Overview
All that glitters is not gold – although how often we wish it could be!
Admired by all but afforded by few, gold and silver are precious metals with price tags to match. Textiles with sparkling metals attached or woven into them evoke luxury and wealth. Through the opulence and enduring nature of these precious metals, the mere presence of their colours inspires powerful imagery.
The desire to obtain the glamorous look of silver and gold has inspired some smart technological advances. The use of cheap metals and mock silver and gold threads – such as the invention of Lurex in the 1950s – made the look of opulence affordable to all.