4.2 Fashion Resources: Internet Resources
Edith Serkownek
Websites: Fibers and Textiles[1]
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Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Textiles
The Museum’s Textile and Fashion Arts Collection features more than 27,000 items from American, European, and non-Western cultures and many historical periods. Over 6,600 pieces are digitized. -
A British campaign launched in 2010 designed to support and promote the wool industry. The website highlights events, designers and many aspects of the wool industry throughout the world.
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Centre for Textile Research (CTR) [Denmark]
“Since its inception in 2005 the CTR has focused strongly on textile history and archaeology via substantial research programmes, as well as via research training of young scholars and a variety of activities connected with textile history involving universities, museums and design schools. “ -
Colouring the Nation, National Museums of Scotland
Colouring the Nation is collaborative project run by the University of Edinburgh and the National Museums Scotland. “The project is investigating the cultural and global impact of Scotland’s decorative textile industry, with the Turkey red industry as a primary interest.” Visitors can follow links to vibrant images from early sample books. -
This PDF glossary by Celanese Acetate LLC, is over 200 pages and offers detailed definitions for fibers and fiber-related processes as well as black and white illustrations.
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The website of this global organization provides a wealth of information on the manufacture, production and sale of cotton. The website includes access to the Cotton Textile Encyclopedia which briefly defines many textile manufacturing terms and the Cotton Campus with activities and information for students. For fabric and textile sourcing directories click on the Product tab.
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“Cotton Incorporated’s CottonWorks program is an industry resource as a professional or emerging professional in the apparel and textile industry. Develop expertise for every stage of the product development and marketing process by diving into our comprehensive resource with data and research, market and trend analysis, timely webinars, and informative videos.”
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The European Textile Network (ETN) is a nonprofit network of textile artists, cultural heritage institutions and educational institutions with the aim to “develop European co-operation in the field of textile culture.” Visitors to the site will be interested in the European Textile Routes, which provides a large network of links (with brief descriptions) to European textile institutions and events both thematically and geographically.
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Fabric Link, Fabric University, Course Curriculum
This site provides general information about fibers including a brief fiber history page, fiber producers and trademarks, characteristics of textile fibers, a dictionary of fabric terms, fabric care tips, fiber identification through burn test instructions and consumer alert/fabric recalls. It also provides brief descriptions of 150 high performance products listed alphabetically. -
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres worldwide. It defines high level environmental criteria along the entire supply chain of organic textiles and requires compliance with social criteria as well. Visitors to the site may download the current GOTS certification standards. Visitors may also search the public database for suppliers of GOTS certified textiles and products. -
Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, Costumes & Textiles
Costumes and Textiles is a Digital Interactive Gallery (DIG) presented by the Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington. These galleries are “experimental, web-based introductions to specific mediums, subjects, and issues in art and design, all illustrated with images of objects in the Henry’s collection.”The Costumes and Textiles series provides several ways to explore this area of museum collecting. For example, explore how garments reflect identity, fashion or specific occasions in the wearers’ lives. In the textile section, view examples by structure or by type of embellishment. Finally, explore the global connections of Henry Art Gallery objects using Google Earth. -
National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)
“The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is a unique association representing the entire spectrum of the textile industry. NCTO is the voice of the U.S. textile industry.” The council lobbies for U.S. policies regarding the textile industry and provides statistical information on the industry. -
On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics, University of Arizona
“The On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics contains material on weaving, basketry, lace, and related subjects. The documents on this site come from a variety of sources. Most are digital facsimilies of paper documents created by scanning or, in some cases, digital photography. Some documents were written for online publication. Other documents were obtained from the Web and other sources.” -
The Powerhouse Museum is a technology and design museum that provides a wealth of information related to textiles and fashion. Search the museum’s collection by keyword such as ‘fashion’ or ‘dress’ or by organized “sets,” such as Annette Kellerman costume collection or the Berlei Underwear collection and archive.
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Project Threadways is a nonprofit that records, studies, and explores the history of textiles. Begun by Alabama Chanin, the organization has a particular focus on exploring the U.S. textile industry including collecting oral histories and holding symposia.
