Museum at FIT

09/01/2026

The MFIT conservation team is installing dresses and dolls, and the exhibition team is adjusting the lights and placing labels. Folks, "Doll Dressing" opens in two weeks! September 16th!

"Doll Dressing" centers on the longstanding connections between dolls and high fashion. Historically, dolls operated as miniature fashion models—they were shipped around Europe and abroad, communicating the latest styles in three-dimensional detail. By the early 20th century, dolls were not merely sharing the latest trends, but setting them.

Curated by Dr. Colleen Hill, senior curator of costume, the exhibition explores the ways in which dolls have influenced fashion and dressed appearance. Doll dressing takes many forms, ranging from the appeal of youthful baby doll dresses, to the 2D quality of "paper doll" looks, to the influence of creepy dolls on fashion.

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Exhibition Colleen Hill FIT NYC

[Pedigree Sindy doll wearing "Summery Days" dress / Lirika Matoshi "Apartment" coat / Juicy Couture charm / Moschino by Jeremy Scott "paper doll" suit / Undercover by Jun Takahashi black dress, gift of Patricia Pastor / Pedigree Sindy doll's "Lunch Date" ensemble / Love, Courtney x Nasty Gal blue satin dress]

09/01/2026

Opening September 16th, “Doll Dressing” examines the relationship between dolls, dress and the people wearing it. Curated by Dr. Colleen Hill, the exhibition brings together more than 170 objects, from fashion dolls and full-size garments to accessories, artworks and videos, with designers including Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, Maison Martin Margiela, Loewe, Moschino and Anna Sui.

Art & Photography 25 August, 2026 Doll Dressing: Why Fashion Never Grew Out of Dolls Prada, multicolor checked silk and wool mini dress, fall 2011, gift of Jamee Gregory. Prada, black and brown trompe l’oeil boots, fall 2011, gift of Gordon Kendall, Courtesy of Museum at MIT. At some point between...

08/31/2026

This doll story is a nostalgic recollection of a mother who meticulously crafted matching outfits and accessories for her daughters and their dolls in the 1950s and 1960s.

“My mother was an excellent seamstress who designed and made all the clothes for my sister and me in the 1950s and early 1960s, together with exact copies for our dolls; often including hats, undergarments, and other accessories.

Many outfits were created for holidays and other special occasions, or inspired by fictional characters. Most of the clothes were designed for the Toni doll, which debuted in 1949, shown here dressed as 1) Alice in Wonderland, together with 2) a display of her Annie Oakley and Babar outfits. However, some clothes were made for other kinds of dolls such as 3) the wooden one pictured here dressed as Heidi, the Swiss storybook character.

These little works of art bring back memories of the stories behind each creation and the fun I had dressing my dolls to match what I was wearing.” – Jeanne Bornstein

Head over to Tumblr to read more stories. https://bit.ly/We_Love_Dolls

Whether you collect dolls, play with dolls, or make doll clothes, we hope you’ll join us and contribute your dolls! We’re publishing new stories throughout the year.

08/29/2026

It’s Blythe dolls only for this collector!

“This is my Blythe doll, Valencia Girasol, named after the Spanish city and the sunflower. Blythe is unlike other dolls because her eyes change color when you pull her string: two sets look forward, while the others glance left and right, giving her different expressions. She has the body of a fashion doll and can wear contemporary clothing, but her oversized head gives her a childlike charm. When Kenner introduced Blythe in 1972, her unusual look was not popular, and production ended after one year making [the] original dolls highly sought after today.

This doll [in the second slide], released in 2016 as Blythe Adores Anna, is a collaboration between Takara and fashion designer Anna Sui. I have always loved Anna Sui’s bohemian style, so I knew I needed her in my collection. Valencia has traveled with me throughout Spain, where she has proved very photogenic. My first Blythe came from eBay in 2005 on a friend’s recommendation. Soon after, I found a petite version that I used in my mixed media art. Over 21 years, I have adopted 26 girls and 16 petite children, met wonderful friends, and enjoyed many adventures. Blythe has truly enriched my life — maybe you need one too?” – Carole Shields

Head over to Tumblr to read more stories. https://bit.ly/We_Love_Dolls

Whether you collect dolls, play with dolls, or make doll clothes, we hope you’ll join us and contribute your dolls! We’re publishing new stories throughout the year.

