Materials matter
Guest blog post - a review of the Textile Society’s London Antique Textile Fair, Sunday 2nd October 2016 by Lucinda Merriman.
Stepping off a bustling King’s Road into Chelsea’s Victorian Town Hall and The Textile Society’s London Antique Textile Fair is like entering an Aladdin’s Cave – cool and calming and once your eyes have adjusted to the dazzle of the display; the outside world recedes for a few hours while you immerse yourself in everything material.
![IMG_3001[1]](http://www.selvedge.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_30011.jpg)
Threading your way between the multitude of stands bursting at the seams with fascinating fabrics in every variation from all around the World, your senses are assailed with colour, form and texture.
For those ‘in the know’, this Antique Textile Fair is simply one you can’t afford to miss – where else would you find such a diverse collection of fabric from the 18th Century through to the 1970’s?
Established in 1982 as an educational charity, The Textile Society raises money through this event and their Manchester Fair in April to help fund the Society’s awards and bursaries.
Dr Brenda King, Chair of The Society for 7 years concisely distils their work: “Supporting students through our bursary awards is extremely important to us, the money we make from this and the Manchester event helps us support the future through the past.”
Foremost textile designer Lucienne Day was the Society’s first Honorary President, a position she held from 1992-2002 and during her tenure ‘The Lucienne Day Award’ was created, which this year was awarded to Bath Spa University graduate Charlotte Street, for her stunning trompe-l’œil imagery.
Next year’s Antique Textile Fair in Manchester on Sunday 30th April is set to be a very special event as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary, while coinciding with Lucienne Day’s Centenary.
The Textile Society has lots of exciting things planned to celebrate these two momentous occasions in collaboration with Lucienne’s daughter Paula Day and the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation.
www.textilesociety.org.uk
Threading your way between the multitude of stands bursting at the seams with fascinating fabrics in every variation from all around the World, your senses are assailed with colour, form and texture.
For those ‘in the know’, this Antique Textile Fair is simply one you can’t afford to miss – where else would you find such a diverse collection of fabric from the 18th Century through to the 1970’s?
Established in 1982 as an educational charity, The Textile Society raises money through this event and their Manchester Fair in April to help fund the Society’s awards and bursaries.
Dr Brenda King, Chair of The Society for 7 years concisely distils their work: “Supporting students through our bursary awards is extremely important to us, the money we make from this and the Manchester event helps us support the future through the past.”
Foremost textile designer Lucienne Day was the Society’s first Honorary President, a position she held from 1992-2002 and during her tenure ‘The Lucienne Day Award’ was created, which this year was awarded to Bath Spa University graduate Charlotte Street, for her stunning trompe-l’œil imagery.
Next year’s Antique Textile Fair in Manchester on Sunday 30th April is set to be a very special event as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary, while coinciding with Lucienne Day’s Centenary.
The Textile Society has lots of exciting things planned to celebrate these two momentous occasions in collaboration with Lucienne’s daughter Paula Day and the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation.
www.textilesociety.org.uk