Established in 1996, the Lasell Fashion Collection (LFC) contains approximately 3,000 objects and currently resides in the Donahue Center for Creative and Applied Arts. While the collection spans 200 years of fashion history, the LFC is notable for its 20th century designer fashions, with an emphasis on couture. Boston design icons, Yolanda Cellucci and Leo Narducci, along with Arnold Scaasi and Gnyuki Torimaru (Yuki), are well-documented in the collection and provide rich examples of fashions from 1960 through the 1980s. The LFC is comprised primarily of women's dress; however, selections of men's and childrenswear are collected for comparison. In addition, samples of traditional ethnic dress from across the globe - including South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, and the Middle East - provide opportunities to explore indigenous design, construction and cultural influences on Western costume. Supporting collections such as textile sample books, archival materials, periodicals, and fashion illustrations and advertisements provide context for the industry and society in which the LFC garments were produced.
In 2018, over 1,200 artifacts were transferred to the LFC upon the closure of the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA. This important acquisition enriched the breadth and depth of the LFC's holdings, specifically in 19th and early 20th century everyday wear, undergarments, and accessories.
The School of Fashion continues to accept quality donations for the LFC on a selective basis. For further inquiries about the collection, including appointments, please contact us.