White Attire: Nancy Hills’s Stunning Conclusion Honoring Fashion Legacy

Nancy Hills, a renowned designer and costume design professor at Utah State University’s Theatre Arts department, is marking the end of her journey at the university with an exhibition titled “Dressed in White.”

The exhibition, set to take place from March 18 to March 27 at the Tippets & Eccles Galleries, will feature a stunning collection of intricately crafted gowns spanning from the 1700s to 1954. This showcase is the result of a decade-long labor of love by Nancy Hills.

The inspiration for this project stemmed from Nancy’s study abroad experience in England, where she collaborated with fellow professor Darrin Brooks on a project called Big Hair, Big Chair. Through a series of events, Nancy connected with Althea Mackenzie, the curator of the Snowshill Manor Collection, and was granted access to Janet Arnold’s renowned dresses.

Over the years, Nancy continued to visit Althea, eventually bringing her students along for the experience. Her dedication to historical fashion led her to win the prestigious Janet Arnold Award, propelling her into the world of dress recreations.

With around 50 dresses in her collection, Nancy decided to curate a special “white show” to showcase the evolution of fabric patterns and style lines in historical fashion. This exhibition not only celebrates Nancy’s remarkable career but also offers a glimpse into the artistry of historic clothing.

To complement the exhibition, Nancy is also releasing a book featuring the first 25 dresses from her project, with Mary Bufton’s Wedding Gown gracing the cover as Nancy’s personal favorite.

As Nancy prepares to retire from Utah State University, she remains passionate about sharing her love for historic fashion with the world. The interim Department Head of Theatre Arts, Richie Call, expresses his gratitude for Nancy’s impact on the university community and looks forward to celebrating her legacy through the “Dressed in White” exhibition.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Nancy Hills’s extraordinary talent and dedication to historic fashion at the grand finale exhibition in the Tippets & Eccles Galleries. Admission is free and open to all.