Telfair’s exhibition of Glenn Close costume collection blends Hollywood glamour, artistry, and Savannah’s own cinematic spirit.
Written by MARY CORNETTA
Photography by ANNA POWELL DENTON + SHANTI KNIGHT // Courtesy Indiana University’s Eskenazi Museum of Art
WHEN SAVANNAH RESIDENTS and visitors step into the Jepson Center this fall, they’ll be transported onto the silver screen. Not through film clips or behind-the-scenes photos, but through the very costumes worn by one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors. “The Art of the Character: Highlights from the Glenn Close Costume Collection” runs through Feb. 15, 2026, and offers an unprecedented look at the craftsmanship and textile storytelling that bring film characters to life.
For Savannah, a storied filming destination, the exhibition feels right at home. The Hostess City has welcomed countless productions, from “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and “Forrest Gump” to, more recently, Netflix’s “Sweet Magnolias.” With its blend of cinematic history, Southern charm, and creative energy, Savannah is the perfect stage for Close’s dazzling wardrobe collection.
These costumes were first exhibited at the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University (IU), where Telfair Museums’ executive director and CEO, David Brenneman, had previously served as director. It was his idea to ask IU to lend a selection to Telfair, as he knew it would also draw the attention and admiration of art enthusiasts here in Savannah. “They’re really quite amazing custom-made pieces,” Brenneman says. “It’s the reason she collected them in the first place, because they’re works of art in and of themselves.”
Close has long understood the power of costume to shape a character. “What a character wears has everything to do with who that character is,” Close said in a 2017 speech to IU students and faculty. This philosophy inspired her to begin preserving her costumes in the early 1980s, rather than see them sold or destroyed. Over time, her efforts grew into an archive of more than 800 ensembles, including jewelry, shoes, and accessories.
Now, more than 50 of these ensembles are on view in Savannah, representing the work of acclaimed designers such as Anthony Powell (“101 Dalmatians”), Ann Roth (“The Stepford Wives”), and James Acheson (“Dangerous Liaisons”). From elaborate period gowns to iconic villainous looks, the exhibition showcases not only Close’s career but also the incredible skill of the designers who brought these characters to life.
For Dr. Elyse Gerstenecker, Telfair’s curator of Decorative Arts, the exhibit offers a fresh way to connect audiences with the museum’s mission. “It is so exciting to have this unique entry point for Telfair Museums’ visitors to engage with textiles, craftsmanship, and — with some films — interpretations of history,” she says.
She encourages visitors to slow down and take in the details: the beading, the embroidery, even the subtle “mending” stitches on the costumes from “Sarah, Plain and Tall.” “I think visitors will be surprised at how deeply these costume designers think about these characters and some of the major differences between how the costumes appear in person versus on screen,” Gerstenecker adds.
With Glenn Close’s name attached, the exhibit promises to attract more than just art aficionados. Movie buffs and fashion lovers alike will find plenty to marvel at, whether it’s Cruella de Vil’s unforgettable spotted ensemble or the refined Rococo dress donned by Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil.
Close’s decision to preserve her costumes was not only an act of personal reflection but also a gift to future generations. “I benefited immeasurably from the hours spent in fitting rooms, at the center of collaborations between those who designed and those who built or bought,” she explained in her 2017 speech. “I have witnessed great artists at work and wanted to preserve their creations for others to learn from and admire.”
Gerstenecker admires Close’s foresight in collecting and preserving her costumes: “I certainly hope her work inspires other actors to follow her lead of preservation and collaboration.”
To complement the exhibit, Telfair Museums has scheduled a series of programs designed to delight audiences of all ages. Film screenings promise to bring the costumes to life on screen, including a holiday matinee of “101 Dalmatians” on Dec. 27 and a special showing of “Fatal Attraction” on Friday the 13th in February 2026. Talks, tours, and other themed events will be held throughout the exhibition’s run to further enrich the experience. Details and schedules can be found at telfair.org.
Gerstenecker hopes those who come for Close’s costumes will also explore Telfair’s other offerings. Film buffs might be excited to see still media in “A Decade of Collecting Photography: 2015–2025,” on view at the Jepson Center through Jan. 4, 2026, she said. Visitors who are intrigued by the craftsmanship of Close’s costumes and accessories might also enjoy “Craft Along the Coast,” on view at the Telfair Academy.
