Westminster Menswear Archive

Groves, Andrew and Sprecher, Danielle 2024. Westminster Menswear Archive. Fashion Theory. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/1362704X.2024.2423585

TitleWestminster Menswear Archive
TypeJournal article
AuthorsGroves, Andrew and Sprecher, Danielle
Abstract

The Westminster Menswear Archive (WMA) was established in 2016 as a specialised teaching and research collection focused on menswear. Addressing the historical underrepresentation of menswear in fashion archives, the WMA has rapidly grown into a vital resource for both academic and industry research. This article explores the archive’s origins, collection strategy, and its pivotal role in supporting design education, research, and industry engagement. Through key acquisitions, including garments from designers like Alexander McQueen and Massimo Osti, the WMA highlights menswear's diverse evolution, from military uniforms to high fashion. The archive has also contributed to significant exhibitions, including Invisible Men (2019) and Umbro 100: Sportswear x Fashion (2024). This paper outlines the challenges the WMA faces, such as managing rapid collection growth and expanding digital access, while underscoring its critical role in shaping the future of menswear studies.

KeywordsWestminster Menswear Archive
menswear fashion history
designer menswear collection
fashion research archives
menswear exhibitions and design
JournalFashion Theory
ISSN1362-704X
Year2024
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/1362704X.2024.2423585
Web address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1362704X.2024.2423585?src=exp-la
Publication dates
Published online08 Nov 2024
ProjectLocating the absent shadow: exploring connections and encounters in British Menswear

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