Industries related to the production of printed fabrics experienced a rapid growth throughout the 19th century. To this day, Switzerland produces high-quality printed fabrics, and Swiss museums house valuable collections of such items.
Printing techniques, widely used in contemporary fashion, are the most popular way to decorate clothing fabrics. The annual theme for the conference is dedicated to the history and contemporary relevance of prints in fashion, focusing attention on both the beauty of vintage prints and their contemporary uses.
The Proceedings of the annual conference showcase ongoing projects, exhibitions, museums, and collections on research topics reflecting PRINTS throughout history, in conjunction with the development of new technologies, the influence of art movements, social or political events, and changing tastes. The annual conference presented a new format with several venues in different Swiss museumsβSwitzerland being known for having the highest rate of museums per inhabitant.
Day one was hosted at the Museum of Art and History in Geneva, for paper sessions followed by a tour of the Graphic Arts Cabinet and its great collection of fans, specialised collections of Indian miniatures, fashion plates, books of ornaments and textiles sample books. The day ended with a printing workshop session at the atelier GeGrave, where we experienced printing techniques on paper and textile. A visit to a 17th-century private historical site for Indiennes manufacturing on the edge of the lake marked the end of the day.
I would like to thank all participants, speakers, and attendees, representatives of 16 countries. Proofreading and graphic design by Virginie Lassarre. Image caption and copyright cover : Silk pattern camisole in reserve on an indigo background, Swiss Natinal Museum, inv.
