The idea
I would like to open a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company (CIC) Fashion history museum with an accompanying research library.
The museum and library will showcase pieces from my vast historical costume collections, fashion history books and ephemera. All have been acquired through my vintage clothing business.
There will be a permanent, growing display within the space, which will focus on present and past fashion houses of Malvern and surrounding areas. I plan to run an oral histories project and invite people to share their experiences of working or visiting these shops with the aim of preserving these memories in audio form and into a book.
I plan to hold 3 yearly exhibitions on different fashion history themes, along with associated talks and workshops. I would like to hold a regular cinema club, showing fashion films.
I will be running a volunteer program for people of all ages; from Year 10 and Sixth Form work experience, University placements through to adults.
What we'll deliver
- A place to preserve fashion and social history for the future and for visitors to enjoy
- A safe and inclusive space for people of ages to volunteer and feel valued in
- Work with schools, sixth forms, universities to encourage learning about fashion and social history
- Work with care homes to provide a nostalgic experience for their residents
- Provide a place to visit, enjoy and reminisce of days gone by without having to pay to enter.
- The museum and library will provide valuable resources and experiences, which is not available outside of London or Bath
- Increase tourism to Malvern
Why it's a great idea
There are very few places near Malvern, where visitors can access large collections of historical fashion resources. I do not think other than the V&A, London or the Fashion Museum, Bath that there are any fashion history Libraries. This will be a huge asset not only to Malvern and surrounding areas, but also nationally and internationally by visiting in person or via our website.
I have worked in conjunction with Malvern charity shops over the last five years, to save many vintage clothes going straight in to rag bags. This has saved many important items from going to landfill and lost forever.
The volunteer programme I plan to run will be invaluable to the running of the museum and I hope to encourage people of all ages, genders and abilities to get involved with the museum.
The museum will be a welcoming, safe space for all to visit, stay for long as one needs to, chat, reminisce, share stories and memories with like-minded folk.
We will increase visitors to Malvern.
Steps to get it done
- Setting up the Museum and Library
- Setting up a calendar of exhibitions, workshops, talks and lectures
- Setting up a volunteer programe
- Opening the museum and library for everyone to visit
- Setting up a website
