## **THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **30th September 2025**
## **COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 7017312**
**CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1142188**
**Frank S Lachman Chartered Accountants 31 Fairview Way Edgware Middlesex HA8 8JE**
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**DIRECTORS & TRUSTEES:**|Susan Witherow|Trustee and Director||
|---|---|---|---|
||Professor Jennifer Jane Tiramani|Director||
||Harriet Barsby|Trustee||
||Vanessa Hopkins|Trustee and Director||
||Professor Maria Hayward|Trustee||
||Dr Nabil El Nayal|Trustee||
||Koy Nwadike-Spencer|Trustee|Appointed 22nd September 2024|
||Claire Trapnell|Trustee|Appointed 22nd September 2024|
|**SECRETARY:**|Harriet Barsby|||
|**REGISTERED OFFICE:**|52 Lambeth Road|||
||London|||
||SE1 7PP|||
|**Independent Examiners**|Frank S Lachman|||
||31 Fairview Way|||
||Edgware|||
||Middlesex|||
||HA8 8JE|||
|**CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER:**|1142188|||
|**COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER:**|7017312|||
Page 1
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES' REPORT**
The directors/trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2025.
## **Directors' Responsibilities**
Company Law which is also applicable to charitable companies in England and Wales requires the directors, who are also trustees of the company, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the results of the company for that year.
In preparing those financial statements, the directors/trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors/trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Disclosure of information to examiner**
So far as each director at the date of approval of this report is aware:
- there is no relevant information of which the company's examiner is unaware; and
- the directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the eaminer is aware of that information.
## **Principal activity and charitable objective**
The objects of the charity are to advance education for the public benefit by establishing a non-profit making school to teach all the aspects of the design and making of historical clothing for theatre, cinema and the living history movement with particular focus on developing skills in historical tailoring.
## **Organisation and constitution**
The company was incorporated on 13th September 2009 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company became a Registered Charity on 1st June 2011, charity number 1142188.
The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guarantees of individual members are limited to £1.
Company Registration number 7017312.
## **Public benefit**
In shaping the Charity, the trustees have considered the Charity Commissions Guidance on public benefit.
Page 2
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES' REPORT**
## **Courses**
A programme of short courses open to the public were held in the Autumn/ Winter 2024, covering subjects including ‘Gowns at the Court of Henry VIII’, ‘Heat-stamping Textiles 1500-1800’ and the ‘Cut & Construction of Quilted Garments 1400-1600’. Three students of costume design and construction from Rutgers University in the USA and in London for a study abroad semester, joined these classes in October and November. A further three costume graduates from Italy joined the classes in November, December and January with grants from the Erasmus Postgraduate scheme. Our January classes focussed on 19[th] Century Menswear, ‘20[th] Century French Couture Techniques’ and ‘5000 Years of Starching and Pleating’.
In July 2025 we held a short course for the Costume department at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. At their request this course focused on aspects of costume-making that occur regularly, such as how to incorporate pockets into historically-based costumes and how to use historical techniques for the reuse of garments on performers of different sizes.
## **Exhibitions**
In December 2024 and January 2025 we held the fifth exhibition in the series ‘Our Collection by Colour’ which are open to the general public during holiday times of the year when our short courses are not so popular. ‘BLACK : Seasonable Stories & Silhouettes’ featured both original and reconstructed mounted garments and textiles from our collection and an inflatable ensemble on loan from the fashion designer Harri London.
The sixth and final exhibition in the series ‘Our Collection by Colour’ was ‘No.6 RAINBOW: A Feast for the Eyes’ held in July and August 2025. RAINBOW featured a selection of garments from c.1720 to 2020, either of one single colour each or of all the colours of the rainbow. Three of the outfits displayed were loans from Vivienne Westwood, with whom we have had a close relationship since 2011. Also on display were important multi-coloured items of 18[th ] century women’s dress donated to our School collection during 2025 by several English families, together with the reconstructed woman’s jacket c.1730 handmade by students on our free course in Summer 2024.
Each exhibition attracted several hundred visitors from diverse backgrounds including museum professionals, dress history, costume and fashion students, dress and fashion enthusiasts, curious local residents and passers by. The open-door policy to the exhibition has increased our profile in the neighbourhood and added another way of educating by sharing our collection and knowledge about the history of dress with a wider audience.
