European Fashion Heritage Association

Summary

The European Fashion Heritage Association unites over forty-five institutions spanning fourteen European countries, forming the world’s largest network dedicated to fashion heritage. This association serves as a vital platform for collaboration, fostering connections among museums, archives, universities, and industry experts who share a commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich history of European fashion. Through this network, the European Fashion Heritage Association bridges cultural and academic boundaries, enabling the exchange of ideas and the promotion of best practices that highlight the diverse and profound contributions of European fashion to global culture.

Central to the European Fashion Heritage Association’s body of work is the development and maintenance of a comprehensive digital repository that stands as the most extensive archive of fashion heritage worldwide. This digital collection captures the essence of Europe’s sartorial history, showcasing iconic designs, techniques, and stories that reflect the continent’s artistic and cultural evolution. By providing open access to these resources, the European Fashion Heritage Association not only preserves fashion’s legacy but also empowers educators, scholars, designers, and the public to draw inspiration from the past and contribute to a more informed and creative future in fashion.

History

The European Fashion Heritage Association was established in 2014 following a project co-funded by the European Commission, in which both public and private archives and museums across Europe collaborated and shared online the rich heritage of their historical clothing and accessories, contemporary designs, catwalk photographs, drawings, sketches, magazines, catalogues and videos.

Since then, the Association has grown attracting more than 45 European fashion institutions, from small private museums to large national institutions, coming from 14 European countries, united in the objective to unlock and give free access to the unique fashion heritage of Europe. Today, the association has become an international hub, in which fashion galleries, libraries, archives, museums, fashion brands, researchers and creatives can share their experiences and practices in the field of digitisation, co-creation and valorisation of fashion heritage resources, contributing to the digital transformation in the sector and supporting the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage in the field of textile and fashion.

The Association operates also in the broader landscape of the European digital cultural heritage, contributing as the fashion thematic aggregator to Europeana, Europe’s platform for cultural heritage funded by the European Commission that brings together and gives access to millions of digital heritage objects coming from cultural institutions all across Europe, and it is also an active member of Culture Action Europe and of the European Heritage Alliance, and is an official partner of the New European Bauhaus.

Vision

The European Fashion Heritage Association envisions a future where the rich tapestry of Europe’s fashion history is preserved, celebrated, and made accessible to all. Central to this vision is the commitment to safeguarding the cultural and artistic legacy of European fashion, ensuring that its stories, textile techniques, and designs are not only remembered but used as a foundation for future creativity and innovation. The European Fashion Heritage Association strives to create a bridge between the past and the present, showcasing how heritage can inspire modern fashion while fostering a deeper appreciation for the industry’s historical roots.

Beyond preservation, the European Fashion Heritage Association’s vision emphasizes inclusivity and knowledge-sharing, making European fashion heritage an open resource for educators, fashion designers, historians, and the public. By promoting collaborations and partnerships with museums, academic institutions, and fashion houses, the association aims to build a dynamic network that connects people with the vast archive of European fashion history. This vision aspires to ignite inspiration and drive contemporary fashion forward, honoring tradition while propelling the industry into a future defined by creativity and respect for its origins.

Mission Statement

The European Fashion Heritage Association is dedicated to preserving, showcasing, and democratising access to Europe’s rich fashion heritage. Its mission is to collect, digitize, and share valuable fashion archives from across the continent, ensuring that these cultural treasures are accessible to everyone, from historians and educators to designers and the public. By curating a comprehensive digital repository, the European Fashion Heritage Association aims to foster a deeper understanding of Europe’s fashion history and its ongoing impact on the global fashion industry.

At the heart of the European Fashion Heritage Association’s mission is collaboration and community building. The association partners with museums, cultural institutions, fashion houses, and universities to bridge the gap between historical knowledge and contemporary fashion innovation. This mission is driven by the belief that by preserving and celebrating fashion’s past, the industry can create a more informed, inspired, and sustainable future. Through these efforts, the European Fashion Heritage Association seeks to keep Europe’s fashion legacy alive, empowering current and future generations to draw on its lessons and influences.

Services

The European Fashion Heritage Association has cultivated a network of fashion heritage institutions, fostering an engaged and collaborative community that spans professionals, scholars, and fashion enthusiasts. This network, which has grown to include over forty-five member institutions since its inception in 2014, embodies the association’s dedication to uniting diverse voices and expertise within the field.

Through this vibrant coalition, the European Fashion Heritage Association has strengthened the connections among museums, archives, academic bodies, and industry leaders, creating a platform for sharing knowledge, resources, and innovative ideas that celebrate and preserve Europe’s fashion legacy.

At the core of the European Fashion Heritage Association’s achievements is the creation and curation of the largest and richest digital fashion heritage repository. This comprehensive digital archive is a vital asset, encapsulating centuries of fashion history, design evolution, and cultural narratives. The association recognizes that to sustain and amplify the value of these resources, continuous nurturing and valorization are essential.

By maintaining and enriching this repository, the European Fashion Heritage Association not only preserves the past but also provides an invaluable tool for research, education, and creative inspiration, ensuring that the legacy of European fashion remains relevant and influential for future generations.

Awards and Recognition

The European Fashion Heritage Association is recognised as an accredited aggregator for Europeana. It serves more than 45 cultural heritage institutions contributing content from 15 European countries.

References

• Official website European Fashion Heritage Association
• One fabric, many wonders European Fashion Heritage Association
• Meeting Fashion Heritage: The Hunt Museum European Fashion Heritage Association
• Cinzia Ruggeri: the Body, the Dress and the Stage European Fashion Heritage Association
• Costumes of the Asia Minor Catastrophe refugees European Fashion Heritage Association
• Duchess of Savoy Fancy Dress European Fashion Heritage Association
• Cinzia Ruggeri and Valeria Magli – Performing Fashion European Fashion Heritage Association
• Reflecting on ‘Wordings’ – EFHA2022 Conference European Fashion Heritage Association
• LinkedIn profile of European Fashion Heritage Association LinkedIn
• Facebook profile of European Fashion Heritage Association Facebook
• Twitter profile of European Fashion Heritage Association Twitter
• Instagram profile of European Fashion Heritage Association Instagram