The museum world: Career skills and training for jobs in textile and clothing historic collections

Since the turn of the 20th century, textiles and clothing historic (TCH) collections have inspired designers, helped teach textiles and clothing history classes, and enhanced our understanding of history and different cultures (Queen & Berger, 2007; Sauro, 2009; Marcketti, Fitzpatrick, Keist, & Kadolph, 2011). Recently, museums have begun to hold blockbuster fashion exhibits to increase foot traffic, fundraise, and reach a more diverse audience (Anderson, 2000). In light of this trend and the highly competitive museum field, it is necessary to explore the skills and knowledge that make professionals working in these specific collections successful. Thus, the purpose of this research was to understand the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in TCH collections, where professionals learned those skills and gained that knowledge, how professionals\u27 schooling and formal training prepared them for their careers, how professionals network, and their career paths. Ten TCH collection professionals were interviewed and an internet survey was distributed to the members of Costume Society of America. Both interview and survey results indicated that knowledge of textiles and clothing, museum practices, and liberal arts were crucial to success. Skills emphasized included knowledge of textiles and clothing history, knowledge of textile science, object handling, cataloguing, and having a broad liberal arts background. Professionals advised students to intern extensively, attend conferences, and be very patient when applying for jobs

The museum world: Career skills and training for jobs in textile and clothing historic collections

Since the turn of the 20th century, textiles and clothing historic (TCH) collections have inspired designers, helped teach textiles and clothing history classes, and enhanced our understanding of history and different cultures (Queen & Berger, 2007; Sauro, 2009; Marcketti, Fitzpatrick, Keist, & Kadolph, 2011). Recently, museums have begun to hold blockbuster fashion exhibits to increase foot traffic, fundraise, and reach a more diverse audience (Anderson, 2000). In light of this trend and the highly competitive museum field, it is necessary to explore the skills and knowledge that make professionals working in these specific collections successful. Thus, the purpose of this research was to understand the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in TCH collections, where professionals learned those skills and gained that knowledge, how professionals' schooling and formal training prepared them for their careers, how professionals network, and their career paths. Ten TCH collection professionals were interviewed and an internet survey was distributed to the members of Costume Society of America. Both interview and survey results indicated that knowledge of textiles and clothing, museum practices, and liberal arts were crucial to success. Skills emphasized included knowledge of textiles and clothing history, knowledge of textile science, object handling, cataloguing, and having a broad liberal arts background. Professionals advised students to intern extensively, attend conferences, and be very patient when applying for jobs.</p

Comparative Advantage of the United States and South Korea in Manmade Textiles

This study focused on manmade textiles, including technologically advanced textiles, because this product category has been (a) a growing sector and (b) traditionally produced by companies in developed (e.g., the US) and newly developed (e.g., South Korea) countries.This proceeding is from 68th Annual Conference of the International Textile and Apparel Association (2011): pp. 1-2. Posted with permission.</p

Fashion industry professionals’ viewpoints on creative traits and, strategies for creativity development

Through in-depth interviews, the study explored fashion industry professionals’ viewpoints, on creativity, focusing on traits of creative people and how creativity can be developed. Four creative, traits were identified, including different thought processes, determination, having an open mind, and, risk taking. About one-third of participants believed that creativity is innate, and therefore, some, people were born creative whereas others were not. Another third of participants maintained that, everyone has some creative potential that can be further developed. The remaining fashion, professionals distinguished artistic creativity from creative problem solving. Suggested strategies for, creativity enhancement and development included (1) practicing creative thinking strategies, (2), formal training, (3) diverse experiences and exposure to the world; and (4) creating a safe, yet, challenging environment.This article is published as Karpova, E., Marcketti, S., Kamm, C., Fashion industry professionals’ viewpoints on creative traits and, strategies for creativity development. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 10(2013); 159-167. DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2013.09.001. Posted with permission. </p