## **Collaborations**
During the year our collaboration with The Royal Collection Trust continued and in January 2025 , _Drawing the Italian Renaissance_ May 2025 we held a one-day creative course on 19[th] and early 20[th] century corsets, crinolines and bustles related to their exhibition _The Edwardians_ at the King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
We also continued our support for the Genesis Theatre Design Course and and for the project Constructing Costume History, for whom we are creating a contribution for their forthcoming Yale University Press publication _Craft and Illusion_ .
## **Publications**
Work continued through the year on our new book _Patterns of Fashion 7: The content, cut, construction and context of mens’ tailored garments c.1620-1710_ , scheduled for publication in October 2026.
## **Finance**
Due to their partnership with Parcelforce, Royal Mail now offer a heavier parcel category which has allowed our customers to order up to10 of our books to be sent to them almost anywhere in the world in a single parcel. This has led to increased sales of our publications wich has led to a positive change in the school finances during the year.
Page 3
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)**
The property at 85 St. Dunstan’s Road London W6 8RE, bequeathed to our School by the late Wendy Hefford, was sold on 19[th] December 2024. Following this sale the School of Historical Dress was able to purchase Jenny Tiramani’s 75% share of the freehold of 52 Lambeth Road SE1 7PP and on 30 January 2025, the Title to was transferred entirely to the School of Historical Dress.
## **Risk Management**
The company undertakes periodic reviews for different areas of risk including insurance cover, health and safety policies in the workplace and whilst teaching, financial affairs; personel practices; ICT technology.
## **Reserves**
The Board of Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds held by the charity should cover a minimum of six months running costs (salaries and overheads). The movement in reserves is shown in note 7 to the accounts.
## **Directors and trustees**
The directors/trustees set out below have held office during the whole year unless otherwise indicated on page 1 of these accounts:
Susan Witherow Harriet Barsby Professor Jennifer Jane Tiramani Dr Nabil El Nayal Vanessa Hopkins Koy Nwadike-Spencer Professor Maria Hayward Claire Trapnell
## **Going concern**
The directors and trustees confirm that a going concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of these accounts. They also confirm that in their opinion the company will be able to continue trading for at least 12 months from the date of this report.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
This report was approved by the board on
and Jenny Tiramani Vanessa Hopkins
Page 4
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 30th September 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 12 .
## Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the ‘2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's report
Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
(4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Frank S Lachman Chartered Accountant Independent Examiner
31 Fairview Way Edgware, HA8 8JH.
Page 5
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year Ended 30th September 2025**
|**Total**
**Funds**
**Notes**
**General**
**2025**
**Income**
Legacies and donations
**2**
22,787
**22,787**
Investment income
3,890
**3,890**
Charitable activities
**3**
177,265
**177,265**
**Total income**
203,942
**203,942**
**Expenditure**
Charitable Activity Costs
**4**
199,552
**199,552**
**Total expenditure**
199,552
**199,552**
Net income
4,390
**4,390**
Funds brought forward
2,133,469
**2,133,469**
**Funds carried forward**
**8**
2,137,859
**2,137,859**|**Total**
**Funds**
**General**
**2024**
1,110,330
**1,110,330**
1,832
**1,832**
325,918
**325,918**|
|---|---|
||1,438,080
**1,438,080**|
||291,314
**291,314**|
||291,314
**291,314**|
||1,146,766
**1,146,766**
986,703
**986,703**|
||2,133,469
**2,133,469**|
The statement of Financial Activities reflects the results of continuing activities for the year. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the net outgoing resources for the year. The net outgoing resources for the year have been calculated on the historical cost basis. The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **Balance Sheet at 30th September 2025**
|**Notes**
**Tangible Fixed Assets**
**5**
**Current Assets**
Stock of Fashion Books
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors - Amounts falling due within on**
**6**
**Net Current Assets**
**Total Assets less Current Liabilities**
**Funds**
Unrestricted Funds|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,918,284
1,891,926
42,120
64,846
193,095
192,774
235,215
257,620
15,640
16,077
219,575
241,543
2,137,859
2,133,469
2,137,859
2,133,469
2,137,859
2,133,469
**2025**
**2024**|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,918,284
1,891,926
42,120
64,846
193,095
192,774
235,215
257,620
15,640
16,077
219,575
241,543
2,137,859
2,133,469
2,137,859
2,133,469
2,137,859
2,133,469
**2025**
**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||235,215
15,640||
||||
|||2,133,469|
|||2,133,469|
|||2,133,469|
For the year ended 30 September 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for:
i. ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386; and
ii. preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit and loss for the financial year in accordance with the section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime, and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.
