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WILD AND RARE

Fashion and Endangered Species

Wild and Rare Exhibit: Text

Wild and Rare

The challenge of this exhibit is not to look at these artifacts and assume they reflect misguided or foolish choices of a past era. Rather, the challenge of this exhibit is to reflect on choices. Why do we choose to wear the things we do? What influences our choices today and in history? In the case of wild and rare species, influences come in many forms. For some, popular tastes influenced a desire to wear wild or endangered species, but for others, the use of these creatures in clothing was the result of necessity and availability. Moreover, in Canada today, many make their living and support their families through the harvesting of wild species for, among many uses, fashion.

Fur

Man's Raccoon Coat by Holt Renfrew, Canadian, c. 1920s

Ermine Stole, Canadian, 1910s

Colobus Monkey Fur Coat, American, c. 1940

Geoffrey Cat Fur Coat, American, c. 1940

Feathers

Velvet Toque trimmed with egret, c. 1913

Goura Feather Trimmed Hat by Laddie Northridge, New York, c. 1958

Belgian Hat with two 'bee-eater' Birds, c. 1945

Skin

Caiman Alligator Leather Purse, early 1900s

Crocodile Foot Purse, c. 1910

Dyed Python Snakeskin Shoes, c. 1975

Bone, Ivory, and Shell

Whalebone (Baleen) Corset, c. 1890

Hawksbill Turtle 'Tortoiseshell' Comb, c. 1830

'Tortoiseshell' Calling Card Case Inlaid with Mother of Pearl, 1880s

Wild and Rare Exhibit: Pro Gallery

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