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the design center at philadelphia university houses 200,000+ objects related to textiles and fashion. if you would like more information about our collection, please contact us through the ask me anything feature. all photographs copyright the design center.

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Valentino swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Valentino swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Valentino swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Galitzine metallic fabric swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Forquet swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Jean-Marie Armand swatch. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Ungaro fabric swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Ungaro fabric swatch. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Scherrer metallic fabric swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Venet swatches. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Cardin swatches - Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Jean-Marie Armand swatch. Nattier, High Fashion and Couture Fabrics. Mid 1960s.

Posted 4 weeks ago

Samples from the Harper’s Bazaar Fabric Forecast book, Spring into Summer 1959.

Posted 6 months ago

Samples from the Harper’s Bazaar Fabric Forecast book, Spring into Summer 1959.

Posted 7 months ago

While rummaging through our collection, we came across this incredible fabric forecast sample book from Harper’s Bazaar. The sample book depicts fabrics for the Spring into Summer season of 1959, while featuring various manufacturers’ samples in stunning color ways and textures. We decided to scan the book in its entirety and will be posting the images for the next few weeks! We hope you enjoy this remarkable collection!From the introduction page of the sample book:“Presenting Bazaar’s working handbook of the fabrics of fashion….a unique charting of the fabrics and colors that will illuminate and inspire Fashion 1959….We predict, in our opening pages, a spontaneous tapering of color into the new neutrals…neutrals that bring color full cycle from the brilliant success of the Bazaar Blues of ‘57…the HB Ultra Violet of ‘58. The impact of the new neutrals is complete…carrying a subtle calmness to all other colors as they are whitened, cooled and paled. We are impressed by the display of an entirely fresh approach to texture…an approach to aid and abet the rise of the new neutrals. We see a marvelous diversity of weaves…new depths and surfaces that almost shape for themselves the lines of fashion-to-come.We thank all those who designed and manufactured these beautiful fabrics. Their ingenuity and skill have made it both a fascination and a delight for us to assemble this remarkable collection of fabrics fro Spring-Summer 1959.”

While rummaging through our collection, we came across this incredible fabric forecast sample book from Harper’s Bazaar. The sample book depicts fabrics for the Spring into Summer season of 1959, while featuring various manufacturers’ samples in stunning color ways and textures. We decided to scan the book in its entirety and will be posting the images for the next few weeks! We hope you enjoy this remarkable collection!

From the introduction page of the sample book:

“Presenting Bazaar’s working handbook of the fabrics of fashion….a unique charting of the fabrics and colors that will illuminate and inspire Fashion 1959….

We predict, in our opening pages, a spontaneous tapering of color into the new neutrals…neutrals that bring color full cycle from the brilliant success of the Bazaar Blues of ‘57…the HB Ultra Violet of ‘58. The impact of the new neutrals is complete…carrying a subtle calmness to all other colors as they are whitened, cooled and paled. 

We are impressed by the display of an entirely fresh approach to texture…an approach to aid and abet the rise of the new neutrals. We see a marvelous diversity of weaves…new depths and surfaces that almost shape for themselves the lines of fashion-to-come.

We thank all those who designed and manufactured these beautiful fabrics. Their ingenuity and skill have made it both a fascination and a delight for us to assemble this remarkable collection of fabrics fro Spring-Summer 1959.”