Cue the applause— Costume Society of America’s 2025 Symposium was a blockbuster success!
Cue the applause— Costume Society of America’s 2025 Symposium was a blockbuster success!
The 51st Annual Costume Society of America's National Annual Meeting and Symposium in Los Angeles has officially come to a close, leaving us with unforgettable moments and inspiring discussions. Hosted on the beautiful Loyola Marymount University campus, this year’s gathering embraced the theme "Innovation: The Art, Craft, History, Technology, and Diaspora of Dress," offering attendees a dynamic mix of scholarship, creativity, and hands-on experiences.
The symposium kicked off with the Angels Project at the LAX Flight Path Museum on Saturday and a pre-symposium tour on Sunday to two of LA’s most renowned institutions, LACMA and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. That evening, symposium attendees gathered for a reception hosted by Dean of the Library Kristine Brancolini and viewed an exhibition curated by students, featuring objects from two different collections, including garments by Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, and Chanel, in the Archives and Special Collections at the William H. Hannon Library at LMU.
On Monday, workshops provided valuable hands-on learning, covering topics such as textile conservation, teaching costume history with VR, and understanding costume unions. The Awards Ceremony was followed by a highlight of the opening day: the keynote address by Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter and a special session she conducted exclusively for students. Although she participated virtually, her impact was undeniable. Through her warmth, wisdom, and masterful storytelling, she captivated the audience, creating an experience so engaging that it felt as if she were right there with us in person. Monday evening, a reception was hosted and sponsored by the Dean of LMU’s College of Communication & Fine Arts Bryant Keith Alexander.
A standout event was the fundraiser at Sony Pictures Studio, where guests enjoyed a glamorous evening featuring food by Wolfgang Puck and exclusive tours of the iconic television soundstage for Wheel of Fortune and a mock-up of the Seinfeld set. Attendees visited tables in our Marketplace, and the Cash & Carry and Silent Auction directed by Eileen Trestain and Lila Trestain yielded over $2,000.
On Thursday, two post-symposium tours took attendees to LACMA storage/Skirball Cultural Center Museum and ASU Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum/The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design, giving participants exclusive behind-the-scenes access to costume collections and textile arts.
Throughout the three days of the symposium, attendees engaged in plenary and concurrent research sessions, exploring the latest scholarship in dress history, design, and conservation. The Creative Works Exhibition showcased innovative projects, and members-to-members/ first-timers meet and greet garnered a record turnout. Symposium attendees shared insights and ideas with CSA leadership at a Town Hall meeting, ensuring that the organization continues to evolve and support the field in meaningful ways.
Abstracts of this 51st Annual Meeting and Symposium can be downloaded on the members-only site. We want to hear from you! Whether you attended this year’s symposium or not, please give us your thoughts by clicking here. Your feedback is valuable to us as we plan for the future.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors: Loyola Marymount University College of Communication and Fine Arts, the William H. Hannon Library, and Department of Theatre Arts; Sony Pictures; Silver Level Sponsors Bloomsbury Academic and DittoForm LLC Michigan; Bronze Level Sponsor Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum; 2025 Angels Project sponsors University Products, Talas, Gaylord Archival, Archival Methods, Testfabrics, and Terri Balogh; and Reception Sponsors Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard and Wine Country Gift Baskets. Thanks also to our marketplace participants and advertisers: Bloomsbury Academic, DittoForm LLC Michigan, Intellect Books, Meredith Strauss, University Products, The Way We Wore, and Dana Auctions.
Attendees also showed their individual support through sponsorships inspired by Los Angeles Neighborhoods. At the $200 Santa Monica Level: Lalon Alexander, Ann Braaten, and Lesley Heller. At the $100, Bel Air Level: Adam MacPharlain, Margaret Ordoñez, and Sarah Stevens. At the $50, Hollywood Level: Theresa Alexander, Tina Bates, Ann Braatan, Deborah Brothers, Judi Dawainis, Mary Gibson, Elise Yvonne Morin-Rousseau, Betsey Potter, Coleen Scott, Leigh Southward, and Ginger Stanciel. At the $25, The Valley Level: Nadia Abdallah, Courtney Anderson, Hilary Davidson, Melissa Gamble, Michaele Haynes, Alex Hoffman, Danielle Reaves, Arti Sandhu, and Sara Wilcox. At the $10, Venice Beach Level: Colleen Callahan, Margaret (Meg) Geiss-Mooney, Kim Jones, Knox Korte, Mansoureh Nikookar, Barbara Parent, Arlesa Shephard, Ann Wass, and Deborah Weber.
As we reflect on this incredible gathering, we extend our deepest gratitude to CSA’s Western Region for their hard work in organizing such a successful event, especially our fantastic co-chairs Abra Flores and Leon Wiebers. Their team included: Coleen Scott, Brenna Barks, and Sarah Andrews-Collier, Abstracts Administrators for Research Presentations, In-process Research Presentations, and Panel/Discussion Sessions; Naomi Arnst, Abstracts Administrator/Coordinator for Creative Works; Mary Gibson, Abstracts Administrator/Coordinator for Professional Development Workshops; Abstracts Editors: Judi Dawainis, Meghan Hansen, and Ann Wass; Angels Project: Martha Grimm and Margaret Ordoñez; First Timers/Member-to-Member Meet and Greet: Laura Camerlengo, Katie Baker Jones, and Monica Sklar; Student Meet and Greet: Adam MacPhàrlain; Scholars’ Roundtable: Jaleesa Reed and Ginger Stanciel; Tours: Paula Davis; Marketplace: Deborah Miller and Leon Wiebers; Silent Auction and Cash & Carry: Eileen Trestain; Fundraiser Event: Leon Wiebers; Social Media: Faith Cooper and Minjee Kim; Evaluations: Ann Wass; CSA Vice President for Symposia: Heidi Cochran; CSA Vice President for External Relations: Deborah Miller; CSA Executive Director: Kristen Miller Zohn; and CSA Database and Member Services Administrator and Registration Coordinator: Kate Ahn. Special thanks go to the more than 30 abstract reviewers who made our symposium possible.
Next Year’s Plans
Next year, our Southeastern Region will host the 52nd National Annual Meeting and Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 31 through June 4, 2026. Mark your calendars!
Images top row left to right:
Special marquee signage at the Fundraiser Event at Sony Pictures Studio; attendees watch Ruth E. Carter’s keynote address; Angels participants at the LAX Flight Path Museum; the 2025 Creative Work Honor winner Anne Bissonnette presents her garment
Images bottom row left to right:
Academy Museum Tour attendees; clockwise from bottom left: Monica Sklar, Kristian Hogans, Sha’Mira Deanne Covington, and Clarissa Esguerra; Carol Huls of Dittoform LLC Michigan; the huge crowd at the members-to-members/ first-timers meet and greet
