This is a presentation I recently delivered as part of my interview for a PhD Studentship in history at University of Wolverhampton.   The presentation explores the nature of “archive” and “exhibition”, framed by the Hodson Shop Collection. The collection is one of the largest collections of cheap, ready to wear fashions from 1920-1950s. The garments are all unsold shop stock from a small clothes shop in Willenhall. These aren’t garments that have been worn by a celebrity or created by great designer. They are clothes that were intended to be purchased and worn by working class women from the Black Country – which I think makes them pretty special. The collection contains perfectly intact lipsticks, unexpectedly pretty utility underwear, 1920s dancing dresses, eye-popping print aprons…   …I could go on! You can view the full collection on the Black Country History website and find out more on the Walsall Museum website.   I was lucky enough to visit the collection thanks to the wonderful team at Walsall Museums.   I’m not sure how much sense this presentation will make without me talking alongside it – if you have any questions about anything mentioned, let me know!