Kent State University alumni, former students and current students gathered in the Kent State museum’s Murphy Auditorium Oct. 3 for a tie-in lecture for the exhibit “Flapper Style: Fashions of the 1920s,” curated by Sara Hume, a professor at the Fashion School.

“People love the 1920s,” said Hume. “It’s a divorce from our own world, but we can imagine wearing these pieces and being in this time period. It is within our parents and grandparents’ lifetime, so people have personal associations to this period.”

During the lecture, which was a walk through fashion history, Hume discussed the various pieces on exhibit, as well as archived pieces from the collection. Hume explained the term “flapper” and how it embodied the independent, liberal, carefree persona of college-educated women of the time. The style  of the 1920s mirrored the way conventional thought and behavior by women was changing at the time.

The collection is dominated by the quintessential beaded dresses from the 1920s, a major attraction for some members of the audience. Natalie Mills, fashion design major, said she is obsessed with the flapper style dresses and came to the lecture in order to learn more about them.

“When I found out about the exhibit, I knew I had to see it,” said Mills. “Then, I found out about the lecture and I knew I had to come and learn more about it all.” 

The tubular silhouette of the garments grabbed the attention of Kent State alumni Jennifer Jones. Her interest in the 1920s lead her to the event, but the size and shape of the garments held her attention prior to the lecture.  

“All of the pieces are so tiny and very boyish looking in figure,” said Jones. “Everything is just so beautiful and so fascinating. It is a great exhibit of all the clothing people actually wore.”

Following the lecture, Hume answered questions from the audience and invited audience members to walk through the “Flapper Style: Fashions of the 1920s” exhibit in the museum.

Felicia Guadagni is the fashion reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].