Located in New York’s legendary East Village neighborhood, Dakota Transit was Andrea Aranow’s statement on what high fashion ought to be: fun, expressive, and bold. The store opened at the peak of the “Youthquake” of the 1960’s and fused elements of psychedelia and funk with a burgeoning proto-punk sensibility. Aranow became renowned for her use of suede, snakeskin, and leather, all stitched together in her signature patchwork style.

Between 1968 and 1973, Dakota Transit was in the avant-garde of a new, energetic movement in fashion, and the world took notice. Aranow’s garments were featured in major fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as counterculture publications such as Rags and the East Village Other. Her custom-made designs were sought after by New York socialites, artists, and some of the 20th century’s most well-known musicians including Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis.

For the first time in over 50 years, original garments from Tex tile Hive’s Dakota Transit Collection will be on view to the public within an immersive exhibit highlighting Aranow’s creative and playful designs. Never before seen photos, sketches, and other documents will be featured alongside her iconic designs to give the visitor a look behind the curtain of Aranow’s unique process. The exhibit will celebrate the origins of the store as well as its legacy in an unforgettable display of timeless style.

Dakota Transit was curated by Bryan Miller, the Special Collections Archivist at Textile Hive in Portland, Oregon. Having previously worked at several libraries and museums including Watzek Library, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Miller has a particular interest in historically overlooked materials of cultural and artistic significance, which informs his curatorial practice.