This semester, Sara Idacavage, Collections Manager of the Parsons Fashion Study Collection, is partnering with Parsons AAS Fashion Design director Francesca Sammaritano for the first-ever couture studio class that incorporates regular visits to our study collection, allowing students to complement their design practice with ongoing archival research. During midterm presentations, AAS design student Jummy Thomas explained how a 1950s Sophie Gimbel evening dress inspired the silhouette and construction of her own design (shown in muslin), which she is developing for this special section of “Fashion Techniques: Couture”. Jummy plans to combine the innovative draping elements of the classic Gimbel dress with her own modern aesthetics, which may include the use of a bold printed fabric. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!