Heritage Textile Conservation is an independent practice led by textile conservator Nickole Swensen, specializing in the ethical preservation of historic, heirloom, and culturally significant textiles.
Nickole Swensen is a fashion historian, textile conservator, and the owner of Heritage Textile Conservation.Â
With nearly two decades of experience working with textiles from multiple professional angles, her practice is rooted in thoughtful preservation and material care.
Nickole holds a BS in Fashion Merchandising Management and an MS in Textiles and Material Culture with an emphasis in textile conservation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her academic training is complemented by early career experience as a luxury fashion stylist, where she developed a deep understanding of designer and couture garments.
Her conservation work spans a wide range of objects, including historic clothing, samplers, quilts, purses, dress accessories, dolls, and lace. Whether working with individuals or institutions, Nickole is dedicated to ensuring each textile receives the highest standard of care informed by both scholarship and hands-on expertise.
Nickole is actively engaged in the museum field through her work in collections care at the State Historical Museum of Iowa and her volunteer service with the Association of Dress Historians. Heritage Textile Conservation is an independent conservation practice. All services are conducted separately from her museum employment. Work is carried out in accordance with the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics, ensuring responsible, transparent, and professional care for every textile.
At the heart of her work, Nickole believes that cloth holds stories worth preserving and she strives to safeguard these for generations to come.
