Product Description

The period between the two world wars was one of extreme upheavals in politics, economics, and society as a whole. It was also a time of intense artistic creativity, culminating in the great Paris Exposition des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925, and the subsequent spread of the celebrated Art Deco style.

The radical innovations in Art Deco fashion and interior decoration demanded new textile designs, and, as the period progressed, fabrics for clothes, upholstery, wallpaper, and rugs increasingly reflected the modernism, elegance, and vibrancy of the movement. As the French artist Raoul Dufy, himself a brilliant fabric designer, wrote, "Paintings have spilled from their frames and stained our dress and our walls."

This sumptuous new book invites the reader to discover the spectacular world of Art Deco fabrics, with examples by designers such as Delaunay, Ruhlmann, Henry, Marrot, Dufresne, Bénédictus, and dozens more. Alain-René Hardy, a noted French expert in twentieth-century decorative arts, has searched through museum holdings, manufacturers' archives, and private collections to find hundreds of examples of both hand- and machine-made textiles, many of them never before published.

From the lavish to the minimalist, from luxurious floral patterns to subtle geometric variations in color and texture, Art Deco textiles continue to enthrall us with their originality, complexity, and vivacity. 310 color illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #755179 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

About the Author
Alain-Rene Hardy is a former university lecturer and a specialist in 20th-century decorative art.

Customer Reviews

A reference 'Bible' of both hand made & machine-made textile
Art Deco Textiles is an informed and informative survey of art deco fabrics which packs in color examples drawn from a diverse range of designers in the field, from Marrot and Benedictus to Chanel. Alain-Rene Hardy's research through museum holdings, manufacturer's archives and private collections alike produces an unparalleled reference 'Bible' of both hand made and machine-made textiles, creating an outstanding textile oriented history and survey of the entire field.

Excellent Resource
I'm a textile and clothing designer and have a large collection of print reference books. Since I first purchased this book it has been the first book I pull out when I want inspiration. Because of that I have also given it as a gift to several other designers, and it has become one of their favorites too. The collection is inspired and diverse and the printing shows beautiful detail. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves great contemporary design, as well as those interested in vintage textile design.

Inspired
Terrific forward that puts the work into context. The images are wonderful -- the colors have printed well to the pages, good amount of detail. A fascinating period in textile design, well handled.