V&A Clothworkers' Centre Tours

The Clothworkers' Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion opens on October 8 2013. Part of the V&A's vast textiles collection is in stores at Blythe House at Olympia in west London. Items housed in the centre include including couture outfits by Yves Saint Lauren, Dior and Schiaparelli, as well as contemporary pieces by designers such as Gareth Pugh, alongside historical aretefacts such as enormous tapestries created for medieval European palaces. There are more than 104,000 oblects in storage, including lace, embroidery, table linen, tapestries and wall-hangings in the 100-metre-long main storage room, while other rooms are dedicated to hats, shoes and fans. Members of the public can join one of the monthly tours (for which booking is essential), or visit to research textiles for their own fashion or interiors projects. Entrance to the centre is by appointment only and tours run on the last Friday morning of each month (lasting 45 minutes). It's free to attend, but booking is essential. Email clothworkers@vam.ac.uk to reserve a place.