The history of textiles, more than that of any other artefact, is a history of human ingenuity. From the very earliest needles of 50,000 years ago to the smart textiles of today, textiles have been fundamental to human existence, and enjoyed, prized and valued by every culture. Silks from China, cottons from India, tapestries from Flanders, dyes from South America – the appeal of different weaves, colours and patterns was long a motivation for trade, the exchange of ideas and sometimes even war.

Mary Schoeser’s groundbreaking book, now revised and updated to incorporate new research, presents a chronological survey of textiles around the world from prehistory to the present. It explores how they are made, what they are made from, how they function in society and the ways in which they are valued and given meaning as well as reflecting on the environmental challenges they present today. World Textiles offers an invaluable introduction to this vast and fascinating subject for makers, designers, textile and fashion professionals, collectors and students alike.

“Decorating with flowers – on everything from walls and windows to sofas and floors – will bring magic and romance to any space.”  -  Mail on Sunday’s You Magazine
In the designs of Tricia Guild, atmosphere is everything. Patterns, colour, texture, furniture and furnishings interweave to create spaces that have all the depth and meaning of installation art. Yet just as an outfit never feels complete without a spritz of scent, a room without plants is only nearly complete. Only nearly perfect.  

At Designers Guild, Tricia Guild uses flowers, leaves and stems to enhance a room’s mood, bringing soul to the spaces we live in. A flower has many spirits over the course of its life, from the promise of those first pristine and innocent buds, to the resplendent joy of full blooms and the wistful glory as they fade. The cycle of nature provides an ever-evolving muse for Tricia Guild. Her latest book explores how blooms can evoke emotion, presenting a plethora of inspirational designs that breathe fresh life into our homes and workspaces.  

In medieval Europe, embroidered textiles were indispensable symbols of wealth and power. Owing to their quality, complexity and magnificence, English embroideries enjoyed international demand and can be traced in Continental sources as opus anglicanum (English work). Essays by leading experts explore the embroideries’ artistic and social context, while catalogue entries examine individual masterpieces. Medieval embroiderers lived in a tightly knit community in London, and many were women who can be identified by name. Comparisons between their work and contemporary painting challenge modern assumptions about the hierarchy of artistic media. Contributors consider an outstanding range of examples, highlighting their craftsmanship and exploring the world in which they were created.

‘Fascinating . . . The history of the world through the eye of a needle . . . I recommend this book to anyone’ THE SPECTATOR
‘A charming, absorbing and history that takes us on a journey from the silk roads to sportswear, from ruffs to spacesuits . . . I devoured this quietly feminist book’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘Joyful and beautiful’ NATURE
‘Will make you rethink your relationship with fabric’ ELLE DECORATION

All textiles begin with a twist. From colourful 30,000-year old threads found on the floor of a Georgian cave to what the linen wrappings of Tutankhamun’s mummy actually meant; from the Silk Roads to the woollen sails that helped the Vikings reach America 700 years before Columbus; from the lace ruffs that infuriated the puritans to the Indian calicoes and chintzes that powered the Industrial Revolution, our continuing reinvention of cloth tells fascinating stories of human ingenuity.

When we talk of lives hanging by a thread, being interwoven, or part of the social fabric, we are part of a tradition that stretches back many thousands of years. Fabric has allowed us to achieve extraordinary things and survive in unlikely places, and this book shows you how — and why.

With a cast that includes Chinese empresses, Richard the Lionheart and Bing Crosby, Kassia St Clair takes us on the run with escaped slaves, climbing the slopes of Everest and moonwalking with astronauts. Running like a bright line through history, The Golden Thread offers an unforgettable adventure through our past, present and future.

From Ancient Egypt and Marie Antionette to Alexander McQueen and Chanel, this visual fashion design book charts the evolution of clothing and shows how every generation reinvents fashion!

The perfect fashion coffee table book! Here’s what you’ll find inside:

– Covers the most important and iconic fashion periods in vivid detail, from ancient times to the present day, in extensive catalogue spreads
– From a crinoline to a Givenchy gown, specially photographed “virtual tours” of classic pieces spotlight the details that make up a masterpiece
– Profiles showcase the key styles and works of trailblazing designers, describing how they have influenced the clothes we wear
– Beautiful double-page images from fashion archives show how people have embraced fashion in every era and place fashion in its cultural context

The fashion industry is yours to explore! Packed with a dazzling combination of original fashion plates, archive images, and commissioned photography, Fashion takes you on a fabulous tour across the centuries! It catalogues the history of what people wear – revealing how Western fashion has been influenced by design from around the world – and celebrating everything from costumes to haute couture.

Now fully revised and updated, this lavishly illustrated book about fashion includes recent subjects of interest including the increased role of social media, fast fashion, sustainable fashion, and the drive for improved diversity and beauty ideals. The illustrated glossary of technical terms and a comprehensive index help make this page-turning fashion book an indispensable work of reference for any fashion student or fashionista’s shelf.

Look out for more titles in The Definitive Visual Guide series from DK. Experience the power of art and take a guided tour of the world’s most influential paintings in Art, or celebrate the history and evolution of design movements in Design.