06/25/2026
I can’t believe it’s been a year since I went up to Cooperstown for a costume mounting project at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum ! The curator wanted a custom pose to depict Ichiro Suzuki, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, and is known for tipping his helmet to the crowd. The different uniform elements displayed on the mannequin were worn by Suzuki at various notable baseball games. I was able to achieve this pose by heavily customizing a specially ordered Dorfman form (thanks Chad!), and I used reference photos to mimic Suzuki’s physique and determine how he wore each element - down to the prop black mock neck undershirt with short sleeves! The mannequin is a focal point in the exhibition YAKYU | BASEBALL: The Transpacific Exchange of the Game, which explores the exchange of baseball between Japan and the United States. Suzuki himself visited, and was photographed with his custom mannequin - which featured on the cover of the museum’s member magazine!
I love when my costume mounting practice allows me to work with subjects and museums that one wouldn’t necessarily associate with “costume.” (Although according to staff, the baseball players can be pretty chic and fashionable when off the field!) Just goes to show that clothing really is a part of every and any story. It’s an extra bonus when I get to work in a place as lovely and charming Cooperstown, and with an exceptionally kind and talented staff, too!
Swipe to see some process photos and the talented Nicole Retzler who brought me in for this project, built the bat mount and acted as pose model! And of course while at the museum I had to visit the display of my home team, the Minnesota Twins!
Installation photos courtesy of Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
