Polyester, Pattern, and Perms

Fashion from the 1960s and 70s in the Collection of the Ontario Jewish Archives

On view: Lipa Green Building on Sherman Campus
4600 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario

While looking through the thousands of photographs in the collections of the Ontario Jewish Archives, the OJA staff often find themselves marveling at the fashion and hair-styles donned by the people in the photos. In this exhibition featuring photos from the 1960s through the 1970s, one can track the cultural shift from the more conservatively dressed 60s woman in a hat or up-do to the post-feminism 70s gal in bell-bottoms or slinky polyester.

Whether documenting a community meeting or a formal fundraising gala, these photographs provide more than just a record of the activities of the Jewish community. They also reflect the cultural and social history of the period, revealing a wide range of insights on gender roles, class politics, and fashion and lifestyle trends. 

Click images to enlarge