Live Borders Awarded Museums Galleries Scotland Funding

Live Borders Awarded Museums Galleries Scotland Funding to Develop New Bernat Klein Resources at Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick

Live Borders has been awarded £14,871 from Museums Galleries Scotland’s Small Grants Fund to support the first phase of an exciting new project: the development of the Klein Resource Centre at the Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick.

Led by Live Borders’ Museums, Galleries & Archive Service, working in close collaboration with the Bernat Klein Foundation, and building on an established working relationship developed over the past five years. The project will celebrate and promote the life and work of textile designer, artist, and innovator Bernat Klein, while further enriching the story of the Scottish Borders’ world-renowned textile heritage.

The new Klein Resource Centre will draw on a growing collection of objects, materials, and archives relating to Klein’s life and work. The project’s first phase will focus on the Live Borders museum collection, ensuring it is fully researched, conserved, and accessible to the public. Plans include the creation of a dedicated collections store, enhanced documentation and research, and initial trials of public engagement activities. Community involvement will be a key focus — inviting input on how this unique collection can best be used, shared, and celebrated in the future.

“We’re thrilled to begin this important phase of work,” said Shona Sinclair, Curator at Live Borders. “There is currently no dedicated space in the Borders where people can explore and be inspired by Bernat Klein’s legacy. This project will allow us to better care for the collection, work with volunteers to research and document it, and begin developing future displays and programmes. We also plan to make key elements of the collection available online via our ‘Borders Collections Online’ catalogue, opening up access to wider audiences.”

The Klein Resource Centre will ultimately include public display areas, improved collections storage, and new learning and research resources — as well as a dynamic programme of workshops and events designed to engage local residents, students, artists, designers, and visitors.

Bernat Klein was a pioneer of what is now known as slow fashion, he championed sustainability, local production, and experimental design, deeply influenced by the Borders landscape and craft traditions. His work helped reshape the identity of Scottish textiles through a modernist lens, combining colour theory, art, and industrial innovation.

Despite this extraordinary legacy, there is currently no permanent public resource in the region that celebrates Klein’s contribution. The Klein Resource Centre seeks to address this.

Professor Alison Harley, Chair of the Bernat Klein Foundation, commented:

“The Klein Resource Centre will create new opportunities to engage with and be inspired by Bernat Klein’s work as a designer, artist, and colourist. The Bernat Klein Foundation is proud to be supporting this important project, which reflects our years of productive collaboration with Live Borders in presenting and promoting the Klein legacy.

This initiative is an individual and separate project from the recently announced purchase of Bernat Klein’s former design studio by a coalition of the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust. Whilst the Foundation is closely involved in the Klein Studio development, the Resource Centre at Borders Textile Towerhouse is an independent project. It is fitting that the Borders Textile Towerhouse — the region’s only museum focused on textiles — plays a leading role in preserving and sharing Klein’s legacy on behalf of the community.”

Lucy Casot, CEO at Museums Galleries Scotland commented: “We are delighted to support the development of the Klein Resource Centre, which will enhance the preservation and accessibility of important cultural collections in the Scottish Borders. We’re especially pleased to see a strong focus on community involvement and learning, key to keeping local history alive and relevant for future generations.”

Editor notes

Bernat Klein (1922–2014), born in Serbia, made the Scottish Borders his home and creative base after emigrating to the UK following World War II. His textile business, established in 1951, produced vibrant, avant-garde fabrics for leading fashion houses including Chanel and Dior. Klein’s creative influence extended beyond textiles to include fine art, architecture, industrial design, and colour consultancy. His collaborations with architect Peter Womersley led to two landmark modernist buildings in the region.

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums sector. MGS supports 455 museums and galleries through strategic investment, advice, workforce development, and advocacy. For further information about Museums Galleries Scotland visit https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/about-mgs /

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