History of Fashion Search Guide

The Academy of Art University and AMICA Library Collections hosted in the LUNA digital image database contain hundreds of examples of historical fashion and costume images by painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, craftspeople, and fashion designers. These images directly support the Academy of Art University fashion curriculum and specifically the FSH 244: History of Fashion core course. Costume and fashion images offer an overview of the history of fashion, including ceremonial and everyday dress in Europe, China, Japan, and America. Many images are from the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum.

To view, print, or download images of historical costume and fashion visit the library's Digital Images Webpage and select LUNA Digital Image Collections. (You do not need to register with LUNA to view, print, or download images).

Select either the Academy of Art University or the Amica Library Collections.

Select "Advanced Search" to search for images by specific search fields.

Use the two-columned tables below to guide your advanced search. Select a search field from the drop-down menu in the "find this exact wording" field and type in a word or an artists' name. For example, select Work Type, begin typing "costume" in the "find this exact wording" field, and select search.

Sort options tool -
The results of an advanced or keyword search may be sorted. The sort options tool may only be used when one collection is selected at a time.

Up to four fields may be sorted. Use the dropdown menu to select the fields you want to sort and select sort.

Keyword searching -
Wildcard Search Help: The Academy of Art University and Amica Library Collections support wildcard searching, which can be done with an asterisk (*) in the keyword field. Combining the wildcard symbol with a word may broaden a search by including variations of that word. For example, searching for images that show "clothing" or "cloth" images can be done with the keyword "cloth*".

Public Media Groups -
Media Groups are groups of images that may be created by registered users and viewed publicly by anyone using LUNA. Slide shows and presentations may be created from Media Groups. (Any currently enrolled students and teachers may register with LUNA.)

Browse "Public Media Groups" to view groups of images that show examples of historical costume and fashion. Make sure that "All Collections" are selected.

Select Explore and then Media Groups

The "FSH 244" Media Groups reflect strong examples of historical costume and fashion by time period. Images are composed of paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and photographed costumes from various time periods. (Media Groups are alphabetized by title.)