Yes, you read that right... nylon. You might not realise, because it's often now referred to as polyamide on clothing labels, but it's actually still used in womenswear these days as nylon is a tough and rather fascinating fibre that's suitable for all manner of uses. Including fashion. Nylon was introduced by Du Pont in... Continue Reading →
Viscose is one of my favourite fibres. As a self confessed fabric nerd, I can spot this manufactured fibre a mile off as its beautiful handle and drape is quite distinctive. As a teenager in the early 1990s, I owned many long skirts and flowing dresses with a beautiful softness and a fluid-like drape to... Continue Reading →
Polyester suffers from an image problem. Mention its name to people and they often have a negative reaction, as synthetic fabrics are still thought of as uncomfortable and unfashionable. However, polyester is actually one of the most exciting and versatile fibres available to clothing designers today. In Nylon: The Manmade Fashion Revolution, Susannah Handley charts... Continue Reading →
When most people think of latex clothing, they think of fetishwear. While that may be the only rubber garments you could find on the internet a few years ago, believe me, it's not just about super shiny catsuits, tiny mini dresses and uniforms any more. There are some great designers out there who are using... Continue Reading →