Couture Pattern Museum Celebrates 100th Birthday Tribute for James Galanos

The Couture Pattern Museum will present a tribute to legendary California fashion designer James Galanos with a fashion and culture exhibition in Santa Barbara on May 2 and June 6, 2024. Featuring museum-owned James Galanos dresses and the first-ever public display of original 1957 James Galanos patterns, along with their four reconstructed garments, this free exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the legacy of a fashion icon.

The Couture Pattern Museum’s landmark exhibition celebrates the 100th birthday anniversary of James Galanos, the legendary California fashion designer known for dressing Hollywood and political royalty such as Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, and Nancy Reagan. This tribute will feature two exclusive pop-up exhibitions on May 2 and June 6, 2024, during Santa Barbara’s 1st Thursday monthly Artwalks, making this collection accessible to the public.

Curated by Cara Austine, a local Santa Barbara artist, and couture seamstress, the exhibitions will showcase three rare and original James Galanos dresses from his Beverly Hills studio in the early to mid-1950s, including two identical dresses that are part of the prestigious MET and Philadelphia Museum of Art’s permanent collections. Additionally, the museum will unveil four reconstructed garments based on original 1957 Galanos patterns for McCall’s, marking the first public display of these pieces in history.