Join us on this unique opportunity to visit to the Collections Resources Centre alongside fellow Costume Society members; the home of Leicestershire County Council’s fashion collection and the internationally famous Symington Collection of corsetry, foundation garments and swimwear. The focus of which will be women’s dress, undress and accessories from the 1920s.
Join us at The Collections Resources Centre, 31-33 Hayhill, Leicestershire LE12 8LD on Saturday 3rd June 2023 from 11.30am -3.30pm. for a private viewing of garments from the collections including day and evening wear, accessories, foundation garments and underwear. In a session led by Sarah Nicol (Curator, Engaging Collections) Alison Clague (Senior Curator) and Philip Warren (Collections and Learning Manager and Chair of the Costume Society) you will be able to study in detail the garments that made up the wardrobe of the ‘thoroughly modern’ fashionable women of the 1920s.
If you are passionate about the 1920s or love visiting museum collections then this is a visit for you! In two groups you will have the opportunity to look at, and talk to the curators about, both day and evening wear and accessories and then underwear and foundation garments and some of the advertising from the Symington Collection. Highlights of the collection include jersey suits, embroidered and beaded evening dresses, swimwear and sportswear as well as the bust flatteners, corselets and ‘health belts’ and other shape-making underwear that made the fashionable slender ‘garconne’ silhouette a possibility.
Ticket price: Places are limited to 16. Members £20
Please note: The Collections Resources Centre has no disabled access to the first floor, which is where part of the visit will take place. There will be long periods of standing viewing the collections so please bear this in mind when you consider purchasing a ticket.
Sileby Station, which is the nearest station has no disabled access and has steep steps from the platforms. The Collections Centre is a 25 minute walk from the station.
Tea and coffee will be served on arrival but there is no provision for lunch, and there is nowhere to buy lunch near the Collections centre, so please bring a packed lunch if you wish to eat during the break at around 1.15pm.
Please see these additional details on joining and travel advice.
To become a member and join us for this exciting event please do see our membership pages.
This is part of the Society’s work to give its members opportunities to view collections which would normally only be available by appointment. If you have any questions about this event please do let us know.
