This spring, many fashionistas will be wearing pieces made in a fabric called Toile de Jouy. From Dior to Oscar de la Renta to Tibi and beyond, many designers embraced this century’s-old fabric quite often found in home decor.

I love how many of the fashion houses are putting an edgy spin on this over 250-year-old fabric. A cool biker boot, thick leather belt, or statement sunglasses can make this fabric feel a little less sweet.

 

Oh heyyyy! Look at that book spine on Erin Gates’ new book coming out in the beginning of April…with a few designs in it from yours truly @PatriciaKnoxDesign!

And now for the Toile de Jouy history lesson—stay with me—

The fabric factory at Jouy was founded in 1760 by Christophe Oberkampf (1738–1815). It was given the tile of Manufacture Royale by Louis XVI in 1783 and awarded the Legion of Honor by Napoleon I in 1806. It remained in the hands of the same family until the 1820s. Oberkampf received many other awards in recognition of the quality of Jouy’s fabrics, as well as for advances in the science and technology of textile printing. The factory employed about a thousand workers during the late eighteenth century. Female workers comprised one-third to one-half the workforce at various times. Female printers earned half the pay of male printers.

On that note, I find it fascinating that the brilliant Dior design director and activist Maria Grazia Chiuri chose Toile de Jouy to rule her runway for her latest collection. Famously known for her “WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS” t-shirt, maybe she also knew a little history about Toile..