Von Parish Kostümbibliothek

The term "costume library" hardly gives an idea of the diversity behind it. It collects pictorial representations and texts on clothing and fashion from all eras and countries - from Stone Age production methods to current catwalk and everyday fashion. Fashion design and haute couture are on an equal footing with workwear and sportswear, youth fashion, folk costumes, handicraft techniques, accessories and related areas such as textile science and trade, hygiene, cosmetics and etiquette. It is a broad field that the founders of the institution, Hermine von Parish and her mother of the same name, sought to master almost manically.

The Von Parish Costume Library, with its five collection areas - books and magazines, graphics, photography and documentation - is not only one of the most diverse collections in the Munich City Museum, but is also one of the most important specialist libraries for costume history internationally, of which there are only around 20 worldwide.

For film and theater productions, fashion schools and designers, costume research and art history or exhibition curators, the Von Parish Costume Library is a treasure trove for their special needs and detailed questions.

But the Von Parish Costume Library has even more to offer: The house in which the collection is housed, an Art Nouveau villa in Nymphenburg, not far from the palace, is also a special feature of this institution with its museum-like rooms.

In addition, an extensive family archive of Hermine von Parish's ancestors is kept here, dating back to the 1830s and containing documents and photographs relating to famous people from contemporary history, as well as the artistic estate of her grandfather, the painter Emanuel Spitzer.

The Von Parish Costume Library is a reference library.
Loans and interlibrary loans are not possible, with the exception of loan requests for exhibition purposes.
The library is open to the public and offers a fee-based research service.

Visits are only possible by appointment.

Access is not barrier-free. Seating is available for guided tours.