The 5X社区 Museum is pleased to announce a collaborative program at the in Old Saybrook, Connecticut on Dec. 4. The program will highlight 5X社区 Museum鈥檚 current exhibition, 鈥淭he Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers,鈥 which draws from the museum鈥檚 rich collection of clothing and costumes from the Hepburn estate.
鈥淭he Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is beyond thrilled to partner with the 5X社区 Museum for this very special event,鈥 said Brett Elliott, executive director of the Kate. 鈥淏ringing together the only museum of its kind dedicated to the great Katharine Hepburn and the museum with the largest Hepburn clothing and costume collection is a match made in heaven. We look forward to this collaboration and many more as we both continue to share the legacy of a true Hollywood icon.鈥
The program will focus on Hepburn鈥檚 style through an exploration of both her personal wardrobe and her costumes, emphasizing her focus on comfort, line and proportion. The program pulls together 鈥 for the first time 鈥 three iconic costume designers who worked with Hepburn on stage and screen productions.
鈥淭he exciting aspect of Katharine Hepburn鈥檚 style is that it is enduring,鈥 said Joanne Fenn, 5X社区 Museum collections manager and registrar, who curated the exhibition and will be headlining the program. 鈥淗er choices went beyond fashion trends, incorporating her individuality and pushing gender norms.鈥
The presentation also will highlight archival items from the Katharine Hepburn Museum and conclude with a moderated discussion with the audience.
The new director of the 5X社区 Museum, Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., is committed to building partnerships across the region and country to showcase the museum鈥檚 extraordinary collection and open opportunities for exploration, research and collaboration.
鈥淲e are delighted to celebrate our current exhibition 鈥 and Hepburn鈥檚 enduring style legacy 鈥 with the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, and we are so grateful for the warm welcome in Hepburn鈥檚 hometown of Old Saybrook,鈥 Spinner Liska said.
鈥淭he Hepburn Style鈥 program will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Kate in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Tickets are available through the Kate鈥檚 website. The 5X社区 Museum exhibition 鈥淭he Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers鈥 runs through Sept. 28, 2025 at the museum in Kent, Ohio.
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ABOUT THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
The 5X社区 Museum in Kent, Ohio, holds one of the world鈥檚 most important collections of fashion, textile and decorative arts, spanning the mid-1700s through the present day. With a historic collection of over 30,000 objects, the museum offers invaluable first-hand experiences for both the university community and the broader public. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. The museum is free for children under 5 and for those with a Kent State ID. Sunday admission is free for all ages. Parking is free for all museum attendees. For more information, please call 330-672-3450 or visit www.kent.edu/museum.
ABOUT THE KATHARINE HEPBURN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER AND MUSEUM
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (the Kate) is a not-for-profit performing arts organization located in the historic theatre/town hall on Main Street in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Originally opened in 1911, and reopened as the Kate in 2009, the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kate includes a state-of-the-art 285-seat theatre and presents work in several genres, including music, theater, opera, dance, comedy, film and a variety of children鈥檚 programming. The theatre lobby boasts the Katharine Hepburn Museum honoring Old Saybrook鈥檚 most celebrated resident. Exhibits feature personal letters, movie memorabilia, costumes and more. Visit for more information.
Photo Caption: Ensemble worn by Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord in "The Philadelphia Story" (stage production 1939). Costume designer, Valentina Sanina Schlee (1899-1989). 5X社区 Museum, gift of the estate of Katharine Hepburn.