Hubert de Givenchy was the youngest of all haute couture designers. He began designing in 1952 and was renown for his innovative design. Givenchy was well known for his use of bold colors and patterns, striking silhouettes and unique accessories. He was famous for imaginative patterns and fresh colors. Audrey Hepburn was one of his clients; he designed her wardrobe in “Sabrina” and her legendary dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Read more

One of the best-known men’s shirt brands is Arrow, which is part of Cluett, Peabody & Co. Arrow started with Hannah Lord Montague, who invented a detachable collar for a man’s shirt in 1885. The innovation allowed a man to have a crisp collar without having to wash his shirt daily. Illustrator J.C. Leyendecker popularized the brand by creating the Arrow Collar Man. This fashion icon essentially became the male counterpart to the Gibson Girl. In the 1920s, shirts became more casual and started to deviate from the detachable collar, favoring a collar that was connected to the shirt. Read more

As a staff member at the Valentine Richmond History Center, I have heard stories of how this institution has uniquely offered a place where local African American children could explore the 400-year history of Richmond.  In its 114 years of operation, the History Center has consistently included African American themes in its educational programs.  An integral part of the organization’s mission is to chronicle the contributions of African Americans to the ongoing growth and success of the Richmond region. Read more

There is something quite magical about black and white photographs. The History Center’s new exhibit Into Focus: Henrico County Through the Camera celebrates Henrico County’s 400^th anniversary with a really fantastic set of images belonging to both the museum and the county. Read more