DUFY Raoul (Textile designer)

This lush silk is decorated with silver lamé work. The oriental motifs in sky blue, royal blue and rose reflect the imagery of the woodcuts Dufy executed for Guillaume Apollinaire's Le Bestiaire of 1911. Rose-coloured horses frolic amongst waves, scallops, dolphins and froth, all spectacularly taking on silver highlights. This fabric was chosen by Poiret for an evening dress he displayed at the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1925. It was produced by the textile company Bianchini Férier, with whom Dufy had an exclusive contract from 1912 to 1928. His use of colour came from his association with The Fauves (a group of artists who developed a new style of painting characterized by a bold handling of vivid colours). Dufy collaborated with Poiret in establishing the Petite Usine for fabric-printing. Even though it closed at the end of 1911, it had a great impact on Dufy's career as a fashion artist. 

Also look up for Lesage, Patou, Poiret, Rubinstein