Fashion over the centuries comes to life with this tour through the Powerhouse Museum’s fashion vault. Conservator Suzanne Chee explains how costumes and accessories – ranging from 18th-century gowns to 21st-century garments – are preserved and stored in these expansive storage facilities.

Even the most delicate and finely crafted items – hats, shoes, bags and fans – need to be immaculately preserved. A tour of the conservation lab reveals what goes on behind the scenes. Documenting the condition, treating pieces and photographing museum objects are all part of a conservator’s job.

Visitors also get the chance to make their own padded coat hanger, which can be taken home as a handy memento.

If you like this, you might also like:

1. Design Underground tours
2. Kids’ design weekend: Backstage fashion workshop
3. Fashion in Action Weekend