Lush formal ruffled gown
Image Credit

Rick Owens (American, b. 1961), Gown, Spring/Summer 2020. Cotton percale, metal. Denver Art Museum: Funds from Collectors’ Choice 41 and the Textile Arts and Fashion Circle, 2024.146.

Conversation Pieces

Stories from the Fashion Archives
Now On View

Rick Owens (American, b. 1961), Gown, Spring/Summer 2020. Cotton percale, metal. Denver Art Museum: Funds from Collectors’ Choice 41 and the Textile Arts and Fashion Circle, 2024.146.

Conversation Pieces: Stories from the Fashion Archives features more than 60 unique designs from the DAM’s own fashion collection, most of which have never been shown before.

Through intimate groupings and striking juxtapositions that place pieces in dialogue with each other, discover connections between visionary designers, cultural movements, and the evolution of iconic fashion houses. The exhibition also shines a spotlight on Denver’s own fashion legacy, from the city’s pioneering donors to the department stores that championed American design and helped define a distinctly modern aesthetic.

Historic treasures from the DAM’s collection include a 1930s Jean Lanvin gown donated by Mrs. Gio Ponti; an afternoon dress dating to 1905-1910 worn by inventor Ms. May Wilfley; and a 1935 silk velvet evening wrap by Italian designer Maria Monaci Gallenga worn by Mrs. Thomas Patterson Campbell of The Rocky Mountain News family. These pieces will be displayed alongside recent acquisitions including a John Galliano dress from his Spring/Summer 1993 Olivia and Filibuster collection; an Alexander McQueen dress from the legendary designer’s final Plato Atlantis collection; and a lace ensemble by Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé worn by supermodel Kate Moss on the Fall/Winter 1993–94 runway.

Other designers on display include Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Ceil Chapman, James Galanos, Yohji Yamamoto, and others.

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Martin Building, Level 6
Included in general admission

Tours

Take a docent-led tour of Conversation Pieces every Monday and Friday at 1:30 pm. Meet on level 6 of the Martin Building to join. Learn more.

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Silk satin formal Dior dress

Christian Dior (French, 1905-1957) for House of Dior (France, est. 1946), Lelia, Spring/Summer 1953. Silk satin with embroidered rhinestones and faux pearls and tulle underskirt. Denver Art Museum: Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum: Gift of Mrs. Richard E. Berlin, 1982.161A-C.

Light floral-patterned full-length dress

Unrecorded dressmaker, Afternoon dress, United States, ca. 1905-1910. Satin brocade, lace, metal, tulle, braid, silk bows; 55 x 16 x 149 in. Denver Art Museum: Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of May Wilfley in memory of her parents, A. R. Wilfley and Addie M. Wilfley, 1974.160.

Green, white, and red colorblock formal gown

Emilio Pucci (Italian, 1914-1992). Dress, 1950s. Silk taffeta. Denver Art Museum: Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum, 1967.126A-B.

Black one strap elegant formal gown

Madame (Alix) Grès (French 1903-1993), for Maison Grès (France, est. 1942), Gown, ca. 1980. Silk jersey. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Susan Gutfreund, 2020.416A-B.

Yellow drape-y wool coat from the 1950s

Jacques Fath (French, 1912-1954), Coat, 1951. Wool. Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum: Gift of Louise Vigoda, 1978.70.

Floral patterned cotton swimsuit from the 1950s

Claire McCardell (American, 1905-1958), Swimsuit, 1953. Printed cotton. Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Touff, 1986.230A-B.

Black sleek Chanel gown

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (French, 1883–1971), Evening ensemble, about 1926. Silk chiffon embroidered with bugle beads. Denver Art Museum: Funds from the Textile Arts and Fashion Circle, 2024.142A-B.

Haute coutoure black Yves Saint Lauren high fashion dress

Yves Saint Laurent (Algerian-born, French, 1936-2008), Dress, Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1982 worn by actress Catherine Deneuve. Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum: Purchased with funds from the Textile and Fashion Circle and the Hendrie Endowment, 2019.30.

Japanese coat dress with bright designs resembling a face and floral patterns

Comme des Garcons, Coat Dress, look 4, Spring/Summer 2018. Digital printed cotton gabardine with silk ribbons. Denver Art Museum: Funds from the Florence R. and Ralph L. Burgess Trust, 2020.179.

Lush formal ruffled gown

Rick Owens (American, b. 1961), Gown, Spring/Summer 2020. Cotton percale, metal. Denver Art Museum: Funds from Collectors’ Choice 41 and the Textile Arts and Fashion Circle, 2024.146.

Red formal ballgown

House of Worth (est. 1858), Ballgown, about 1896. Silk faille, silk chiffon. Denver Art Museum: Funds from the Textile and Fashion Circle, 2020.180A-B.

Pale floral-patterned debutante formal gown

Ann Lowe (American, 1898-1981), Debutante Gown, 1965. Silk shantung with appliqued silk flowers, rhinestones. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Philae Dominick, 2023.695.

Green and feather-patterned Alexander McQueen sleek dress

Alexander McQueen (British, 1969-2010), Dress, Spring-Summer 2010. Enamel, digital print, silk; 32 x 22 x 32 in. Denver Art Museum: Funds from the Textile Arts & Fashion Circle. 2024.415.

Black silk twill sleek dress

Dice Kayek (France, established 1992), "Calligraphy" dress, 2009. Silk twill; 30 x 24 x 13 1/2 x 36 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Dice Kayek, 2024.893.

Silk gauze white ribbon-shaped dress

Dice Kayek (French, established 1992), "Magnolia" dress, 2009. Silk gauze; 26 x 25 x 35 x 28 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Dice Kayek, 2024.894.

Male ensemble with a black jacket and red gingham pants

Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons (Japanese, b. 1942), Ensemble: Jacket and pants, Fall/Winter 2010. Wool and wool tartan. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Ricardo Zaragoza, 2025.120A-B.

Tall black jacket with "the times are a'changin" embroidered in text

Yohji Yamamoto (Japanese, b. 1943), Jacket, Fall/Winter, 2017. Wool with cupro (rayon) lining and rayon-and-cotton embroidery yarn and screenprint. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Ricardo Zaragoza, 2025.195.

Japanese male stylish black ensemble with tall jacket and trousers

Yohji Yamamoto, (Japanese, b. 1943), Ensemble: Jacket, shirt and pants, Fall-Winter 2019. Jacket and shirts: Wool with rayon-thread machine embroidery; pants: printed wool. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Ricardo Zaragoza, 2025.220A-C.

Conversation Pieces: Stories from the Fashion Archives is organized by the Denver Art Museum. Support is provided by the Avenir Foundation, Lula Faye Fiber, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).