SB Museum of Natural History and SB Historical Museum Collaborate on Fashion Fatale Exhibition
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, proudly presents Fashion Fatale: The Human Obsession with Feathers, a captivating new exhibition that explores the intersection of fashion, history, and conservation. Opened November 15, this thought-provoking exhibit invites visitors to delve into the world of fashion, while highlighting historic environmental impacts of the industry on bird species.
Fashion Fatale showcases a stunning array of specimens from the S.B. Museum of Natural History’s collections including such amazing species as the Superb Lyrebird, Lesser Bird of Paradise, and Green Kingfisher complimenting historical clothing and accessories from the Santa Barbara Historical Museum’s extensive collection. The exhibit emphasizes the importance of preserving avian species and historical textiles for future generations, while naturally raising thoughts of the urgent need for sustainability in the fashion industry today.
“We invite our guests to enjoy the amazing pieces our partners have provided for the exhibit as they explore impressions and opinions about both past and present fashion trends, and how our individual decisions affect the natural world,” shared SBMNH Director of Exhibits Melinda Morgan Stowell.
The exhibition blends fashion with environmental consciousness, creating a dialogue about the environmental cost of fashion and the need for sustainable practices. Through a carefully curated display, visitors will gain insight into the ways in which historical garments were made, cared for, and passed down through generations, offering valuable lessons for sustainability.
“We are pleased to collaborate on this wonderful exhibition that pairs artifacts from our extensive historical clothing and accessories collection with an important message about conservation,” said Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum Dacia Harwood. “We love how our friends at the Museum of Natural History are showcasing this important topic.”
Fashion Fatale is now open at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History through September 7, 2025, and is included in Museum admission. SBMNH Members are always admitted free.
