The Oklahoma State University College of Human Sciences is currently hosting “Couture in Cotton: Dresses from the 1955 Maid of Cotton,” an exhibit of gowns worn by Oklahoma A&M alumna De Lois Faulkner. The exhibit, located in the Gaylord Gallery in the north wing of the Human Sciences building, is open to the public during the following dates and times:
- Thursday, October 19 – 4-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 25 – 12-2:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 31 – 4-6 p.m.
About the Exhibit
While a senior at Oklahoma A&M College in 1955, De Lois Faulkner won the 1955 Maid of Cotton pageant and spent one year as a goodwill and fashion ambassador for the United States cotton industry. Famous couture designers created 45 to 50 high-fashion garments made of 100 percent cotton for Faulkner to wear as she made appearances in many cities in the United States, Europe, Canada and South America.
A native of Salisaw, Oklahoma, Faulkner is now 83 and living in Santa Barbara, California. She recently donated 13 gowns she wore as the 1955 Maid of Cotton to the OSU College of Human Sciences. The gowns are on display as part of the “Couture in Cotton” exhibit.
The Maid of Cotton pageant was sponsored by the cotton industry from 1939-1993. Many of the Maids of Cotton garments are now housed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., where the 1939-1993 Maid of Cotton collection is preserved.
The “Couture in Cotton” exhibit is presented by the OSU Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising and the Academic Programs and Services office in the OSU College of Human Sciences.
