Thread

What is beneath the surface of glittering styles? Thread is a fundamental unit for understanding fashion and represents one way in which glitter and shine can be incorporated into clothing.
Once, only the rich could afford to clothe themselves in shining fabrics. Materials using real metal threads were costly and unaffordable to many. The mid- to late twentieth-century development of synthetic materials such as Lurex thread, plastic glitter, and other innovations allowed more consumers than ever before to enjoy these shimmering styles.
However, these new materials created other issues. The negative environmental impacts of their production and degradation have created demands for more sustainability in fashion. They also present challenges for textile conservators working to preserve objects in collections.