The Annual Report 2011 for the TRC has just been completed and can be downloaded as a PDF-file. Click here.

The TRC object of the month is a bridal outfit from India. It has been selected and described by Angeliki Karakonstanti (TRC intern from Leiden University). It can be admired at the TRC for the whole of May 2012. The outfit consists of a red skirt (lehenga) with matching blouse (choli) and shawl (chunni). The skirt (lehenga) is ankle length and very full. The blouse (choli) has short sleeves and decorative buttons down the front. Both the skirt and blouse are made from heavy silk and lined with cotton. The shawl consists of a large rectangle of a fine, red gauze. All of the garments are decorated with heavy, hand embroidered patterns of zardozi (a special form of Indian embroidery).

Read more: Object of the month: May 2012. An Indian bridal outfit

Between 15-19 October of this year, the TRC will be running, for the second time this year, its five-day intensive course on textiles. It is being taught in English by Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, textile and dress historian and director of the TRC. The course is a mixture of theoretical and practical elements, with an emphasis on trying out the various techniques of textile production (spinning, dying, weaving), on holding and examining fibres, textiles and finished items, all in order to learn and understand what is happening and why various combinations take place. The aim is to make textiles less ‘frightening’ and allow people to look at a textile, from virtually any historical period or culture, and be able to understand it. Fees for the full course, including the use of materials, are € 500. The same course was taught between 14-18 May of this year, and before that in October 2011, with participants from China, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom and the US. For a short report by one of the participants of last year's cours, click here. The TRC accepts a maximum number of eight participants. For the October course, four participants have already booked, so there are still four places free. Those who are interested to participate in the October course are advised to register as soon as possible. For the full programme, see the 'read more' section.

For other workshops, click here

Read more: TRC intensive textile course, October 2012

Traditional lace cap with straw Sunday hat, from West-Friesland, The Netherlands. TRC Collection.

The concept of women’s head and hair covering, especially in the Islamic world, attracts a lot of attention in the media, but little is said about the actual and highly diverse ways with which women and girls from all religions and cultural backgrounds, both in the Netherlands and throughout the world, bedeck their heads and hair. The current TRC exhibition shows over fifty examples of traditional Dutch lace caps from the four corners of the country, and 101-plus modern and traditional ways of covering and decorating the head and hair, worldwide. There are individual items as well as complete outfits, all of which help to show how a well-decorated head is an important matter, both for the wearer and society.

In the exhibition it is possible to see many different forms of head and hair attire, including items made of beads, cloth, embroidery, feathers, furs, rainbow colours, shells, even human hair. Some of the items on display are elaborate constructions that simply make you wonder how they could ever be worn, let alone while walking or dancing.

The exhibition includes outfits and headgear kindly provided by various foreign embassies in The Hague.

Read more: Current exhibition: Cover your head! 30 January - 29 August 2012

Besides donations of articles for exhibitions and other activities, we always welcome financial contributions towards the work of the TRC. These can be made over via bank account ING 2982359, t.a.o. Stichting Textile Research Centre.

The TRC is an officially recognised non-profit organisation (a so-called ANBI under Dutch law), and since April 2012 it is also recognised, within the ANBI structure, as a Cultural Organisation (Culturele Instelling, CI). This means that financial gifts are tax deductible, and because the TRC is now a CI, the deductible sum may be as high as 125% for individuals, and 150% for firms. Regular contributions may even be more profitable. In that case the gifts should include a fixed annual amount given to the TRC for a mimimum of five years. For this purpose, please contact our solicitor: Roes en De Vries, Postbus 11290, 2301 EG Leiden. 071-5233636. 

You can also become a "Friend of the TRC". For this, please read the short passage below.