Cornell University Library Exhibit Explores Intersections of Clothing, Labor, and Climate Change
Cornell University Library has launched a new exhibit titled 'Weathering the Storm: The Role of Labor in an Era of Climate Change.' This exhibit delves into the critical intersection of the environment, labor, and workwear, particularly as climate change intensifies. It highlights how the clothing worn by workers in various sectors, such as factories, farms, and construction sites, becomes a matter of survival. The exhibit features materials from the library’s Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, including historical photographs, environmental reports, and work clothing like the red bandana, which has served as a symbol of solidarity in U.S. labor history. Additionally, garments and accessories from the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection (CF+TC), selected by students, are on display, illustrating how workwear has been adapted for luxury.
