ReFashioning History Press Release

A look at Jess Crane’s design, ‘Sparkling Shores: Lakefront Legacy.’

My inspiration stems from the ivory wool gown in the ReFashioning History Exhibit, sparking a creative journey that led to the design of my piece. The shapes of the inset lace in the gown resembled bursts of fireworks, with vertical lines mimicking their trails into the sky. Layers of trim, lace, and appliques echoed the layers of fireworks in the sky, while the cropped sleeves evoked warm summer nights. Fishnet material at the neck and sheer waves at the sleeves reminded me of Lake Michigan's shoreline. I envisioned a woman watching the fireworks on Lake Michigan from the shoreline just outside of the Evanston History Center on Independence Day. My design reflects this experience, using dark blue Americana denim for the lake and glittering gold bursts for the fireworks. All materials are preowned or deadstock, aligning with my commitment to sustainable fashion. - Jess Crane

Winners will be presented by Tommy Walton, faculty member of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, cofounder of the design duo Price Walton and Reality TV Chef on FOX-TV’s MasterChef Cooking Competition.

Evanston, IL (June 19, 2024) – History Meets Haute Couture. Get ready for the event of the season with a fashion showcase of Chicagoland designers and their refashioned creations inspired by one of the largest costume collections in the state.

The Evanston History Center is hosting Opening Night of ReFashioning History on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Dawes House in Evanston, IL. This juried competition highlights twelve designers, from Evanston to Naperville, competing for top prizes including: Kaine Bautista, Dunja Cicek, Jess Crane, Lauren Evans, Ameerah Floyd, Abeline Glenzinski & Riley Trzeciak, Gregory Graham, Madeleine Ibach, Grace Koehler, Aurora Liston, Gnivol Loving and Maribel Melanson. These designers will be highlighted in the ReFashioning History exhibition running through September 2025.

These designers explored a curated selection of objects from the Center’s vast costume collection, spanning from the early nineteenth century to the present day. From this selection, designers crafted their own unique interpretations.

Winners will be presented by Tommy Walton, faculty member of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, cofounder of the design duo Price Walton and Reality TV Chef on FOX-TV’s MasterChef Cooking Competition. Walton will bring an added dimension with his fusion of fashion design and culinary arts. The four first-place designs will receive a cash prize of $750 each and a gift card to Vogue Fabrics.

This year’s Jury members include: Liz Cramer, Co-Director Evanston Made; Josh Chernoff, Founder of Suitable Fabrications; Rachel Jennens, Costume Collection Curator, Evanston History Center; Janet Messmer, Professor Emeritus, DePaul University; and Linda Roethke, Director MFA Stage Design, Northwestern University. Opening Night guests will immerse themselves in an intimate fashion showcase, where featured designers will share insights into their fusion of history and contemporary design followed by a preview of the Center’s new fashion exhibition. Guests will also have the chance to indulge in stylish refreshments while enjoying live music and the ambiance of the historic lakefront terrace.

To purchase tickets, visit: https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/refashioning-history. Proceeds from the event support the Evanston History Center’s mission and the ongoing care of its collections, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Evanston's history continues to be preserved and shared with future generations.

ReFashioning History is made possible by these generous sponsors: Hagerty, Evanston Community Bank & Trust, TAWANI Foundation, Susan and Dave Turner, Katie Trippi, The Struve Family Women, Hannah Handmade, Board of Directors for the Evanston History Center, Cloth + Home, Evanston Arts Council, MMMM…Enjoy. Wines, Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations, Vogue Fabrics, Josh and Julie Chernoff, Hawk & Sole, Len Koroski and Deborah Geismar, and Gary Kaufman.

About the Evanston History Center: The mission of the Evanston History Center is to collect, preserve and interpret the rich history of the City of Evanston and all its people through exhibits, educational programs, and research facilities. Through community events, the Evanston History Center strives to engage audiences of all ages in the exploration of Evanston's past and its relevance to the present day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Kristen Nelson,

Director of External Relations

knelson@evanstonhistorycenter.org

(847) 475-3410