Birmingham Museums acquires Joe Lycett costumes for city’s permanent collection

Birmingham Museums has acquired several pieces of costuming from Brummie comedian Joe Lycett for the city’s permanent collection. The donations include costumes worn by Lycett for award show red carpets, and in conjunction with his Late Night Lycett which was filmed in his home city and showed on Channel 4.

The collection will include: the Queen Elizabeth I-inspired gown worn for the 2024 BAFTAs, designed by Yashana Malhotra, a pair of jeans covered with floral embroidery by Le Rêve Nazam, and an England football kit embellished by That’s Sew Maisie. All pieces were created for Joe Lycett in collaboration with his stylist, Krishan Parmar.

 BMAG have also acquired a suit covered in soft toys which the comedian wore to promote Late Night Lycett, and was photographed in for Andy Hollingworth’s exhibition ‘I photograph comedians!’ The suit is currently on display alongside the photograph at BMAG until Sunday 31^st May.

Speaking about the acquisitions, Joe Lycett said: “I was honoured to explore Birmingham Museums’ extraordinary clothes and costume archive a few months back and was blown away by the history, inspiration and beauty of some of those special pieces.

“As humans have done for thousands of years I express myself through the clothes I wear and am overjoyed some of the ridiculous pieces I’ve modelled over the years will join these historic garments.”

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will also display art works by Lycett from July 2026

Rebecca Unsworth, curator of decorative art at Birmingham Museums Trust, adds: “Joe is known for his colourful and playful style, and we’re delighted that these garments worn by such a prominent Brummie are now part of Birmingham’s collection.”