Rayon Collection

Blouse made from a silk escape map, 1940s. Creator: Unknown
Blouse made from a silk escape map, 1940s. During World War II many materials were unavailable to the public because of government rationing

Advertisement for evening dresses by Elizabeth Henry, 1939
Two models wearing dark evening dresses inspired by the late 19th-century fashion designed by Elizabeth Henry and made with Courtaulds Rayon. Date: 1939

Advert for Courtaulds Rayons 1936
The miracle of Rayons. Rayon is what you used to call artifical silk. Its name was changed because it isn t silk and it isn t artificial. It is beautiful thread

Plate 1 from Histoire naturelle? (1789)
Plate 1 Histoire Naturelle ou Mineralogie Complete, from Histoire naturelle: ou, Exposition des morceaux, les mieux choisis pour servir? (1789) by by Swebach Desfontaines

Silk Worker in Burnley
A woman working in a silk & rayon mill, Burnley, Lancashire, Britain

Shoot for Courtaulds - model Fiona Campbell-Walter
Agency: Stuart - Client: Courtaulds - Dark Green dress in Heavy Rayon Satin - model Fiona Campbell-Walter - Shoot: July 28, 1952 - reproduced (advertisement) in Harper's Bazaar

Client: Courtaulds - model Fiona Campbell-Walter
Agency: Stuart - Client: Courtaulds - Dark Green dress in Heavy Rayon Satin - model Fiona Campbell-Walter - Shoot: July 28, 1952 - reproduced (advertisement) in Harper's Bazaar

Panel, Germany, Late 19th/early 20th century (based on a 15th century design). Creator: Unknown
Panel, Germany, Late 19th/early 20th century (based on a 15th century design)

The Alcionaire of Christmas
Barathieu Gabriel

Aintree rayon factory HKR01_04_395
British Enka Limited, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Aintree Village, Sefton, Merseyside. View of the textile factory from the west

Advert for Courtaulds, makers of rayon fabric. The gown depicted is made by Liberty's. In the background is a scene from Ranelagh Gardens in the 18th century. Date: 1954

Grands Magasins du Louvre, Le grand hall, Rayon des soieries (engraving)
3623911 Grands Magasins du Louvre, Le grand hall, Rayon des soieries (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Grands Magasins du Louvre, Le grand hall)

Under a Moonbeam, c. 1895 (pastel on paper)
3508301 Under a Moonbeam, c.1895 (pastel on paper) by Osbert, Alphonse (1857-1939); 40.6x59 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Sous un Rayon de Lune); Photo eChristies Images; French

Cordura Rayon Yarn, front cover of the DuPont Magazine
615356 Cordura Rayon Yarn, front cover of the DuPont Magazine, November 1940 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, Delaware

Product demonstrations, New York Worlds Fair, 1939 (b / w photo)
615474 Product demonstrations, New York Worlds Fair, 1939 (b/w photo) by Moulin, Gabriel (1872-1945); Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, Delaware

Pair of arm length purple gloves from Maes Millinery Shop, 1941-1994
Pair of arm length rayon knit dark purple gloves. The gloves are seamed down the exterior side and around the fingers. Each glove has an opening at the wrist that closes with two (2)

SILK & RAYON MILL / 1955 SILK & RAYON MILL / 1955
A woman working in a silk & rayon mill, Burnley, Lancashire, Britain. Date: 1950s

Beaded Vest 1900 America Native North American
Beaded Vest, c 1900. America, Native North American, Northern Plains, Pikuni (Blackfeet), Post-Contact. Beaded leather; velveteen; ribbon; rayon

Aristoc WWII stockings advertisement - rayon
Advertisement for Aristoc stockings in 1944 showing a woman in WRNS uniform inspecting a pair. The adverts copy promises that once victory has been achieved, a plentiful supply of lovely

Rayon advert with couple, 1951
Courtaulds rayon advertisement featuring a glamorous couple after dinner. " Versatile and hard-wearing rayon is present in almost every modern scene where fabric plays its part." Date: 1951

Advertisement for an evening gown, 1939
Advertisement for a short gown made with Courtaulds Rayon. The text reads: " When you re off-duty retain the military touch with this new, short dinner gown with distinctive epaulettes

Fashion Illustration, 1966
Fashion illustration by Shuna Harwood featuring dresses by Nina Ricci, Harvey Gould, Yves St Laurent, Louis Feraud and Hildebrand. Date: 1966

What People Are Wearing - Amanda Grinling
The actress Amanda Grinling wearing a dress she made herself using a finged stole in pink and purple striped wool. The top is pink rayon. Date: 1966

Disco trouser suit, 1965
For the young individualist - a disco trouser suit in pitch black rayon Tricel - shell top with polka dots partners with sassy trumpet trews

Polly Peck advertisement
An advert for Polly Peck fashions, showing a model in a Victoriana striped dress in Rayon Surah. Date: 1961

Fredrica trouser suit, Marimekko dress, 1965 fashion
Trouser suit by Fredrica in linen-textured rayon by Manko covered in stylised flowers scattered lightly on the top, closely massed on the trousers

