Woodmere Museum Launches Mary McFadden Clothing Library

The Philadelphia museum is allowing members to borrow rare garments from the late designer's historic fashion collection.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Fashion

Gouache-painted illustration of a sculptural pleated dress on a mannequin in a museum, representing a new historic clothing library program. — The Woodmere Museum in Philadelphia has introduced a lending library for members to borrow archived garments from the late designer Mary McFadden. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Woodmere Museum in Philadelphia has launched a clothing lending library featuring archived garments designed by the late Mary McFadden. The program allows members at designated levels to borrow pieces from the collection for special events.

Why it matters

The museum initiative aims to provide a new way for the public to interact with garments that are considered significant works of art. By enabling wear, the institution bridge the gap between archival preservation and personal experience.

The collection includes pieces from the archive of Mary McFadden, who died in 2024 at age 85 and served as the first female president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The museum maintains ownership of the garments as works of art.

The players

Mary McFadden

She was a renowned fashion designer who served as the first female president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Woodmere Museum

This Philadelphia art institution houses a significant collection of regional art and, currently, the McFadden fashion archive.

Drexel University

This Philadelphia-based university previously hosted the Mary McFadden clothing archive.

Pratt Institute

This private college of art and design in New York served as the temporary home for the McFadden collection before its move to Philadelphia.

The details

The archive moved to the Woodmere Museum in the summer of 2026 after previously being housed at the Pratt Institute and Drexel University. While the institution loans the clothing to members for events, it continues to classify the garments as art pieces.

1929: John McFadden's art collection opened at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
2024: Designer Mary McFadden passed away at age 85.
2024: The clothing collection was initially donated to Drexel University.
October 2025: The archive was moved from Drexel University to the Pratt Institute.
Summer 2026: The archive transferred from the Pratt Institute to the Woodmere Museum.

Culture Shift

The initiative follows the shift toward experiential engagement in museum curation by prioritizing direct member access over traditional static displays. This positions the institution as a leader in rethinking how the public interacts with historic fashion archives.

Members of the Woodmere Museum can now request specific pieces from the collection for use at special events. This program changes the traditional museum experience by allowing local residents to personally wear items that were previously kept exclusively behind glass.

The takeaway

This program offers a unique opportunity to interact with fashion history beyond the constraints of a standard gallery setting. Residents interested in participating should consult the museum's membership requirements to determine eligibility for borrowing pieces.