About this Event
In New York’s legendary East Village neighborhood, Dakota Transit was Andrea Aranow’s statement on what high fashion ought to be: fun, expressive, and bold. The store opened at the peak of the “Youthquake” of the 1960s, a significant movement in fashion history, and fused elements of psychedelia and funk with a burgeoning proto-punk sensibility. Aranow became renowned for using suede, snakeskin, and leather, all stitched together in her signature patchwork style.
Between 1968 and 1973, Dakota Transit was in the avant-garde of a new, energetic movement in fashion, and the world took notice. Top fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar featured Aranow’s garments alongside counterculture publications such as Rags and the East Village Other. New York socialites, artists, and some of the era's most prominent musicians, including Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, sought her custom-made designs.
For the first time in over fifty years, original garments from Textile Hive’s Dakota Transit Collection will be on view to the public. Fashion and art enthusiasts will encounter never-before-seen photos, sketches, and other documents alongside her iconic textile designs to give visitors insight into Aranow’s unique creative process. The exhibit will celebrate the store's origins and legacy in an unforgettable display of timeless style.
Dakota Transit was curated by Bryan Miller, the Special Collections Archivist at Textile Hive in Portland, Oregon. Having previously worked at several libraries and museums including Watzek Library, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Miller has a particular interest in historically overlooked materials of cultural and artistic significance, which informs his curatorial practice.
The exhibit opening is on October 1st from 6-9pm with live music.
Exhibit hours are from 12-4pm Thursdays and Fridays and from 12-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. Hours may be extended for special events like talks, workshops, and openings. Paid weekly tours will be given Saturday and Sunday mornings. Private tours can be arranged through our website.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Origins & Legacies Gallery by Textile Hive, 516 Northwest 14th Avenue, Portland, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 7.18
