Susannah Handley

'Nylon' as a title doesn't do justice to the scope of this fascinating book, which is more about the advent of synthetic fabrics and materials and their impact on the way we dress - nylon of course, but also all it derivatives, from polyester to acrylics, lycra, and God knows what again!

As an history book it's really absorbing. To discover how two families of French emigres (Courtaulds in England, Du Pont in the USA) came to completely revolutionise clothing is just fascinating. To see how show more such transformations will go hand-in-hand with the history of our consumerist society is also deeply engrossing... and telling. 'Better living through chemistry' was Du Pont company's motto, and, well, it says it all!

Sure, it delves into chemistry in dull passages that, I confess, personally just flew over my head. Plus, when it comes to fashion, it's difficult to don't be baffled by how self-serving and/ or downright what-the-f. type of ridiculous designers can be! The catwalks' pictures reproduced here can indeed be as alluring and damn gorgeous as they can be foolish. Well...

Having said that, it fortunately ends with futuristic speculations that are really engaging to ponder upon - what do digital garnements and wearable technologies have in store for us? It's a pity this was last published in 1999, because this part really deserves to be updated to be fully relevant as it should.

Whatever! Chemistry, cultural history, marketing, fashion… It all comes together here in a book those content is captivating, illustrated by a wealth of pictures most being a pleasure to flick through.

A very good read! show less