Fashioning Women’s Influence in the Kennedy Era

What people wear can reveal as much about an era as the headlines of the day. 1960s fashion reflected changing ideas about politics, gender, culture and identity. Public figures such as First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson wore clothing that represented an image that communicated confidence and purpose. Dr. Annette Becker, Director and Curator of the Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas, presents an exploration of fashion’s role in the 1960s. Discover how editors and retailers in Dallas emerged and made the city an influential center for fashion journalism and design. Here, industry leaders helped shape national trends and expand opportunities for women in the workplace. Beyond the wardrobes of popular public figures, Dr. Becker details out what average Americans were wearing in the decade and why it mattered. This program offers a unique perspective on the changing social landscape by placing fashion within a broader historical context. Does not include Museum admission. Museum members receive discounted ticket pricing. Contact [email protected] to learn more. As the Director and Curator of the Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas (TFC), an archive of nearly 20,000 historic and designer garments and accessories housed within the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design in Denton, Annette Becker focuses on external-facing projects related to collection research, access and advocacy, ensuring engagement with TFC holdings. Becker augments educational programming with curatorial projects that showcase the TFC’s research and thought leadership in venues ranging from art museums to shopping centers. Her curatorial practice bridges contemporary topics and trends with historic artifacts, connecting popular and academic understandings of fashion history. She is a frequent lecturer and has been featured on the PBS series Fit 2 Stitch and in GQ and PaperCity magazines.