Contact us

Reporting from: https://exhibits.library.cornell.edu/circus-fashion/feature/history
Cancel

History

From antique luxury to present day technology, influences of the times are evident in the design, materials, and construction of circus costumes. While aesthetic trends and material technologies evolve, silhouettes and functional needs consistencies in these garments can be found from the 1800s to the present day. The History vitrine highlights the costumes of past and present, showcasing the visual similarities and differences in style, silhouette, and materials, and demonstrating how much (or little) circus costumes evolve over time.

Blue Ringmistress
Blue Ringmistress
Izzy Patrowicz

Blue Ringmistress

Title: Blue Ringmistress

Year: 2020’s

Designer: Izzy Patrowicz

Show / Intended Use: Circus Vargas

Objects & Materials: Jacket of blue metallic printed spandex with glitter surface treatment and a white stretch synthetic lining covered in sequins. Ecru stretch pants with center front pintuck. Black top hat with rhinestone detailing (facsimile). Black knee-high boots with glitter heel.

Loaned by: Izzy Patrowicz

Silver Entrance Cape Front

Silver Entrance Cape

Title: Silver Entrance Cape

Year: ~2002

Designer: Joanne Wilson

Show / Intended Use: Entrance prior to aerial act

Objects & Materials: Silver sequin fabric, grey lining fabric, beads, sequin embellishments, rim-set rhinestones, white feathers

Loaned by: Susan Vonderheid

Silver Entrance Cape Back
Silver Entrance Cape Back
Silver Entrance Cape Collar Detail
Silver Entrance Cape Collar Detail
Silver Entrance Cape Headpiece Detail
Silver Entrance Cape Headpiece Detail
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Used by Mrs. Lucius Locke Hopwood, Donated to the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection by Mrs. John Payne

Historic Equestrian Ensemble

Title: Jacket and Jodhpurs, Brown Corduroy

Year: 1913

Show / Intended Use: Riding habit

Objects & Materials: Brown corduroy fabric, leather

Loaned by: The Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection

Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection, Mrs. John Payne
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Jacket and Jodhpurs, brown corduroy
Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection, Mrs. John Payne
Red & Gold Aerialist
Red & Gold Aerialist
Izzy Patrowicz

Red & Gold Aerialist

Title: Red & Gold Aerialist

Year: 2020s

Designer: Izzy Patrowicz

Show / Intended Use: Aerial acts

Objects & Materials: Spandex fabric leotard, leg wraps, & cuffs, feathers, rhinestones, button, fishnets

Loaned by: Izzy Patrowicz

Blue and orange trampoline unitard
Blue and orange trampoline unitard
Nicole Paynich

Trampoline Unitard

Title: Trampoline Unitard

Year: 2019

Designer: Julie Michael

Place of Origin: Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour - Carnival

Materials: Digitally printed mock-neck unitard worn in a trampoline act

Loaned by: Nicole Paynich

Blue and orange trampoline unitard back detail
Blue and orange trampoline unitard back detail
Nicole Paynich
Blue and orange trampoline unitard back view
Blue and orange trampoline unitard back view
Nicole Paynich
"Galaxy Spec" Costume
"Galaxy Spec" Costume
The Milner Library Special Collections at Illinois State University

"Circus Galaxy" Spec

Title: “Circus Galaxy” Spec Costume

Year: 1980

Designer: Don Foote

Show / Intended Use: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Objects & Materials: Headpiece with articulating visor, Vest, Jacket, Pants

Loaned by: The Milner Library Special Collections, Illinois State University