From gowns to jewelry, Kent State University Museum’s latest exhibit is a celebration of all things that shimmer.
Titled “Sparkle,” the exhibition is a tribute to the late Aileen Mehle, a well-known columnist and friend of the museum founders. The exhibition opened July 18 and will run until August 23 in the Higbee Gallery. Curated by Sara Hume and Joanne Fenn, showcases evening dresses and jewelry worn by Mehle.
Known for her wit and glamorous image, Mehle spent decades covering the world of high fashion, celebrities and elite social circles. She wasn’t just writing about sparkle, she embodied it.
“She went to all sorts of events, and her life was one party after another,” Hume said. “We thought having her evening dresses that she wore at all of these parties would really epitomize the sort of lifestyle that she lived.”
The exhibit pulls from the museum’s extensive collection of garments and jewelry, many donated by Mehle herself. Each piece was chosen for its ability to catch light and draw attention to itself. Rather than focusing on a single designer or period, “Sparkle” mixes style from across decades to highlight how the fashion world has long used embellishment to show power, prestige and beauty.
“She donated a lot over a long period of time,” Hume said. “Some of her garments came into the collection in 1983, and some came in just before she passed away.”
Mehle, who wrote under the pen name “Suzy,” was one of the most popular columnists in the country during her time. Her connection to the fashion museum goes back to its founding, when she began donating garments to friends Shannon Rogers and Jerry Silverman, the museum’s co-founders.
“She was really connected to the New York fashion world that was instrumental in launching the museum’s collection,” Hume said.
The show features a range of evening wear, from sweeping gowns to bold jewelry. Each garment tells a story, often linked to a specific era or event in Mehle’s career. One notable dress in the exhibition is the gown Mehle wore to Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball in 1966.
“She was one of only a few journalists invited,” Hume said. “That dress is so iconic and said so much about her status in the world.”
Curator Fenn focused on the jewelry and accessories portion of the show. Mehle’s jewelry collection features designer pieces from names like David Webb, Tiffany and Bulgari, with many pieces never before displayed to the public.
“I was working with about 88 jewelry pieces and handbags,” Fenn said. “I wanted to highlight the designers and craftsmanship, but also Aileen’s personality, how bold and joyful she was.”
A standout piece is a pineapple-shaped pin designed by Jean Schlumberger, crafted with gemstones in yellow, green and gold tones. The pin is displayed alongside pieces by Paloma Picasso and Elsa Peretti, making this exhibit one of the rare times the museum has shown work by all three officially recognized Tiffany designers in the same case.
“We also have some of her handbags by Judith Leiber, which are just incredible,” Fenn said. “They’re playful, sparkly and so reflective of her personality.”
One of the most visually striking sections of the exhibit is a part that the curators call “the closet.” This installation gives a behind the scenes look at how Mehle may have stored her garments and accessories.
“We always have more than we can fit in the main gallery,” Hume said. “So this was a fun way to show more of the collection while giving it context. We have about 20 garments in there and then Judith Leiber bags, which are called minaudieres.”
“Sparkle” is a celebration of the museum itself. As it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the exhibition ties back to the people and collections that helped establish it. All pieces featured are a part of the museum’s permanent collection, giving visitors a chance to see the treasures housed in Kent.
Rachel McKean is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
