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Research

General

The Textile Research Centre (TRC) now has a collection of over six thousand garments and accessories acquired over a 10 year period. These garments and textiles range in date from over sevend thousand years ago to yesterday. The collection includes outfits, clothing and accessories for men, women and children. It is seen as an inclusive, not exclusive, collection.

Because the TRC is primarily a research institute and not a traditional museum, we encourage the collection of modern traditional garments and not just items that are 'old.' The development of dress and identity does not stop at one particular date. To only collect and present old garments is to give a false image of any culture. Initially, it was decided to concentrate on Middle Eastern dress. However, as more and more students started to use the TRC's facilities it was agreed that we should expand the collection range to include the whole world, regardless of culture or chronological boundaries.

Over the years, the TRC thus has developed two main specialisations. First and foremost, it concentrates on Middle Eastern dress, its initial 'love.' More recently however, it is also focussing attention on Dutch Dress, based on the concept of "begin with yourself."
 

 

The Dutch Dress Collection

 "Begin with yourself" can be a frightening, but at the same time challenging concept. In order to look at the dress of other cultures it is essential to look at the dress worn here in north-western Europe, and more specially, in our case, in the Netherlands. At the end of 2006 the TRC decided that it should collect Dutch dress. But what is meant by Dutch dress?

Read more: The Dutch Dress Collection

   

Dress of the Islamic World Collection

This collection includes countries and cultures from Morocco to Central Asia: namely, the Islamic World. Garments and accessories in the TRC collection come from most countries and cultures within this broad geographical spread. However, the collection is particularly strong with respect to Egypt, Iran, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan and Zanzibar (especially kangas). It is also currently increasing its Palestinian and Turkish holdings.
 
A feature of this collection are the veils for women. These include a wide variety of face veils, head veils and complete body veils. The collection includes historical forms as well as modern fashionable items, and the 'latest' Saudi veils.

Read more: Dress of the Islamic World Collection

   

Technique Collection

Some years ago it was decided to build up a 'technique library' of textiles and related items. This 'library' includes fibre and textile samples, samplers, individual pieces of lace (in the widest sense of the word), a range of beads, related (albeit small) items of equipment (spindles and whorls, crochet hooks, lace bobbins and pillows, sewing needles), and so forth. This collection is necessary in order to have comparative materials and objects, which can be used to identify and understand fibres, spins forms, weaves, finishes, textiles, as well as various sewing and decorative techniques found on garments and accessories.

 

   

Please Note

The TRC collects textiles and objects related to dress, such as clothing and accessories (including footwear, headgear, jewellery, bags, walking sticks, etc), for men, women and children.

It does not collect textiles or objects such as soft furnishings (curtains, bed linen, cushions, etc), carpets, rugs, flat-weave mats, farm equipment made of cloth, etc. Nor can we accept large items of textile production equipment (looms, etc), due to the lack of suitable space.

If anyone has any suitable garments, accessories or textiles, which they no longer want and would be prepared to donate to the TRC, could they please contact the TRC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

   

TRC in a nutshell

Hogewoerd 164, 2311 HW Leiden. Tel. +31 (0)71 5134144 / +31 (0)6 28830428  info@trc-leiden.nl

Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 10.00-16.00 hrs, other days by appointment.

Exhibition, from 23 January until 29 August 2013: Beyond the Chador. Entrance is free, but donations are welcome !

Guided exhibition tour, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 14.00 - 15.30 hrs. Fees: €7.50

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnWorkshop on preparing fibres before the spinning process. WWnnnnnnnW

Financial gifts

The TRC is dependent on project support and individual donations. All of our work is being carried out by volunteers. To support the TRC activities, we therefore welcome your financial assistance: donations can be transferred to ING bank account number 2982359, in the name of the Textile Research Centre, Leiden. Since the TRC is officially recognised as a non-profit making cultural institution (ANBI), donations are tax deductible for 125% for individuals, and 150% for commercial companies. For more information, click here.