LSU Textile and Costume Museum Unveils Vibrant Tapestry of Louisiana Fashion

Above: A ceremonial gown embellished with silver embroidery and dramatic shoulder detailing is displayed in the “Dressing Louisiana” exhibit. The gown, worn initially at a ball hosted by the Young Men Illinois Club, is accompanied by photographs and symbolic decorations highlighting the group’s legacy since its founding in 1926. Photo by Avery Williams

The LSU Textile and Costume Museum’s newest exhibit, “Dressing Louisiana: Histoires de la mode de la Louisiane,” opened to the public Oct. 5 in the Human Ecology building on the LSU campus.

“Dressing Louisiana” displays clothing and artifacts as vibrant as the lives of Louisiana natives. A wide variety of garments, from LSU athletics memorabilia to couture gowns, showcase the state’s diverse fashion culture. Louisiana fashion designers take the spotlight with featured displays for Ray Cole, Geoffrey Beene and Yvonne Lafleur.

Michael Mamp, the museum’s director and curator, said the museum focuses on bringing attention to the untold stories of American fashion, women fashion designers, Louisiana, and LSU histories.

The Young Men Illinois Club debutante ensemble on display captures one way the museum achieves its mission.

“You’ll see the Young Men Illinois Club, which is one of two historic black krewes in New Orleans,” Mamp said. “Founded in the late 19th century, it persists to this day as a way for there to be space for black debutantes to be presented to society. As far as I know, [this] is the first full ensemble of a Young Men Illinois Club queen in a museum collection ever.”

■ Avery Williams

Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference

Above: LSU College of Agriculture students attended the 2025 Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo provided by the LSU College of Agriculture

On Nov. 6-9, 20 LSU students represented the College of Agriculture at the 2025 Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, joining top agriculture students from across the nation for four days of professional development, industry engagement and leadership training. Through workshops, networking events and conversations with industry leaders, these students strengthened their career readiness and brought valuable insights back to campus.

■ Cole Guidry

FFAR Fellowship Empowers LSU Ph.D. Student to Bridge Science, Policy

Above: Diana Amaya, an FFAR Fellow and Ph.D. student in the LSU College of Agriculture, participates in a workshop during a meeting of the FFAR Fellows in August at North Carolina State University. Photo provided by the FFAR Fellows Program

Diana Amaya, a Ph.D. student in agricultural economics at LSU, is breaking new ground as the university’s first recipient of the prestigious FFAR Fellowship. The program from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research offers participants professional development and career guidance.

Amaya is part of a national cohort of 33 scholars selected for their potential to drive innovation in agriculture through interdisciplinary research and professional development. She is a Ph.D. student in agricultural economics who came to the program with a unique skillset — a background in food science and economics. She recently attended the first meeting with her cohort at North Carolina State University where she participated in workshops on various topics including self-assessment, networking and interpersonal communications.

The fellowship is a three-year program, and Amaya will attend cohort meetings in Washington, D.C.; Raleigh, North Carolina; and St. Louis, Missouri, and complete a professional development plan. ■ Tobie Blanchard