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A woman in England officially has the largest collection of Spice Girls memorabilia in the world — including several iconic items.
Liz West, an artist from Manchester, began collecting Spice Girls memorabilia in 1996, Guinness World Records told PEOPLE.
“Initially, Liz just collected albums, magazines and sticker books, but after a year of [the group’s] chart successes, she started buying singles and masses of official merchandise,” Guinness said.
Liz officially received the title for the world’s biggest Spice Girls memorabilia collection in 2011, with 2,066 pieces. However, she has continued to grow her collection since that time, and now has more than 5,000 items.
Courtesy Guinness World Records
The collection features a number of notable items — including Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack boots, Mel C’s orange pants with multicolored halter top and a variety of platforms worn by members of the group.
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Liz told Guinness that her internationally recognized collection ultimately helped her forge a path as a working artist.
Tim Roney/Getty
“Having the Guinness World Records title allowed me to [exhibit] the collection because I had the accolade. It gave me credentials and allowed me ultimately to work full-time as an artist, which is the dream.”
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Liz, who showcases her artwork on Instagram, told PEOPLE that much of her work specifically features color palettes inspired by the Spice Girls.
“The color palette I choose within my artworks is a direct response to my experience growing up in the ’90s, specifically the abundant multicoloured costumes and aesthetic of the Spice Girls,” Liz said.
She added, “Growing up in Northern England felt grey, whereas ’90s pop was so vibrant and eye-catching — a much-needed injection of color. This has stuck with me throughout my life, and as an artist, I want to create joy and happiness through my artworks.”
liz west/instagram
Liz’s memorabilia collection was featured among a number of other unique accomplishments as part of the Guinness World Records 70th anniversary, which took place on Aug. 27.
To mark the occasion, Guinness is honoring record-holder achievements over the last 70 years, including record holders who have been positively impacted by record-breaking in their lives.
