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Out in the depths of W14 on a winding residential street between Shepherd’s Bush and Kensington Olympia is a vast imposing Edwardian building called Blythe House. Originally a Post Office Savings Bank (built between 1899 and 1903) it’s now shared between The British Museum, The Science Museum and The V&A – the latter’s newly refurbished space is about the same size as Harrods.
Now, the public can explore the V&A’s incredible archive – which dates back to 3,000BC and includes over 104,000 objects from mediaeval tapestries to 18th Century kimonos and ‘20s Schiaparelli hats (shoe hat, anyone?).
The V&A’s talented team of conservators are now based here and work their magic on reviving and repairing garments. As well as the enormous archives the size of football pitches housing everything from Asian textiles to contemporary fashion, there’s also a spacious, light-filled library and study area – all parquet floors and industrial tiled walls – where you can pore over the textiles you have chosen to study close-up.