The Textile Research Centre in Leiden is a unique place. It is not a museum, yet they have a vast collection of 35.000 pieces of textiles from all around the world. The oldest of them dates from about 6.000 years ago, the newest ones probably produced in recent weeks. All of them described, most photographed and available in an online catalogue. There is also an impressive library on the subject consisting of 4.500 books. Also, many lectures, courses, and workshops on various aspects of textiles, dress and the TRC’s collection are offered in Dutch and English since they TRC’s legacy is internationally acclaimed and the courses attract participants from different countries around the globe, some of them museum and textile history professionals, some textile enthusiasts from unrelated professions.
Last Sunday the Textile Research Centre in Leiden opened its Gallery to the public to present pieces from their two recently acquired Eastern European Regional Dress collections. Both being donations from private collectors, one arrived from Arizona, US, the other from France. The exhibition will be on show till the end of May 2022 but check the website for opening hours! https://www.trc-leiden.nl/trc/index.php/en/
The Gallery is filled with beautiful patterns and colours, richly embroider shirts, dresses, caps, aprons, jackets, waistcoats and even socks! They originate from Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Albania, and Georgia. You are almost certain to find a piece or two here that you would love to take home and wear yourself. Obviously, you can’t do that, but you can get truly inspired and if thread and needle is your thing, you can get endless ideas how to make or perhaps alternate your own clothes.
The TRC has been awarded an Erasmus+ Accreditation in the field of adult education for the period of 2021-2027. Since the beginning in 1991 its founder and present director, Dr Gillian Vogelsnag-Eastwood wanted to run a knowledge centre rather than a museum and provide “education through research, presentation and inspiration”. Which means it is the only place on Earth I know where on request and in the presence of TRC staff, you can touch and physically feel objects from their collection. I was privileged to touch and feel an 18th century dress, probably French, a few months ago – a very powerful experience. This education format propagates knowledge and understanding of old, sometimes nearly forgotten textile techniques, promoting local crafts and sourcing clothes locally resulting in greater sustainability and awareness of how the textiles are related to national, religious, professional or any other identity.
It is not unusual for TRC to be approached by visitors bringing pieces of clothing found in the attics or in the old trunk asking for expertise, often discovering a story attached to the examined item. So, if you are in the possession of some interesting garments and not sure where they come from, bring them over to the TRC in Leiden. It is a very inclusive, open place, where everyone who loves dress history will feel immediately at home.
