Swimsuit collections

Eva Bienvenu <eva-bienvenu<-a t->hotmail< . >fr> writes

>...  The problem of
>interest is: how conserve and preserve functional/fashion garments
>which suffer from attacks acting on their elastic property?

Storage in an anoxic atmosphere will slow or prevent the
deterioration of latex (and other) organic materials comprising the
garments. This is easily done using barrier film enclosures /bags
and oxygen absorbers, resulting in a water, dust, vermin and
pollution resistant package that will protect the fabrics and dyes
from fading and physical deterioration.

Why is this not done more often? I suggest that it is not the cost
of materials or time--they are nothing when compared to the
protection of the collection. My guess is that the challenges to
using anoxic storage are emotional and political.

I have found that many textile conservators are quite hesitant about
any packaging or storage method that does not readily allow the
objects in their care to be touched. On the political side, it is
always as struggle to introduce new methods, and new budget items.

Jerry Shiner
Keepsafe Microclimate Systems
+1 416-703-4696


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:32
                Distributed: Thursday, February 20, 2014
                       Message Id: cdl-27-32-005
                                  ***