A new exhibition of Baltic Sea region resort fashion has opened at the Pärnu Museum and runs until August 30.
Resort fashion started to develop in bathing places of late 18th century France and England. A necessity for light and athletic clothing emerged from the development of resorts and the changing traditions and lifestyles. The first resort collections or cruise collections were developed by Jean Patou, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli during the 1920s.
Resort fashion in Baltic states developed in the context of common European trends until the end of WWII. Communism and Soviet culture and politics influenced and controlled all aspects of life, including fashion.
Fashion can provide fascinating evidence of historical ideas, events, prejudices and achievements and articulates ideals which society valued at a certain point in time, as well as dreams, hopes, expectations, and people’s views on beauty.
The exposition “Resort Fashion” introduces resort fashion and accessories from the end of the 19th century until the 1990s. The stocks of Jurmala- and Pärnu Museums and private clothing collection of Ainars Radovics are used in the exposition.
Pärnu Museum´s permanent exhibition is also open during summer time.
It provides an overview of 11,000 years of history in Pärnu County through exhibits and displays that introduce the life and conditions of the various eras. The main exhibit shows local developments from Neolithic times right up to the late 1980s, and includes a mini-cinema showing archival films. The institution’s pride and joy is the so-called ‘Stone Age Madonna’. At around 8,000 years old, it is the oldest known human-shaped sculpture in the Baltic Sea area. Other star attractions include a fragment of a 14th-century merchant ship and a glass floor that lets you look down onto archaeological remnants of one of the town’s historic gates.
Ticket price for permanent exhibition:
– adult: 4€
– children: free
– pupils: 2€
– 2 adults + 2 children: 10€
– concession (ISIC card, pensionners, students) : 3€
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6:30pm
