SOCIETIES / ASSOCIATIONS / GROUPS
A list of learned societies, professional societies/networks, cultural heritage associations, and amateur societies/groups.
SECTION 1: Societies primarily concerned with dress/textiles
SECTION 2: Societies of interest for the study of dress/textiles
SECTION 1
Societies primarily concerned with dress/textiles
American Institute for Conservation of Historic Works (AIC) - Textile Specialty Group (TSG)
USA
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/tsg/index.html
The Textile Specialty Group (TSG) was organized in 1982 to support the professional development of textile conservators. Textile Specialty Group members focus on a wide range of subjects: materials research and analysis, case studies, techniques, costume, tapestry and upholstery conservation, and archaeological and ethnographic issues.
COURTAULD HISTORY OF DRESS ASSOCIATION (CHODA)
COURTAULD INSTITUTE
UK
http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/research/sections/historyofdress.shtml
The study of the history of dress at the Courtauld is aided by the work of CHODA (Courtauld History of Dress Association), which was formed in 1990 to bring past students together, and generally to support and promote the subject. CHODA organizes seminars and study visits during the academic year, and an annual conference which attracts international speakers.
CENTRE INTERNATIONAL D’ETUDE DES TEXTILES ANCIENS (CIETA)
http://www.cieta.fr/index.htm
The CIETA is an international association founded in 1954 in order to coordinate work methods used by specialists in ancient textiles. Its base is in Lyon, France. Two official languages are used: French and English.
COSTUME AND TEXTILE ASSOCIATION FOR NORFOLK MUSEUMS
UK
The Association was established in 1989 to advance the education of the public about the history and development of costumes and textiles and their manufacture by the promotion, support, assistance and improvement of the collections of the Norfolk Museums Service.
COSTUME AND TEXTILE SOCIETY OF WALES
UK
http://www.costumeandtextilesocietyofwales.org.uk/
The Society exists to promote and encourage the study, preservation and documentation of costume and textiles in the region of Wales and the Marches, and to further research into these subjects, by means of meetings, lectures, exhibitions, visits to collections, publication of articles, exchange of information, and to organise activities to encourage the aims of the Society.
COSTUME SOCIETY [of Great Britain]
UK
http://www.costumesociety.org.uk/
The Costume Society promotes research, scholarship and study days on all aspects of dress and fashion.
COSTUME SOCIETY OF AMERICA
USA
http://www.costumesocietyamerica.com
The Costume Society of America advances the global understanding of all aspects of dress and appearance. It works to stimulate scholarship and encourage study in the rich and diverse field of costume.
COSTUME SOCIETY OF ONTARIO
CANADA
The Costume Society of Ontario is an association dedicated to exploring the design, development and deportment of fashion throughout the ages. It aims to promote education in all aspects of dress to individuals who share an interest in costume or textile history, theatrical costuming and related source materials, and also to encourage the preservation of historic costume and related source materials.
COSTUME SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
UK
http://www.costumesocietyofscotland.btik.com/
The Costume Society of Scotland was established with the aim of fostering an interest in every aspect of costume, historical and contemporary, in Scotland.
DISCUSSION, INTERPRETATION AND STUDY OF TEXTILE ARTS, FABRICS, AND FASHION (DISTAFF)
USA & UK
DISTAFF was founded in 1997 to bring together participants at the major medieval congresses who are interested in medieval dress and textiles.
DRESS AND TEXTILE SPECIALISTS (DATS) – MUSEUM SUBJECT SPECIALIST NETWORK
UK
http://www.dressandtextilespecialists.org.uk/
DATS aims to provide links and mutual support for professionals in the United Kingdom and Ireland working with specialist collections of fashion, dress and textiles and with wider museum collections that include these materials. It aims to encourage the sharing of knowledge, information, skills and resources, and to promote best practice in curatorship within dress and textile collections.
