Exhibition celebrates history of textile industry

An exhibition celebrating the past and present of Bradford's textile industry is set to open on Saturday.

The display, named Woven Through Time: Bradford's Textile Industry - Past and Present, will be on show at the city's Industrial Museum until 16 November.

It will feature photos taken by Ian Beesley from inside the working mills in the 1970s and 1980s as well as recently.

Graham Clark, director of marketing at British Wool, said the exhibition "highlights the vital role wool has played - and continues to play - in Bradford's history".

The UK's 2025 City of Culture is famous for its textiles, stemming from its role as the "wool capital of the world" during the industrial revolution.

Items from the museum's Built of Wool: Worsted Collection, will also be included in the exhibition, which coincides with British Wool's 75th anniversary.

Other items on display include a wedding dress from the 1830s, made from fabric in the area, and a velvet day dress made at Lister's Mill around 1885.

Suits made by Saville Row tailor Tommy Nutter, who designed the suits worn by The Beatles on the cover of their Abbey Road album, will also be on show.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby said "I'm sure practically every family in the Bradford district has some connection to the textile history of the district, which is still going over 800 years since it first began.

"Come and appreciate the skill and creativity that makes Bradford a world leader in textile production and design."

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