A Level Fashion and Textiles CAIE

This subject is broken down into 29 topics in 7 modules:

  1. Design and Textile Materials 5 topics
  2. Textile and Fashion Industry 5 topics
  3. Fashion Design Process 5 topics
  4. Global, Cultural and Historical Context 4 topics
  5. Professional Skills in Fashion and Textiles 4 topics
  6. Surface Textile Design 3 topics
  7. Costume Design 3 topics
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  • 7
    modules
  • 29
    topics
  • 11,478
    words of revision content
  • 1+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Fashion and Textiles

Design and Textile Materials

Fiber types and properties

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Fiber types and properties

Natural Fibres

  • Cotton: Derived from the cotton plant, this fibre is known for its durability, absorbency, and suitability for dyeing. It is gentle, hypoallergenic, and great for skin contact fabrics.
  • Silk: Luxurious and lustrous, silk is derived from silkworm cocoons. It has excellent drape, is strong, and has natural temperature-regulating properties.
  • Wool: Acquired from sheep, it has great elasticity and resilience. Wool is warm, flame resistant and absorbs moisture well, making it comfortable in varying conditions.
  • Linen: Produced from the stem of flax plants, linen is exceptionally absorbent, strong, and good for summer clothing due to its coolness.

Manufactured Fibres

Regenerated

  • Rayon: Made from wood pulp, rayon drapes well and is highly absorbent making it good for summer wear. It may wrinkle easily and loses strength when wet.
  • Acetate: Derived from wood pulp, acetate is known for its high lustre, and good drape. Less absorbent than rayon, it dries quickly and is moderately strong.
  • Lyocell: This is a variety of rayon made from wood pulp under eco-friendly processes. It combines silk's drape with the absorbency of cotton.

Synthetic

  • Nylon: Offers high strength, elasticity, and resilience. Nylon was the first fibre to be completely synthetic. It's resistant to moisture and wrinkles but is prone to static build-up.
  • Polyester: This is also highly strong, resilient, and resistant to shrinking and creasing. Polyester is also quick-drying, however, it has tendency to retain oily stains.
  • Acrylic: This soft, lightweight fibre is known for its wool-like feel. Acrylic is warm, resilient, retains colour well, and is resistant to sun and chemical damage.

Blended Fibres

  • Many textiles are not entirely composed of one fibre but are blended, often to combine characteristics of various fibres. For example, cotton and polyester might be blended to combine cotton's softness and absorbency with polyester's strength and durability.

Note the Properties of Fibres

Understanding the properties of each fibre is key to making appropriate selections in designing and creating garments. Different garments will command different properties based on their use and styling.

Course material for Fashion and Textiles, module Design and Textile Materials, topic Fiber types and properties

Fashion and Textiles

Global, Cultural and Historical Context

Textile and fashion history

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Textile and fashion history

Textile and Fashion History

Prehistoric Textiles

  • First use of textile materials dates back to prehistoric times, with earliest evidence from 5000 BC.
  • These textiles were predominantly made of animal fur, prehistoric people slowly learnt to extract fibres from plants and later from silkworms and alpacas.
  • Over centuries, the process of weaving grown more complex producing finer and more durable fabric.

The Ancient World

  • The Greeks and Romans are known for their woolen togas and tunics, dyed in vibrant hues.
  • Egyptians, well known for their linen cloth made from flax, used intricate pleating techniques for ceremonial outfits.
  • Silk was first created in China during the Han dynasty. Silk weaving techniques were kept secret and spread to the west only after several centuries.
  • Indian Cotton and Indigo was popular among Roman and Egyptian civilisations.

Middle Ages

  • European fashion was greatly influenced during the Middle Ages by the Byzantine Empire and Middle Eastern cultures.
  • Luxuries like velvet and brocade became popular among the nobles, illustrating a division of classes through clothing.
  • Medieval art often features the depiction of elegant and high-status figures in gowns and capes.

Renaissance and Enlightenment

  • The Renaissance advocated individual expression and this had a profound impact on fashion and textiles.
  • People were adorning themselves with rich velvets, lace, embroidery and fur trimmings in unique styles.
  • The Enlightenment period saw the beginning of mass fashion as the industrial revolution increased textile production, and modes of clothing became more standardised.

20th Century

  • The 20th Century saw rapid changes in fashion, often reflecting the cultural and social changes taking place in the world.
  • Women’s emancipation during the 1920s resulted in the adoption of freer more comfortable clothing. The 60s and 70s saw the rise of counterculture with bold prints, tie-dye and bell-bottoms.
  • The invention of synthetic fibres, like nylon and polyester, revolutionised the textile industry.

21st Century

  • Modern day fashion is a result of a blend of various historical influences. Globalisation has lead to an intermingling of styles and fabrics from different parts of the world.
  • There is a growing focus towards sustainability in fashion, promoting organic fabrics and ethical sourcing and manufacture.
  • Technological advances have resulted in smart textiles that can change colour, resist water, generate heat and even monitor health.
  • Fast fashion has risen as a global phenomenon, with criticism on it's environmental impact.

Remember to explore causes behind shifts in fashion and textiles throughout history, how they relate to the cultural, historical and political context. This is not a comprehensive list, and researching each era in depth is recommended to gain a thorough understanding.

Course material for Fashion and Textiles, module Global, Cultural and Historical Context, topic Textile and fashion history

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