On Saturday I ventured into Norwich Castle to a room that is not normally open to the public for the new members tea for The Costume and Textile Association – an independent charity which was set up to promote the unique costume and textile collection of the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service.
Established in 1989 with a current membership of around 500. They put on events throughout the year – talk. exhibitions and tours around normally unseen areas of the museums in Norfolk. This year they are planning Great War Fashion (think Mr Selfridge) – a history wardrobe presentation, and as they are celebrating the 80’s with an afternoon of nostalgia of there 25 year history.
Until I went along I had no idea that such treasures were tucked away including original Horrocks Dresses along side books, and a wealth of information on the clothes we wore and the textile industry in Norwich.
When I was a kid growing up in Norfolk, Stranger’s Hall was one of my favourite places to go, and they used to have parts of the costume collection on show there. It’s such a shame there’s not a dedicated museum for it in the city.
I know it would be fabulous to have a proper museum that showcased the wonderful collections – especially since we have Norwich Fashion Week and such a big vintage community here – maybe one day!!