08/28/2026

This doll collector discovered a vibrant community from photographing their dolls.

“Throughout my life, dolls have always been a part of my world. As a child, they were always there for me when I needed an escape from the real world. Later in life, I began to appreciate the artistry, fashion, history, and storytelling that dolls represent. For me, collecting is more than a hobby; it is a way to celebrate creativity, nostalgia, and self-expression. Each doll captures a moment in time, from iconic fashions to cultural trends, and every piece in my collection tells its own unique story. Over the years, my passion expanded into doll photography, giving me a new way to express my creativity and share the stories behind the dolls I love. Through Instagram, I discovered a vibrant community of collectors, artists, and photographers from around the world who share the same appreciation for this hobby.

My collection has become a reflection of my love for fashion, design, pop culture, and the joy that dolls continue to bring into my life. Sharing that passion with others and connecting through the doll community has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.” – Steven OShaughnessy

Head over to Tumblr to read more stories. https://bit.ly/We_Love_Dolls

Whether you collect dolls, play with dolls, or make doll clothes, we hope you’ll join us and contribute your dolls! We’re publishing new stories throughout the year.

08/27/2026

Let Me Ask You a Question // MFIT’s Raissa Bretaña is interviewed by her alma mater, Boston University College of Fine Arts, about her favorite designers and outfits from Hollywood’s Golden Age. https://www.bu.edu/cfa/magazine/articles/2026/conversation-raissa-bretana-coleen-scott/

08/27/2026

Happy Birthday Tom Ford (born 1961)
Keeping it luxe with sequins and beads!

For more on Tom Ford, visit our online collections!
https://fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/people/2341/tom-ford

[Silk, Spandex, sequins, glass beads, horsehair, fall 2013, USA, gift of the Estate of Joy Venturini Bianchi]

08/26/2026

Dolly Parton's style was bold, audacious, and fun! “Never leave a rhinestone unturned,” she told Andy Warhol in a conversation for Interview in 2014.

Enjoy this roundup by Vanessa Friedman at the New York Times.

(gift article)
https://ow.ly/he0q50ZFGoU

A wild mountain rose, she used her clothes and her body to subvert expectations.

08/26/2026

🐾🐾 Happy International Dog Day! 🐾🐾

Do we need a special day to appreciate the joy that dogs bring us? Yes, why yes we do. Woof.

[Vintage postcard]

08/25/2026

How a doll designed for Black and Brown girls can promote empowerment, pride, and self-expression.

“Auré is a doll brand that explores storytelling, fashion, culture, and empowerment through design. The name, derived from the French word for “golden,” represents Affirmation, Uniqueness, Resilience, and Empowerment, which are the values that guide each character in the collection.

Each doll embodies one of these identities through both narrative and design, encouraging young girls to see themselves reflected in characters that celebrate their heritage, individuality, and lived experiences. Through distinct hairstyles, clothing, and elevated packaging, Auré reimagines the traditional doll as both a toy and a designed object rooted in culture and storytelling.

Inspired by my own background, including influences from India, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the Dominican Republic, this work highlights the richness of diverse cultures while creating space for learning and connection. Auré is intentionally created for Black and Brown girls, offering representation that fosters pride, confidence, and self-expression.

Auré is a celebration of identity, creativity, and culture, reminding young girls that they are powerful, worthy, and meant to be seen.” – Samantha Woolford-Hunt

Head over to Tumblr to read more stories. https://bit.ly/We_Love_Dolls

Whether you collect dolls, play with dolls, or make doll clothes, we hope you’ll join us and contribute your dolls! We’re publishing new stories throughout the year.