Society Of Dyers And Colourists Launches Digital Textile Collection Archive
The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) in Bradford has unveiled a groundbreaking digital textile collection archive, offering global access to centuries of textile dyeing and printing history. This extensive resource features over 50,000 artefacts, including the Turkey Red collection and handwritten dyers’ notebooks, and is meticulously catalogued by historical collections officer Shelley Hollingdrake.
“We are only at the beginning of this exciting journey, but the new website allows us to engage with our community in a meaningful way,” said Hollingdrake. “The collection provides a unique glimpse into the evolution of colour science and its global impact.”
Launched in honour of the SDC’s 140th anniversary, the interactive archive serves as a valuable tool for research and education, available online at collections.sdc.org.uk.
Additionally, the SDC will host the 43rd International Conference on Dyes in History and Archaeology (DHA43) from October 23-25, 2024, at Leeds’ Cloth Hall Court, featuring 24 presentations on the history of colour and showcasing the archive’s importance in advancing academic research and industry practices.
