The fourth of a seven-volume series which provides an illustrated history of British textile design from the middle ages to the 1990s, showing highlights of the V&A's collection of woven, printed and embroidered textiles. This title looks at British textiles from 1850 to 1900.

This is a study of Japanese country textiles, covering design, techniques and the social context, taking examples from the V&A Museum's varied collection. The book examines the way in which country textiles have been categorized in the 20th century. Woven from cotton- and linen-like fabrics and patterned by resist-dyeing techniques, these textiles range from indigo-blue futon covers to the coloured robes of Okinawa. The book examines their complex and time-consuming manufacture and the varied repertoire of effects employed by the weavers and dyers of 18th- and 19th-century Japan. It places the textiles within their historical context in order to gain a greater understanding of the social, religious, political and economic significance, and concludes with a brief exploration of the survival of traditional textiles within the highly mechanized and urbanized society of modern Japan.

The designs of eighteenth-century woven silk in England and France exemplified skills acquired over two millennia: in their range, quality and beauty, they have perhaps never been excelled. The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, contains by far the most important and extensive collection of English silk designs in the world, some bound as they were originally, others loose, and still more as samples of fabric in pattern books. The designs changed with the season and, through these pages, we can see fashion evolving from the extravagances of the 'bizarre' silks of the early eighteenth century, through the 'lace' patterns and three-dimensional effects of the 1720s and 1730s, to the Rococo of the 1740s, the stylization of the 1750s and 1760s and, finally, to the Neo-Classicism of the 1770s and later. The diversity in motif and pattern is astonishing, and subtleties of texture contrast with colours as brilliant and fresh as they were two centuries ago.Here, in more than 250 magnificent colour illustrations, is a treasure house of inspiration for today's designers, a captivating record for students of costume and textiles, and a delight for anyone who loves things of beauty.

David Bowie’s career as a pioneering artist spanned nearly 50 years and brought him international acclaim. He continues to be cited as a major influence on contemporary artists and designers working across the creative arts.   This book, published to accompany the blockbuster international exhibition launched at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, is the only volume that grants access to Bowie’s personal archive of performance costumes, ephemera, and original design artwork by the artist, bringing it together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations. The book traces his career from its beginnings in London, through the breakthroughs of  Space Oddity and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and on to his enormous impact on 20th-century avant-garde music and art. Essays by V&A curators on Bowie’s London, image, and influence on the fashion world are complemented by Howard Goodall on musicology; Camille Paglia on gender and decadence, and Jon Savage on Bowie’s relationship with William Burroughs and his fans. The more than 300 color illustrations include personal and performance photographs, album covers, co... [Read More]

The book is features full page or 1/2 page images of fabrics from the Victoria and Albert Museums outstanding collection. The format is oversized at 9 1/2" x 11." With a few pages of the history of fabric and information on each image, the book is all images of these magificent fabrics.

Among the many outstanding textile collections in the V&A, hand-made lace is one of the most exquisite. The collection is comprehensive in its coverage of the technique over more than three hundred years, whether the delicate geometric perfection favoured by Elizabethan courtiers, or the bold floral exuberance of the Victorian age. Clare Browne has selected 100 examples across this range of designs and fashions in lace, to demonstrate the variety, skill and beauty lace makers have achieved in their work.Details have all been specially photographed, and the result is a feast for the eye as well as a survey of exquisite craftsmanship. This book will be additionally valuable as a record of important parts of a collection which by its nature is too fragile to be kept on permanent display, and offers a wide-ranging survey of the art and craft of lace making down the ages.

This beautiful look at fans through the ages is illustrated in full color with some of the most spectacular examples from the world famous dress collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Created throughout history for a multitude of different purposes, many fans are also exquisite works of art. Tracing the evolution of the art of European fan making -- & the social uses of the fan -- the story begins in the 17th century, & concludes with the near-demise of fans early this century. Includes 19th- & 20th-century commercial fans, as well as examples of modern artist s fans. Combines lively text & color photos, along with contemporary engravings, magazines, journals & original designs.

1750's Coat with Military Variations for the Officer or Enlisted Man (52" Chest). This pattern is a single size pattern; please reference the description for size included. Appropriate for either civilian or military wear, this coat has very full skirts, deep cuffs, a straighter front line and roomier sleeves than coats worn in the 1770's and later. The body of the coat fits close to the person and the armholes are set high and back to reinforce a correct, erect 18th century posture. Military lapels and cuffs may be mixed and matched to suit the requirements of your unit. Available in sizes 40 - 52. Enclosed you will find a plain cuff, a functional mariner's cuff, and a curved cuff. All the pieces were designed to fit together, so you may mix and match. This coat is designed to fit comfortably over shirt, breeches and waistcoat. If you plan to wear your coat over a sleeved waistcoat, please fit it accordingly. Depending on the weight of the fabric you have used for your waistcoat, it may be necessary to expand the sleeves on the coat. This original coat pattern is fashioned after an extant example of an officer's regimental worn by Capt. Thomas Plumbe, Royal Lancashire Militia c. 1... [Read More]

Catalogue of the Naval and Marine Engineering Collection in the Science Division of the Victoria and Albert

Keep favorite recipes at hand yet neatly filed in Galison's pretty and practical William Morris Recipe Box. A colorful William Morris floral print the collection of London's Victoria and Albert Museum decorates the matte-laminated sturdy cardboard recipe box with a hinged lid. Organize your favorite recipes on 4 x 6" two-sided recipe cards. Other William Morris flower patterns decorate the tabbed dividers, which allow you to organize your recipes by food

This vintage book contains a short guide to Persian embroidery published by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. With information on dates, origin, material, and technique, this volume will appeal to those with an interest in historical embroidery, and would make for a fantastic addition to collections of allied literature. Contents include: “Embroidery”, “Prefatory Notes”, “Photographs”, “Brief Guide to the Persian Embroideries”, and “Descriptions of Plates”. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on