Fashion & Textile Museum Set To Open Its Doors In November

The Fashion and Textile Museum (FTM) in Bermondsey, founded by Zandra Rhodes, is being redeveloped by Newham College as an up to the minute education, exhibition and visitor centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery. The redevelopment of the centre is due for completion in November 2007 with the first public exhibition scheduled for February 2008.

New plans for the FTM include the creation of an Academy for Fashion, Textiles and Jewellery, putting the FTM firmly at the forefront of education and business support in the creative industries. It will also play a key role in a new National Skills Academy for the fashion, textiles and jewellery sector. A centralised, creative hub for resources and information, it will offer a wide range of services for both start-up and established businesses. Regular workshops and master classes, new apprenticeship programmes and foundation degrees will be on offer for those wishing to work in the fashion, textiles and jewellery industries and a schools support programme is being developed.

A permanent exhibition is to be created featuring important garments by Zandra Rhodes and other world-class designers. Alongside this, the FTM will play host to a programme of exhibitions throughout the year with public talks and workshops offering a further insight into the contemporary world of fashion.

The FTM is also looking to create an internationally renowned archive containing over 600 garments from the 1930s to the present day, along with a paper archive collection with over 4,000 pieces.

Other facilities will include a Fashion Cafe with WiFi access serving high quality refreshments and a retail area for designers and manufacturers to showcase exclusive fashion, textile and jewellery items.

The FTM is also available for venue hire. Designed by Mexican architect, Ricardo Legoretta, this striking building provides a unique and versatile venue for parties, product launches, press conferences and seminars.

For more information, visit Ftmlondon.org.