Opened in 2003 by Zandra Rhodes, and designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta to reflect the tastes of the ever-colourful designer, the Fashion and Textile Museum adds a welcome splash of fuchsia pink and Satsuma orange to the village of Bermondsey. The museum reportedly took 6 years to build and cost in the region of £10 million, but the results more than justify the expenditure.

The FTM Collection focuses on contemporary fashion from 1947 to the present day and includes pieces from the likes of Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Biba, Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood. The museum also hosts the paper archive of world-famous clothing company DAKS (whose name, incidentally, comes from the conflation of the two words ‘Dad’ and ‘Slacks’).

After a period of extensive redevelopment, the museum reopened in November 2007. As well as a small permanent collection of pieces by Zandra Rhodes, the FTM is developing a programme of changing exhibitions exploring elements of contemporary fashion, style and couture.

Click here to read Tom's review of Little Black Dress at the Fashion and Textile Museum, July 2008.

Admission: £7, £5 concessions.