Founders

Stella Blum
An international lecturer, author, costume consultant and guest curator.

• Curator of The Costume Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY for thirty years.
• Gave CSA its name and served on the Board of Directors from 1977 to 1985.
• Served as Vice President 1973-1980.
• The CSA Stella Blum Grant stimulates and rewards outstanding student scholarship, and honors her memory.

Herb Callister
A pioneer in the field who regarded costume and textiles as a significant art form.

• Curator of the Hartford Atheneum, Hartford. CT.
• Trained as a fashion stylist and was associated with G. Fox & Company, Hartford, CT.
• Designed costumes and sets for drama, opera and dance.
• First CSA president, elected in 1973, and wrote CSA’s first constitution.

Elizabeth Ann Coleman
A world-renowned costume curator, scholar, author, and consultant on worldwide exhibits.

• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, David and Roberta Logie Curator of Costume and Fashion Arts.
• Curator of Costumes, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX.
• Curator of Costume, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY.
• Served on the Board of Directors from 1973 – 2001.
• Second President 1976-1982.

Adele Filene
Sportswear and handbag designer, teacher, researcher for costume restoration.

• CSA was literally “born” in her living room June 28, 1973.
• Owned Adele Jay, Haute Couture Salon, London, England.
• First CSA Treasurer 1973-1979.
• Conducted successful CSA International Study Tours.
• Adele Filene Travel Award supports students’ scholarship
presentations at national symposia and honors her name.

Cora Ginsberg
An outstanding collector/dealer in costume and textiles who possessed an all encompassing knowledge of the history of dress.

• One of the first Americans to establish the study of dress as a legitimate discipline through her pioneering research, collecting and lecturing.
• She had a direct influence on collections in both the USA and abroad.
• Served on Board of Directors 1977-1987.

Elizabeth Jachimowicz
A multi-faceted contributor to the field of costume, through exhibits, teaching and publishing.

• Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL.
• Museum of the City of New York, NY.
• Taught History of Costume at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France for the Parsons School of Design Summer program.
• CSA President 1984-1988
• Served CSA in broad variety of ways including Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Board of Directors member.

Past Presidents

J. Herbert Callister
1973-1976

Elizabeth Ann Coleman
1976-1982

Elizabeth Jachimowicz
1982-1986

Jean Druesedow
1986-1990

Inez Brooks-Myers
1990-1994

Alicia M. Annas
1994-1996

Colleen Callahan
1996-1998

Phyllis Specht
1998-2000

Joy Emery
2000-2002

Donna Locke
2002-2004

Rosalyn Lester
2004-2006

Kay King
2006-2008

In Memorium
(People who have made significant contributions
at the national level of CSA)

Stella Blum

J. Herbert Callister

Pattilou Cobb

Peggy Gilfoy

Cora Ginsburg

Dr. Jack Handford

Jim Liles

Richard Martin

Edward Praxmarer

Robert Riley

Shannon Rodgers

Don Stowell, Jr.

Elizabeth J. Thompson

Otto Charles Thieme