High Fashion on the Riverway

Before returning to New York, I was fortunate enough to spend a year living in Florida. With the cold weather approaching, I like to think back to my time in the sunshine state. Although schoolwork consumed most of my time, every Friday, I would go on a road trip and discover local hidden gems. One of my favorite trips was when I drove to Jacksonville to visit the Cummer Museum. Housing one of the finest art collections and landscaped with two beautiful 2.5-acre gardens, the Cummer Museum is definitely a hidden gem.

When first entering the museum, I was introduced to the permanent art collection housing over 5,000 works spanning from 2100 BC through the 21st century. Artwork was organized by region and time period of origin making it easier for visitors to navigate through the museum. After looking though the permanent collection,  I discovered a special exhibition displaying designer fashion and photography. Naturally, I made it my mission to check it out. The Icons of Style: Fashion Makers, Models, and Images exhibition housed professional fashion photography from Vogue magazine, designer gowns worn by celebrities and princesses, and sketches from designers such as Chanel. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, this exhibition celebrated the interconnected roles of fashion designers, models, and photographers. 

After admiring the collection, the Florida sunshine greeted me as I left the building to visit the museum’s  gardens. I was standing in front of the St. John River surrounded by the most vibrant and expressive landscapes that I have ever seen. The beauty of the scenery was surpassed by the view of the majestic Cummer Oak canopying over the gardens 150 feet from the ground. Once I finished walking through the gardens, I made my way to the cafe to get a bite to eat before returning back to Jacksonville. 

My trip to the Cummer Museum resulted in one of my favorite memories from the sunshine state and I hope I get the opportunity to visit soon! Learn more about the Cummer Museum, HERE.

Baci,

Bianca Ida

Posted By: recycledrosesguide · In: LIFESTYLE