Heirlooms by Horne

On Friday, September 5, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 pm the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will feature a gallery talk in conjunction with the exhibition, Heirloom Fashion Designs by J. W. Robinson Horne which features the original fashion designs of this native Richmonder.

J. W. Robinson Horne was a mathematics/education major at Virginia Union University.  During Horne’s senior year at Virginia Union University, one of his assignments was to write a term paper.  The subject of the paper was to answer the question:  What would be your avocation?

Always a devotee of high fashion, he chose fashion design. His extensive research into the fashion business for the term paper (he received an “A”) reinforced this interest in fashion design. This motivated Mr. Horne to create collections like the famous New York and Paris designers.  Upon graduating from Virginia Union University, in 1950, he went to New York to enter design school. The first one he applied for was Trapagen School of Design.  When the interviewer saw his collections, she was amazed. Since the summer quota was already full, he was not admitted. Horne then applied at the Fashion Academy on Fifth Avenue where he met some opposition.  He was told, “You people do better in theatrical design!”  Despite this remark, he was finally admitted.

Robinson Horne returned to Richmond after one quarter of study to work for the Postal Service to earn money to return in the spring. A family crisis arose. Horne became the surrogate head of the family and never returned to New York to school.

This exhibition features 35 selected designs from his collections:  Fall Drama, Paris Inspired, University, Bridal, 1776, Couturier and Spring1950 Collections. Also featured are three designs from his “Carousel of Coats” Collection.  Mary Lauderdale, Museum Coordinator, served as curator of the first fashion exhibition at this museum.

“These designs are my heirlooms,” says Mr. Horne.

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