Located in a colourful converted warehouse in Bermondsey Village, behind London Bridge station, the Fashion and Textile Museum is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of fashion and textile design.
Founded in 2003 by British designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum offers visitors a comprehensive insight into the world of fashion, showcasing both historical and contemporary pieces. The museum is an interesting excursion for anyone interested in fashion and its impact on art and culture.
The museum also hosts events including educational courses, talks and workshops.
![The colourful Fashion and Textile Museum was designed by Mexican architect, Ricardo Legorreta. (Photo: Ewan Munro [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fashion-and-textile-museum.jpg)
What to see at the Fashion and Textile Museum
The museum’s collection includes a variety of garments, textiles and accessories from 1947 to the present day. From vintage couture pieces to contemporary streetwear, the collection showcases the evolution of fashion over time, highlighting key trends, techniques and cultural influences. The collection includes iconic garments from renowned designers including Balenciaga, Biba, Christian Dior, Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood.
While it has its own collection, the museum does not have a permanent display and the visitor experience is centred around a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:
The Biba Story, 1964–1975
In the summer of 1963, fashion illustrator Barbara Hulanicki launched Biba, a mail-order company offering affordable fashion tailored to a new generation of young women. The Biba Story exhibition (until 8 September 2024) delves into the evolution of Biba, which transformed into a pioneering lifestyle label, revolutionising shopping habits and epitomising fashion trends in the 1960s and 1970s. This exhibition focuses on the period from 1964, with the opening of the first Biba boutique, to 1975, when the renowned Big Biba closed its doors. It showcases archival clothing pieces, original photographs, film and materials curated by Barbara Hulanicki herself.
Do a Ruby Keeler
During the 1960s and 1970s, the connection between fashion and film was notably evident in the resurgence of retro dressing. This exhibition (until 8 September 2024) delves into this relationship, showcasing costumes by Shirley Russell alongside outfits by Barbara Hulanicki, Janice Wainwright and Ossie Clark.
Visiting the Fashion and Textile Museum
The Fashion and Textile Museum is located behind London Bridge railway station in the fashionable Bermondsey Village neighbourhood.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday (it is closed on Mondays and Sundays).
Considering that it is a fairly small museum, the Fashion and Textile Museum is reasonably expensive to visit, although you can get half-price entry with the National Art Pass.
It is fully wheelchair accessible and large-print guides to the exhibitions are available at the entrance to the main gallery.
Visitor facilities include a gift shop. While the museum doesn’t have its own cafe, there are plenty of excellent independent restaurants and cafes in the area.
Allow 1–2 hours for your visit.
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