Image: Joy Ossai in Marianne Fassler SS1819, Photographer Reze Bonna

The next issue of Selvedge, Issue 95 Heritage, is now available to pre-order. With much of the creative industries shut down, curating the Heritage issue for July was daunting, with no exhibitions to review, photographers not available for commission and writers struggling to fact-check their text. Yet, at Selvedge we feel it is our duty to support our readers with the magazine they rely on for inspiration and stimulation, now more than ever.

We need beauty and lightness amidst the anxiety of the rolling news, and at Selvedge, we feel that it has become more important than ever to support the work of makers who are in danger of being among the hardest hit economically. The products of their labour so enrich all our lives, and particularly now, their creative expression is a tonic for us all.

Image: Djilene Creations

With these thoughts in mind, the focus of this issue is the work of the makers of handmade textiles: individuals whose livelihoods are threatened, and communities both near and far struggling for survival because of their isolation and the pandemic’s economic impact. We bring you uplifting stories of women building better lives for their families through textiles endeavours in Guatemala, Mexico and India.

From khadi woven in Oaxaca, to Raasleela’s mantra of ‘reduce textile usage, upcycle more’, these artisan-centred projects work best when they maintain the essence of the maker's visual identity yet produce a product that connects to contemporary society. In this issue we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of McCall’s sewing patterns, look to Australia for Nicole Robins’ weaving practice, and turn to Senegal, where the uber-cool chairs by Djilene Creations are bursting with bright colours and geometric patterns. So, grab a lawn chair, and enjoy this issue in the summer sunshine.

Pre-order Issue 95 here.