Circus Costume Info Repository
Resources, Links, Videos, Patterns, and More!
Project Purpose
Welcome to the Circus Costume Info repository. This resource was established in Spring 2021 by PhD Candidate Jenny Leigh Du Puis as part of her dissertation research studies on the safety and function of attire for the extreme physical performance of circus arts. Finding a large gap in published information relating to the phenomena of circus costume, Jenny Leigh developed this site to meet a need within academia, industry, and community, intending for it to act as a resource for information on circus costume. The pages will include links to exhibitions and events, reading list recommendations, audiovisual media, and more. The site will be updated as more projects become active and research outcomes are completed.
Exhibitions & Guest Lectures
A digital exhibition of circus costume and its influence on fashion, co-curated by Jenny Leigh Du Puis and Chisato Yamakawa. Launched in February 2021 and hosted via the Cornell University Library's Spotlight platform. Featuring items from the circus community, Cornell archival collections, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Archives.
A digital and physical exhibition on the history and labor of circus costume installed in February 2022 on level T of the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Funded in part by the department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design and the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection.
Glitz, Glamour, and Grit: Exploring the History of Female Aerial Circus Costume
Invited Guest Lecture on the history of female aerial circus costume as part of the New Perspectives on Women and Historic Circus speaker series produced by The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, April 29, 2021.
This presentation, part of The Ringling's New Perspectives on Women & the Historic Circus series, explores the costumes of female aerialists from the late 1800s to the present day. From aesthetics to functional considerations for movement, these garments require special attention to detail and are designed to complement the performance. From corsets and crinolines to leotards and Lycra, aerial costumes have evolved considerably while maintaining the glamour and prestige of the performance. Circus costume designer and researcher Jenny Leigh Du Puis provides a tour through the wardrobe of female aerialists past and present.
Questions?
Contact jennyleighdupuis@gmail.com for more information on the project