ASMR at the museum | Conserving a clown costume | V&A

// Listen with headphones for best experience //
Follow Senior Textile Conservator Susana Fajardo as she works on a sequinned clown costume worn by 20th-century clown Jackie Sloan.
Sound designer and performance-maker Julie Rose Bower has documented Susana's steps using ambisonic sound, letting us get closer to the object than ever before.
See the painstakingly delicate processes involved as dust is carefully removed, corrosion is reduced, and sequins are gently cleaned.
Take a look at more costumes in our Theatre and Performance collection: www.vam.ac.uk/collections/cos...
Timestamps:
Museum vacuum and soft brush removing dust: 00:36
Abrasive rubber reducing corrosion on metal hook: 02:20
Sequin cleaning with swabs: 04:02

[@vamuseum]

Find out more about the clown costume in Explore the Collections: collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1464381/whiteface-clown-costume-worn-by-circus-costume-vicaire-g%C3%A9rard/

[@yasminsayegh]

Can you tell me the name of the rubber that she uses?

[@sammysoppy3361]

“conserving a clown costume” is what I call it when I’m doing my laundry

[@rd5184]

LMAO

[@AlexisTwoLastNames]

bro this cheered me up a lil :)

[@KatoVanackere]

I was about to make the exact same comment oh lord

[@cecilyerker]

Self owned

[@radioban]

Thank you, this the exact kind of content I came to read here at the comments.

[@aesthral]

when a clown costume looks more haute couture and glamorous than my whole weardrobe

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

The sad case of most of modern fashion I'm afraid (not all obviously)

[@men_del12]

Well at least yours are easier to clean right 😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@vantablack1119]

Weardrobe that’s a new one for me 🤣

[@Becky22]

And mine!

[@andreabenito6731]

🤡

[@acey850]

The clown that wore this must've been the most posh clown ever in history. It's gorgeous!

[@catarinavalentine1026]

Looks more glamorous than anything I own😂

[@_blank-_]

@@catarinavalentine1026 We are the actual clowns 🤡

[@peytonoverstreet]

@@_blank-_ pop pop

[@TheAzerath]

Wish there was more info on the history of the piece included and a full shot of it displayed

[@marquamfurniture]

No information. Very unsatisfying video! .......How old is it? For whom was it made? (Who wore it and when?) Any existing photos?

[@tishes546]

Read the description

[@chaotic_empty]

@@marquamfurniture 6:40 tsk, tsk.

[@brianabailey1283]

@@marquamfurniture Jackie Sloan wore this spectacular ‘sac’ at Bertram Mills Circus, but it was made in Paris by Gérard Vicaire (1927-2018) ‘costumier to the stars’. The duo of an immaculately dressed white-face clown and a red-nose Auguste in baggy trousers and oversized shoes was an essential part of 20th century circus. Sadly there are no photos I've found of Sloan or any other clown wearing this piece but there are photos of him wearing similar pieces probably by the same designer. It was created in 1950 so its 70 years old. This information can be found in the V&A archives online which is free to the public.

[@marquamfurniture]

@@brianabailey1283 Thanks kindly, Briana! Great background info.

[@DianaB-vm1hj]

this video is so accurate to all of my interests. asmr, art, and being a fucking clown

[@msilvia4807]

DFRSRCSRGD SAME

[@user-rd8xf6wr7j]

LMFAIAI

[@rreid498]

sometimes the youtube suggestions are eerily accurate

[@AN-ou6qu]

... ma’am what do you mean by that?? Are you a clown? Am I missing something?

[@scoobysnax]

yeah, KZbin recs really snatched my entire wig with this one

[@valentinah3601]

KZbin just called us old clowns but I’m happy to be here tbh

[@userordi7769]

You old clown

[@epynephrine]

@@AN-ou6qu i thought the same thing reading that lmao

[@MitchellWiggs]

honestly this looks like a trixie mattel tour costume

[@seavee141]

I got one of Trixie's videos suggested next to this one, think it was destiny

[@Regina-wm6eo]

One day Trixie's costumes will be in a museum.....right next to Katya's mummified body.

