Kentucky Derby Museum introducing new fashion exhibit, and you could be on display

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A new exhibit is opening next summer at the Kentucky Derby Museum. The Kentucky Derby is known for its fashion. From hats to dresses and suits, it’s something people look forward to every year. Now, for its 150th anniversary, you could have the chance to have your looks displayed at the museum.That’s right, the Kentucky Derby Museum is holding a fashion contest. Members of the community are encouraged to submit and show off their apparel from past years. If you are selected, your piece will be displayed in the brand-new Kentucky Derby Fashion exhibit.Jessica Whitehead, the curator of collections at the museum, hopes this will become a “look book” into the fashion of past Derbies.“This is something that we’ve seen in historic photography all the way back to the beginning, and so this is a way to sort of bring that to life and to make it very real, very tangible, and very visible,” Whitehead said.Not only that, but items that tell the history and stories of Derby fashion.“So, think of the thousands of stories that are out there- that are attached to these physical items that people have brought or worn to this property for 150 years,” Whitehead said.The museum is known for showcasing the history of the Kentucky Derby. Katrina Helmer, the communications director at the Kentucky Derby Museum, said this decision was a no-brainer for her.“How cool is that! To then have your piece on display in an exhibit in a museum that is iconic… and to have hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world get to see your outfit,” Helmer said.These outfits are not just for “today’s” looks. The museum is encouraging people to submit pieces that may have been worn in the 1970s and earlier.From perfectly planned to the silly outfits we know and love, they are looking for it all. Although right now it is temporary, the museum has plans to make it into a permanent exhibit.“This is the perfect way to say, “What an iconic year!” let’s bring it all together for everyone,” Helmer said.Everyone is limited to entering up to two pieces online. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2023.To submit an entry, click here.

A new exhibit is opening next summer at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

The Kentucky Derby is known for its fashion. From hats to dresses and suits, it’s something people look forward to every year. Now, for its 150th anniversary, you could have the chance to have your looks displayed at the museum.

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That’s right, the Kentucky Derby Museum is holding a fashion contest.

Members of the community are encouraged to submit and show off their apparel from past years. If you are selected, your piece will be displayed in the brand-new Kentucky Derby Fashion exhibit.

Jessica Whitehead, the curator of collections at the museum, hopes this will become a “look book” into the fashion of past Derbies.

“This is something that we’ve seen in historic photography all the way back to the beginning, and so this is a way to sort of bring that to life and to make it very real, very tangible, and very visible,” Whitehead said.

Not only that, but items that tell the history and stories of Derby fashion.

“So, think of the thousands of stories that are out there- that are attached to these physical items that people have brought or worn to this property for 150 years,” Whitehead said.

The museum is known for showcasing the history of the Kentucky Derby.

Katrina Helmer, the communications director at the Kentucky Derby Museum, said this decision was a no-brainer for her.

“How cool is that! To then have your piece on display in an exhibit in a museum that is iconic… and to have hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world get to see your outfit,” Helmer said.

These outfits are not just for “today’s” looks. The museum is encouraging people to submit pieces that may have been worn in the 1970s and earlier.

From perfectly planned to the silly outfits we know and love, they are looking for it all. Although right now it is temporary, the museum has plans to make it into a permanent exhibit.

“This is the perfect way to say, “What an iconic year!” let’s bring it all together for everyone,” Helmer said.

Everyone is limited to entering up to two pieces online. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2023.

To submit an entry, click here.