Contact Us

Phone:

(800) CSA-9447

Location:

P.O. Box 852 Columbus, GA 31902-0852

Leadership

A Message From CSA's President

Happy fall to all our members! School is beginning again for those who have family, friends, engagements with those places of education. I always loved back-to-school shopping for the coolest of things during “Crazy Days,” “Sidewalk Sales," and the odd thing in a thrift store in college. My favorite was an ankle-length woolen topcoat (rarely that long for men) from the 40s with raglan sleeves in a cream, pumpkin, and brown plaid. I miss that coat.

CONGRATULATIONS on a fabulous symposium in Washington, DC. Co-chairs Ann Wass and Debbie Farthing and their team really outdid themselves with wonderful papers, tours, events, the marketplace, a rockstar silent auction, and Dolley Madison to boot! It was wonderful to see everyone and share a cocktail or a meal or a cab. We had robust discussions in our Town Hall and as promised have reviewed and revised the rubric. Thank you to that working group lead by Clarissa Esguerra.

Looking forward to our next symposium in 2025 at LMU, we have exciting things planned. First of all, the website is updated and the Call for Papers is out! Feel free to reach out to the abstract committee with any questions: or email me as well.

I’m excited to welcome you all to my home campus, Loyola Marymount University, and share the riches of the City of Angels. We are planning some amazing pre- & post-symposium tours. REMEMBER: to reduce costs, we have reduced the symposium by one day and attendees will be responsible for finding their own housing. You can use your points, AirB&B, etc. We are going to send a survey soon to get a sense of who might want to stay on campus in the dorms if we can secure them. Watch your email for this to come. Additionally, as an organization for everyone who loves cultural perspectives of dress and dress history, we are planning something for everyone in this year’s programming. More to come.

One another note, I will be reaching out to some folks personally to help launch the initiatives I’d like to pursue as president. I’m interested in expanding our partnerships with other non-profits to raise our profile, and find other sponsorships and funding sources. Additionally, I am interested in beginning conversations with members about different ways to give and support CSA. As a member-driven, volunteer-based organization, our support keeps CSA thriving. I hope to do so through legacy giving, micro-contributions, and other ways.

Finally, it is with great excitement that I announce our keynote speaker for 2025. With the help of close colleagues, we have secured the renowned Ruth E. Carter, two-time Academy Award Winner for her costumes designs of Black Panther and the first Black person to win the Costume Design award. She will either be in person or on Zoom, as her shooting schedule permits nine months from now. More to come!

Thank you all for your work, your volunteerism, your scholarship, your craft, your creativity, and your storytelling. We have come a long way (baby) in our 50 years and that’s just the beginning! Here’s to another 50!

As always, feel free to reach out to me personally. It is my honor to serve you.

Warmly,

Leon Wiebers

2024-2026 President, Costume Society of America

Executive Committee

Nominations for 2025-2027 positions have now closed; the Board of Directors will vote on the slate in late 2024. Members can learn more on our governance information page .

Leon Wiebers

President, 2024-2026

Click on Leon's image for his bio.

Adam MacPhàrlain

President Elect, 2024-2026

Click on Adam's image for his bio.

Lalon Alexander

Past President, 2024-2026

Click on Lalon's image for her bio.

Danielle Reaves

Treasurer, 2024-2026

Click on Danielle's image for her bio.

Theresa Alexander

Secretary, 2024-2026

Click on Theresa's image for her bio.

Julia Petrov

Vice President for Publications, 2023-2025

Click on Julia's image for her bio.

Katie Baker Jones

Vice President for Internal Relations, 2024-2026

Click on Katie's image for her bio.

Deborah Miller

Vice President for External Relations, 2024-2025

Click on Deborah's image for her bio.

Graham Wetzbarger

Vice President for Technology, 2023-2025

Click on Graham's image for his bio.

Colleen Pokorny

Vice President for Awards & Honors, 2024-2026

Click on Colleen's image for her bio.

Patty Edmonson

Vice President Grants & Projects, 2024-2025

Click on Patty's image for her bio.

Heidi Cochran

Vice President for Symposia, 2023-2025

Click on Heidi's image for her bio.

Monica Sklar

Vice President Education & Programs, 2024-2026

Click on Monica's image for her bio.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors governs the Society and supervises its management, reviewing the overall functioning of the organization and making changes as necessary.

Nominations for the Board of Directors Class of 2028 and Student Liaison (term 2025-2027) are now closed. Voting will take place in early 2025. Members can learn more on our governance information page.

Karen DePauw

2023-2026

Click on Karen's image to see her bio.

Clarissa M. Esguerra

2022-2025

Click on Clarissa's image to see her bio.

Melissa Gamble

2024-2027

Click on Melissa's image to see her bio.

Susan Hannel

2022-2025

Click on Susan's image to see her bio.

Michaele Thurgood Haynes

2022-2025

Click on Michaele's image to see her bio.

Adam MacPhàrlain

2023-2026

Click on Adam's image to see his bio.

Jaleesa Reed

2023-2026

Click on Jaleesa's image to see her bio.

Arti Sandhu

2024-2027

Click on Arti's image to see her bio.

Clare Sauro

2023-2026

Click on Clare's image to see her bio.

Arlesa Shephard

2022-2025

Click on Arlesa's image to see her bio.

Joshua Simon

2024-2027

Click on Joshua's image to see his bio.

Ginger D. Stanciel

2023-2026

Click on Ginger's image to see her bio.

Graham Wetzbarger

2022-2025

Click on Graham's image to see his bio.

Juanjuan Wu

2024-2027

Click on Juanjuan's image to see her bio.

Lynda May Xepoleas

2024-2027

Click on Lynda's image to see her bio.

Sofia Beraldo

2024-2026, Graduate Student Liaison

Click on Sofia's image to see her bio.

Paige E. Tomfohrde

2023-2025, Graduate Student Liaison

Click on Paige's image to see her bio.

Ann Wass

2021-2024, Parliamentarian

Click on Ann's image to see her bio.

Staff

Click on each person's image for more information about them!

Kristen Miller Zohn

Executive Director

Click on Kristen's image to see her bio.

Kate M. Ahn

Database and Member Services Administrator

Click on Kate's image to see her bio.

Madison Taylor

Editor, e-News

Click on Madison's image to see her bio.

Sarah West Hixson

Editor, Conversations on Dress Webinars

Click on Sarah's image to see her bio.

Past Presidents

Lalon Alexander

2022-2024

Sheryl Farnan Leipzig

2020-2022

Sara Marcketti

2018-2020

Gayle Strege

2016-2018

Kathy Mullet

2014-2016

Robin Campbell

2012-2014

Sally Helvenston Gray

2010-2012

Barbara Broudo

2008-2010

Kay King

2006-2008

Rosalyn Lester

2004-2006

Donna Locke

2002-2004

Joy Emery

2000-2002

Phyllis Specht

1998-2000

Colleen Callahan

1996-1998

Alicia Annas

1994-1996

Inez Brooks-Myers

1990-1994

Jean Druesedow

1986-1990

Elizabeth Jachimowicz

1982-1986

Elizabeth Ann Coleman

1976-1982

Herbert Callister

1973-1976

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.

Fellows

The Costume Society of America Fellow Honor is the highest honor bestowed by CSA. It recognizes the dedication, commitment, leadership, and outstanding contributions of CSA members to the Costume Society of America and to the field of costume.