Cassandra Greeley and Jocelyn Curran, interns for the Lasell College Fashion Collection, presented research on the institution's hand fan collection to the Fan Association of North America (FANA) in April.

Collections Manager Stephanie Hebert worked with the students to create an individual profile and catalogue record for each of 27 hand fans. The pieces range in age, with the earliest dating to 1845 and the newest to 1960.

"Jocelyn and Cassandra produced an impressive body of research and documentation," said Hebert. "I am very proud of the professional way in which they presented their scholarship and represented the Lasell community to the FANA assemblage."

Hebert described the exercise as "a prime example of Connected Learning in action."

According to Professor and Collection Curator Jill Carey, additional hand fans will be added to the growing collection this summer. In addition, the College will host "a team of experts from FANA" who will help with research and evaluation of each item.

Of Greeley and Curran's work, Carey applauded their inquiry process and findings.

"This took considerable research, patience, and a keen sense of fashion history," she said. 

Explore Greeley and Curran's work on the Lasell College Fashion Collection's online catalogue. 

  
Photos courtesy of the Lasell College Fashion Collection