FAN ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA
USA
http://www.fanassociation.org/
The Fan Association of North America was formed in 1983 as an association devoted to the promotion, study, conservation and collection of fans. Research, education and exhibition of fans are encouraged to serve individuals, the public, museums, and organizations with similar interests.
FAN CIRCLE INTERNATIONAL
UK
http://www.fancircleinternational.org/
The Fan Circle International is a charitable society established in 1975 to promote interest in and knowledge of the fan in all aspects. Membership of the circle is worldwide with the majority of members in the USA, Europe and Australia.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS (ICOM) COSTUME COMMITTEE
http://www.costume-committee.org/
The Committee encompasses museum professionals and costume historians from all over the world, and its activities reflect their expertise.
KENT COSTUME TRUST
UK
http://www.thekentcostumetrust.org.uk/
The Kent Costume Trust was formed in 1983 to promote all aspects of costume, costume accessories, and associated textiles, to educate and encourage further knowledge regarding all aspects of costume. The Trust aims to assemble a collection that is both maintained and promoted within Kent. The Trust's collection now has more than 1000 items, spanning many centuries.
MEDIEVAL DRESS AND TEXTILE SOCIETY
UK
The Medieval Dress and Textile Society was founded in 1991 with the aim of providing a forum for all those curious about European clothing and textiles secular or sacred - roughly from the end of the Roman Empire in western Europe until about 1600.
NORTH AMERICAN TEXTILE CONSERVATION CONFERENCE (NATCC)
USA
NATCC was founded as an international forum to share research, theory and practice in the field of textile conservation, and foster collaboration. This is achieved by holding a biennial conference with training sessions and presentations, and disseminating the conference papers to participants, and the wider conservation and museum communities.
NORTHERN SOCIETY OF COSTUME AND TEXTILES
UK
The Society was founded in 1977 to encourage the study and preservation of costume and textiles, and to research into the history appertaining to their origins and use. The area covered is approximately that between Nottingham, Chester and the Scottish border.
SOCIETY OF JEWELLERY HISTORIANS
UK
http://www.societyofjewelleryhistorians.ac.uk/
The Society of Jewellery Historians was formed in 1977 with the aim of stimulating the growing international interest in jewellery of all ages and cultures by publishing new research and by bringing together those seriously interested in the subject, whether in a professional or private capacity.
TEXTILE SOCIETY [of Great Britain]
UK
http://www.textilesociety.org.uk/
The Textile Society is a registered charity. It was formed in 1982, and exists to promote the study of textile disciplines, and celebrate the history and culture of textiles, both traditional and contemporary.
TEXTILE SOCIETY OF AMERICA
USA
http://www.textilesociety.org/
The Textile Society of America was established in 1987 and provides an international forum for the exchange and dissemination of information about textiles worldwide, from artistic, cultural, economic, historic, political, social, and technical perspectives.
West of England Costume Society
UK
http://www.wofecostumesociety.org/index.html
The West of England Costume Society was formed in 1973 to further the aims of the Costume Society of Great Britain, which are to promote the study of costume and its history and to help in the preservation of significant examples of historical and contemporary dress. The Society also embraces the study of the decorative arts allied to costume, as well as literary and pictorial sources of dress.
SECTION 2
Societies of interest for the study of dress/textiles
ARCHAEOLOGICAL LEATHER GROUP
UK
http://www.archleathgrp.org.uk/
The Archaeological Leather Group promotes the study of leather and leather objects from archaeological and other contexts. The Group aims to provide a focus for the investigation of leather, bringing together a broad range of knowledge and experience both practical and academic.
DOLMETSCH HISTORICAL DANCE SOCIETY
UK
The Dolmetsch Historical Dance Society was founded in 1970. Its main objective is to promote understanding of the theory and practice of European dance from the 12th to the 19th century as recorded in the contemporary literature.
ECONOMIC HISTORY SOCIETY
UK
The Economic History Society was founded in 1926. It is a registered charity and exists to support research and teaching in economic and social history, broadly defined.
