MoDA item and my thoughts

The joy of ... Barkers summer and holiday fabrics

Manufactured by John Barker and Company Ltd - London, 1935 - 1945

‘Fully illustrated pattern book with cloth samples of Barkers' "novelty fabrics" including synthetics. Prices annotated. Flowers had long been a popular and feminine choice for cotton dress fabrics, but designs which featured simple, floral motifs in repeat were also much in demand for cheaper rayon fabrics. This Barker and Co catalogue features 'novelty' fabrics which were suitable for making chic but inexpensive bias-cut dresses.’ ( Photo and text from moda.mdx.ac.uk )

It caught my eyes in MoDA online collection since I loved how these samples of fabrics are presented and of course patterns, colours and structure of textile samples. I personally liked it because it shows for me a lot about past fashion and textiles, business in this niche, relationship between company and clients and even prices. I can clearly imagine 1935 - 1945 woman in dress made of these textiles walking down the street. That shows how fascinating, intriguing these samples are! They can even encourage your imagination, especially if you are fashion and textiles lover like me! I also love history and old things that may tell you a story and be very personal. That is why I was draw by a book rather than something else. Book of old textiles samples seems for me even more personal and very thoughtful. It makes me think that all the process of dress making was also much more personal and this industry of fashion and textiles had more communication and relationship with clients then there are now.