[@minteaskullz]

They’re getting it ready so she can appear in Bianca’s upcoming circus

[@starthelotus3453]

@@Regina-wm6eo jail

[@bend4191]

STOP IT 😭

[@hortondlfn1994]

I’m going rather crazy with curiosity regarding how it was made. That thing looks like haute couture...and it’s a clown costume!?!?

[@georgedouglas3456]

Same thing in this case and the costume had to stand up to way more use.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

It is couture. There is a caption with the atelier toward the beginning of the video.

[@BrianFoleyDirector]

European whiteface circus clowns continue to wear extravagant costumes. Look up the costumes of Francois Fratellini for example. Lots of amazing pieces.

[@hortondlfn1994]

@@BrianFoleyDirector Thanks for the recommendation! I look forward to seeing them.

[@hortondlfn1994]

@@user-mv9tt4st9k So, those sequins were hand-stitched?!?! My head is spinning.

[@jbaby362]

I wonder how vibrant this was in it's prime, it must have been spectacular

[@magapiff1]

what I wonder is what kind of act would a clown perform that requires a costume as elaborate as this?

[@magapiff1]

@@miguelt.4978 cool thanks for the info!

[@canijust101]

@@magapiff1 what did he say 🥲

[@nunyabiznuss3040]

@@magapiff1 What was the info? 😥

[@magapiff1]

@@nunyabiznuss3040 it was the name of the opera it's from I belive they said it was Pagliacci

[@ninja13b]

In case anyone was wondering its item number S.583-2018 in the V&A archives. 😍💕

[@user-de3xr8le6b]

Thanks, got to look it up)))

[@queerulantin6431]

@@user-de3xr8le6b ❤️

[@rgs6236]

Thank u 😊🙏🏽

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

@@atmakali9599 good for you, but others are

[@Mystery__Otaku]

Ah, thank you!

[@starthelotus3453]

What I send people when someone says I look like a clown

[@sofiramgon2700]

Lol 😂

[@mnbz2031]

Asmr and museums are really a good match

[@aleeshxa]

Yess I wish more people did this tho tbh if Corona wasn't a thing I would totally do it myself 😂

[@asmrguidance8834]

I agree!!

[@Delilah.Elizabeth]

I agree. This woman has a perfect voice for ASMR, and should be featured in more videos.

[@jcortese3300]

You could have told me that was a royal wedding gown and I've have believed you -- and it's a clown costume!

[@pjenk201]

When your whole life is a joke but you still got the sassyness and elegance

[@rebeccagale2095]

Very clever way to share about the collection. I love watching conservation work and seeing behind the scenes of the museum. I'd love to see more of these! Thanks!

[@vamuseum]

Keep your eyes peeled! ✨

[@lilahhlhgkl1574]

That's such a beautiful costume! I can't imagine how gorgeous it must have looked in it's prime

[@ninja13b]

Oh dear sweet saint of sequins! That is incredible!!!!😍💕

[@celery8059]

Oh lovely and glamorous gods of glitter! That is dazzling!!!!!

[@danigolightly799]

It’s a gorgeous piece. Looks more like high fashion than clown costume.

[@TheClairei]

The work that went into this piece is incredible. (This lady's voice is also perfect for ASMR :)

[@spasticpug5209]

All the people talking about how their in surprise of how this is a clown costume Have obviously never seen how delicate and gorgeous vintage clown costumes are

[@hortondlfn1994]

I'm sure you're right. At the same time, "vintage clown costumes" is not one's typical daily subject matter in or out of school!

[@silvia4020]

The combination of ASMR and the sphere of a museum is such a great idea, it matches two of my favourite things, that I like to enjoy in my free time (listening to ASMR and going to museums). You can even learn something about restoration! Thank you very much for this video, Victoria and Albert museum :)

[@meepwashere]

i hope our tshirts get to be in display someday. since we're all bunch of clowns. i honestly dont even know if im just a clown or the whole circus already.

