About the UH Costume Collection

The Costume Collection, housed in the Apparel Product Design and Merchandising Program in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, is one of the largest collections of garments, textiles, and related artifacts in an American university. Over 20,000 garments and accouturements make up the Collection's four Sub-Collections.

The Hawaiian Sub-Collection, with nearly 1,200 items, is the only collection of its type in the Nation.

It documents the impact of numerous immigrant groups and illustrates the adaptation of costume to Hawaiian lifestyles.

The Asian Sub-Collection with 4,000 items is the largest holding among academic institutions in the United States.

With clothing and textile items dating as early as the late 18th century from South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, the Asian collection is a
valuable resource. There are many irreplaceable items, including the silk winter kimono (see photo at left) that was presented to Commander Perry's party during the trade negotiations that opened Japan to western commerce in 1854.

The Western subcollection is one of the largest in the nation with more than 6,000 items.

Garments from the 1800s to the present are archived with a focus on everyday clothing rather than elite garb. Many of the items have been donated by individuals who relocated to Hawaii from the US mainland.

Photo: Couture satin lace afternoon dress c. 1910-1914.

The Ethnic subcollection provides a global view of costume from cultures all over the world, predominantly Western folk cultures.

Photo: Traditional Maori dress, New Zealand c. 1960s

Source: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/costume

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