This is the second special issue of the Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice in response to the ‘Utilizing Archives and Collections: Textile Education, Industry and Practice’ call for submissions. As with the first issue (Volume 7, Issue 2: November 2019), collaboration is central to the investigations, projects and activities communicated through the articles. Comprising research paper, position papers, discursive interview and exhibition review, this issue brings together varying perspectives and practices surrounding the utilization of archives and collections connected to textiles.