Our Collections
Artists' books
We hold a range of beautifully crafted artists’ books based on or inspired by fashion. This small collection dates from 2010 and contains several artists’ books by LCF PhD alumni and artist Hormazd Narielwalla.
Discover Hormazd Narielwalla's artists' books on Library Search
Caribbean costume and fashion archive
Archive comprising of 50 magazines, leaflets and catalogues covering Carnival, fashion and cultures of different Caribbean countries.
Discover the Caribbean costume and fashion archive on Library Search
Historical fashion journals
Our collection contains historic journals from all areas of the fashion industry.
Explore highlights of our historic fashion journals on Library Search:
Katharine Hamnett Sustainable Fashion Archive
Comprising over 500 sustainable textile samples collected over a period of 2 decades. They include cotton, hemp, linen, silk, wool, recycled polyester, recycled plastics, and blends. The collection is divided by material composition.
Discover the Katharine Hamnett Sustainable Fabric Archive
London Fashion Week Invitations
We have a collection of London Fashion Week ephemera from Autumn/Winter 2014, donated by Glamour Magazine. The collection comprises invitations to fashion exhibitions and shows.
Discover London Fashion Week ephemera on Library Search
Printed books
LCF Special Collections holds historical books dating back to the early 19th century covering all aspects of fashion and costume. Highlights include the Tailor and Cutter tailoring manuals from the 19th century and shoe making manuals from the original Cordwainers Technical College.
Rave Ephemera
Comprising promotional materials such as flyers, catalogues, club mailing letters and adverts; newspaper articles; photographs; correspondence and writings on and about the rave scene during the early 1990s. Donated to LCF Library in 1996 by Caroline Cox.
Visionaires
LCF Special Collections holds every issue of the Visionaire publication, the fashion magazine that is a hybrid of journal, book and art object.
Zines collection
A collection of fashion zines covering the subjects of clothes, gender, body politics, sociology of clothes and queer theory.
Booking and contact details
Items from LCF Special Collections for UAL students and staff are ordered using the LCF Special Collections request form.
If you are an external visitor or alumni you will need to complete the online special collections request form above stating the date you wish to view the item and a make a visitor booking for LCF library. Due to limited visitor spaces it is advisable to book your visit first and then order any special collections items once you have received confirmation of your visit.
If you have any questions about LCF Special Collections, contact us via ASK us a question