Art History Expert, Author, to Lecture on the Kimono at Florida Tech

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology will present two premier cultural events on campus as part of the university’s annual textiles celebration,
“Uncommon Threads,” Feb. 19 and 20. This year’s theme is “The Kimono.”

Japanese dress expert and essayist Annie Van Assche will present a complimentary evening lecture on Feb. 19. A luncheon symposium, kimono display and
discussion with Van Assche takes place on Feb. 20.

The Feb. 19 lecture, “The Kimono and Western Dress in the Early 20th Century: a Revolution in Fashion,” will be held at 7 p.m. in the Gleason Performing
Arts Center. Reservations are not required and free parking is available.

The lecture will highlight the infatuation with the kimono among Parisian fashion designers like Poiret, Vionett and Chanel in the early 20th century.
Literally writing the book on the kimono, Van Assche published Fashioning Kimono: Dress and Modernity in Early Twentieth-Century Japan.

The Feb. 20 luncheon symposium offers an opportunity for participants to meet Van Assche and hear her discuss the stunning kimono from Florida Tech’s own
collection, donated by Norma Canelas Roth. The nationally renowned collector and member of the Florida Arts Council gave 30 pieces of late 19th and early
20th century Japanese textiles to Florida Tech. This will be the first exhibit of many of these garments. A champagne reception, silent auction and gourmet
lunch will follow the discussion, which takes place at 10:30 a.m. All activities will take place in the Hartley Room.

For more information, or tickets to the Feb. 20 luncheon symposium, contact Tama Johnson at (321) 674-6152. Be forewarned, the luncheon tickets sell out
fast each year.