Want a modern-day glimpse into the world of historic fashion? Look no further than the dresses, gowns, jewelry and bags featured in Charleston Museum’s current exhibit, Reimagined Fashion.
Running through Jan. 18, 2026, and featuring the work and creations of 18 local designers, Reimagined Fashion not only displays fabrics and styles popular long ago, but shows the heavy influence they bring to a contemporary approach.
“We are always eager to show how the past is so deeply interlocked with our present and our future,” said Virginia Theerman, the museum’s curator of textiles. “For the past 18 months, local designers were invited to take inspiration from our collections and create something new.”
FASHION FORWARD, INSPIRED BY YESTERDAY
If you think paper dresses had their day at the height of Beatlemania, Venezuelan Daniel Velasco’s simple black-and-white interpretation of a 1960s style might have you thinking they’re on the verge of a comeback.
Or if you like the color red, it will be hard to resist Sirena Smith’s floral resin jewelry and circle purse, paired with a red-orange silk velvet evening dress and golden-toed shoes from the museum’s collection in her display “A Night Out,” inspired by the look of the 1920s and created to suit a modern woman out on the town.
“The ’20s still appeal to us now because it was a transitional moment for women in many areas, including gender roles and fashion,” Theerman said. “While recovering from World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic, people reexamined their priorities and what they really wanted from their lives.”
Looking for something light and subtle in a silk gown? Morgan MacAnanny’s interpretation of Anna Heyward Taylor will catch your eye.
And if you’re guessing that duffel-style courier bags for men have only been in vogue a few generations or so, Nicholas Overstreet’s turn-of-the-20th-century style Porter’s Portmanteau will give you the impression it could have been made in 2025 – which it was.
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
in engina silk damask, diaspora with sweetgrass medallions and cowrie shells.
“My intention was to gather inspiration from the clothing and uniforms that may have been used by the working class in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,” said Overstreet, a clothing accessories designer and founder of Boisterous Co. in Charleston.
You can even interact with the display by lifting the mail slot in the side and mailing yourself a postcard from the exhibition.
But let’s say you finish going through the exhibition and still can’t make up your mind about any of it — because you want an item from each of them for a completely new and blended style. Talk to the designers about how you can incorporate Paige Hathaway Thorn’s silk scarf with elements of Shaniequa Washington’s ballroom gown and Keiko Striplin’s ruffled coat and sash – or any other piece from the exhibit. The only thing certain is that you will come away wanting something – even if you don’t know exactly what that something is yet.
A RICH HISTORY OF INNOVATION
“Every day I learn something new about our rich collections,” Theerman said.
Since its founding in 1773 as the first of its kind in the United States, Charleston Museum has evolved from being a “window on the world” to now focusing on the history of the South Carolina Lowcountry with departments including archaeology, archives, natural history and historic textiles.
“There are more than 300 years of material culture represented in our historic textiles collection,” Theerman said, adding that Reimagined Fashion has helped educate many patrons on how past styles continue to influence local designers. “We are grateful to have the chance to show off the talent of Lowcountry artisans and show a new generation that our collections can be a deep well of inspiration for artists looking to kindle new creative sparks.”
Reimagined Fashion runs through Jan. 18, 2026, at Charleston Museum. For hours and admission information, visit CharlestonMuseum.org.
BY L.C. LEACH III