Textiles and fabrics

Chronicling the history of fashion, taking a look back at the fabrics of yesteryear and rediscovering lost techniques: only in the royal setting of the Wesserling mill could all this be possible.

What do the Mulhouse textile industry and the tiny houses in the La Cité area have in common? They were developed by the same people, the powerful owners of the fabric printing or spinning works of the 19th century, who sought to improve the lot of the working classes.

Mulhouse has managed to marry textile design and ready-to-wear fashion to create a unique event. The parade at the Palais des sports continues all night long and features a vibrant blend of European textile schools and local firms.

From Singapore to Casablanca, from Mexico to Moscow, these three letters represent Mulhouse around the world. DMC’s embroidery threads and its colour palette are always leaders in the world of creative crafts.

Mulhouse, textile city - the Manchester of 19th century France? Do we have any proof of this? You bet we have! You’ll find the evidence in images, words and anecdotes, as you follow your guide along the fabric trail. And the exquisite indiennes (Indian calico prints) are expert witnesses...

This is a fun way to seek out the treasures of Alsace - on your smartphone. This treasure hunt takes you to the heart of the city’s textile industry while, on your screen, you follow in the footsteps of Henriette, a young Mulhouse girl who will weave a web of confusion around you...

It may not be big, but this shop is piled high with goods which you won’t find anywhere else. La Vitrine - THE shop for Mulhouse’s creative talents and artists, especially clothing and accessories designers. Among other things, it is also the home of the quirky Mulhouse t-shirt.

How do a zoo and botanical gardens come into being? Out of a love of nature, obviously, but Mulhouse’s zoo and botanical gardens are the fruit of the efforts of one man, the engraver Charles Thierry-Mieg, Jr. And what was his aim? To create a place where textile workers could relax, be educated and listen to music. That was in 1868...

Are you a textiles professional looking for that PERFECT pattern for your latest product? The ‘Service d’utilisation des documents’ is an archive containing all the most beautiful prints from the Mulhouse Museum of Printed Textiles. That is 6 million prints - the fruits of Mulhouse’s long history of expertise.

The Institut supérieur textile d’Alsace is an extraordinary institution where design, technology and business skills are all combined. It has already produced more than 500 graduates who have gone on to act as ambassadors for Mulhouse in the world of textiles.