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Created in 2008, the Scottish Register of Tartans is a database of tartans intended to protect, promote and preserve tartan designs. Visitors may search the register, by tartan name or colors, to find information about thousands of tartans. They can also access information on resources in the National Records of Scotland for the study of tartan history.
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Technical Textiles Net provides a directory/glossary of brands, materials and textile applications as well as brief news bites. It also hosts a discussion group on topics related to the production, manufacture and use of industrial and high performance textiles.
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“The TextielMuseum is a dynamic and creative working museum located in a former textile factory in Tilburg [Germany]. It is the only place in the world where textile design, art, fashion, industrial heritage and innovation come together.”
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This blog features a nice list with accompanying articles on many important, historical textile designers.
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Although quite old (1942) this book “provided generations of textile students with definitive images of fibers at high magnification. It is an indispensable aid in properly identifying textile objects. It remains popular among ethnobotanists, textile conservators, microscopists, anthropologists, and archaeologists in photocopy form. The Textile Fiber Atlas remains a classic reference in textiles research.”
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Textile Manufactures of India Sample Books, 1866
Published by the India Office of the British Government in 1866, this 18 volume set of fabric sample books has been digitized, proving textile students with both history and inspiration. -
The Textile Museum, Washington D.C.
It is the mission of “The Textile Museum to expand public knowledge and appreciation—locally, nationally, and internationally—of the artistic merits and cultural importance of the world’s textiles.”
Websites: Fabric Sourcing
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Apparel Search, Wholesale Fabric Guide
This website serves as a “directory designed specifically for members of the clothing & fashion accessories industry.” The page provides links to wholesale fabric sources. -
The website of this global organization provides a wealth of information on the manufacture, production and sale of cotton. The website includes access to the Cotton Textile Encyclopedia which briefly defines many textile manufacturing terms and the Cotton Campus with activities and information for students. For fabric and textile sourcing directories click on the Product tab.
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Cotton Incorporated, Sourcing Cotton
This page provides basic information for developing or adjusting sourcing strategies for cotton with information on traceability, source countries, supply chain software and more. - Fashion Positive
Fashion Positive offers a database of Cradle-to-Cradle certified suppliers of “yarns, dyes, fabrics, zippers, trims, finishing, and more—creating a growing collective of “positive” materials with which to design from the beginning.” In addition, visitors may view educational webinars and review the “Fashion Positive Critical Materials List,” a list high-priority, critical materials needed for circular fashion.
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“Apparel industry publishers and consultants specializing in sourcing, design, production, and sustainable fashion information since 1992.”
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres worldwide. It defines high level environmental criteria along the entire supply chain of organic textiles and requires compliance with social criteria as well. Visitors to the site may download the current GOTS certification standards. Visitors may also search the public database for suppliers of GOTS certified textiles and products.
- Materia
Based in The Netherlands, Materia “functions as a platform between the creative professional and the manufacturer” in architectural and interior design. The website provides visitors with access to Materia’s database of innovative architectural and design materials, which may be searched by keyword, technical or ‘sensorial’ qualities. Registration is required but free. Visitors may wish to search under terms such as ‘fabric’, ‘fiber’ or ‘fashion’ for interesting results.
- Material ConneXion
Discover over 4,500 materials by searching or browsing by category, processing, sustainability, and physical properties. Includes photographs and manufacturer contact information.
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SwatchOn is a fabric marketplace for fashion designers. It supply swatch samples based on easily searchable criteria and sells whoiesale fabrics with no minimum orders.
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Textile Exchange is a non-profit, member-based organization dedicated to expanding the organic/sustainable textiles market. While membership is required for access to some features of the site, viewers may access the Marketplace database to search for member companies and suppliers, download the monthly newsletter, and access a number of educational materials through the Learning Zone and Farm Library sections including audio and videos.
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Textile Source, Textile Sourcing Directory
The Textile Source site offers an International Textile Sourcing Directory searchable by company, textile type or country.
- Serkownek, E. (n.d.) Fashion resources: Fabric, textiles & sourcing: Library resources: Fabrics, textiles & sourcing. Kent State University Libraries LibGuide. Used with permission. ↵