FURNITURE HISTORY SOCIETY
UK
http://www.furniturehistorysociety.org/
The Furniture History Society was founded in 1964 to study furniture of all periods, places and kinds, to increase knowledge and appreciation of it, and to assist in the preservation of furniture and its records.
INSTITUTE OF CONSERVATION (ICON)
UK
ICON is the lead voice for the conservation of cultural heritage in the UK. As a charity, ICON is committed to public benefit through promoting public understanding of, and access to, all the diverse elements of cultural heritage. The Institute aims to advance knowledge and education in conservation and achieve the long-term preservation and conservation of cultural heritage. It does this by providing guidance, advocacy, training, and education opportunities and by uniting the conservation profession and the wider heritage community.
Groups within Icon include:
Historic Interiors
Textiles (including dress)
INSTITUTE OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH (IHR)
UK
Founded in 1921, the Institute of Historical Research is a resource and meeting place for researchers from all over the world. Based at the University of London, the IHR offers a number of resources including online articles, free event advertising, MA/PhD study, training courses, an open-access library.
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC WORKS (ICC)
Since 1950, the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works has promoted the knowledge, methods and working standards needed to protect and preserve historic and artistic works throughout the world. IIC is an independent international organisation supported by individual and institutional members. It serves as a forum for communication among professionals with responsibility for the preservation of cultural heritage. It advances knowledge, practice and standards for the conservation of historic and artistic works through its publications and conferences. It promotes professional excellence and public awareness through its awards and scholarships.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY STUDIES
The International Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies promotes the growth, development and coordination of studies and research relating to the eighteenth century in all aspects of its cultural heritage (historical, philosophical, ideological, religious, linguistic, literary, scientific, artistic, juridical) in all countries, without exception; the Society is non-profit-making and non-political.
List of National Societies:
http://www.isecs.org/isecs_sieds/_pages_english/mem_socs.php
LONDON TOPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
UK
http://www.topsoc.org/index.htm
The London Topographical Society is a registered charity founded in 1880. It concentrates exclusively on publishing books and sheet material illustrating the history, growth and topography of London.
ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
UK
http://www.royalhistoricalsociety.org/
The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868 and remains the foremost society in Great Britain for promoting and defending the scholarly study of the past. The membership of nearly 3000 Fellows and members draws together individuals from across the world, engaged professionally in researching and presenting public history, whether in archives, libraries, museums or the heritage industry. The Society aims to maintain professional standards within the discipline, and to represent the views of its membership to government bodies and to the public at large.
SIXTEENTH CENTURY SOCIETY AND CONFERENCE
USA
http://www.sixteenthcentury.org/
The Sixteenth Century Society and Conference is a scholarly society interested in the Early Modern era (c.1450 - c.1660). The geographical scope and membership are worldwide. The society welcomes scholars from all disciplines who have an interest in Early Modern studies.
SOCIETY FOR COURT STUDIES
UK
The Society for Court Studies was founded in London in September 1995 with the aim of stimulating and co-ordinating the study of courts from 1400 to the present. It examines courts from a multi-disciplinary perspective, bringing together (amongst other areas) architectural history, military history, art history and cultural patronage, and the role of women in courts.
A searchable online database of recent publications relevant to court history is available on the website.
SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON
UK
The Society of Antiquaries of London celebrated the tercentenary of its foundation in 2007. It is charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with ‘the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries’. The Society’s 2,500 Fellows include many distinguished archaeologists and art and architectural historians holding positions of responsibility across the cultural heritage. The Fellowship is international in its reach and its interests are inclusive of all aspects of the material past. As a registered charity, the Society’s principal objectives are to foster public understanding of that heritage, to support research and communicate the results and to engage in the formulation of public policy on the care of our historic environment and cultural property.
SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND
UK
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland was founded in 1780. Its purpose is ‘the study of the antiquities and history of Scotland, more especially by the means of archaeological research’. To this end the Society will promote the research, understanding and conservation of the archaeological and historic environment of Scotland for the benefit of all.
