Allie models a design by Eliza Lesser ’20 at the 2018 CFC runway show.
Allie Malakoff ’20 has worked as a research assistant in the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection since the fall of her freshman year in 2016. She is majoring in Fashion Design Management and looks forward to working in the fashion industry. She is a member of Delta Gamma and has modeled for her sorority sister Eliza Lesser ’20 in the Cornell Fashion Collective runway show. We asked Allie about her experience working in the collection, and this is what she had to say:
Over the past four years, what CF+TC project did you find most rewarding?
The project I found the most fulfilling was the research for my independent study this semester, which resulted in two blog posts: The Perfectly Imperfect Circle and The Progression of the Bra. This project focused on topics, garments and companies close to my heart and allowed me to dive further into the history of my grandpa’s business. It was a very interesting project for me.
Deciding what to keep and what to deaccession was one of Allie’s most challenging projects.
Allie Malakoff ’20 speaks about the Arnold Scaasi dress she selected for the 2018 exhibition “TEXTURE.”
What project challenged you the most?
The biggest challenge I faced during my last four years was the deaccessioning of garments — a project I worked on for two semesters. Determining deaccessions challenged me to look beyond the surface level beauty of the garment to understand its historical relevance and purpose in the collection. Some pieces we had to deaccession were beautiful but didn’t meet other criteria for staying in the collection. It was difficult to determine.
What is your favorite piece in the collection?
My favorite piece in the collection is an Arnold Scaasi dress my grandmother donated to the collection. It was so special for her to donate because she knew how much the collection meant to me. Our family now has a lasting legacy in the collection even after I graduate this month.
What has been your favorite exhibition over the past four years?
My favorite exhibit over the past four years was TEXTURE. This exhibit featured pieces picked out each member of the collection. It was a fun, vibrant exhibit that everyone worked hard to curate.
“Crispy and Crinkly” vitrine in TEXTURE exhibition (August – October 2018). Allie selected the Arnold Scaasi gown (far right) for inclusion in the exhibit.
How do you think your experience working in the collection shaped your college years and how has it prepared you for the future?
My experience shaped my college years because it allowed me to fuller immerse myself into the FSAD major. I was able to work closely with clothing, admiring the art and history behind the garments. As a Fashion Design Management major, we tend to have less interaction with physical garments, so this enhanced my knowledge and forced me to strengthen my attention to detail. Working as a research assistant over my four years has prepared me for my future as it gave me greater knowledge of designer history and garment construction. It also allowed me to strengthen my time management skills and I fostered great professional relationships with Professor Green and our collection manager Helen McLallen.