

Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Road, Toronto, ON, M5R 2V5

CSO Annual General Meeting 2015

Saturday November 14, 2015, 1pm

The annual meeting of the CSO will take place  at a familiar venue, the Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Street [ just south of Dundas, east of University Avenue ]. The museum is easily accessible by transit and parking is located nearby.

Come out and hear the latest news, reconnect with friends and fellow members and join in the delightful discovery of fashion and costume in all their various forms and discuss the impact on society and vice versa of clothing through the ages.

We are pleased to announce that a number of the present Board, whose terms are up, have agreed to stand for re-election. While these stalwarts have elected to stay on, there are still vacancies to fill in the Board and Resource Committee ranks. Important openings remain for a Vice-Chair and a Head of Publications. As well, there are opportunities on the Resource Committee. We always need innovative ideas; sage advice and trusted counsel from our membership which will help us continue and grow.  If you are interested in learning more or willing to throw your bowler, topper or fedora into the ring, contact us at costumesocietyontario@gmail.com

CSO Annual General Meeting

Saturday November 15, 1pm

The annual meeting of the CSO will take place  at a familiar venue, the Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Street [ just south of Dundas, east of University Avenue ]. The museum is easily accessible by transit and parking is located nearby.

Come out and hear the latest news, reconnect with friends and fellow members and join in the delightful discovery of fashion and costume in all their various forms and discuss the impact on society and vice versa of clothing through the ages.

We are pleased to announce that a number of the present Board, whose terms are up, have agreed to stand for re-election. While these stalwarts have elected to stay on, there are still vacancies to fill in the Board and Resource Committee ranks. Important openings remain for a Vice-Chair and a Head of Publications. As well, there are opportunities on the Resource Committee. We always need innovative ideas; sage advice and trusted counsel from our membership which will help us continue and grow. We trust that members will not be afraid to step forward to carry out the aspirations of the CSO and advance our efforts. It is, after all, your organization, how it improves and expands and attracts new members is through you, the active member. Remember no one works alone –the great team that is the CSO Executive all help to make the initiatives and efforts fun, fascinating and fashionable! If you are interested in learning more or willing to throw your bowler, topper or fedora into the ring, contact us at costumesocietyontario@gmail.com

JOIN US FOR A FAB DAY OUT at the ROM’s Fashion Follows Form exhibition

November 1, 2014, 2pm

The Costume Society of Ontario has planned a great day for members and guests to take place Saturday, November 1st. Starting with a Behind the Scenes look  at “ Fashion Follows Form” at the ROM – a tour of the Exhibit with insights from those behind the scenes, led by our own Dawna Pym will kick off at 2 pm. An hour of exploration and exultation on a unique aspect of fashion with plenty of back room insight and opportunity for questions and answers. BUT, that’s not all!!

YES, we have more! A short journey to the Junction: Izzy’s store/studio is at 2955B Dundas Street West, immediately afterward to meet the creator of the exhibit in her own backyard!  From 4 pm on we’ll be the guests of Izzy Camilleri for informal talks and more opportunity to explore the work and rationale for the designs and displays.  AND! What a bargain! Only $ 30.00 per person for CSO members [ $ 35 for guests ]. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon but in the company of friends and fellow CSO members and explore a fascinating aspect of fashion right at the source.  Details about how to reserve places can be found in the autumn newsletter which will shortly be emailed to members.  If you would like to join the society visit our membership page to find out how.

Fascinating Fascinators

May 3, 2014 11am-2pm

 

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Just in time for Summer Weddings or Downton Abbey Tea.   Make yourself a 1920s inspired fascinator.  Either wear on the side, ala Kate Middleton, or across the front, ala Downton Abbey Style

We will cover your support, construct 3 different ribbon flowers, leaves, buds and background and attach to your headband support.

Come spend a fun afternoon with Patty and Bea of The Costume People. Make some new friends and learn a new skill. Basic sewing skills are a must and we ask all participants to bring a basic sewing kit.

 A Material fee ($25.00) is payable the day of the class (cash only please).

Class size is limited, so register early.

