Design is in the Details: A Journey from Toys

Kathy Dowd, Way Public Library's fashion historian-in-residence, invites you to hear about her fascinating four-decade career in design. She'll walk through her journey from creating toys at Fisher-Price to designing historically accurate clothing for museum displays and themed attractions. Through personal stories, you'll discover how careful attention to every detail—from fabric and construction methods to buttons and trims—brings historical periods to life authentically. This in-person program is geared toward adults interested in design, history, and craftsmanship. Kathy's work demonstrates the intersection of creativity and research, showing how meticulous study of original garments, photographs, diaries, and period documents informs her designs. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn from someone who's spent decades combining artistic skill with historical expertise. This event kicks off Kathy's residency at Way Public Library, where she'll be offering several programs on historical fashion throughout the fall and winter.