Textiles are among the oldest artifacts produced by Man. Even during prehistoric times the production of cloth involved large groups of people, and textiles were an important object of international trade, often over distances spanning over thousands of miles.Textiles and costume have throughout history expressed social function and status and inspired the highest forms of artistic expression. It was the development of dyes that constituted the beginnings of modern chemistry.
The Studies in Textile and Costume History are concerned with every aspect of textile and costume, no matter what age or geographical location. Subjects include: raw materials; dyes; nonwoven materials such as leather and felt; production techniques, from the raw material to weaving, sewing et cetera; design, fashion, art historical aspects;the uses of textiles and their rôle in society; trade;archaeology, and social and economic history of the craft; terminology.
The series includes monographs on substantial subjects, thematic collections of articles, handbooks, text editions, and translations.
The Volumes contribute to scholarly research. Their accessibility is enhanced by a proper organization of the contents and, wherever appropriate, by indexes.They include introductions placing the subjects in the context of pertinent developments of the time, and of current research. Text editions are as a rule accompanied by a translation on facing pages; translations are fully annotated; the introductions to both text editions and translations include full evaluations of the text concerned.
The Volumes are in English, occasionally in German or French.