The Textile Association

The first press release of the Society evidence that it was launched on 8 May 1982 at a conference held at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester. The Society promotes the study of textile disciplines and celebrates the history and culture of textiles, both traditional and contemporary. The Textile Society is a unique forum for textile professionals and enthusiasts. It goes on to note that the ‘broad scope of the society is reflected in the group of people who have brought about its formation – practicing textile designers and artists, staff from museums, private collectors, conservators, students of textiles and teachers from art institutes, polytechnics and universities. ’ Although this mixture of interested parties seems humdrum today, it was not the case then. ‘We were then seeking to create what would now be termed a trans-disciplinary academic “space” – when the current boundaries/walls surrounding the study of textiles were appointed in cement – economic history, ethnography, curatorial chronology, celebrity designers, etc. There were few who worked together crosswise these partitions, few who took an “academic” interest in peasant/regional dress in UK universities, and little argument between designers, makers [and] academics. Initially, these were to be given for two essays, one written by a design student, and sponsorship was desired to fund this. Ultimately, it was the creation of the Antique Textile Fair that allowed the donation schemes to flourish, and this event was endowed at Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent in 1992. So, from the outset, a wide range of individuals, events and publications have delivered the manifesto of the Society, aimed at making connections beyond all specializations within textiles and the diversityof institutions whose work encompasses aspects of the field. The Collectors Group is an enthusiastic section of the Society - meets regularly to view private and behind-the-scenes public assemblage and to share skills and expertise.