Scout Archives

Home to an expansive collection of fashion pieces and textiles, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts is a great resource to explore (virtually for now). Though many collection pieces date back to the 17th-century, recently, the museum has focused on acquiring modern materials (from the 20th and 21st-centuries). PEM's collection has garnered significant recognition. In fact,...

Sometimes fashion choices are out of this world ... literally. This July 2019 piece from The Washington Post surveys five spacesuits over five decades of spaceflight, from Neil Armstrong's gear in 1969 to 21st-century apparel. The resource stands out for two reasons. First, the 3D data visualization operates similar to a virtual museum, creating realistic replicas for viewers to explore. Second,...

Drawing the line between appreciation and appropriation begins by understanding the dynamics of both power (colonialism and racism) and profit (capitalism). This episode of the Art of Citizenry Podcast provides important context and conversation surrounding cultural appropriation, guiding listeners to make conscious fashion and design choices. By definition, cultural appropriation is "the adoption...

London's Fashion and Textile Museum prides itself as "the only museum in the UK dedicated to showcasing contemporary fashion and textile design." Founded in 2003, the museum is home to a variety of exhibitions and events. Though the museum is currently closed, with plans to open soon (subject to COVID-19 guidelines), the organization added virtual elements in March 2020 to keep everyone...

Locating Queer Memories provides users with "a digital map of LGBTQ history in Barcelona, 1970-1980." Catalan-Canadian historian Ona Bantjes-Rafols created this project as part of a digital humanities course at Carleton University. In the project, she reflects on the "stories hidden in city streets," noting, as an example, the many times she passed the Rambla (a pedestrian street in central...