The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) has launched its groundbreaking digital Textile Collection archive, a comprehensive online resource that opens the doors to centuries of textile dyeing and printing history. For the first time, this newly unveiled collection is now easily accessible to researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts around the world.
Featuring more than 50,000 artifacts, journals, and books — such as the Turkey Red Collection and handwritten dyers’ notebooks recording the transition from natural to synthetic dyes — the archive is being meticulously catalogued by the SDC’s historical collections officer, Shelley Hollingdrake.
“We are only at the beginning of this exciting journey, but the new website already allows us to engage with our community in a truly meaningful way,” Hollingdrake said. “From 19th-century dyes to scientific equipment, the collection offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of color science and its global impact. It’s incredibly rewarding to share the rich history of textile dyeing with a wider audience.”
Compiled in honor of the Society’s 140th year in operation this year, the interactive archive not only highlights the artistry and science of the past but also provides an invaluable tool for modern-day research and education. The collection can be explored online at collections.sdc.org.uk.
Source: The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC)