Consultancy
The Westminster Menswear Archive provides object-led research and specialist advice to designers, brands, archives and cultural organisations.
Drawing on original garments, printed material and archival sources, we help clients understand not only what was produced, but how menswear has been designed, manufactured, worn and given cultural meaning.
Our Expertise
Our collection of more than 3,000 garments and accessories supports research across more than 250 years of menswear. We have particular expertise in British menswear, sportswear, workwear, uniforms, technical and protective clothing, material innovation, subcultures and brand heritage.
What We Offer
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Research tailored to specific design, heritage or curatorial briefs.
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Garment and object selections based on material, construction, function or type.
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Historical, technical and cultural analysis.
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Research to inform product and collection development.
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Brand heritage and anniversary research.
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Archive reviews, collection development and knowledge-capture projects.
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Curatorial and research input for exhibitions, publications and digital projects.
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Research reports, presentations, workshops and annotated object selections.
How We Work
Every project begins with a discussion about the client’s objectives, timescale and required outputs. We then develop an agreed scope of work and quotation.
Consultancy can range from a focused research session to a longer-term partnership involving object research, archival investigation, interviews, analysis and the production of reports, presentations or workshops.
Unlike a standard research visit, consultancy includes preparation, research and interpretation undertaken by the Archive team in response to the client’s brief. Access to garments, reference photography, image licensing and garment hire are agreed separately where relevant.
Who We Work With
We work with fashion designers and product teams, brand heritage departments, private and institutional archives, museums, galleries, publishers, researchers and other cultural organisations.
Selected Projects
Fred Perry
A research partnership examining the people, decisions, sporting networks and collaborations that enabled Fred Perry to move beyond tennis and become culturally significant, ahead of the brand’s 75th anniversary.
Massimo Osti Studio
The Archive provided historical and contemporary research and written content to support the launch of Massimo Osti Studio in Paris in January 2024. The partnership also documented the brand’s development as it happened, resulting in the acquisition of 44 garments from its first year.
Umbro
For Umbro’s centenary, the Archive researched the brand’s material culture and collaborations from 1924 to 2024. This formed the basis of an exhibition curated by the Westminster Menswear Archive exploring Umbro’s pioneering role across sport, design and fashion. The project also resulted in the publication Umbro 100: Sportswear x Fashion.
Fees
Consultancy is a paid service. Fees are based on the scope of the project, the preparation and staff time required, access to objects and the agreed outputs. Following an initial discussion, we will provide a written proposal and quotation.
Income from consultancy supports the continued research, care, cataloguing and development of the collection.
Enquiries
To discuss a potential project, contact mensweararchive@westminster.ac.uk.
Please include a short description of your organisation, project, objectives, timescale and required outputs.