The TRC as seen from the garden.The Stichting Textile Research Centre (more widely known as the TRC) Leiden is an international knowledge centre for textiles and dress studies that works with people and objects from around the world with no artificial boundaries, as culture and knowledge have no geographical boundaries. We are equally interested in huipil from Guatemala to hanfu in China, as well as Dutch lace caps and East African kangas!
Over the last 35 years, the TRC Collection has grown to over 56,000 catalogued items, making it one of the largest textile and dress collections in Europe. It is used on a daily basis for teaching, research and inspiration purposes.
Since April 2026 this diverse collection has been housed at Boerhaavelaan 6, a monumental urban villa, in Leiden, the Netherlands. The building allows for the expansion of educational activities and exhibitions of the growing collection. Become part of our future and join our support network by being a Friend of the TRC.
In order to build up a solid future, we need long-term commitments from as many people as possible who love textiles in all their many varied forms, colours and patterns!
We invite you to become a Friend of the TRC. Friends transfer annually the sum of 250 euros or more, for a minimum of three years. If you want to become a Friend, please contact Gillian Vogelsang, Director of the TRC, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To show our appreciation you will receive the blogs written by TRC staff and others about textile-related subjects. You also receive a 10% discount on items in our shop, lectures, courses and workshops, as well as advance information about special events such as community days, special talks, evening events based on exhibitions, book sales, etc.
Tax benefits
TRC Leiden brochure for donors.Dutch donors: The Stichting Textile Research Centre is officially recognised by the Dutch tax officials as a non-profit organisation and a "Culturele ANBI" (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) whereby donations are not subject to donation or succession taxes and are tax deductible. Your financial contribution to the TRC as a Friend is deductible for the annual tax return, up to 125% of the amount for private individuals and up to 150% for companies. To this end, you will receive a confirmation of receipt of your contribution to the TRC. After that, you only need to state the amount of your gift in your annual tax return and tick the box “Cultural ANBI”.
European donors: Sponsors from a range of European countries can claim tax benefits via local organisations affiliated with the TRC. For more information, please download the pertinent TRC brochure.
American donors: USA-based donors can make tax-deductible contributions to the "Friends of the TRC Leiden" account at Myriad USA. Because Myriad USA is a public charity, within the meaning of Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the IRC, donors may claim the maximum tax benefits allowed by USA tax law for their contributions. Myriad USA works closely together with Every.org (San Francisco). For more information, please click here.
