The Lois Jett Historical Fashion Collection (LJHFC) in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State University invites the public to visit the collection’s new exhibition, Lights, Camera, Fashion, running through August 28.
Lights, Camera, Fashion displays clothing that resembles iconic Hollywood fashion moments, red carpet looks, and cinematic attire. Featuring garments from the 1930s to the 2000s, the exhibit displays illustrate how silhouettes, fabrics, and embellishments from the past continue to shape today’s most iconic celebrity styles.
The exhibit was planned by LJHFC fall 2025 interns Ellie Popovich ‘26 and Ellie Stoltz ’26, both seniors studying fashion merchandising. Their goal while curating this installation was to bring Hollywood cinema and red carpet moments to life, while highlighting how vintage fashion lights a path to where we are today in the fashion industry.
“Hollywood is our beacon, and the trickle-down theory perfectly encapsulates what we are trying to show here,” said Popovich. “Hollywood styles have made their way into our trends for years, and this exhibit showcases this.”
This exhibit was installed by LJHFC spring 2026 interns Brooklynn Leopoldo ’26 and Emma Irwin ’26, as well as LJHFC artifact manager Katie Ibsen.
This free exhibition is located in 126 Turner Hall on Illinois State’s campus and is open to the campus and the surrounding community.
The LJHFC was created in 1962 by Lois Jett, a professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Over the years, the collection has expanded to more than 2,000 items of men’s, women’s, and children’s dress and related artifacts from around the world, dating from 700 C.E. to today. Its mission is to enhance teaching and learning across the Illinois state community by connecting students and the public with items of dress that represent important histories about fashion. Follow the LJHFC on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and additional information about holdings.
Gallery hours through May 1 are Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m., Wednesdays 12-2 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. To schedule an alternate time, submit a request. For more information, contact LJHFC director Dr. Jennifer Banning.