Fifties Textiles
God they're gorgeous - here's some I've collected around and about. Some of the patterns in the gallery are from 'V&A Pattern - The Fifties' book by Sue Prichard for £7.99 - a lovely collection of patterns which you also get copies on CD http://www.vandashop.com/product.php?xProd=3852&s=1
Henry Moore Textiles
I visited the 'Henry Moore Textiles' exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich last weekend and was blown away by how Moore's drawings were reproduced as textiles by Czech textile manufacturer Zika Ascher - they were really beautiful with fantastic subtle palettes.
"Although Moore is best known for his sculptures, this acclaimed exhibition offers the opportunity to see his work on an intimate scale, bringing together dress and upholstery fabrics with wall panels, drawings and lithographs. Henry Moore was first approached to make designs for fabrics during the Second World War, when Czech textile manufacturer Zika Ascher commissioned him and other leading artists to create designs for scarves. Moore worked closely with Ascher on the project, producing fabrics which were versatile and practical, yet remained vibrant works of art. The exuberant designs incorporate images of barbed-wire and safety pins as well as more light-hearted motifs of caterpillars, sea creatures and piano keys. Moore’s work looked forward to a new era, in keeping with the artist’s belief that art should be part of everyday life. His use of vivid pinks and greens, zigzags and swirls of interspersing colours contrasts with the often subdued colours of clothing and domestic fabrics in the post-war years." See http://www.scva.org.uk/exhibitions/current/?exhibition=77 also http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/oct/04/exhibition.art.henry.moore and http://www.skyarts.co.uk/art-design/article/review-henry-moore-textiles/
Reference links:
Vintage Fabric Pool - http://www.flickr.com/groups/vintagefabric/pool/
1950's pattern collection - http://thetextileblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/1950s-and-ranch-style-living.html
Dog Show pattern - http://martinklasch.blogspot.com/2009/07/illustration-dog-show.html
Jacqueline Groag textiles - http://birdsofoh.blogspot.com/2009/06/jacqueline-groag.html
Textiles - http://www.eohartanddesign.com/2010/01/14/1950s-original-textile-designs-part-3/
Henry Moore print - http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackheathens/2840367975/