“Some people need sequins—others don’t.” So quipped legendary costume designer Edith Head as press covered arrivals to the 1955 Academy Awards. In truth, no one needs sequins, which are definitively decorative. They have long been desired, or disparaged, but rarely considered in depth. This exhibition looks below the surface to explore the significant historical, social, cultural, technological, and environmental dimensions of sequins. Glamorous and tacky, luxe and disposable, feminine and fluid—these seemingly superficial elements embody tensions worth reflecting on.

Drawn from the Goldstein’s permanent collection, the installation includes more than 30 objects, featuring American designers like Roy Halston, Mollie Parnis, Bob Mackie, and BruceGlen alongside pieces from Mexico, China, South Korea, and Pakistan.

This exhibition is organized by Jean McElvain, curator, and Aidan O’Connor, director, Goldstein Museum of Design. Research support by Anuje Farhung, PhD candidate, College of Design.

Support for this exhibition is generously provided by the Kusske Design Initiative at the College of Design.

Listen to a sequin-inspired playlist specially curated for this exhibition by Radio K (KUOM), the University of Minnesota’s student-run radio station!

Find resources related to this exhibition here, compiled by UMN Libraries in partnership with the curators.

See press kit

Join GMD for free, public programs in conjunction with the exhibition Sequins: Flash and Substance. Details and registration available at z.umn.edu/gmd-events.

September 10 
Opening reception 
5:00 PM

October 2 
Coffee with the Curators 
10 AM

October 16–18
St. Paul Art Crawl
Extended gallery hours: Friday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, Saturday/Sunday 12:00–6:00 PM

November 5
Falcon Heights Neighbors Night
5:00 PM

November 12
Guest Speaker: Charlotte McCurdy on Algae Biosequins
6:00 PM
(registration requested)

November 19 
Sequins (and more) Mending Workshop with RETHINK 
5:30 PM
(registration requested)

December 1
Guest Speaker: Delina White on Sequins in Native Fashion
5:00 PM
(registration requested)