Conservation Concerns in Fashion Collections: Caring for Problematic Twentieth-Century Textiles, Apparel, and Accessories

A manual and guide for preserving unique materials in fashion such as rayon, paper, and plasticsContinuous innovation and experimentation with the materials used in constructing textiles, apparel, and accessories creates an ever-growing challenge for professional curators and collectors. Recognizing problematic fibers, dyes, finishes, and fabric and yarn constructions is crucial for maintaining objects’ appearance, minimizing deterioration, and isolating those that are potentially harmful to other objects.

A comprehensive guide to problematic 20th-century textiles, Conservation Concerns in Fashion Collections provides a manual for the identification, care, and damage reduction of seven different categories of objects and textiles. Robust in their research, Kelly L. Reddy-Best and Margaret Ordonez guide readers through the damaging properties of various materials such as adhesives and nylon fibers and provide textile-specific cleaning and storage advice. Even as they provide such details, Reddy-Best and Ordonez ensure that the manual is easy to navigate as an essential reference, including scores of photographs to illustrate each topic.

From environmental concerns to exhibition problems, this guide stands apart for its exhaustiveness, creating a singular guide to 20th-century textile and garment queries. The authors combine information from contemporary publications and interviews of textile experts to provide readers with important information on the aging properties of and best conservation practices for unstable 20th-century apparel, accessories, and textiles. Conservation Concerns in Fashion Collections is perfect for undergraduate textile students and experienced curators alike, considering both the history and preservation of such items.