Folder DC 068/7/2 - Tote bag collection

"Isle of Iona" bag (Version 1) "Isle of Iona" bag (Version 2) Tote bag - thistle design Scottish motif bag (Version 1) Scottish motif bag (Version 2) Garden motif bag (Version 1) Garden motif bag (Version 2) Small garden motif bag (Version 1) Small garden motif bag (Version 2)

Key Information

Reference code

DC 068/7/2

Title

Tote bag collection

Date(s)

  • c1953-1990 (Creation)

Level of description

Folder

Extent

5 items

Content and Structure

Scope and content

Five tote bags designed by Sylvia Chalmers, printed and produced by Tuar Fabrics in Scotland and made of 100% PVC coated cotton.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

This material has been appraised in line with Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections standard procedures.

Accruals

System of arrangement

General Information

Name of creator

(c1928-2008)

Biographical history

The Scottish designer Sylvia Chalmers was a contemporary of Lucienne Day. Chalmers was a student at the Glasgow School of Art in the late 1940s. She moved to London in 1951, where she designed fabrics for Heal's. She won three medals for her textiles designs shown at the Milan Triennale in 1954. In 1955 she founded her textile printing company in Scotland, Tuar Fabrics, which she ran for over 20 years, often selling her textile designs for fashion use to Elizabeth Eaton.

In 1976 Chalmers purchased Blacknest House at Thornhill in Dumfriesshire and converted the out-buildings into a design and production complex. In recent years twelve of Chalmers' textile designs from the 1950s and 60s have been digitally reproduced by the Centre for Advanced Textiles at Glasgow School of Art, making her designs available to buy once more. Her influential and distinctive designs have been discussed in several recent publications including "V&A Pattern: The Fifties" (2009) and "Twentieth Century Pattern Design" (2011).

Archival history

Custodial history

Physical Description and Conditions of Use

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical Description

Finding aids

Related Material

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related materials

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Keywords/Tags

Place access points

People and Organisations

Genre access points

Status

Level of detail

Processing information

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related people and organisations

Related genres

Related places