Silk: Fibre, Fabric і Fashion

A rich and authoritative sourcebook on silk, with more than 600 colour illustrations

Silk has long captured the imagination of peoples round the globe, inspiring creativity in the making of luxurious textiles. This major new survey draws on the exceptional collections of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and explores tradition and innovation across the history and geography of silk production, celebrating the ingenuity and skill of designers and makers.

Structured by technique, from weaving and knitting to dyeing, printing and embroidery, this compendium showcases a rich variety of artworks, furnishings and clothing, including fashions from recent designer catwalk shows in North America, Asia and Europe. Silk will inform every student, connoisseur and admirer of beautiful textiles.

About the Authors:

Ana Cabrera Lafuente is Curator of Fashion at the Museo del Traje, Madrid and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Lesley Ellis Miller was Senior Curator in the Furniture, Textiles and Fashion Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from 2005 to 2021. Claire Allen-Johnstone is Assistant Curator of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Contents List:
Introduction
1. Plain and Simple: Plain weave; Satin; Chiffon; Crêpe; Gauze; Stripes and checks; Shot silks. Case Histories
2. Warps and Wefts: Figured gauze; Damasks and satin compounds; Lampas and compound weaves; Brocading; Tapestry weave; Velvet; Carpets with knotted pile; Jacuard woven; Gold and silver threads
3. Twine and Twist, Net, Knot and Knit: Twinning; Twisting and Netting; Knotting; Lace; Knitting and Crochet
4. Paint, Resist and Print: Painting; Freehand paste resist; Resist-dyeing; Tie-dyeing; Resist-dyeing and Batik; Stencilling; Ikat; Block printing; Copper plate printing; Roller printing; Screen printing; Digital printing; Gold and Silver
5. Stitch, Slash, Stamp and Pleat: Embroidery and Appliqué; Stamping; Slashing; Punching and Burning; Watering; Pleating and Smocking