52nd Annual National Symposium

Re-Cycles of Dress: Costume Society of America’s 52nd Annual National Meeting and Symposium

May 31 - June 4, 2026

Our 2026 symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina will be an in-depth examination of the various cyclical facets of dress and textile history. The concepts of reuse, remake, and recycle have long been integral to the history of clothing, reflecting humanity's ingenuity and resourcefulness. Since ancient times, textiles have been repurposed due to the high cost of materials and labor. In recent decades, the rise of the fast fashion industry has led to a surge in textile waste, prompting a renewed focus on sustainability. Movements like upcycling, where old clothes are creatively transformed into new pieces, and the increasing popularity of second-hand shopping, highlight a modern shift towards more sustainable practices in the clothing industry, emphasizing the enduring importance of reuse, remake, and recycle.


Charlotte, with its rich textile heritage, thriving fashion scene, and innovative textile recycling industry, is the perfect location for Re-Cycles of Dress. This theme provides a dynamic interpretive framework to examine the complex histories of textiles and dress, and the fact that diverse communities that make them often have their techniques, patterns, and innovations usurped.  The symposium will feature a broad range of presentations, workshops, and exhibitions that will center the myriad cultural influences, artists, and narratives that have shaped dress history and inspire current design trends. Showcasing the unique cyclical nature of design trends, histories of remaking/reusing garments and textiles, the process of creating circular economies, and global practices of recycling textiles throughout history, the symposium will offer a unique fusion of topics past and present. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the city's historical mills, modern design studios, and modern textile processing centers that provide insights into the evolution of the creative and industrial organizations in the region.

  • Schedule

    A complete schedule will be available in early 2026, and the following is subject to change:

    • The Angels Project will take place before the symposium begins, date TBD. 
    • On Sunday, May 31, pre-symposium tours will be offered, and we also have suggestions for things to do and see around town. The National Board of Directors will hold a meeting that evening. 
    • The morning of Monday, June 1 will begin with professional development sessions. The Cash & Carry/Silent Auction and Marketplace will open during lunch, and the first concurrent sessions and plenary sessions will be held in the afternoon, as will the members-to-members and first-timers meet and greet. The awards ceremony, keynote address, and opening reception will take place that evening.
    • The Cash & Carry/Silent Auction and Marketplace will be open again on Tuesday, June 2, with check-out for the Silent Auction taking place in the evening. Plenaries and concurrent sessions will also happen on Tuesday, in addition to the Creative Works Exhibition and In-Progress Poster viewing and presentations. A fundraiser event for CSA will be held that evening.
    • The morning of Wednesday, June 3 will begin with our annual meeting and town hall. Plenaries and the final concurrent session will be held. After wrapping up in the late afternoon, the Board will hold its first meeting with the new leadership. 
    • Post-symposium tours will be offered on Thursday, June 4. 

  • Location and Lodging

    The Hilton Charlotte University Place 

    8629 JM Keynes Drive

    Charlotte, NC 28262

    704.547.7444


    The symposium will take place in the meeting rooms of The Hilton Charlotte University Place, a lakefront hotel located near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It offers comfortable guest rooms with amenities such as free parking, complimentary WiFi, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. Guests can enjoy dining at the Edgewater Bar and Grille, which specializes in seafood and steaks, or grab a Starbucks coffee from the lobby café. Conveniently located, the hotel is 15 miles from Charlotte Douglas Airport. It also provides a complimentary local shuttle service within a five-mile radius on weekdays.


    Group rates are available for the nights of Sunday, May 31 through Wednesday, June 3 based on availability. CSA’s group room rate is $159 per night, and guests have the choice of either 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds. This rate is subject to applicable taxes in effect at the time of check out. 


    Group rates are available for the nights of Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4 based on availability. CSA’s group room rate is $159 per night, and guests have the choice of either 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds. This rate is subject to applicable taxes in effect at the time of check out. 


    Reservations must be made by May 13, 2026 (subject to availability) by calling 1 800 HILTONS, anytime of day, or they can call 704-547-7444, Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and ask to speak with our in-house reservations department. You will need to give them the booking code “AMS,” to the operator. You can also book online by clicking here. Please note: any reservations made after May 13, 2026, are subject to availability and at prevailing room rates. 


    WHY WE ASK YOU TO STAY AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL

    In order to secure meeting rooms for the conference, our agreement with the hotel includes contracted room nights. If the minimum is not met, CSA must pay for unused room nights. Please help us make the conference financially viable by staying at the conference hotel. 


  • Call for Submissions

    The Call for Submissions will be published in the summer of 2025.

    Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Annual Meeting and Symposium in Los Angeles!

    To read a full account of the festivities, click here. 

    Questions?

    Send an email

    symposium@costumesocietyamerica.com