DRESSED - Rome. Power. Fashion.

The special exhibition DRESSED – Rome Makes Fashion takes you on a journey into the fascinating world of ancient fashion.

What did people really wear 2,000 years ago?
How were the fine fabrics of the Roman world made?
And why was Emperor Augustus, of all people, considered the trendsetter of his time?

At the exhibition, you can not only see Roman fashion, but also experience it.

Get your hands on the materials yourself and take a close look at textile fibers under a microscope.
Discover original archaeological textile finds and see how clothing was made in ancient times.
Learn why fashion in ancient times was particularly sustainable and what we can learn from it today.
Slip into Roman garments and get a feel for what fashion was like 2,000 years ago.

In the exhibition, you'll also meet people dressed in Roman attire. They bring ancient fashion to life and are happy to pose for photos with you.

In ancient Rome, fashion was anything but superficial. It showed who you were, where you belonged, and what place you held in society.

With plenty of wit, surprising "aha" moments, and thought-provoking comparisons to the present day, the exhibition poses a question that remains relevant to this day:
What does fashion actually mean?

Come by and experience Roman fashion up close: Touch it, try it on, and explore.

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“DRESSED – Rome Makes Fashion” was developed by the Kalkriese Museum and Park in collaboration with students from the Department of Textile Design at the University of Osnabrück, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Bärbel Schmidt. The exhibition was first presented there in 2024.

The extraordinary exhibition architecture and scenography—which, with its clothing islands, displays, and shop-in-shop areas, is deliberately reminiscent of a modern department store—was designed by Cologne-based designer Ingo Plato of res d – Design und Architektur GmbH.