Welcome

Like food and shelter, clothing is a necessity as well as a cultural expression. The fashion industry employs millions of people around the world and is a driving force behind the global economy. But fashion is also ephemeral, whimsically responding to changes in technology, taste, the economy, and social mores from one season to the next. The journey fashion takes from inception to production and from popularity to outdated is a fascinating story worthy of being told.

Our Past, Present and Future

The Fashion History Museum was founded in 2004, became a federal non-profit corporation in 2008, and was granted charitable status by the Canadian government in March 2009. A board of directors governs the museum with the assistance of an advisory committee composed of specialists from diverse fields.

The collection of over 8,000 garments and accessories dating from the 1660s to the present is currently housed in donated storage space in Cambridge, Ontario. Alongside historical dress, the museum is building a contemporary Canadian designer collection as well as a comprehensive library and archives of fashion related publications and documents.

Even without a permanent home, there is plenty happening behind the scenes at the Fashion History Museum. We are creating traveling exhibitions, developing research projects, and partnering with other institutions to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of fashion history. Artifacts from the museum collection have been on display around the world, from Montreal to Hong Kong.

While the museum builds its reputation within the international museum and fashion communities, the board of directors is fundraising to create a site where the museum can be permanently maintained and exhibited.