The Fashion Museum was founded by Doris Langley Moore, a collector, costume designer and author who gave her collection to the city of Bath in 1963.
The museum is housed in Bath's 18th-century Assembly Rooms, and is home to a world-class collection of contemporary and historical dress.
Permanent collection
The 100,000 items in the museum date from the late 16th century to the present, including menswear and womenswear, dress for day and evening, alternative and contemporary fashion. Highlights include a sizeable group of embroidered waistcoats from 1742 and a collection of work by 20th-century British fashion designers, including pieces by Norman Hartnell.
The museum hosts a 'Dress of the Year' collection, including one dress selected every year since 1963 by an independent fashion expert. There is also a large and varied photograph collection, including the Sunday Times Fashion Archive and 19th century cartes de visite.
