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 Schoesers 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.

The World Textiles Thesaurus provides a unique hierarchical overview of all key concepts that are relevant to navigating scientific literature in the textiles and fibres domain. Both the Tree Structure and Term Relations are available for building sophisticated search strategies. In constructing the World Textiles Thesaurus, the same editorial rules were applied as to other successful thesauri such as EMTREE, the life Science Thesaurus.In addition to the Thesaurus, the World Textiles Atlas offers a comprehensive listing of all journals indexed in the World Textiles Abstract database, publishers' details, plus two extensive lists of major Textile Conferences and Organizations.

Featuring textiles from the Balkans, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, this book reveals an eclectic selection of over 150 textiles that illustrate the richness and diversity of world textiles. With expert commentary that highlights the key features of the designs and sets them in their social and cultural context, this book gives insight into the significance of pattern and symbolism and tells the stories behind these spectacular works. Awash with vibrant color, fascinating motifs, and an assortment of striking and intricate patterns, this sourcebook offers a wealth of inspiration for using color and pattern and is a must-have for anyone interested in textile and design. * Includes various techniques of production: embroidery, weaving, printing and dyeing * Shows each individual textile in full through a series of detailed photographs

The author presents substantial case studies of the effect of the abolition of quotas on global trade in this sector. Concentrating mainly on China and Pakistan but also examining India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and seven other Asian T&C manufacturing countries, he contrasts post-abolition reality with pre-abolition predictions of the impact of abolishing quotas, and details the continuing distortion caused by tariffs, non-tariff barriers and through trade remedies such as safeguards and anti-dumping. All of the analysis is supported by the judicious use and interpretation of extensive statistics, compelling arguments, and interviews with entrepreneurs and trade officials in Pakistan (as a case study of a country predicted to be a major beneficiary of quota expiry).

African Textiles Today illustrates how African history is read, told, and recorded in cloth. All artifacts or works of art hold within them stories that range far beyond the time of their creation or the lifetime of their creator, and African textiles are patterned with these hidden histories. In Africa, cloth may be used to memorialize or commemorate something - an event, a person, a political cause - which in other parts of the world might be written down in detail or recorded by a plaque or monument. History in Africa can be read, told, and recorded in cloth. Making and trading numerous types of cloth have been vital elements in African life and culture for at least two millennia, linking different parts of the continent with each other and the rest of the world. Africa's long engagement with the peoples of the Mediterranean and the islands of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans provides a story of change and continuity. African Textiles Today shows how ideas, techniques, materials, and markets have adapted and flourished, and how the dynamic traditions in African textiles have provided inspiration for the continent's foremost contemporary artists and photographers. With a concluding chapter discussing the impact of African designs across the world, the book offers a fascinating insight into the living history of Africa.