Approved by the directors on and signed on their behalf by Professor Jennifer Tiramani
Professor Jennifer Tiramani Director
Page 7
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICASL DRESS LIMITED**
## **Cash Flow Statement**
**for the year ended 30th September 2025**
|Net income for the reporting period
Purchase of fixed assets
Sale of fixed assets
Depreciation
Interest received
(Increase)/decrease in merchandise
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
Net cash flow from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest
Net cash provided by investment activities
Change in cash at bank in the reporting period
Cash at bank at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash at bank at the end of the reporting period|**2025**
4,390
(1,123,053)
1,096,695
-
(3,890)
22,726
(437)
(3,569)
3,890
3,890
321
192,774
193,095|**2024**
1,146,766
(1,122,756)
-
1,209
(1,832)
13,666
(17,793)|
|---|---|---|
|||19,260|
|||1,832|
|||1,832|
|||21,092
171,682|
|||192,774|
Page 8
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30th September 2025**
## **1 Accounting Polices**
**(a)** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The School of Historical Dress Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
## **(b) Income**
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from grants, whether capital or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants has been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
## **(c) Expenditure**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party. It is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Costs are allocated to a category either because such costs are directly incurred in relation to such category, or because they are support costs in respect of which an apportionment has been made between the categories.
Support costs consist of infrastructure costs for salaries, premises, office administration. Such costs are apportioned on a reasonable and consistent basis to the various categories with a view to determining, as accurately as possible, the total resources expended for each category. The basis of apportionment used is either a function of staff time applied to a given activity, or an estimate of the proportion of costs associated with the same, or a combination of both.
Direct and Support costs are separately shown by natural classification in Note 5 to these accounts for each category of cost.
## **(d) Taxation**
The company as a registered charity ( number 1142188 ) is exempt from taxation on most investment income insofar as it is applied for charitable purposes. The company is also exempt from taxation on capital gains.
## **(e) Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **(f) Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **(g) Fixed assets**
No depreciation is charged on the collection or freehold property as these are appreciating assets and the Charity maintains these on a regular basis.
Depreciation is charged on equipment at the rate of 25% on cost.
Page 9
## **THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30th September 2025**
## **2 Legacies and donations**
|**2**
**Legacies and donations**||
|---|---|
|**Donation of Property**
**Donations including Gift Aid**
**3**
**Charitable Activity**
**Book sales**
**Fees, events, commissions, teaching and hires**
**Sundry income and recharges**|**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2023**
-
**-**
**1,096,695**
22,787
**22,787**
**13,635**
_______
**_______**
**_______**
22,787
**22,787**
**1,110,330**
_______
**_______**
**_______**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
155,882
**155,882**
**290,501**
18,830
**18,830**
**35,417**
2,553
**2,553**
**-**|
||177,265
**177,265**
**325,918**|
## **4 Charitable Activity costs**
|Event, project and lecture costs
Collaboration costs
Building maintenance
Administration fee and expenses
Course materials and equipment
Books for resale
Event and exhibition costs
Equipment expended
Display and archive costs
Miscellaneous expenses
Storage
Insurance
Utilities and rates
Volunteer expenses
Travel, motor and subsistence
Postage, courier and packaging
Audit fee
Accountancy
Statutory costs
Account charges
Depreciation
Website and internet costs
**Total**
Legal, consultancy and
professional fees
Fundraising costs|**Support and**
**Governance**
**Costs**
**Charitable**
**Activity Costs**
**Total 2025**
**Support and**
**Governance**
**Costs**
**Charitable**
**Activity**
**Costs**
**Total 2024**
**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted Unrestricted**
-
-
**-**
13,417
-
**13,417**
-
-
**-**
-
2,152
**2,152**
24,652
-
**24,652**
11,972
-
**11,972**
24,019
-
**24,019**
16,847
-
**16,847**
-
13,003
**13,003**
-
10,308
**10,308**
-
39,589
**39,589**
-
61,376
**61,376**
-
17,204
**17,204**
-
15,975
**15,975**
-
877
**877**
-
2,323
**2,323**
-
8,588
**8,588**
-
13,683
**13,683**
283
-
**283**
134
-
**134**
-
9,187
**9,187**
-
6,840
**6,840**
4,947
-
**4,947**
7,919
-
**7,919**
9,134
-
**9,134**
8,169
-
**8,169**
-
6,871
**6,871**
-
7,050
**7,050**
1,046
-
**1,046**
1,076
-
**1,076**
-
31,130
**31,130**
-
79,668
**79,668**
-
-
**-**
4,500
-
**4,500**
2,120
-
**2,120**
1,100
-
**1,100**
3,840
-
**3,840**
2,658
-
**2,658**
-
-
**-**
9,814
-
**9,814**
47
-
**47**
125
-
**125**
591
-
**591**
10,508
-
**10,508**
-
-
**-**
1,209
-
**1,209**
2,424
-
**2,424**
2,491
-
**2,491**|
|---|---|
||**73,103**
**126,449**
**199,552**
**91,939**
**199,375**
**291,314**|
The charity does not employ any staff. No remuneration is paid to any of the directors and trustees.
