Date: c. 1930s
Origin: France
Brand: A La Perle
A specialist lingerie and corsetry fabric catalogue, with a wide range of materials and colour options available. Each sample is accompanied by a list of colour possibilities, style number and fabric width. The fabrics can be lifted from the page to see the reverse weave. Unfortunately some fabrics have been removed from the catalogue, but fortunately the majority remain in tact.
Most notably, the catalogue includes a wide range of coutils (a tightly woven, heavy, cotton-based fabric commonly used for structured corsetry) in elaborate woven patterns that no longer appear to be manufactured. Some coutil styles, such as the ‘spot broché’, are still manufactured today, albeit in less extensive colour options.
The catalogue also offers fabrics that are more suitable for less structured lingerie styles, including Schiffli embroideries (a type of embroidered tulle), cotton bobbinet tulle and fine cotton lawns.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
