The Textile Research Centre (TRC) now has a collection of almost nine thousand garments and accessories acquired over a 20 year period. These garments and textiles range in date from over sevend thousand years ago to yesterday. The collection includes outfits, clothing and accessories for men, women and children. It is seen as an inclusive, not exclusive, collection.

Because the TRC is primarily a research institute and not a traditional museum, we encourage the collection of modern traditional garments and not just items that are 'old.' The development of dress and identity does not stop at one particular date. To only collect and present old garments (not to use the highly debatable word 'authentic')  is to give a false image of any culture. Initially, it was decided to concentrate on Middle Eastern dress. However, as more and more students started to use the TRC's facilities it was agreed that we should expand the collection range to include the whole world, regardless of culture or chronological boundaries.