It’s wall to wall textiles at the Textile Society’s annual Antiques and Vintage Fair at the Armitage Centre in Manchester on Sunday April 23.
The proceeds from their fairs and other events help to fund the Textile Society’s awards and bursaries in a field that encourages ever more dealers, collectors and students to explore the bounds of its creative possibilities.
The society, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, holds its annual Antiques and Vintage Textile Fair in Manchester’s Armitage Centre with this year’s event running on Sunday April 23.
Rolls of textiles at Claude Le Guen's haberdashery shop in Dinan.
A key fixture in the textile calendar for more than 30 years, it was the first antiques fair to specialise entirely in historic textiles and now includes world textiles, Art Deco, Mid-century and anything textile-related.
Among the 60-plus dealers who will be making the journey to Manchester is Claude le Guen who owns Maison Bleu Lin, a haberdashery shop in Dinan, Brittany.
Claude Le Guen pictured in her haberdashery shop in Dinan and rolls of fabric in her large stock at the premises, some of which she will be bringing to the Textile Society’s fair.
Ribbons, lace, buttons, trims, fabrics and many sewing treasures of the past cram the shop housed in a 17th century building in the medieval town.
Le Guen, a former town planner, whose mother was a professional seamstress, changed her career path and following her genes she launched her business in 1998.
A prodigious exhibitor at fairs, both in France and in the UK, Le Guen said: “I mainly export overseas working with dealers and interior designers and when I stand at fairs I always try to recreate a French antique haberdashery and textile shop on my stand.”
She added: “I have a huge stock gathered over many years so if someone is looking for a specific item or large quantities, including linen sheets or rolls, do get in touch.”
Upcoming events
Staying on the theme of textiles, The Spring Vintage Bazaar at The Cheese and Grain in Frome, Somerset on Saturday, April 22, has a good reputation for textiles.
These include makers who use antique and vintage products or who are inspired by vintage design.
Tara Franklin of Hoof Brocante wrapped in some of her textiles stock which she will be taking to her Potting Shed Brocante in Kent.
A bit later in the year, on Saturday and Sunday, June 30 -July 1, is Tara Franklin’s Potting Shed Brocante at the King John’s Nursery in the Kent village of Etchingham.
This will offer 30 dealers, some of whom will be selling textiles including specialist Liz van Hasselt.
For more details contact Franklin on 07507 876637.
