Gatsby's Closet - Dress and Character in The Great Gatsby
Location: Elizabeth Schmeck Brown Costume and Textile Gallery
Department: FSAD
Contact: Charlotte Jirousek
The Cornell Costume and Textile Collection has mounted an exhibition in conjunction with Cornell University’s freshman book project: The Great Gatsby. (http://www.reading.cornell.edu/ ) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic tale of love and loss in the Jazz age is full of vivid representations of the dress and appearance of his characters. Fitzgerald, like many other writers, frequently uses descriptions of dress as a means of developing character.
“Dress is closely tied to identity in real life. We all represent ourselves to others through our clothes, whether consciously or unconsciously,” commented Charlotte Jirousek, Associate Professor and Curator of the Cornell Costume and Textile Collection. “We are also sensitive readers of the appearance of others. This exhibition attempts to make Fitzgerald’s verbal descriptions into visual representations that will hopefully enrich our understanding of the characters and their story.”
The Elizabeth Schmeck Brown Costume and Textile Gallery is located on the third floor of Martha Van Rensselaer Hall. The Cornell Costume and Textile Collection archive of more than 10,000 items of apparel, accessories, and textiles, can also be visited by appointment for specific research projects.
Exhibition August 18-November 1
8:00am-7:00pm Monday through Saturday
Elizabeth Schmeck Brown Costume and Textile Gallery
Third Floor, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall
For further information, please contact
Charlotte Jirousek, Associate Professor and Curator
607-255-8064 caj7@cornell.edu
