Man's coat and vest, England 1760-1780Collection of the Textile Museum of Canada
Photo by Ingrid Mida
Although the Textile Museum of Canada wasn't on my bucket list of museums, it is an under-appreciated treasure. Comprising two floors, The Textile Museum has more floor space than many larger museum facilities. Its exhibitions change several times a year and are thoughtfully curated. Even better, the garments and textiles on display are not behind glass so one can get really close to examine details closely (although I was tempted to touch, I respected the signage and did not!)
Currently on display is The Cutting Edge curated by Patricia Bentley. This exhibition focuses on the shape of a garment and what it signifies. Garments from the museum's collection are featured alongside contemporary fashion and artwork.
I especially appreciated the detailed descriptions of each garment that included drawings of the patterns for cutting the fabric.
"A garment is a mathematical puzzle with only one solution. Once it is designed, it has to be cut out and assembled in a certain way. A garment is also a carrier of a culture's paradigms, beliefs and attitudes. You would not think that something that can be strictly utilitarian at one end of a spectrum and supremely frivolous at the other end has usch potency for people's lives, but the truth is that clothes make the man - and the woman."
Girl's jacket, Netherlands 1760Collection of the Textile Museum of Canada
Photo by Ingrid Mida
Coat pirpini (sleeveless coat), Greece 1800-1900 Collection of the Textile Museum of Canada
Photo by Ingrid Mida, 2009
Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Avenue (St. Patrick subway)
Toronto
416-599-5321
info@textilemuseum.ca