[@markryandublado]

I would pay to see a clown that wears that couture. A walking masterpiece

[@henriettahall9731]

Quite Wonderful! Please more AMSR from V&A!

[@vamuseum]

Make sure you're subscribed - we've got more up our sleeve... 👀

[@henriettahall9731]

@@vamuseum yippee! I absolutely am subscribed. Thank you Looking forward to being able to do research and talk to your experts again soon too.

[@BecxyBoo]

It's absolutely stunning, I cannot believe the amount of detail that went into that one costume alone.

[@laya1901]

What I want to know is what clown wore this and if there's pictures😍

[@bdp8102]

Jackie Sloan

[@paolabueso]

What a gorgeous piece! Thank you for preserving these beautiful garments with such care and consideration.

[@dianeknut6587]

This makes me very nostalgic! My mother was from a circus family so I was always around costumes like these!

[@ellapapineau5461]

im sitting here at 2:00 am watching clown costume asmr what

[@anduxx]

We need more ASMR videos like this! So stunning and relaxing. The work that goes into preserving one item it’s incredible ❤️🙏🏻

[@anne-sophiekuentz6875]

I would recommend using a mesh filter on the vacuum nozzle, in case there are any loose sequins!

[@anne-sophiekuentz6875]

@@atmakali9599 You can't really do that with museum pieces actually. If the sequins become detached, they should be kept in a separate container like a small ziploc bag so they are kept with the original costume.

[@anne-sophiekuentz6875]

@@atmakali9599 aight I get it. Begone, troll.

[@shizukagozen777]

@@anne-sophiekuentz6875 Good idea actually !

[@PyjamaSpeed]

She doesn’t need to, that’s a conservation vacuum and very low powered. She would have examined the piece carefully before beginning and would already have identified any loose sequins.

[@ymanaswi]

@@atmakali9599 why are you being so kinda negative everywhere in this comment section '_'

[@1lamouna]

The guy who made this costume died three years ago. RIP.

[@katychang7326]

:'0

[@segamai]

That woman’s voice is lovely.

[@reyyanna7]

Now this is the best ASMR ever. Period. There is a perpose to the sounds! Actual work and not just random ticks and clicks

[@DoeDeerWonderland]

What kind of haute couture clown? This is amazing.

[@iagonizante]

amazing costume!! I can't believe how beautiful it is!

[@iagonizante]

also: purple sequins + purple gloves = perfect

[@ohanamei7321]

Art and calm, thank you!!

[@youraveragecommenter4371]

I would absolutely watch a 1hr long version of this because I already do that for other ASMR videos and I just love clown costumes now.

[@giualonso]

What a beautiful, detailed work! Thank you for sharing!

[@Liminalis]

This was way more soothing than I expected it to be 😌😴

[@fath3rl3ssb3havior9]

Your voice is so soothing and I love your gentle touch, care, and compassion for this piece You nailed it 100%

[@walkingthetightrope6637]

Wow such a beautiful piece. The sequins have such great sounds too. And her voice is really nice.

[@0kieD0kiee]

Such a special patience it must take to be a conservator, to go over such a huge surface area with so much care and attention!

[@londonhodnet4079]

Wonderful video, can’t wait for you to open up again ⭐️

[@heidi-so2ds]

i’m a simple person. i see “clown” in the title, i click

[@kirstiepilgrim1829]

Why is this only 6 minutes long😭❤️ this type of ASMR is gold👌❤️

[@wb4301]

Woah. This is cool as hell. I really admire the care you took into conserving this. Really neat.

[@deborasilva2814]

Love this! I’m getting my daily dose of asmr plus all this juicy behind the scenes of a museum - and omg I’d never think that’s a clown costume - genius

[@MaroonTearLilium]

The patience and dedication of her & her job is astounding

[@DuhDee]

This clown must have been the Liberace of clowns! I’d love to know more history or how it looked once on.

[@Myself23512]

What a work of art! Thank you so much!

