Dress & Drinks: Fashion Study Collection at Columbia College Chicago
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific
FREE Webinar, Open to All

This month, CSA Dress & Drinks spotlights the Fashion Study Collection (FSC) at Columbia College Chicago—a vibrant, student-centered archive of over 6,000 garments that fosters fashion history studies, curatorial practice, and creative inquiry. Founded in 1989, the FSC is a cornerstone of Columbia’s Fashion Studies program, offering hands-on access to designer, historic, and global dress that fuels both scholarship and innovation.

Guiding us through this rich resource is Dr. Lauren Downing Peters, Associate Professor and Director & Curator of the FSC. Her research explores plus-size fashion, body politics, and sustainable fashion pedagogy, and she is passionate about empowering students to engage deeply with material culture.

The evening will feature two of Dr. Peters’ former student assistants, Sophia Klun (Class of 2025, now at the Chicago History Museum) and Isabella Long (Class of 2021, now at NYU in the Costume Studies program). They will each share a favorite piece from the collection and how it shaped their academic and creative journeys. We will close with a look ahead at the FSC’s evolving mission and curatorial vision.

Click here to register
Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event.
If you missed the deadline, email conversationsondress@costumesocietyamerica.com.

The Chicago Spark

A classic Windy City cocktail with a celebratory twist.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz brandy
• 0.5 oz triple sec
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• 1 oz Champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions
Shake brandy, triple sec, and bitters with ice. Strain into a coupe or flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Chicago Spark, Zero-Proof Edition

Ingredients

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3 dashes orange bitters (non-alcoholic)
• 3 oz non-alcoholic sparkling wine or prosecco
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions
Shake lemon juice and bitters with ice. Strain into a flute or coupe. Top with non-alcoholic sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist.

Images
Right and left: Fashion Study Collection, photos by Julie Lucas
Center: Dr. Lauren Downing Peters