Callum finished his placement with us over the summer, but has written one more blog for us to share with you about the project.
He writes:
As we move into the summer months, this project begins to come to a close. I have had a fantastic time working in the archives at Bradford District Galleries and Museums, especially with this collection of garments.
I am massively grateful for all the time and effort that the team have put into helping to show me the ropes when it comes to archival work. Working with the Collections team and the Costume Society to improve the records for this particular archive has been a massive amount of fun.
I have thoroughly enjoyed learning all the systems and software used to create and compile object records, which have allowed me to learn more about the garments themselves, their history within the archives, and the people who have worked on them before me. As well as this, I have had the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day workings of museums and heritage sites which will be massively beneficial to my career moving forward.
Regarding the collection of garments itself. Unfortunately, I was not able to uncover all of the information about this collection and answer all of the questions I had about the garments’ origins, the details of the 1989 Food and Farming Year, or how exactly the designers themselves were selected. Through my research, I did have the opportunity to speak briefly with Arabella Pollen, one of the designers featured in the collection who happily fielded my questions and helped wherever she could.
Beginning this project, the thought of being unable to finish with a solid conclusion and the answers to all the questions would have felt like a sour note on which to end. however, having learned more about the people who have previously worked on this collection the history of the pieces and how they have been displayed in the past, I find myself excited about the unknowns remaining in the archives and the possibility of someone in the future getting to make a connection with the archives I have worked on and have it impact them as much as they impact the archive.
The knowledge and experiences I have gained through this project with Bradford District Museums and Galleries and the Costume Society are invaluable and have really given me insight into the industry in which I want to make a career and for that I am hugely thankful. I am excited to be finishing with a whole new set of skills to work on whatever project comes next!
