Helen Delich Bentley was a former congresswoman, journalist for The Baltimore Sun, fierce advocate for the Baltimore port — and now a fashion icon.

An exhibit of four of Bentley's dresses and a dozen of her hats went on display at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on Friday, the same day that private and public memorial services were held for the former congresswoman, who died Aug. 6 at the age of 92.

Some of the items on view include a Jeanette Beck ivory brocade cocktail dress with matching coat from around 1960; a Pauline Trigere moss green and lavender mottled dress from around the same era; and a deep-brimmed hat covered with multicolored feathers from the 1970s and bearing the Adolfo Saks Fifth Avenue label.

The display will also feature photos of Bentley wearing the items being exhibited.

The exhibit, which is being curated by museum volunteer Debbie Farthing, runs through April 30 at the museum, 1415 Key Highway.

— Mary Carole McCauley