English Textile

Using objects that Americans have saved through the centuries and stories they have passed along, as well as histories teased from documents, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich chronicles the production of cloth—and of history—in early America. Under the singular and brilliant lens that Ulrich brings to this study, ordinary household goods provide the key to a transformed understanding of cultural encounter, frontier war, Revolutionary politics, international commerce, and early industrialization in America.

The story of humanity is the story of textiles - as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world.

“A journey as epic, and varying, as the Silk Road itself...[The Fabric of Civilization is] like a swatch of a Florentine Renaissance brocade: carefully woven, the technique precise, the colors a mix of shade and shine and an accurate representation of the whole cloth” (The New York Times)...

In the 1970s, Paris fashion exploded like a champagne bottle left out in the sun. Amid sequins and longing, celebrities and aspirants flocked to the heart of chic, and Paris became a hothouse of revelry, intrigue, and searing ambition. At the center of it all were fashion’s most beloved luminaries - Yves Saint Laurent, the reclusive enfant terrible, and Karl Lagerfeld, the flamboyant freelancer with a talent for reinvention - and they divided Paris into two fabulous halves.

The classic, “gripping” (New York Times) history demonstrating that America's economic supremacy was built on the backs of enslaved people Winner of the Avery O. Craven Prize from the Organization of American Historians Winner of the Sidney Hillman Prize “A stinging indictment of slavery...

When a vulnerable young mother takes a new job in another city, she gets ensnared in a hedonistic lifestyle. Excerpts: - - - “Two coffees, please. Make it quick and don't bother taking time with the change.” “Reese, is that you?” A strikingly handsome middle-aged man approached and stood behind her in the line. “Oh my God! Derek, what are you doing here?” “Grabbing a quick coffee the same as you. You're naked.” “I know.” “You need a ride or something?” “No. I'm here with my friend Cat. She's waiting in the car for my quick getaway.” I saw him wave at me. I waved ...

Unveil the secrets of textile transformation with "Color Craft," your comprehensive guide to the vibrant world of dyeing and finishing. Begin your adventure in "Color Craft" with a solid foundation—a thorough exploration of textile coloration and finishing awaits in the opening chapter. You'll gain insights into the essential techniques that form the bedrock of all textile crafts. Grasp the nuances of different dyeing technologies, and learn how finishing processes add that professional touch to your personal gear. Ready to get hands-on? "Color Craft" guides you through the practical art ...

When Dr. Eliza Bennett accepts a short-term consultancy at a quiet Midwestern museum, she expects spreadsheets, provenance reports, and long nights alone with data. What she does not expect is a body in the conservation lab. Nor does she expect to become the prime witness in a murder investigation that smells faintly of linseed oil, forged masterpieces, and professional jealousy. As the museum reels from the shocking death of its formidable head conservator, Eliza finds herself pulled into a web of ambition, counterfeit art, and secrets worth killing for. The suspects are polished, powerful...

A Valentine's festival becomes a silken tomb. Lena Ward has spent months perfecting the Briar Hollow winter wonderland. Between the ice sculptures and the chocolate tastings, she’s built a romantic fantasy that the world is dying to see. But something is moving inside the walls of the historic Rosemont Hotel. It isn't the ghosts of the past—it’s an invasive predator that has turned the town’s "Briar Lace" into a living snare. As a neurotoxic poison begins to claim the guests, Lena must join forces with a local paramedic and a veteran firefighter to navigate a hotel that has been ...

From a Black philosopher and the author of The Politics of Black Joy, an epic retelling of American history from slavery to Jim Crow from the perspective of the Black women who used magic and spirituality to gain freedom and reshape the culture of the nation. The Conjuring of America tells the...

Claire Wilcox has been a curator of fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum for most of her working life. In Patch Work, she steps into the archive of memory, deftly stitching together her dedicated study of fashion with the story of her own life lived in and through clothes. From her mother's black wedding suit to the swirling patterns of her own silk kimono, her memoir unfolds in spare, luminous prose the spellbinding power of the things we wear.

In February 2011 John Galliano, the lauded head of Christian Dior, imploded with a drunken, anti-Semitic public tirade. Exactly a year earlier, celebrated designer Alexander McQueen took his own life three weeks before his women's wear show. Both were casualties of the war between art and commerce that has raged within fashion for the last two decades.

The Wardrobe Project is your guide to gently shifting your spending habits and finding confidence within yourself instead of searching for it on a rack. It might even tempt you to take on the no-buy challenge as you discover your inner brilliance, without the need to add to cart.

Step beyond the mundane and into the richly woven tapestry of "Beyond Fabric," an eBook that delves deep into the heart and soul of textile art. Whether you are an enthusiast eager to explore different textures and patterns, a seasoned weaver looking to refine your craft, or simply a lover of the arts, this comprehensive guide takes you on an inspiring journey through the world of fibers, dyes, and yarns. Embark on an odyssey of color and creativity beginning with "The Essence of Textile Art," exploring the profound impact and historic roots of this expressive form. Discover the materials ...

From colorful 30,000-year-old threads found on the floor of a Georgian cave to the Indian calicoes that sparked the Industrial Revolution, The Golden Thread weaves an illuminating story of human ingenuity. Design journalist Kassia St. Clair guides us through the technological advancements and cultural customs that would redefine human civilization - from the fabric that allowed mankind to achieve extraordinary things (traverse the oceans and shatter athletic records) and survive in unlikely places (outer space and the South Pole).

There is a major disconnect between what we wear and our knowledge of its impact on land, air, water, labor, and human health. Even those who value access to safe, local, nutritious food have largely overlooked the production of fiber, dyes, and the chemistry that forms the backbone of modern textile production. While humans are 100 percent reliant on their second skin, it’s common to think little about the biological and human cultural context from which our clothing derives.

Slaves to Fashion is a cultural history of the black dandy, from his emergence in Enlightenment England to his contemporary incarnations in the cosmopolitan art world. Interpreting performances and representations of black dandyism in particular cultural settings and literary and visual texts, Monica L. Miller emphasizes the importance of sartorial style to black identity formation in the Atlantic diaspora.

Twenty thousand years ago, women were making and wearing the first clothing created from spun fibers. In fact, right up to the Industrial Revolution the fiber arts were an enormous economic force, belonging primarily to women. Despite the great toil required in making cloth and clothing, most books on ancient history and economics have no information on them. Much of this gap results from the extreme perishability of what women produced, but it seems clear that until now descriptions of prehistoric and early historic cultures have omitted virtually half the picture.

A compilation of ten articles, Montessori Topics of Interest explores a variety of themes pertinent to anyone interested in learning more about the Montessori Method of education for children two-and-a-half through six years of age. Topics covered include Montessori’s holistic integration of mathematics, how geography gives a face to humanity, the outdoor environment as an extension of the indoor classroom, and the presentation of fact-based literature rather than fantasy for young children. Written in a conversational tone, Montessori Topics of Interest is an enjoyable reading experience...

Step into the world of sustainable fashion with "Secondhand Chic," the definitive e-book guide for anyone eager to unlock the transformative power of upcycled fashion. Discover a fresh path towards individual style that's as kind to the planet as it is to your wardrobe. Embark on an upcycling journey that combines the joy of creativity with the ethical imperative of sustainability. With "Secondhand Chic," you'll traverse the exciting terrain of slow fashion; from understanding textiles' life cycles to crafting a wardrobe that reflects both timeless elegance and forward-thinking ...