Rayon d or sub-variety of Laelia grandis tenebrosa orchid.. Illustration drawn by C. de Bruyne and chromolithographed by P

Yellow and crimson orchid, Laelia grandis var Tenebrosa
Yellow and crimson orchid, Laelia grandis var. Tenebrosa.. Illustration by C. de Bruyne, chromolithograph by P. de Pannemaeker and son

Tatler front cover, May 1964
Front cover of The Tatler featuring a model posing in a flower-printed linen-textured rayon dress from the Christian Dior boutique. She wears a hat also by Dior. Date: 1964

Jacket 1912 French wool cotton rayon Poiret jacket merges
Artokoloro

IGNACIO LOPEZ RAYON (1773-1832). Mexican revolutionary leader. Lithograph, 19th century

Rayon research, 1950s C018 / 0661
Rayon research. Close-up of an industrial chemist drawing out filaments of rayon from a test tube. Rayon is a polymer fabric that can be produced in a number of ways

Rayon production, 1950s C018 / 0654
Rayon production. Gloved hand touching a strand of rayon as it is produced. This is the manufacturing process for acetate rayon

Rayon production, 1950s C018 / 0662
Rayon production, 1950s

Rayon production, 1950s C018 / 0653
Rayon production. Factory worker adjusting an automatic machine designed to lace rayon yarn. This production, part of the viscose process of manufacturing rayon, is taking place at a DuPont factory

Hilaire de Chardonnet, French engineer C018 / 0622
Hilaire de Chardonnet (1839-1924), French engineer. Chardonnet was a French engineer, chemist and industrialist who invented the process of manufacturing rayon

Rayon production, 1950s C018 / 0656
Rayon production. Factory worker handling a machine being used to produce Super Cordura rayon. This high-tenacity rayon yarn was used for the cords of tyres

Rayon research, 1950s C018 / 0655
Rayon research. Laboratory researcher testing viscosity in the viscose process used in the manufacture of rayon. Liquid viscose, under carefully controlled temperature

DuPont products label display, 1940s C018 / 0640
DuPont labels display. Woman adjusting a display of product labels used in the 1940s by the DuPont Company (founded in 1802). DuPont had primarily been a manufacturer of explosives

Tenny: by Rayon d Or--dam Belle of Maywood. Date c1892

Booking theatre tickets 1953
A stylishly dressed woman books tickets for the theatre wearing a slim-fitting featherweight suit by Wetheralls made of snuff-colour pin check rayon

Rayon Ballgown
Love-in-a-mist coloured rayon gown with a long skirt, & heart (en coeur) shaped pleated corsage with narrow shoulder straps & worn with a triple belt trimmed with roses Date: 1938

PLM of a cross-section through rayon fibres

1954 fashions
A contemporary suit to take one from morning until night comprising a Middy style jumper, with skirt and golfer cardigan by Wolsey

Elegant luggage 1956
Something more than sturdy usefulness in luggage is required by the elegant traveller nowaday. These Noton soft top cases in the Pandora range are made in matching sets of pig grain and cherry red

Stiebel / Rayon Suit
A fitted suit designed by Victor Stiebel, using rayon. Photograph released by the Rayon Federation

Victor Stiebel / Rayon
Elegant evening gown designed by Victor Stiebel in yarn-dyed rayon satin produced by Driver Bros.Keighley. Photo promoting the British Rayon & Synthetic Fibres Federation

Advert / Citiba Stockings
Citiba stockings in rayon silk

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Rayon: A Journey Through Time and Style" Step into the world of elegance with Elizabeth Henry's evening dresses, as showcased in this captivating 1939 advertisement. The allure fabric enhances the grace and sophistication of these timeless gowns. Plate 1 from Histoire naturelle? (1789) takes us back to the origins of rayon, where its natural beauty is celebrated. This historical depiction reminds us that rayon has long been cherished for its exquisite qualities. In a mesmerizing advert from 1936, Courtaulds Rayons captures our attention with their innovative fabrics. Their mastery in creating luxurious textiles is evident, making every garment a true work of art. Silk Worker in Burnley showcases the craftsmanship involved in producing rayon fabric. Skilled artisans dedicate themselves to perfecting each thread, ensuring unparalleled quality and comfort. Transport yourself to 1954 through an enchanting advert by Courtaulds, featuring a Liberty's gown against the backdrop of Ranelagh Gardens. This fusion of history and fashion highlights how rayon continues to evolve while embracing tradition. A&W Hubbard's jewellery shop entices us with their exquisite creations alongside stunning rayon garments—an irresistible combination that elevates any ensemble to new heights. The Aintree Rayon Factory (HKR01_04_395) stands as a testament to the industry's dedication towards manufacturing superior-quality rayon products. It symbolizes progress and innovation within this ever-evolving field. "The Alcionaire of Christmas" brings forth festive cheer through delightful decorations made using soft and lustrous rayon fibers—a reminder that even during joyous occasions, we can indulge in luxury without compromising on sustainability. Uncover hidden stories behind fashion with a blouse crafted from a silk escape map dating back to the 1940s. This unique creation demonstrates how resourcefulness can transform ordinary materials into extraordinary pieces using versatile rayon fabric.