The intersection of disposable clothing and pop art. by Lauren Klamm Production of paper clothing began with a 1966 American Scott Paper Company promotion offering an inexpensive paper dress, and quickly become a popular fashion novelty, with a large number of clothing items such as men’s vests, bridal gowns and even underwear. Major retail outlets such […]
Farewell, adieu Sam-pay ketamu lagi Museum Tekstil Jakarta!
Hats off to a great project and stay here in Jakarta! Ending on a wonderfully high note, 75 textile lovers attended my Talk Show covering the Conservation of the Iwan Tirta batiks…great turnout, gorgeous batik sarong and attire and brilliant discussion. today! Here I am with my so cool and eloquent MC Dyan–perfectly dressed […]
Washington Post article features Julia Brennan’s preservation work on Lady Astor’s coronation gown
The Post’s Cathy Alter spent some time with Julia in her studio observing the restoration and preservation of the Danville, Va. native’s coronation gown. Click here to read about Julia and Caring For Textiles as she unfolds the history of this significant ensemble. (photos by Andre Chung/for The Washington Post) [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”16″ gal_title=”Lady Astor”]
Jakarta Post 3#: I am BECOMING batik!!
I am BECOMING batik! It’s my daily language, looking at patterns, learning the names, asking millions of questions, feeling the soft cotton, learning about maestros such as Go Tik Swan -who I now want to make a film about. Everyone at the Museum Tekstil is so knowledgeable about batik, symbolism, history and ritual. It’s […]
Jakarta post #2: Everybody loves wet cleaning!
Everybody loves wet cleaning! Wet cleaning is called cuci, pronounced chuchee in Indonesian—and it means washing. Washing is a major part of our conservation project. After many years of exposure and city pollution, the Iwan Tirta batiks are dry and crispy, acidic and soiled. They desperately need cleaning to brighten the colors and neutralize the pH […]
All that glitters is not gold… sometimes it’s silver, or even copper.
Precious metals have long been used as status symbols, so it is no surprise to find them adorning prestigious royal and religious textiles. Even though metal thread embroideries and weavings have been desired by pharaohs, queens, and sultans for centuries, they have also been found in Asian court repositories and medieval tombs. Metallic cloths, although […]
Wedding Fantasies and Planning
During these cold winter days, (some days as low as 5 F) we dream ahead, of sleeveless or backless dresses, lightweight silks and chiffons, eyelet frocks and lacy veils. As spring fast approaches (we saw a snow drop the other day), wedding season is on the mind of many young ladies. Here at Caring for […]
Hidden Quilt History
The exterior of this quilt may look like any other, but there is something quite special going on under the surface here—it is two quilts in one (one quilt surrounding an even older quilt). We think the outer quilt was made between 1920-1940, when feed and flour sacks were commonly repurposed into dresses, towels, quilt […]
