In yesterday's post we looked at colour charts, so, let’s continue the thread, but move on at the same time exploring libraries of materials. Materials serve indeed as a catalyst for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking and allow us to transform ideas into reality.
Technically, the first example in this post - an antique 19th century L.T. Piver product sample album - is not a proper catalogue of technical materials, but it is extremely interesting.
Filled with rare hand-painted illustrations and prints of over 220 perfume bottles, cosmetics, soaps and creams and other assorted products manufactured by the brand, the rare volume includes drawings that graphic illustrators may find fascinating.
Material-wise the album features pages dedicated to ointments and lotions catalogued in accordance to their jars and labels that also feature unusual drawings of the actual texture and colours of the balms in rose, gray or white with a pink marbled effect. The book, that could be considered a catalogue of beauty materials, will be available for purchase (for an eye-popping sum - $28,000) at the annual International Antiquarian Book Fair, taking place at New York City's Park Avenue Armory (27th - 30th April).
Fashion houses and fashion/textile/interior designers often subscribe to consultancy agencies that research and archive all sorts of materials to create wide catalogues and libraries.
Material ConneXion (MCX) for example curates libraries of materials from all over the world: founded over 20 years ago as a resource for furniture and architectural design, MCX offers its clients a material database with over 10,000 material innovations from over 7,000 global manufacturers. There's something for all tastes, going from synthetic fibers to more sustainable eco-friendly materials like vegan leathers made from multiple plants to Algiknit or Kelsun, renewable seaweed-based yarns.
MCX's digital material libraries and wall installations are similar to Bernat Klein's Colour Box, they allow the agency's clients to discover different materials through samples and informative sheets that get constantly updated and to find in this way starting points for new researches. The materials included come from a wide range of industries and offer solutions for a variety of applications.
The agency also organises presentations and conferences about materials: the next one, entitled "Material-Minded Design: the Intersection of Trend, Sustainability and the Materials We Use", featuring Jennifer Gumpert, Material ConneXion Vice President of Business Operations, will be at Milan's Triennale on 20th April (at 11.00 am) and will coincide with the local design week kicking off tomorrow.
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