The exhibition "Woven Into Words: Signs and Symbols in Dress" was designed to show how clothing is used for a tool of communication. The show took place in the Memorial Union Gallery from May 16 to June 7, 2001.

Clothing is a tool that is used to express something about ourselves to others. As a mode of communication, clothing holds several properties: it is a tangible thing, imparting social meaning and is an expressive medium, conveying particular ideas that cannot be otherwise articulated. Virtually all clothes serve to signify information about the wearer. This exhibit provided a look at clothing that conveyed information about the wearer to others. Items from the Emily P. Reynolds Costume Collection were featured.

The exhibit was designed and created by NDSU students participating in a seminar entitled "Exhibition Design and Development." The exhibition design team included the following students: Tonya Boyer, Kirsten Lien, Kelli Nieskens, Denae Oanes, Gwen Peterson, Angela Strasser, Rachel Strom, Tracy Toman and Kaydee Stanford. The design team was lead by Ann Braaten, senior lecturer and curator of the Emily P. Reynolds Costume Collection.

A complete look at "Woven Into Words: Signs and Symbols in Dress" is provided with this on-line exhibition. Objects are arranged into four groups and the on-line exhibition is grouped into these groups, "Signals", "Symbols", "Signs", and Universal Signs.