When a creative team of young employees from C&A contacted us last year, no one had any idea where the journey would lead us. They paid a visit to the Draiflessen Collection archives in November 2020 to get inspired by historical advertisements and a glimpse into Draiflessen's fashion collection. Since they were so fascinated by the scope and content of the archives and collections, they  established contact with Amanda Tiran (Unit Leader Product Manager C&A) and soon the idea of a collaboration between C&A's design department and the Draiflessen Collection to work on a vintage collection took shape. The spark was immediately ignited and the beginning of an exciting collaboration for all parties involved became apparent. 

But now time was running out, because the new collection, which was to be launched as the Archive Collection in the anniversary year 2021 (180 years of C&A), had to be ready within just a few months. In weekly video conferences, one topic after the next was discussed together with Amanda Tiran and Reinhard Brodel (Stylist Clockhouse). Working  at full speed, the museum team - consisting of Dr. Maria Spitz (Curator Fashion & Textiles), Dr. Julia Cwojdzinski (Collection Management) and Jens Brokfeld (Archive) - searched the historical advertising archive and the fashion collection of the Draiflessen Collection for the relevant themes and best styles, which were processed and presented to the C&A team. 

The archive and collection of the Draiflessen Collection are largely composed of contemporary testimonies of the family and company history of the Brenninkmeijer family, with a focus on the clothing company C&A with its 180-year history. The Draiflessen team was thus able to draw on an extensive pool of printed advertisements, promotional films and the unique fashion collection for the research. All of these items are part of the archive and museum database as well keyworded records, making focused searches much easier than ever before. 

First up was the Mini Skirt Collection, inspired in large part by the 1960s and 1970s, the origins of miniskirt fashion . New themes and styles are to appear in the online store every month until November 2021, with new, hip retro looks drawing on past fashion creations from C&A. In order to present this project and the first themed collection in a promotionally effective way, a film team went to Mettingen on May 5. Alternating with the designer responsible for the Archive Collection, Ginetta di Blasio, our fashion expert Maria Spitz answered questions and provided insights into the museum's archive and collection area in the three-minute documentary. To better visualize the collaboration, the advertising folders and garments that served as inspiration for the fresh mini skirts were collected from the various depot rooms in DAS Forum. Mood boards by Ginetta di Blasio provided a topical reference and acted as a teaser for the new fashion line. 

The video makes it clear that the archive sector and the associated activities are by no means dusty and backward-looking. They show the relevance of historical artifacts as a resource for design, the possibilities for inspiration that lie dormant in them, and the contribution they make to current business. Thanks to such projects as the Archive Collection, archives and museum collections are highlighted in their importance and brought to life. 

Dr. Julia Cwojdzinski is an art historian and has been working in the Draiflessen Collection for the Archive and Collection area since 2019. She co-curated the presentation  ONKEL CANTERBUMM. HOW AN ADVERTISING CHARACTER MADE IT INTO THE ARCHIVE (2020).