"1930’s Glitz and Glamour" Exhibit
'Glitz and Glamour' draws students, fashion buffs
By Heather Meulmans
Ka Leo Staff Writer
December 10, 2003
Those in love with vintage fashion will find themselves having a visual feast this week as the Apparel Product Design and Merchandising program hosts "Glitz and Glamour," an exhibit of original 1930s clothing and accessories.
 This free exhibit, currently on display in the Miller Hall Gallery, features a wide range of garments and accessories from this decadent era in fashion history.
All of the exhibit's pieces come from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Historic Costume Collection, one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The collection, which began 30 years ago, is the end result of countless donations from the community.
The opening party for the exhibit, held last Friday, drew an enthusiastic crowd of students and community members alike. Mingling guests dressed in 1930s garb coupled with hors d'oeuvres and nostalgic conversation created an atmosphere that would have satisfied even the most sentimental soul.
 "What I've seen so far is adorable," said guest Joan Henely, who grew up in Des Moines, Iowa during this time period. "I remember my mother dressing in all of these clothes. My mother and father were active in quite in few activities, so they would dress very glamorously and go out for the evening. So I watched that through the years — all these beautiful clothes."
The exhibit was a collaborative effort of three APDM classes all taught by collection curator and lecturer Carol D'Angelo. Original drawings of 1930s fashion done by 200-level beginning fashion sketching students are exhibited as well as informational displays done by D'Angelo's 300-level fashion history students.
Garments and accessories for display were chosen by students from the Costume Museum Management class. This 400-level course, also taught by D'Angelo, teaches students how to properly identify clothing from various time periods as well as the proper care, storage, and exhibition of these delicate vintage garments.
Graduating senior Julie Blue, who contributed to the original sketches on display, was thrilled by the exhibit. "I think the clothing is beautiful," she said. "It's great that we have this exhibit. It really helps to see firsthand the articles [of clothing] that we're studying."
 Most of the guests arrived dressed in clothing reminiscent of the 1930s, including Blue, who carried one of her grandmother's beaded purses that were popular at the time. APDM students Nicole Henry and Katie Bodnyk were also adorned in vintage slips, flower pins, and retro hairstyles.
Visitors to the exhibit will get a chance to view firsthand the several elements of 1930s fashion, including the first examples of bias-cut garments, which were popularized during this time period. Bias cut refers to the particular way in which garment pieces are cut from the fabric, which enables the garment to cling sumptuously to the wearer. This flattering technique coupled with the decade's choice of sheer, lightweight fabrics such as chiffon enabled the women of the era to look both feminine and sexy while still retaining their modesty. These soft, filmy materials draped effortlessly to create luxurious cowl necklines, sleeves, and backless gowns.
The designers of the decade also paid attention to fine detail and delicate, ladylike touches to their creations. Rows of small, fabric-covered buttons can be found down the side closures of many of the dresses, as well as accents of gathers along bust and midriff yokes. Other fashionable elements such as velvet cummerbunds, large polka dots, deep V-necklines, and delicate, petal shaped sleeves are also featured.
Those enchanted by vintage accessories will also be thrilled to view authentic hats, jewelry, and fur stoles of the era.
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