Sage Collection

The Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection

What we wear is a vehicle for personal expression, a reflection of society, and a form of art. The Sage Collection at Indiana University includes clothing, accessories, and related items from the past and present—bringing our social history to life.

Overseen by the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, the Sage Collection serves as a resource for students, professionals, and the public. Its museum-quality collection spans more than 250 years and includes a hands-on study collection used in classrooms and fashion design studios.

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Sage Collection highlights include:

The Glenn Close Costume Collection
Haute couture
Military, occupational, and sports uniforms
Senior Cords, Indiana’s unique expression of school pride
Clothing by noted Hoosier natives Bill Blass, Halston, and Norman Norell
Fashion publications, DVDs, and videotapes
Nellans Needlework Collection

See the Sage Collection online.

Elizabeth Sage

Elizabeth Sage (1868–1959) was the second professor hired in the newly created Department of Home Economics at Indiana University in 1913. The Buffalo, New York native and Columbia University graduate rose to the rank of Associate Professor and taught courses on textiles and clothing. In 1926, she published one of the first textbooks on the history of fashion, A Study of Costume, followed by Textiles and Clothing in 1930. During her career at IU, she established a collection consisting of clothing and related objects acquired during her travels, as well as personal and family pieces such as the Sage family baptismal gown (ca. 1830), and other examples of fine design and craftsmanship collected from friends and colleagues. Sage rose to the rank of Associate Professor and retired in 1937. Upon her retirement, the collection was transferred to the Home Economics department and was named The Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection.

The Bill Blass Collection

The late designer and Indiana native Bill Blass bequeathed numerous designs as well as a financial gift to the Sage Collection.

1984.135 AB (black and gold dress) | Dress | Bill Blass | 1982 | Silk, lurex | Gift of Anne H. Bass

1988.63 A-D (red suit) | Ensemble | Bill Blass | Ca. 1985 | Wool | Gift of Bill Blass

2004.426 (purple evening dress) | Evening Dress | Bill Blass | 1988 | Silk, rayon | Gift of Mrs. Charles Price

2018.162 A-D (pinstriped coat ensemble with vest) | Ensemble | Bill Blass | 1970s | Wool, silk, cotton | Gift in memory of Juanita C. Booth

Students and Sage

The Sage Collection serves as a resource for both Eskenazi School fashion design and IU Theatre & Dance costuming students to learn about costume design and construction.

Connect with us

Students:
Interested in working with the Sage Collection while at IU? Earn credit by taking F402: Collections Management for Historic Costume and Textiles or X476: Practicum at the Sage Collection. Student and community volunteers are always welcome.

Instructors and researchers:
Interested in using Sage Collection resources in your classroom or research? Please contact us.

For more information, contact Director and Curator Kelly Richardson.

Sage Collection Staff

Kelly Richardson, Director and Curator
Emily Rosolowski, Collections Assistant