About the Exhibit
Stylized: The Road to Elegance highlights the role that women played in not only fashion but auto styling trends of the early 20th century. As the auto market became saturated by the 1920s, with most families owning a car, spurring new sales required innovation, not only in the technologies and capabilities of the vehicles but in the styling of individual makes and models. During this era, early automakers capitalized on women’s influence in an expanding economy and in their interest in evolving styles by placing ads in such popular women’s magazines as Vogue and Ladies Home Journal (as well as Popular Mechanics). These ads prominently featured fashionable men and women, offering ideals that appealed to an emerging consumer culture. From formal wear to bathing suits, the exhibit features men’s and women’s vintage and reproduction clothing on loan from our exhibit partners (see below).
Lending Partners
We worked with 7 Delaware institutions across the state to gather incredible pieces to put on display including Auburn Valley State Park, Nemours Estate, New Castle Historical Society, Newark History Museum, Rehoboth Beach Museum, Seaford Museum, and the University of Delaware Resident Ensemble Players. Special thanks to Winterthur Museum, Gardens & Library for loaning dress forms to properly display several of the items. We encourage you to visit these sites and see their exceptional collections!
When to Visit
The exhibit is on view from now until the end of November 2023. It is included in admission to the museum during any of our open days (Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm) or during special events (including Steamin’ Days, Auburn Heights After Hours and the Auburn Heights Invitational). Click here to learn more about visiting the site.
Reserved Tours
Groups of 8 or more are encouraged to register for a reserved tour, available by advance appointment. Please contact Alli at 302-239-2385 or education@AuburnHeights.org.
This program is partially funded by the Delaware Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities