Art exhibit in Andalusia explores history of gloves in fashion

COVINGTON COUNTY, Ala. (WAKA) – An art exhibit in Covington County is exploring the history of a clothing item that isn’t worn nearly as much anymore: gloves.

“When The Gloves Came Off” is open at Cotton Street Gallery in Andalusia.

The exhibit takes visitors through history from present day back to the 1500’s, when gloves were officially introduced in women’s fashion.

“You wouldn’t normally find an exhibit like this in a small town in south Alabama,” says Joree Jones, a board member of Cotton Street Gallery. “You would have to normally go to Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville. And I think that to be able to curate this and have the quality of show that we have put together, is something I want more people to experience.”

While the exhibit focuses on women’s fashion, Jones says the exhibit has something for everyone, including men and children.

The rooms of the exhibit reflect different eras and include interviews, videos, and examples of clothes and gloves. It includes portraits of celebrities who have worn gloves, including Lady Gaga and the late Dolly Parton.

Organizers say the exhibit show the social habit of wearing them has evolved over the years.

“We started having cultural revolutions and ladies started rejecting the old rules,” says Dawn Thompson, the owner of Chantilly House. Thompson is an etiquette consultant, who teaches young students the do’s and don’t of table manners and more. “In the 1960’s women started tossing aside the old rules, and with that the hats, and then the high heels, and the dresses.

The exhibit is free and open to the public through the beginning of 2027.

The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.