Textile Offerings

Ancient Peruvian Textile

Everyone will tell you that NY is a Fashion City.  Labels are simply everywhere and sold in emporiums like Macy's and Bloomingdales, not to mention those 5th Ave Boutiques.  However, here's a roundup of textiles that interested me.

We stopped in Bloomingdales briefly and discovered, quite by chance, a showing of Batman costumes (on the men's level). Of course, how could you take your eyes off that amazing catwoman outfit worn by Michelle Pfeiffer?  Other stunning outfits included Danny DeVito's Penguin, Jim Carey's Riddler and the very detailed gown worn by Poison Ivy. This display won a quiet gold star from us - no crowds, no noise and a close up view of all that detailed stitchery.  Batman or not, it did not inspire himself to run off and buy a pair of cute, designer undies.

Natural History Museum

The Lion King on Broadway was our next stop.  It is a stunning musical with creative, colourful costumes galore - and we really loved the themed music. The puppeteer's costumes lean heavily on Mbuti mudcloth designs whilst Simba and Scar wear Kuba designs.  The only photo op presented itself at the entrance to the theatre (Rafiki), but at least it's one to take home. There are plenty of web sites out there giving you some idea if you haven't had the chance to see the play.

Lobby Kuba Cloth

Speaking of African cloth, it took me a few days to realise that our apartment building used textiles as lobby artworks.  A nice applique piece of woven raffia Kuba cloth is displayed on the ground floor; the pic isn't good as it was in an awkward position in the lobby and I had to be discreet...  The motif is said to be the most common in Kuba craftwork and is known as "the tail of a dog".  Otherwise, I saw on other floors embroidered pieces of Indian origin.  It would have been nice to know what else was on display.

The Museum of Natural History had some fabulous costumes and other textiles.  I've included a few shots - most are through glass so there's some reflection and, of course, flash is not allowed.  I didn't note the specifics of each unfortunately, so this is my excuse to go back if I want to list them all.  Now that I think back, it would have been interesting to find out where they managed to find those vivid pinks and light blues.  Are they ancient vegetable dye recipes?   Certainly silks for the Korean costumes dyed during the Confucian period must have been.

Even marble can look like a diaphanous textile

Metal Suits for Man & Beast

I didn't follow up on costume in the Met having been so overwhelmed by furnishings and décor.  But these few photos look at textiles from a different perspective. I believe that knights of old used to wear quilted garments under that heavy armour.  And clothing was all hand stitched in those days.

Not textile but lots of gold leaf expertly applied and so inspirational

My favourite guide for textiles has generally been "World Textiles" by Gillow and Sentance, 1999.  What is yours?