Not currently on display at the V&A

Textile Swatch Cards

ca. 1955-1960 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The book on the left hand side of this image contains swatches of the innovative chenille woven textiles launched by Zika Ascher in the late 1950s. According to Ascher, the man-made content gave the surface particular resilience and made it possible to obtain rich and deep colours.

In Europe after the Second World War, couturiers used novel lightweight mixes of wool, mohair and nylon for winter coats and dresses. They favoured screen-printed rayons and silks for summer day wear and shot organza for cocktail and evening dresses.

Zika Ascher was an innovative textile manufacturer who based himself in London after the annexation of his home country of Czechoslovakia in 1939. His wife designed textiles and their company became incorporated in 1942 (Ascher Ltd). Ascher developed a range of different fabrics for use at the top end of the market. He used samples such as these to show prospective clients his wares, and as a record of his output.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven rayon, acrilan and wool in chenille yarn
Brief description
Textile swatch cards, made by Ascher Ltd., United Kingdom, ca. 1955-1960
Physical description
Five cards with chenille textile samples on them, currently held together with string around the top. Woven rayon, acrilan and wool in chenille yarn.
Dimensions
  • Width: 26cm
  • Length: 32cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Zika Ascher
Object history
Registered File number 1985/16.
Production
Attribution note: Launched on the haute couture market, this textile would have percolated into the ready-to-wear market, so was probably made in quantities that would qualify as mass-production.
Summary
The book on the left hand side of this image contains swatches of the innovative chenille woven textiles launched by Zika Ascher in the late 1950s. According to Ascher, the man-made content gave the surface particular resilience and made it possible to obtain rich and deep colours.

In Europe after the Second World War, couturiers used novel lightweight mixes of wool, mohair and nylon for winter coats and dresses. They favoured screen-printed rayons and silks for summer day wear and shot organza for cocktail and evening dresses.

Zika Ascher was an innovative textile manufacturer who based himself in London after the annexation of his home country of Czechoslovakia in 1939. His wife designed textiles and their company became incorporated in 1942 (Ascher Ltd). Ascher developed a range of different fabrics for use at the top end of the market. He used samples such as these to show prospective clients his wares, and as a record of his output.
Bibliographic references
  • Valerie Mendes. Ascher. Fabric, Art, Fashion, London: V&A, 1988, p. 116.
  • Lesley Ellis Miller. 'Perfect Harmony', The Golden Age of Couture. Paris and London, 1947-57, p. 124.
Collection
Accession number
T.75-1985

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Record createdApril 20, 2007
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