Date: May 3, 2014

Time:  11 am to 2 pm

Fee.  CSO members – $25.00

General  – $30.00

For any questions about the content of the day or how to register please contact Patty at thecostumepeople@hotmail.com

The Essentials

Location and Directions:

St Matthew Lawn Bowling Club

14 Saint Matthews Rd, Toronto

Walking/Public Transportation

Look for a Lovely old Arts and Crafts type building with a broad porch.  It is on Broadview Avenue north of Gerrard on the west side overlooking the Don Valley.  We are  just north of the Brigdepoint Health Care Complex   Broadview Street Car stops in front of building.

Street Parking:

None on site.  Street parking is available in a controlled lot nearby on Gerrard (south side west of Broadview by the Tim Horton’s)

 

CSO exclusive Downton event at Spadina Museum, April 1 2014, 7-9pm

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Toronto is being treated to a special exhibition featuring 20 of the costumes worn in the popular historical TV drama Downton Abbey which will be on show at Spadina House.  The costumes have travelled all the way from the UK and will be on display alongside historic dress from the magnificent collections of the City of Toronto.  While Spadina House has tours of the exhibition the CSO is offering its members the chance for an exclusive visit on the evening of Tuesday April 1, 7-9pm.  This will be a special opportunity to see the costumes, the historic garments and to learn more about the set up of the exhibition from Tracy Gorman and Alexandra Kim who were involved in mounting the Downton costumes.

Please note that this event is only open to members of the Costume Society of Ontario.  If you would like to join please visit our membership page.  The fee for the event is $20.  For details on how to register for the event please contact costumesocietyontario@gmail.com

Costume Society of Ontario’s 2013 Annual General Meeting

 

The Costume Society of Ontario’s Annual General Meeting will be held Saturday November, 30, 2013 2-4pm at the St Matthew’s Lawn Bowling Club, just off Broadview Avenue.  Come to find out more about the Society’s work over the past year and plans for 2014.

Doors open and sign in at 1:30 pm with the meeting running from 2 – 4 pm

St Matthew’s Lawn Bowling Club

14 Saint Matthew Rd. M4M 2B5

Located just north of the Don Jail/ Bridgepoint Hospital on Broadview Avenue

There is on street parking and TTC streetcar service (Gerrard St East or Broadview Avenue).

 

Fall events

 

 

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George Barbier illustration for La Gazette du bon ton, 1914, showing a Jeanne Paquin Gown

This October we have two fantastic events  which offer the chance to learn more about some intriguing and beautiful examples of dress history in Toronto.  If you’re not a member already and fancy attending one of these events you might want to visit the membership page for details on how to join and get a lower rate for events.

George Barbier exhibition tour – Thursday October 17, 2013, 6pm

This fall the Fisher Rare Book Library, part of the University of Toronto, hosts an exhibition about the work of the renowned early 20th century French fashion illustrator, George Barbier.  On October 17 the exhibition’s curator Arthur Smith will offer Costume Society of Ontario members an exclusive tour of the exhibition, talking about the importance of Barbier’s work and the creation of the exhibition.

Arthur’s talk will take place in the Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 George Street, Toronto – Cost $10 members $15 non members

For more details of the exhibition visit http://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/events-exhibits/current-exhibition

 

Tour of the City Museum Services dress collection – Saturday, October 26, 2013, 2pm

As well as running a range of historic sites across the Toronto the City also manages a fascinating collection of objects related to the history of Toronto, which is housed in a storage facility in Liberty Village.  Ranging from mangles and pianos to watercolours and advertising posters, the collection also includes historic dress which illuminates the lives of Torontonians.  The dress collection is strongest in garments from 1890s to 1920s but includes examples of earlier 19th century dress and more recent 20th century material.

Neil Brochu, the collections manager, will offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of this rich and intriguing resource to Costume Society of Ontario members, explaining the history and rationale of the collection’s development and sharing some of its highlights.

The tour of the City of Toronto dress collection will be held at the storage facility in Liberty Village – Cost $10 members $15 non members

For more details about the City of Toronto’s museum collection visit http://www.toronto.ca/culture/historical_collection.htm

 

Please RSVP to Dawna Pym at dawnap@rom.on.ca   Money will be collected on the door.  Since places are limited if you would like to attend both events please let us know your first choice.  In the event of over subscription this will allow us to ensure that as many people as possible are able to attend at least one event.  Similarly if your plans change and you are not able to make an event we would be very grateful if you could let us know so that we can offer your place to someone else.

Looking forward to seeing you at our fall events this October!