Fabric of the week: Toile de Jouy

Although toile de Jouy is most often used for decorating, I have seen a number of vintage clothing items, usually from the 1950s to early 60s, featuring this style print.

Toile de Jouy 

Toile de Jouy is a fabric print style in imitation of mid- to late- 18th century prints made by Christophe Philippe Oberkampf, a German, in the town of Jouy, near Paris. Toile is a French word for cloth; the fabric features late 18th century bucolic scenes, usually with people, trees and flowers. 

Typically the print is in fairly large scale, using one dark shade on white or off-white. It is printed on plain weave cotton or cotton blends of a substantial weight, although the style of print can be found on silk, linen or manufactured fibers. 

Uses: Household decorating, not so commonly for accessories and apparel

©Vintage Fashion Guild - Text by Margaret Wilds/denisebrain,  photo by Hoyt Carter 

Vintage Jonathan Logan toile de Jouy-print dress in my Etsy shop

 I see there is a recent fascination again with this style print for clothing. Here is a toile de Jouy dress by Vivienne Westwood, worn by Dita von Teese.

Courtesy of thatdamngreendress