International travel plans may have been temporarily halted due to the pandemic, but the mission remains the same. Visit every fashionable museum in the world. The tour resumes with my first trip to the South American continent, in the Colombian capital of Bogotà. The Costume Museum can be found on a side street in the Candelaria neighborhood housing a comprehensive collection of the country’s unique history of dress. The exhibition is arranged chronologically and as you move from room to room, you witness the evolution of Colombian fashion. It is a tour of traditional indigenous clothing, European influenced attire, and contemporary designs by Colombian designers.
It does not take long to realize that the Costume Museum isn't just a place to look at pretty dresses, it's a preservation of culture. I arrived not knowing anything about Colombian fashion, but as a dress historian, I am always fascinated by the way changes in society can be seen in the changes in clothing. Colombia has a rich and diverse history and you see that reflected in the clothing in which each region had their own distinct style. These were a combination of styles they created and styles they adapted. The museum is a part of the Heritage Unit of the University of America and their goal is to not only recognize Colombia’s diverse ancestry, but to support living indigenous communities as well. The are desperately trying to preserve their artistry, their beliefs, and their stories. Maintaining this collection of handmade textiles, fashionable accessories, and antique weaving machines, means that Colombian identities and techniques are remembered.
The Costume Museum is located in a 17th century home complete with large double doors, a massive wooden staircase, and a courtyard with a fountain. It’s beautiful and it’s perfect. I signed the guest book, purchased an exhibition catalogue to add to my library, and left in a Spanish colonial fever dream.
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