Dorothy X Paper Bag Archive

AS SEEN ON BBC NORTH WEST - SHOW HAS NOW CLOSED

We are incredibly excited to be hosting a new show in our studio this Spring. ‘Excess Baggage’ is the debut exhibition from the vaults of the Paper Bag Archive (which boasts the world’s largest collection of paper bags), and is a nostalgic trip back down the British high street of the last 100 years

This exhibition, which runs until the 27th March, 2026 displays a mere 200 bags from the full 2500+ collection and has been curated to specifically shine a spotlight on the evolution of the visual language of big retail brands (Habitat & Selfridges), shops local to Liverpool (George Henry Lee, Owen Owen, Lewis's, Hendersons, Blacklers, Royal Liver Building), museums and galleries (Tate, Barbican, National Gallery, Walker Art Gallery) and Dorothy’s favourite Liverpool record store (Probe).

This fascinating archive is a slice of social history and is of interest not just to designers and packaging geeks but to everyone who fondly remembers spending their pocket money in physical stores.

The show continues Dorothy's commitment to hosting exhibition ‘FIRSTS’, supporting debut shows by designers, artists, writers and collectors.

Image © Dorothy

More about the archive: The Paper Bag Archive is devoted to the collection, conservation, and celebration of these once ubiquitous pieces paper. They provide a rare and timely insight into our relatively recent consumer past. The archive spans from the early 1900s to the present day. From the local corner shop to high street department stores, this is a reflection of a more innocent design era. At a time of the logotype rather than the brand, the Filofax as opposed to the mobile, the fax machine instead of Facebook. When the word ‘virtual’ was not yet a reality.

The archive is the collection of graphic designer Tim Sumner, creative director of Studio Summon.

Image © Paper Bag Archive

Additionally Sumner publishes zines based on specific themes from the archive called ‘To Have & To Hold’ — now in its sixth issue — and published under the moniker COLLECT Books— these are stocked globally in over 60 bookstores and cultural institutions and will be available to buy from Dorothy for the duration of the show.

Exhibition runs 6th - 27th March 2026

⏰ Opening hours
Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm
Saturday - Sunday Closed * exceptions below
• Special Saturday opening on 7th & 21st March 11am - 3pm

📍 Dorothy / 22 Jordan Street / Liverpool / L1 0BP * entrance is round the corner on Jamaica Street

Follow Paper Bag Archive on Instagram here

Become a Friend of Dorothy