The Clothworkers' Centre for Textiles and Fashion Study and Conservation
Blythe House, Kensington Olympia
Based at Blythe House in Kensington Olympia, the new Centre will bring the V&A's extensive textiles and fashion collection together under one roof, providing appropriate storage to enhance the long-term care of the collection. At the heart of the project will be new and upgraded Conservation studios, a public Study Centre, and a Seminar Room, offering visitors and researchers increased access and improved facilities to study and enjoy this important collection. The original grand entrance to Blythe House - a Grade II Listed Building - will also be reinstated, making it fully accessible and welcoming for visitors. The Clothworkers' Centre will be the most important national and international centre for fashion and textiles.
To allow the collection to be carefully packed and moved, existing textiles and fashion stores and galleries will close from 21 February 2011 and access to the stored collection will be suspended. Please visit the Gallery Closures page for updates as the project progresses. The Clothworkers' Centre will open in 2013.
Design
The V&A has appointed Haworth Tompkins architects to design the Clothworkers' Centre at Blythe House. Recent projects include the refurbishment and expansion of The London Library, the creation of the new Sackler Building at the Royal College of Art, and the renovation and extension of the National Theatre Studio. For more see www.haworthtompkins.com
Donation
The Blythe House Textiles and Fashion development will be named 'The Clothworkers' Centre for Textiles and Fashion Study and Conservation' following a generous lead grant from the Clothworkers' Foundation.
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
MoreShop online
Threads of Feeling: The London Foundling Hospital's Textile Tokens 1740-1770
Threads of Feeling: The London Foundling Hospital's Textile Tokens 1740-1770
Buy nowEvent - A Proliferation of Pattern: Twentieth Century Textiles and Wallpapers 1920-2000
Thu 26 April 2012 14:00
COURSE: Study the history of 20th century pattern and explore exciting developments and innovations in modern design. Thursdays, 26 April – 5 July 2012 (Half term: 7 June 2012), 14.00–16.30
Book online
