Punk x Ballet Russes ● Low Art x High Art ● MoMu Library x FATE

FATE® Fashion And Textiles Education Archive is a resource created to support the study of material culture: clothing and textiles that evidence ethnographic diversity. FATE® archive is used by fashion brands, feature film, television, arts industries, museums, foundations and government bodies. The archive is composed of over twenty thousand garments, textiles, accessories and books which are housed in London, UK.

From the 25th of February 2025 until the 21st of March 2025, 2 collections: the Punk Special Collection. FATE® Fashion And Textiles Education Archive, London, United Kingdom and the Ballet Russes Special Collection. FATE® Fashion And Textiles Education Archive, London, United Kingdom will be presented to the public at the library of MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp for the first time. FATE® archive will exhibit from these special collections 16 punk garments (ca. 1977 – ca. 1984) and 15 Ballet Russes costume garments (1937).

While these two special collections seem separated by social demarcation: punk clothing being reflective of low art and the Ballet Russes costumes being of the high arts; both were created in correlation with the creation of music and movement. These garments show their use, their function, body sweat from the heat of the room or heat of the stage lights. Both special collections evidence their own cultures and histories.

“MoMu believes in the power of direct engagement with materials and techniques as a valuable learning experience, which is why we created a study collection. We are privileged to collaborate with FATE and their fashion and textile education archive. For four weeks, FATE’s Punk and Ballet Russes collections will spark a dialogue on the interplay between ‘high’ and ‘low’ art in the reading room of the MoMu Library. We are delighted to share these unique pieces up close with both the Belgian fashion network and visitors to the museum.” – Dieter Suls, MoMu Project Coordinator

“Punk x Ballet Russes ● Low Art x High Art ● MoMu Library x FATE is not only a rare opportunity to see special collections of punk garments and Ballet Russes costume garments, it also offers a full programme of free activities and events based around the cultures and the music that surrounds these collections. FATE, London, UK is honoured to be part of this international collaboration with the innovative MoMu Library, Antwerp, Belgium.” - Clare S. Spencer, FATE® Co-Founder & Director


The FATE® team and MoMu library team will offer a range of forms of engagement. Small bookable group sessions to experience clothing analysis sessions, a ‘Let’s Clash Together’ workshop for children, a ‘Button-up’ walk-through activity for families, and creative youth practice, history and theory sessions resulting in a live dance performance. There will also be lectures and film screenings that will allow a more in- depth understanding of the FATE® special collections.

The mission of FATE® is to offer practical hands-on clothing analysis, making, exhibitions and to facilitate academic research focusing on pluralistic approaches to histories, theories and cultures of design. We invite museum visitors to experience the FATE® special collections from these perspectives.