Plaid print on flannel. Unknown manufacturer. March 1915.

Polka dot print on cotton flannel. Unknown manufacturer. October 1914.

Floral print in two colorways. Cranston Print Works. Cranston, RI.

Floral print in two colorways. Scheuer. New York City. March 13, 1935.

Floral print on cotton. Bryce Smith and Co. England. 1884.

Lily of the valley and polka dot print. Bourdon, Legendre, and Co. Paris, France. 1900.

Floral print on cotton. Bryce Smith and Co. Barrow, England. 1884.

Polka dot print. France. 1896-1897.

Fleur de lis print on dobby woven silk. France. 1891.

Wardrobe Wednesday: Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures

The cover art from Joy Division’s 1979 debut album Unknown Pleasures is based on an image of radio waves from pulsar CP 1919 from The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Astronomy. 

This cover art has been used as a pattern on everything from tee shirts to totes to dresses.  We’ve paired it with a brown and white print from British manufacturer Wood and Wright that bares an uncanny resemblance to the album art.  This textile sample predates the release of Unknown Pleasures by almost a century. 

Vermicular floral lace print on cotton. Late 19th century.

French silk floral print

Loop print on cotton. January 16, 1881.

Lily of the valley print. January 16, 1881.

Fern print on cotton. W. Crum and Co. 1884.