Gjirokastër Museum, Albania
UNESCO Conservation Project
A UNESCO project managed by The Gjirokastër Conservation & Development Organisation, associated with a World Heritage Site. The project involved establishing a conservation studio in the city to teach local skilled individuals how to select, clean, and conserve local costumes, and prepare display units for the new museum at Gjirokastër Castle.
Conservation Studio
Display Units
Prepared Costumes
Leighton House & Sambourne House Museum
Late 19th Century Costume Collection
A collection of Late 19th Century costume from London & Paris.
Jacket Before Treatment
Surface Cleaning
Mannequin Preparation
After Treatment
Treatment Received
- •Surface cleaning with a variable powered museum vacuum and smoke sponge.
- •Stain and mould treatment using a variety of solvents and dilute conservation grade detergents.
- •Blotter washing with a dilute solution of conservation grade detergent on lace and ruffles.
- •Areas of loss and weakness supported with a combination of adhesive, patch supports, and custom coloured conservation net overlays.
- •Mannequins bespoke padded to fit individual ensembles and provide correct period shape.
- •Custom underpinnings created for each outfit including padded arms, net petticoats and bustles.
Read more about this collection on our Project page →
Propstore
Princess Leia’s Dress — Star Wars Episode IV
Princess Leia’s Dress from the 1977 Star Wars film.
The Dress
Before Treatment
Wet Cleaning
Custom Mannequin
Treatment Received
- •The costume was surface cleaned using a variable control museum vacuum.
- •Wet cleaned with conservation grade detergent and air dried under light tension.
- •Stains were tested and treated using a variety of solvents.
- •The delicate arm trains were supported using prepared conservation net coated in a dilute solution of conservation grade adhesives.
- •Areas of loss were infilled using colour matched fabric and loose seams secured with conservation stitches.
- •The belt was surface cleaned using a vulcanised rubber sponge.
- •A custom-made cutaway mannequin was constructed out of colour matched fibre glass.
Cinema Relics
Blade Runner Leather Coat
Leather coat worn by Rutger Hauer in the 1982 film Blade Runner.
After Treatment
Padding the Mannequin
Detachable Arms & Support
Treatment Received
- •The coat was surface cleaned using a variable powered museum suction cleaner.
- •The white accretions were mechanically removed.
- •The clouding of the leather finish was treated using tested solvents.
- •The lower half of the coat was humidified to reduce the creasing.
- •The cracked and flaking surface of the leather was consolidated using a conservation grade adhesive.
- •The failing seams were secured with colour matched polyester thread.
- •A mannequin was padded out to fit the coat with a custom support tube.
The Fan Museum, Greenwich
1880’s Velvet Day Dress
The Dress
After Treatment
Custom Underpinnings
Treatment Received
- •Surface cleaned with a variable powered museum vacuum, smoke sponge and microfibre cloth.
- •Stains were tested and treated with dilute solvent solutions.
- •Controlled ultrasonic humidification of creases.
- •Losses supported on colour matched fabric patches.
- •Splits and worn areas supported with custom coloured conservation net overlays.
- •A mannequin was bespoke padded to support the dress.
- •Custom underpinnings created to provide correct period silhouette and support.
