WALK INTO A CHATEAU , YOUR grandmother ’ s guest bedroom or the trendiest boutique hotel in town and you ’ re likely to see an element of Toile de Jouy . This iconic fabric translates to “ cloth of Jouy ”— named after Jouy-en-Josas , the town near Paris where it hails from , is still in demand today . But like everything in fashion that has staying power , there ’ s more to this pretty print than meets the eye .
Often associated with interiors , modern uses of Toile de Jouy are no longer reserved to plush pillows and porcelain plates — but are now reinterpreted by designers and used on everything from silk evening gowns to men ’ s blazers and perfume bottles .
Known for its scenes depicting pastoral pastimes , rural landscapes , mythological creatures or flora and fauna — artists today ( just as in the past ) embrace the myriad motifs that can be shown with toile . There aren ’ t many fabrics that can boast having their own museum — or a Masterclass explaining its intricate uses and complex history .
SHARING THEIR STORIES Textile historians and designers have been fascinated with its monochromatic color scheme . Historically , only in a handful of colors such as blue , black or red were used , but modern toile has a fresh expanded color palette . These unexpected hues , along with the repeated pattern of stories that this simple fabric yields , appeals to those who care to take a closer look .
JACQUARD SPORT COAT BY THOM BROWNE , $ 4,690 , THOMBROWNE . COM
WE World 27 Winter 2022 / 23