Page 10
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
**For the Year Ended 30th September 2025**
## **5 Tangible Fixed Assets**
|Cost 1st October 2024
Disposals
Additions
Cost 30th September 2025
Depreciation 1st October 2024
Charge for the year
Depreciation 30th September 2025
Net Book Value as at 30th September 2025
Net Book Value as at 30th September 2024
**Creditors - Amounts falling due within one year**
Loans
Accruals
Other Taxes
**Movement in Funds**
**Balance at 1**
**October**
**2024**
Unrestricted Funds
- General
2,133,469
**2,133,469**|Cost 1st October 2024
Disposals
Additions
Cost 30th September 2025
Depreciation 1st October 2024
Charge for the year
Depreciation 30th September 2025
Net Book Value as at 30th September 2025
Net Book Value as at 30th September 2024
**Creditors - Amounts falling due within one year**
Loans
Accruals
Other Taxes
**Movement in Funds**
**Balance at 1**
**October**
**2024**
Unrestricted Funds
- General
2,133,469
**2,133,469**|**Freehold**
**Property**
**Costumes,**
**Exhibits,**
**Collection,**
**Reference**
**Books and**
**Patterns**
1,659,169
232,757
(1,096,695)
-
1,120,000
3,053|**Equipment**
**Total**
4,837
**1,896,763**
-
**(1,096,695)**
-
**1,123,053**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||1,682,474
235,810|4,837
**1,923,121**|
|||-
-
-
**-**|4,837
**4,837**
-
**-**|
|||-
-|4,837
**4,837**|
|||1,682,474
235,810|-
1,918,284|
|||1,659,169
232,757|-
1,891,926|
|||**2025**
**2024**
12,669
12,669
2,000
5,600
971
(2,192)
15,640
16,077
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Balance at**
**30th**
**September**
**2025**
203,942
(199,552)
-
**2,137,859**|**2025**
**2024**
12,669
12,669
2,000
5,600
971
(2,192)|
||||15,640
16,077|
||**2,133,469**|**203,942**
**(199,552)**
**-**
**2,137,859**||
## **6 Creditors - Amounts falling due within one year**
## **7 Movement in Funds**
## **The above funds comprise:**
**General Fund:** are moneys which can be used by the Trustees at their discretion for any purpose and which have not been designated by them previously
Page 11
**THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL DRESS LIMITED**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30th September 2025**
## **8 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds**
|Unrestricted Funds:|**Tangible**
**Fixed**
**Assets**
**Net**
**Current**
**Assets**
**Total 2025**
**Total 2024**
1,918,284
219,575
**2,137,859**
**2,133,469**|
|---|---|
||**1,918,284**
**219,575**
**2,137,859**
**2,133,469**|
## **9 Trustees**
During the year, none of the trustees received any remuneration from the trust and no expenses were reimbursed or paid to any of them.
## **10 Related Party Transactions**
During the year the charity paid Tiramani Limited £10,500 (2024 £7,300) in respect of teaching, pattern taking, dressing, materials and work on Patterns of Fashion. Tiramani Limited is owned by Professor Tiramani a director of this charity.
The work was at or below the commercial value and was approved by the charity's trustees and directors.
Page 12