February 18, 2004
Museum offers wedding wear from yesteryear
'First the Altar, Then the Honeymoon' displays wedding dresses and swimsuits
By
Herald staff writer
Fashion lovers and historians alike need check no further than the Grand Traverse Heritage Center's exhibit "First the Altar, Then the Honeymoon," to find a view of the 20th century through the eyes of the fashion industry.
The exhibit of vintage fashion features a display of wedding dresses and swimsuits, curated by local vintage clothing collector and expert Nancy Bordine.
Exhibits include wedding ensembles from the Hannah and Lay families of Traverse City, complete with satin shoes and stockings, as well as flapper influenced fashions of the 20's and a princess style from the 50's, modeled after the dress Grace Kelly wore when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco.
"Wedding dresses have always been a thing of value, so they are well kept and complete. That is why we are able to have so many on display," said Bordine who teaches "The Way We Wore," at Northwestern Michigan College.
Bordine's collection of more than 200 vintage dresses and pairs of shoes gave her a good starting place for the exhibit.
"I've been collecting for many years. I got started when my mother received some clothing from my Aunt's estate. That got me interested and I've been collecting ever since," Bordine said.
"We have been lucky enough to have some dresses and swim suits on loan to us from members of the community as well as some that have been donated to the Heritage Center that we have been able to include in this exhibit. We have dresses on display from the early 1900s through the 1970s. While styles have changed, their significance hasn't," Bordine noted.
The changes in style are most evident in the swim suits on display. A wool suit from 1905, which would have required hosiery, high-top slippers and a matching cap is in stark contract to the 1960's polyester knit bikini that includes two and a half inches of padding in all the right places.
"I can't even imagine wearing one of those wool suits, they had to be anything but comfortable. There has been a dramatic change in what is acceptable," Bordine said.
"First the Altar, Then the Honeymoon," will be on display at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, through April 24. Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children 18 and under, five and under is free. For more information, call 995-0313.