Contemporary fashion collections within museums and the role of the conservator

Austin, Emily (2014) Contemporary fashion collections within museums and the role of the conservator. [MPhil]

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Abstract

This project is an investigation into the current culture of collecting and exhibiting contemporary
fashion within museums, how this has increased in recent years and the impact this has on the role
of the conservator. A literature review reveals a number of key texts within fashion and dress
history, but very little written within conservation. Eight interviews were carried out with museum
curators and textile conservators from different UK institutions to highlight current attitudes and
practices relating to contemporary collecting and the conservators response. A number of issues
were highlighted from the study, including the importance of the retention of information through
detailed documentation of tangible and intangible aspects of the objects provenance and mainly the
issue of modern or unusual materials used for the designs. This includes the use of designer
interviews drawing on similarities with the recent research conducted on artist interviews.
In response to this, two case studies were carried out looking at the work of two young Scottish
designers. Each study focussed on one piece of contemporary fashion with the aim of highlighting
practical issues raised when documenting and analysing modern dress for collection within
museums.

Item Type:Masters Dissertation
Keywords:Textile conservation
Course:Postgraduate Courses > Textile Conservation [MPhil]
Degree Level:MPhil
College/School:College of Arts > School of Culture and Creative Arts > History of Art
ID Code:43
Deposited By: Mary Anne Meyering
Supervisor:
Supervisor
Email
Lennard, Professor Frances
UNSPECIFIED
Deposited On:04 Dec 2015 09:52
Last Modified:21 Feb 2017 11:15

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