New to Richmond campus: The National Textile and Design Archive

The collection is housed at the campus’ new National Textile and Design Archive, which will be officially opened later this year.

The National Textile and Design Archive (NTADA) is made of 7,000 textile and wallpaper sample books, complete design magazine collections spanning over 40 years and close to 1,000 hardback design books.

The sample books represent the furnishing fabric and wallpaper available in Australia during the last 40 years, with each book containing textile swatches that represent a vast array of designs, fabrics and colour-ways.

Our creative industries manager Katrina Jojkity says that the collection is an invaluable resource tool, not just for design academics and students, but also to historians, curators, costumiers, as well as theatre and film designers.

“Tony first began collating his collection in the 1970s and it’s therefore one of the most important textile collections within Australia,” she said.

“This wonderful resource will be of benefit not only to our Kangan students, but to all students and professionals alike. This includes all who love and appreciate beautiful fabrics and understand what a hidden gem this really is.”

The extensive collection is open to students from Kangan Institute and will be open to the general public by appointment in the future. The Institute is also looking to launch interior decorating short courses soon, with possible plans for an interior decorating diploma course.