This month we were determined to offer you, our lovely readers, as well as our photographer, John Dolan, the opportunity to have a glimpse into a truly amazing space that we recently stumbled acros such was our excitment at seeing it! This treasure trove is the state-of-the-art storage facility at The Leeds Museum Discovery Centre, which houses and cares for all the city’s collections and our charming tour guide is the Curator of Costume Textile, Natalie Raw.
Hi Natalie! Curator of Costume Textiles sounds a very grand title! Can you tell us a little bit more about your job please?
I look after the collection for Leeds Museums and Galleries, which involves all sorts of things. I think lots of people know that curators, put on exhibitions. My current exhibition , Fashion Revolution, is on at Lotherton Hall, and shows lots of fantastic British designed fashions from the 1960s and 1970s. However, exhibitions is not all I do; most of my job involves working behind the scenes with the collection in store, at the Discovery Centre. I do all sorts of things from making sure the collection is cared for so future generations can enjoy and learn from it, to doing a bit shopping to build up and enhance the collection further. I am currently commissioning a one off couture hat from the designer Philip Treacy, which is very exciting.
It must be amazing having access to such an aladdin’s cave at the Discovery Centre everyday. Can you share with us one of your favourite treasures?
We have over 15 000 pieces in the costume and textile collection, so I have lots different favourite pieces. The things that do get me excited are neat stitches. I know this is a bit geeky but the beautiful hand stitching on 18th century men’s linen shirts is just so pleasing.
What have you done lately to quench your thirst for all things creative and cultural?
I have just been on a trip to Berlin, which was for work, but as with lots of things with my job it was fun too. I went over to see an exhibition of quilts, which are all made using a particularly inlaid technique. I went to see the exhibition partly because one of our pieces from the Leeds collection is included in it but also because we are bringing the exhibition over to Leeds Art Gallery, in the autumn of 2010. The pieces on show were all stunning and I am extremely pleased that we are going to be showing textiles in the Art Gallery
A little birdie tells us you are pretty darn handy with a sewing needle yourself! Care to share?
I have always enjoyed sewing and making things, since I was little. When I get the chance then my thing, at the moment, is making bags. I like to work with printed cottons mixed up with a bit of tweed. I am just about to do a craft fair at Bolton Museum, so I am hoping some of the public will like my bags too.
What are your top must see/do recommendations to our readers?
Obviously Fashion Revolution – British Style of the 1960s and 1970s, at Lotherton Hall! And, of course, the Discovery Centre, as that is where the costume and textile collection is stored. People are more than welcome to come and see the collection, and all they need to do is get in contact with us on 0113 214 1548, to arrange an appointment.
For making things then the best shop ever is Duttons for Buttons, in York, and for bag making U-handbag
Image Credit: John Dolan © Discovery Centre
About the photographer: John Dolan (John FotoHouse on Flickr.com) has taught Art & Design for over 25 years but has had a passion for all types of photography in the past few years with the advent of reliable digital cameras. His latest project which is coming to an end is a 365 day self-portrait project which can be seen here: 365 days. The rest of John’s photographs can be seen here on Flickr: John FotoHouse.