Sunday, July 14: Calling All Fashionistas!

Sunday, July 14, the Franklin Historical Museum will be offering a conversation on bridal fashion with Karen “Ren” Antonowicz, a popular speaker and fashion expert who has presented at the museum before. Much of her presentation will refer to the large collection of bridal gowns on display at the museum through Aug. 4.

Antonowicz received her Master’s Degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design, with a concentration in Historic Costume & Textiles from the University of RI. She then taught History of Fashion and other courses full time at the college level for 13 years, and taught part time in the CE Program at the RI School of Design.

In the meantime, Ren and her husband, Mike, opened Nostalgia Antiques & Collectibles, a 3-floor co-op located on historic Wickenden St. in Providence, RI and ran the business for five years.

Ren continues to follow her passion for historic costume by conducting fashion era presentations, such as “The Fashions of Downton Abbey” at libraries, senior centers, schools, historical societies, and historic homes.

Spirits of Fashion was developed by Ren as a vehicle for conducting these various lectures and workshops on all eras of Fashion History.

The museum opens at 1 pm and the program begins at approximately 1:15. The museum closes at 4pm, allowing time to explore the displays after the formal presentation. The museum is located at 80 West Central Street. Admission is free but donations are encouraged.