Late philanthropist Robin Shivers was known not only for her contributions to Austin, but also for her singular style. Now, through the donation of her clothes to the University of Texas, textiles and apparel students are seeing how to both dress uniquely and give back creatively.

The daughter-in-law of a former governor, Shivers was Texas royalty—and her clothing signaled it. Her wardrobe was full of designer pieces from Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and many others.

But as her friends say, Shivers was as comfortable in boxing gloves as in a ball gown. In her apparel and her interests, she broke the traditional rules.

The philanthropist chaired powerful boards, like the Seton Development Board. But she also boxed at a local gym and managed several bands.

She combined her passion for health care and music by helping found the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. HAAM has gone on to provide health care to thousands of uninsured artists.

Shivers’ story came to a heartbreaking end when she died suddenly in 2009, at age 53. But her life is an example of one well lived.

With the donation of Shivers’ clothing to UT’s School of Human Ecology, students are now examining that life—and style—up close.

And the lessons the undergrads are taking from the Shivers Collection, it turns out, apply to everyone wanting to live with passion and style.

Shivers’ husband, Allan “Bud” Shivers, donated around 40 pieces of her clothing to UT’s Historical Textiles and Apparel Collection, with the most recent batch arriving in October. Even her boxing gloves and boots were included.

Bud Shivers united his late wife’s collection with that of his mother, former Texas First Lady Marialice Shivers, creating a tangible history of the state’s most prominent women.

The undergraduate students have been working to preserve the Shivers garments. They’ve assessed, displayed, stored, organized, cataloged, and occasionally even repaired the pieces.

“You’d be in a master’s program anywhere else on this planet to get this kind of hands-on experience in a collection,” collection director and UT professor Kay Jay says.

The lessons the students absorb about clothing preservation are instructive for anyone who wants to hand down a wedding dress or other special garment.

Shivers kept her clothes in near-immaculate condition, so they will last many years. Except for the occasional heavy knit spaghetti-strap dress or top stretched by hanging, Jay says, little repair was needed.

Gravity, moisture, and heat are the enemies of preservationists. Don’t hang valued pieces of clothing, Jay tells her students; instead, store them in large archival boxes, making as few folds as possible. Separate layers with tissue paper, and avoid cedar trunks, plastic cleaner bags, and mothballs.

Then there are the lessons offered by Shivers’ eclectic style.

When Jay walked into her closet for the first time, she was amazed to see a gold chain-mail halter top hanging close to an elegant peach gown, and pearls kept not far from hot pants.

“This woman who wore these crazy, fun pieces also has a wardrobe of beautifully custom-tailored suits,” Jay says.

The common denominator between all the pieces in Shivers’ closet, she adds, was quality. The materials, cut, and construction were always excellent.

The final lessons the UT students are learning are less about clothing preservation or personal style than about harnessing passions to make a difference in the community, as Robin Shivers did.

One of Jay’s students, after learning about all the good work Shivers had managed to do, told her professor, “It just makes you want to get going!”

“Bud,” Jay has told Robin’s husband, “this gift will keep giving if it inspires people to get going.”