ABSTRACT
The introduction of synthetic fibres in the twentieth century, and their increasing use across the century for the manufacture of items of dress and accessories, create a diverse range of issues for their ongoing care and preservation. Increased awareness and understanding of the significance of the everyday, not just the couture, has increased the demand to view twentieth-century collections. Approaches to the conservation of such materials has led to an increasing bank of knowledge and experience, and scientific support has helped to understand the often complex array of synthetic materials that respond differently to the environment in which they are displayed and stored. This article offers a pragmatic approach to the preservation of synthetic materials, reviewing some of the most recent advances in scientific research and experiences gained to highlight the problems facing textile conservators today. Using a case study of storage in an independent museum to proffer solutions, the article examines preventive conservation measures and analyses their effectiveness in preserving twentieth-century synthetic materials.
