fabric donates exterior sign to the new London Museum

Legendary London nightclub, fabric, has donated an exterior sign to the new London Museum, which is set to open its doors in 2026.

The sign originally hung outside of fabric for one year to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2019. Once the museum opens, it will be displayed alongside other signs from across the capital, in an installation aimed at celebrating “the meeting spots that bring London’s communities together.”

The London Museum, previously The Museum of London, closed its doors at London Wall in 2022. It is currently gearing up to take over a new site at the historic Smithfield market buildings, across the road from the iconic music venue.

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Speaking on the donation, Beatrice Behlen, Senior Curator at London Museum, said: “fabric is truly at the heart of Smithfield’s creative pulse, so it’s a real privilege to be able to preserve a part of their history within our new museum. fabric epitomises the ethos of our Hanging Out installation which will celebrate the countless communities that exist within London through the spaces that bring them together.”

Behlen adds that the museum is still looking for more signs to include in the installation, and are open to donations from any relevant cultural and community hubs such as music venues, theatres, restaurants, nail salons, barbers, cafe, sports clubs and beyond.

In 2022, the two institutions announced they would be embarking on an ongoing partnership, which will see fabric being the first ever “nightclub-in-residence” at a museum.

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The donation of the sign marks an important progression in the collaboration, which is intended to acknowledge the cultural value of fabric, and its immense contribution to London’s world-famous nightlife and music scene.

As fabric co-founder, Cameron Leslie, notes: “As we gear up to celebrate our 25th anniversary later this year, it’s great to see the club recognised for the community we have built and the vital role we play in London - as both a cultural space and tireless champions of electronic music as an art-form.”

fabric's 25th birthday will be marked by an upcoming 30-hour party, taking place from October 12 to October 14, when the club’s updated Room 1 soundsystem will host the likes of Ben UFO, Ricardo Villalobos, FJAAK, Peach, Marcel Dettmann, as well as fabric residents Craig Richards, Josh Caffé and Anna Wall, with more to be announced.

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram