A unique presentation as part of the ongoing Lecture Series at
JACK LONDON PARK
Jack London Park offers a glimpse into the style and lifestyle of Charmian London with a special event Wardrobe as Autobiography: The Charmian London Collection (1871-1955), a lecture presented by Professor Jo Ann Stabb, focusing on the Charmian London Costume Collection and its historical and aesthetic significance.
The Charmian London Collection includes over 240 clothing items related to her personal wardrobe, several pieces collected during her travels to Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Europe, plus some key garments/accessories that belonged to Jack London. These objects reflect Charmian’s life both during her marriage in 1905 to Jack London and after his death when she continued to promote his books and generate public interest in his life and work. Living during one of the most dramatic eras in history when women were establishing greater economic and political independence, Charmian London (1871-1955) personified the “New Woman” of the 20th century with newfound independence and a zest for adventure. She was one of the first in the San Francisco Bay Area to ride horseback astride, rather than sidesaddle, which was considered very daring for that era. She served as Jack’s “Mate Woman,” as he called her, and stenographer retyping his daily hand-written manuscripts, even while sailing together in their small boat that they sailed to Hawaii in 1905-07. She was also very artistic and purchased some lovely pieces during her European travels in the 1920s and 30s. Many stylish evening clothes and shoes attest to the fact that she continued to attend plays, concerts, operas and balls in San Francisco following Jack’s death. These diverse aspects of her life are clearly reflected in this historic wardrobe.
Jo Ann C. Stabb is Senior Lecturer Emerita with the University of California Davis, where she served on the Design faculty for 34 years (1968-2002), teaching courses in costume/fashion history and studio courses in contemporary fashion and textile design. Her personal design work focuses on one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces, which have helped to define this genre, while also curating exhibitions, lecturing nationally and internationally, and writing articles, and catalogs about contemporary art wear. She has served as an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Costume Society of America, a professional group of scholars, academics, theatrical and fashion designers and museum curators in the field; also the Board of Directors of the Textile Arts Council of the de Young Museum in San Francisco; as well as contributing to the Surface Design Association, Textile Society of America and American Craft Council.
Stabb’s interest and expertise in historic costume led to an invitation from the California State Parks staff to conduct an assessment of the Charmian Kittredge London Collection of historic clothing for the State of California. For this review, Stabb produced research documentation to verify and refine the existing catalog information regarding over 240 garment styles and accessories worn by Charmian London during her life, both while married to Jack London and following his death. Two large volumes of documentary information now clarify the collection pieces and how these fashions were worn for use by Park Docents and for displays at the Museum, also known as the ‘House of Happy Walls’ and ‘The Cottage’ at the ‘Beauty Ranch’, Jack London State Historic Park.
All historic images shown here are courtesy of the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
Note: Limited seating available. Event space reached by stairway, however, a live video feed is available on the first floor upon request. For more information about accessibility, please call (707) 938-5216
