'Wow Factor' comes to Westlake Porter Public Library

A sampling of some of the clothing on display at the Western Reserve Historical Society. The exhibit is the topic of a March 22 program at Porter Library. Photo courtesy Western Reserve Historical Society

Westlake Porter Public Library will welcome a speaker from the Western Reserve Historical Society to discuss their exhibit, "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Collecting Bold Clothes," on Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m. The exhibit showcases 15 decades of fashionable, inspiring Clevelanders and their style. The presentation will highlight WRHS’s outstanding collection of show-stopping clothing and accessories made by Cleveland designers as well as international designers such as Christian Dior and Carolina Herrera.

"Wow Factor" tells the stories of inspiring Clevelanders who are immigrants, scholars, artists, athletes, philanthropists and CEOs. The exhibit includes over 100 garments, accessories, pieces of jewelry and works of art. The objects represent the quality and history of the costume and textile collection, which encompasses over 40,000 objects – some never before on view.

The WRHS costume and textile collection began during the 1930s after gifts from several of Cleveland’s prominent families. The current gallery, Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, was dedicated in 1986. The "Wow Factor" exhibit will be open through April 22. The program at Porter Library is free but space is limited. Please register by calling 44-871-2600 or go to www.westlakelibrary.org and click on the events calendar to register online.