The end

Dear reader,

The time has come to end this blog. I have moved onto other things, embarking on my PhD in art history at York University while also working part-time at Ryerson University as Collection Co-ordinator and Acting Curator of the Fashion Research Collection. One scholarly book is almost complete and due for release in fall 2015 (The Dress Detective: A Practical Guide to Object-based Research in Fashion by Ingrid Mida and Alexandra Kim for publication by Bloomsbury Academic in the UK), and another book with Bloomsbury Academic is in the proposal stage. 

I have enjoyed the time I spent on this blog. Not only did it create discipline for my writing, but it put me in touch with a whole range of wonderful people who also shared my love of dress history, fashion and art. Thank you to all that offered your comments and emailed me. I wish there were more hours in the day to stay in touch and to continue to write on this forum, but I think the time has come to say so long. I have debated about whether or not to delete this blog, but I think I shall leave it intact, as a testament to what you can achieve - if you truly are passionate about a subject. 

Although I have taken an unconventional path to being where I am, I don't regret any of the twists and turns I have made. From my roots in architecture, through to finance, and then back into art, fashion and curatorial practice, I've harnessed my inquiring mind, powers of observation and analysis skills to absorb all that I can. Although one might imagine that there are no commonalities between finance and curatorial practice, both share a requisite high level of attention to detail. And between drawing and curatorial practice, both require that same level of focus to really see what is presented before you, whether trying to make an accurate drawing or to read the evidence in a dress artifact. So it has all been good.

And so dear reader, this is the end of my blog. Of course, you can still find me on Twitter @Ingrid_Mida. 

With my very best wishes,
Ingrid Mida

From the end spring new beginnings. 
Pliny the Elder

The Costume Journal: Oh Canada!

Cover of the Costume Journal, Issue 43, Number 1
Art Directed by Marta Kowcun, Photo by Lawrence Cortes, Dress by Some Kong, Model Mikaela M. of Elite Models

Last fall, I agreed to take on the role as editor of the Costume Journal. Although I had more than enough to juggle, it seemed like an opportunity that I could not let pass me by. The Costume Journal is a publication of the Costume Society of Ontario, an organization that was founded in 1971 by Eileen Collard, Alan Suddon, and a passionate cadre interested in dress history. Although the circulation of this publication is relatively small, there are 14 museums and institutions around the world that subscribe to it, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the McCord Museum, and the Ryerson University Library.

After becoming the editor, I read the entire archive of the Journal from its beginnings in 1971, and was surprised to discover that the CSO used to regularly publish original research on dress, including articles by curators at the ROM and other dress historians. This seemed like a golden opportunity to revisit the Journal's roots. As well, there is a void in research on topics relating to Canadian dress and thus the theme of Oh Canada! was born.

In undertaking this redesign, my aim was to make the journal more relevant and modern, finding a niche between an academic journal and a mainstream fashion magazine, and while doing so, still honouring the Costume Journal’s roots. Up-to-date exhibition and event listings are now provided on the CSO website and Facebook page, and also circulated through membership emails.