[@jo-annfarace4923]

So methodical, I could sit there all day & watch her precision

[@klaas020]

These V&A videos are like therapy..... The amount of care and love and patience and respect poured over these items, be it a hat, a book or.......a clown costume is truly inspiring. The sound of that tissue paper gives me a rather satisfying frisson 😋 Please post more!!

[@dantem.ginsey4608]

This is so fascinating! I love seeing the work that goes behind the scenes

[@michellephillips8035]

I wish this was longer. Could easily be a mini documentary..........history of costume, more techniques used to clean it, total mam hours it took to restore etc, etc.

[@p34rl20]

@@atmakali9599 seems like you're not really having it easy these days... I hope things get better for you soon.

[@p34rl20]

@Michelle, I'd love the same. Just took a couple minutes of watching this video to get me to subscribe, and this is the first video from the channel that I've ever watched❤

[@daleromdenne]

It’s so cool. Your work is an art. Thanks for posting.

[@TheDreadfulCurtain]

So beautiful I had no idea how ornate and detailed they were.

[@arym0vind]

i’ve rewatched this so many times 😭😭 i need more

[@carmeno9635]

Wow! It’s so detailed and beautiful! Must have taken a long time to make!

[@ZornAllein]

Not only is this very relaxing, it's also wildly fascinating!

[@outloudkat]

The patience required to do this type of work is off the charts.

[@meridethtexastwister]

What a beautiful costume

[@mecredi73]

PLEASE do more of these videos V&A. 🙏🏼

[@JennyBastet]

Oh I've missed your asmr videos ! So good 🙇‍♀️

[@aportgirl]

Fascinating technique. I was hypnotized.

[@kit6561]

i love how she displayed the brush and vacuum, good visual asmr

[@lisadoyle2284]

It would take a lot of patience to do this job. Personally, I'd lose my mind.

[@IzzabeesLittleWorld]

This seems like such a relaxing job

[@augustlunaonline]

✨Relaxing art restoration✨

[@adisaster8734]

the sheer patience wow

[@sofiaquinones1081]

the patience you have to have for this

[@ozzie3126]

We need more videos like this 💖

[@MarMar828]

This is my type of ASMR, none of that whispering shit with a ton of mouth sounds. Thank you for this, I would love an entire series

[@lunareclipse25]

So this is where my costume's been, I've been looking all over for it

[@stephim4043]

This was really cool!

[@ir5890]

Omg please do more of these

[@colakoi1605]

I'm definitely giving you a visit next time I'm in London, love your ASMR videos

[@loridamato1]

That’s beautiful!

[@jfog5132]

Its so cool that People just find these kind of things from the Past, It is really cool!

[@adhityanaseer1851]

omg thank you for cleaning my suit!

[@queenmamabear5812]

Wow this is a beautiful costume

[@Shucksofficial]

The fact that her gloves match the costume is even more satisfying

[@nyanco1746]

The way that I would happily spend my day doing this-

[@EM-mc8pd]

I NEED MORE OF THIS

[@SoundsCurious]

How amazing is this?! ❤️

[@ginaangelina4933]

I’d love to see the full piece on display👀❤️

[@Anna-ow4rp]

Please create more videos, your ASMR helps with my insomnia and relaxation. Thank you

[@nile8146]

that costume is gorgeous

[@kurootsuki3326]

i love this channel sm

[@jerryskeepero]

It is a beautiful piece

[@kalynelaurentino9566]

Such a meticulous job!

[@sophiee939]

wow!!!! a beautifu1 costume and vid, tysm

[@user-bl9gf1kr5z]

This is me cleaning my costume after making a fool of myself:

[@mjc.bughao7441]

Finally a suggestion, that's not annoying or weird. Happy Valentine's Day Y'all 😂💕

[@ncjeffhyder]

Were all the sequins originally hand sewn? How many hours do you estimate this would take?

[@katiesaysrawer]

This just makes me think of my cousins majorette outfit from when she was in highschool those things used to be decked out in sequins

[@sisirelax3712]

Beautiful costume

[@dcsparkles]

I'm mesmerized and sleepy at the same time. 🤤😪😴

[@jonnawyatt]

I admire the people who made this.