It will be a colourful and fascinating exhibition to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Costume and Textile Association in Norwich.

On Monday April 15 the association will mark the occasion by the presentation of an important historical Norwich Shawl to the Norfolk Museums Service Textile Collection.

The Victorian shawl will be on display at the C&TA’s exhibition in the Gallery at The Forum during the Norfolk Makers’ Festival from April 13-21.

It was woven on a draw-loom for Towler, Rowling & Allen of Elm Hill around 1869-1870.

Norwich Evening News: Fashion Illustrator Stephen Worth with two illustrations from his Shawl Colouring book Fashion Illustrator Stephen Worth with two illustrations from his Shawl Colouring book (Image: Pippa Lacey)

The beautiful red and cream shawl has royal connections.

Queen Victoria visited Norwich in 1869 and was given a shawl in this design on behalf of the city.

Manufacturers given the commission to make shawls intended for royalty were expected to keep the design secret and only weave one.

However, as there are at least two known copies of the “Victoria” shawl, this must have been quietly ignored and it is possible that this was a prototype of the shawl that was presented to Her Majesty.

Norwich Evening News: The Victorian Norwich Shawl being presented to the Norfolk Museums Service Textile Collection The Victorian Norwich Shawl being presented to the Norfolk Museums Service Textile Collection (Image: Costume & Textile Association)

The large shawl measures 334 x 158 cm with a half-red, half-cream centre. Each end is decorated with a deep ornate “pine” motif design and fringing.

This half-colour design enabled the shawl to be worn with either colour uppermost over the large crinoline skirts which were fashionable at the time.

Norwich was at the centre of excellence for luxurious silk and woollen shawls…the height of fashion.

Norwich Evening News: C&TA prize winning designs will be on show at the Norfolk Makers Festival at The Forum, Norwich, from April 13 to 21 C&TA prize winning designs will be on show at the Norfolk Makers Festival at The Forum, Norwich, from April 13 to 21 (Image: Pippa Lacey)

The Norfolk Museums Service has a collection of almost 200 Norwich Shawls, dating from the late 18th century to the late 19th century.

The C&TA will also be providing funding for the collection to be professionally photographed to create a digital archive.

Ruth Battersby, Senior Curator Costume and Textiles at Norfolk Museum Service, will be presenting a talk on “35 years of the C&TA Support” from 12pm on Monday April 15 and this will be followed by the official handover at 1.30pm in the Gallery at The Forum.

Norwich Evening News: Caroline Whiting, chair of the Costume & Textile Association Caroline Whiting, chair of the Costume & Textile Association (Image: C&TA)

The C&TA is celebrating its anniversary with an exhibition during the Norfolk Makers Festival.

It will include historical fashions and textiles along with award-winning designs from fashion designers of the future through their student schemes run in association with the Norwich University of the Arts.

The city-based charity with more than 500 members worldwide promotes the unique costume and textile heritage of Norwich, Norfolk and East Anglia and has been supporting the collection of the Norfolk Museums Service since 1989.

READ MORE: Art gallery to explore 'truth' in historical photography

Each year it supports new and emerging talent at the college through student awards.

Congratulations C&TA – promoting a once-forgotten part of our history and helping the artists of tomorrow at the same time.

There are a programme of events at The Forum and online.

More information at ctacostume.org.uk,