Overview

Tartan has colonized the world. The flexibility of its design and the traditionalism of its symbolism - as well as the travels of the Scots - have taken the fabric around the globe. Traditionally the visual sign of clanship and district, tartan was popularized outside Scotland by the tartan-clad Highland regiments and Queen Victoria's royal endorsement. Hollywood has continued to sustain the romantic fictions of tartan from Brigadoon to Braveheart. At the same time, designers such as Westwood and McQueen have deliberately subverted the traditional and historical associations of the fabric, as have contemporary artists such as Matthew Barney. Post-punk, tartan now turns up in the most surprising places, influencing the conceptual clothing of a generation of Japanese designers such as Watanabe and Takahashi, the stage costumes of Outkast's Andre 3000 and contemporary interior design. Beautifully illustrated and weaving together a story out of history, art, music, film and fashion, Tartan contains everything you ever wanted to know about this most radical and most traditional of fabrics.

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9781845203771

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Reviews

An outstanding and comprehensive contribution to the history of Tartan. Telegraph Intriguing study ... mixes the serious with the saucy. International Herald Tribune A rare treat; a readable, enjoyable academic text. Selvedge Stunning! Janice Forsyth, BBC Scotland A great alternative to the numerous clan reference guides that abound in tourist traps up and down the country. Scotsman Magazine Comprehensive ... wonderfully eclectic. New Humanist This is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that is guaranteed to make the reader consider tartan from new perspectives. Textile: The Journal of Cloth and Culture Highly attractive ... fascinating ... A treasure trove of Tartan. Military Illustrated Faiers explores the cultural significance and surrounding connotations of tartan while conducting a comprehensive deconstruction of the fabric and its place and development throughout history from clanship to contemporary fashion. Ali McCulloch, Precious McBane

Author Information

Dr Jonathan Faiers is a writer, lecturer and artist who has exhibited internationally. Having taught at Goldsmiths College he is currently a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at Central St Martins College of Art & Design and is a consultant for the Victoria & Albert Museum. As a cultural theorist he has published many articles which theoretically examine the interface between fashion and textiles, popular culture, film and museology.

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