For #HistoryDay 2025, explore the world of the Karun Thakar textiles collection held here at DMU Special Collections!
Organised and hosted by the Institute of Historical Research, History Day is an annual event dedicated to exploring library, museum, archive, and history collections across the UK and beyond. This year’s theme celebrates the diverse histories of LGBTQ+ people, including a queer heritage trail that allows participants to 'walk in the footsteps of exiles, read between the lines of streets and squares, and encounter their stories more immediately.'
This tactile, immersive approach resonates with our latest additions to the Karun Thakar Collection. Thakar, a celebrated collector of antique Asian and African textiles, fabrics, and garments has spoken candidly about the importance of belonging and acceptance. He believes that every object in his collection has a story to tell about the people who made it and the way that they lived.' And that these should all be valued. Thakar actively donates and shares his collections with museums and institutions worldwide and curates exhibitions, ensuring these textiles and the stories they carry reach wider audiences.
Above: 3 new boxes of fabrics and garments have arrived and detail of a garment with lots of buttons.
Fashion and textiles have always been more than just clothing: they are a language of identity, creativity, and self-expression worn on the body. The cut, colour, texture, and drape of garments communicate much about the individuals who wear them, the communities they belong to, and sometimes how they resist societal norms. Thakar’s collection, in particular, uncovers 'overlooked histories, objects often dismissed as “folk” art and created by ordinary working people, frequently women.' (Interview with Karun Thakar, Apollo Magazine, 2023). In collecting, curating and sharing his extensive collection, Thakar preserves layers of marginalised voices across the globe from ordinary workers to folk artists, keeping their creativity and stories alive.
Here, you can take a peek at the latest arrivals, a visit from Thakar to DMU, and see fashion students engaging with the collection through hands-on workshops held in the archive.
We were very excited to open the boxes...
Many of the garments arrived rolled or folded
As part of the accession process, we unpack everything so that each item can be assessed according to its preservation needs in terms of whether it should be rolled and stored in acid-free packaging or hung in our dedicated garment storage unit.
Some close-ups of the gorgeous fabrics.
One of the garments on a mannequin. Eventually each garment will be photographed and catalogued with a description so that as much information about an item can be recorded, such as when and where it was made and how it was worn.
This month we were thrilled to welcome Karun and the National Trust to Special Collections when they visited DMU where he was able to see how his collections is inspiring staff and students.
Image: Instagram post from @karuncollection
Students and the National Trust looking at the Karun Thakar Collection.
Fashion students exploring the collection during one of their workshops held in the archive.
We are honoured and thrilled to hold and share the Karun Thakar Collection. Now part of a growing resource for study and teaching, Thakar’s textiles will continue to inspire new research and understanding, uncovering how material culture expresses identity and belonging across time. If you would like to view any of the materials shown here or in the rest of the collection, please do get in touch.
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