Margaret’s named sponsor of ASU FIDM Museum’s Adrian exhibition

Margaret’s the Couture Cleaner is backing ADRIAN: Designing Hollywood, Dressing America, which opens Aug. 28 at the ASU FIDM Museum in Los Angeles. The company also cleaned and preserved 11 historic Adrian garments for the show, underscoring the role conservation plays in keeping fashion history on view.

Why it matters: - The exhibition depends on specialized garment preservation to safely show rare couture and costume pieces. - Margaret’s work supports the display of historically important Adrian garments that help tell the story of Hollywood fashion and American design. - The collaboration links a Southern California preservation company with one of Los Angeles’ major fashion archives.

What happened: - Margaret’s the Couture Cleaner is a Contributing Sponsor of ADRIAN: Designing Hollywood, Dressing America. - The exhibition opens Aug. 28, 2026, at the ASU FIDM Museum in Los Angeles. - Margaret’s artisans provided cleaning, care and repair for 11 historic Adrian garments. - The treated pieces include gowns, dresses, tailored suits, men’s sport shirts and a coat.

The details: - Each garment received an individualized treatment based on age, materials, construction and design. - The exhibition focuses on Gilbert Adrian, who lived from 1903 to 1959. - Adrian was a Hollywood costume designer and American couturier whose work shaped Golden Age glamour and later influenced American fashion through his Beverly Hills couture house. - Adrian served as chief costume designer at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and designed costumes for more than 250 films. - Adrian helped shape the screen images of Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow and Norma Shearer. - Adrian’s credits included The Wizard of Oz. - The phrase “Gowns by Adrian” became linked with Hollywood glamour. - After MGM, Adrian opened a couture salon on North Beverly Drive. - Adrian’s design approach emphasized proportion, construction, color and drama. - Adrian’s work reflected modern-art influences including Cubism and artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. - The 11 garments in the preservation project reflect Adrian’s range, including fluid crepe dresses, tailored suits, sculptural outerwear and graphic sport shirts. - The exhibition includes more than 50 rare garments and accessories from the museum’s collection, plus loans from private collectors. - The exhibition runs Aug. 28-Dec. 12, 2026, at 919 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90015. - Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Margaret’s was founded in La Jolla in 1953. - Margaret’s serves private clients, collectors, designers, luxury retailers and cultural institutions. - Margaret’s provides specialized garment and textile care nationwide through CleanByMail®. - More information is available on Margaret’s website.

Between the lines: - The sponsorship gives Margaret’s a visible role in fashion preservation, not just a behind-the-scenes service contract. - The project highlights how conservation work can shape what museums are able to display and how long fragile garments can survive. - The exhibition also reinforces Adrian’s dual legacy in Hollywood costume design and American couture.

What’s next: - ADRIAN: Designing Hollywood, Dressing America opens Aug. 28 and remains on view through Dec. 12, 2026. - Margaret’s will continue serving cultural institutions and other clients with preservation work for delicate and irreplaceable textiles.

The bottom line: - Margaret’s is pairing its preservation expertise with a high-profile fashion exhibition built around one of Hollywood’s most influential designers.