Crossroads: From Cowhide to Couture
A Hub of Activity • A Point of Decision • A Change of Direction
From the Past, into the Future, Crossroads Lead to New Frontiers
Join educators, museum specialists, scholars, students, makers and marketers of fashion, and other clothing enthusiasts for the 36th annual CSA meeting in the crossroads of Kansas City, Missouri.
Symposium Highlights
Download the brochure to see more details about these favorite Symposium events: the Angels Project, juried research papers and design presentations, CSA award-winner presentations, professional development sessions and workshops, the CSA Book Marketplace, the Silent Auction, and research exhibits. Here are some of the special events you will experience in Kansas:
Opening Reception
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Welcome to the Midwest - Kansas City Style! Enjoy the melodies of authentic Kansas City jazz, and experience Midwest hospitality. Vintage and historic fashions from noted Kansas City dress manufacturer Nellie Don will be on display from the collection of The Kansas City Garment History District and Museum. Photo courtesy of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association |
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Cynthia Cooper, "Reveal or Conceal"
Richard Martin Exhibition Award Presentation
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The exhibition highlighted the relationship between dress and women's bodies in the history of Western fashion. This paper will discuss various challenges in the creation of the exhibition, beginning with the way the museum chose to use its collection of dress, its material culture approach and expertise, and the exhibition medium to address the history of the body.
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Michael Vollbracht: Founder's Keynote Address
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Renowned fashion designer and illustrator Michael Vollbracht is our keynote speaker for the 2010 CSA Symposium. His artwork has adorned the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Town & Country, and O, the Oprah Magazine. Celebrities clothed by Vollbracht include Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and Joan Crawford.
Until May of 2007, Vollbracht served as the Creative Director of Bill Blass, LTD. In 1979, Vollbracht launched the Michael Vollbracht Collection In 1980 he received the prestigious Coty American Fashion Critics Award: Designer of the Year.
The New Yorker selected Vollbracht as one of its top illustrators, producing collages and drawings for the magazine for over half a decade. In Women's Wear Daily's "Millennium Issue," Vollbracht was celebrated as one of the top illustrators in the last half-century. Photo courtesy of Michael Vollbracht |
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WWI Museum Tour
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The state-of-the-art Museum houses the nation's most extensive assembly of artifacts, photography, art and narratives of the Great War ever presented in a single collection. The Museum introduces the war through visual and audio sensory stimulation to mold an unforgettable experience in the minds of all visitors. Photo courtesy of the National World War I Museum |
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Michael Vollbracht Keynote Speaker: Fundraising Dinner
May 27, 2010, 6:30pm
Benton's Top of the Crown
Sky view level of Westin Crown Center
Join keynote speaker Michael Vollbracht for dinner and Q&A at Benton's, located 20 stories above the city. Enjoy sweeping views of the skyline and city lights. Proceeds benefit the CSA Symposium. Photo courtesy of Michael Vollbracht
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Millia Davenport Publication Award Presentation
Pravina Shukla, "India Adorned: Fieldwork in the Study of Dress"
Friday, May 28, 2010
In this talk - based on her book The Grace of Four Moons- Shukla shows that close ethnographic fieldwork in India led her to understand the full process of body art: studying the makers, sellers, and buyers of dress, she learned that men and women are creative individuals who make deliberate aesthetic choices on a social field of force and counterforce. Photo courtesy of Pravina Shukla |
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Stella Blum Research Award Presentation: Katie Knowles
"Fashioning Slavery: Slaves and Clothing in the U.S. South, 1830-1865"
May 28, 2010
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This project examines the ways in which slaves were linked to the clothing they wore. Though few pieces of clothing exist today, information can be found through written sources such as plantation account books and runaway slave advertisements.
Through the combinations of different source materials, this project seeks to expand our knowledge of clothing in the Old South beyond the iconic hoop skirt. Photo courtesy of the Alamance County Historical Museum |
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Kansas City Garment District Industry History:
"Clothing the West: Kansas City"
Laurel Wilson, Univ. of Missouri, May 28, 2010
 | The garment industry in Kansas City occupies an important chapter in the manufacturing sector that contributed to the growth of the city as an urban center. To a large extent, the apparel was sold in "mom and pop" stores in the Midwest and West but, since Kansas City was an important railroad hub, its products made their way to stores throughout the county.
Kansas City's location as transportation hub made it a trading center in the 19th century and attracted apparel manufacturing for the same reason during the 20th century. Using oral history, newspaper and magazine articles, business directories, reports from the Kansas City Research and Information Department, |
| and research from garments, Laurel Wilson will provide an invited lecture on Kansas City garment industry history. Photos courtesy of Historic Garment District Museum of Kansas City |
Angels Project: Volunteers Needed
May 25, 2010
Join CSA to improve costume storage of the Rebecca Maude Owens Costume Collection, part of the Metropolitan Community College - Penn Valley Apparel and Textiles Program. Apparel and accessories from the collection will be vacuumed, photographed, labeled, documented and packed for storage.
Organizers Martha Winslow Grimm and Dr. Margaret Ordoņez welcome volunteers of all talents and skill levels. Housing at the symposium hotel, transportation and lunch during the project will be provided.
Contact Martha Grimm to volunteer at mwgr...@cox.net
See a video of the 2009 Angels Project in Phoenix
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Call for Donations: Silent Auction
Please donate items to the silent auction to help raise funds for CSA. Suggested items for donation are:
- Rare or out-of-print books or exhibition catalogs
- Duplicate copies of books
- Reproduction period costumes or accessories
- Artist/designer one-of-a-kind garments or jewelry
- Vintage clothing, accessories, fabric or trims
- Regional dress or accessories
- Services, e.g. appraisal, conservation, etc.
- Conservation materials, e.g., acid free paper, boxes etc.
- Posters from exhibitions
All donations are tax deductible. A reserve price (least amount acceptable by donor) can be placed on each item. Complete the attached form (one for each item) and send it to the enclosed address by May 1, 2010.
Download the "Silent Auction Donation Form"
Student Travel Awards
Students - If your proposal is accepted, you will be eligible to apply for up to $500 through the Adele Filene Travel Award to assist with your symposium registration and travel expenses. For details about the Adele Filene Student Travel Award, visit this page: http://www.costumesocietyamerica.com/GrantsAwards/adelefilene.html
Hotel Registration
Located in Hallmark's Crown Center, the Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, offers easy access to 85 acres of shops, restaurants and theaters. It is close to the Liberty Memorial, Union Station, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Country Club Plaza.
The Westin Crown Center has a spa with a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, outdoor heated pool, and track and tennis courts.
Hotel reservations must be received by Sunday, April 25, to be assured of these special group rates (plus taxes and fees as shown in the brochure):
$159/single/double
$179/triple
$199/quad
Register early for best choice, online or by phone:
- Register online
- Toll-free reservation line: 888-627-8538 - identify yourself with the Group Name "Costume Society of America"
The 2010 symposium will be hosted by the CSA Midwestern Region. Co-chairs are Sheryl Farnan-Leipzig (MCC Penn Valley) and Sara Marcketti (Iowa State University).
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