What is Noil Silk?
The matt silk that is such a great fabric for womenswear At Patra, we pride ourselves on our silk knowledge. We select the purest, softest types of silk and thoroughly research the manufacturing process to […]
History & Science
The Iconic Pencil Skirt and Its Origins
From Dior to Joan Collins: The People that made the Pencil Skirt famous time after time It is probably the most dependable skirt of all and famed for its ability to show off your figure. […]
The history, origins and benefits of cashmere
All your cashmere questions answered Cashmere is, rightly, considered the jewel in the crown of fabrics. It is the most precious and luxurious of fabrics, with a history spanning over centuries and involving some of […]
Natural Fabrics and the “Fashioned from Nature” Exhibition at the V&A
Patra highlights the importance of natural fabrics and the relationship between nature and fashion The link between fashion and nature is intrinsic and long-standing. For centuries we have been using natural resources, everything from feathers […]
Royal Wedding Dresses History
The design detail and craftsmanship behind some of the most famous wedding dresses in history For many young girls, brought up with stories of princesses and fairy tales, a dream wedding dress holds a special […]
From pretty camis to thermal long johns: Exploring the origins of underwear
A brief history of underwear and the natural fabrics that make a perfect set of smalls Great underwear really makes a big difference, like dependable friends that you can always rely on. Made of natural […]
All about nightwear
A brief history of nightwear and what to wear for a great night’s sleep Have you ever wondered how your pyjamas, nightdresses or dressing gowns came about? Without them, our nights would be all the […]
Patra’s History: The UK family business with strong values
An interview with Mrs. Patra Patra Selections is a family business dating back through decades, with a long history behind it. Today, we are sitting down with Mrs. Patra, the founder of the company, to […]
An Introduction to Tencel fabric
Sustainable, breathable and comfortable Tencel clothing The latest fabric that is taking the fashion world (and beyond) by storm is Tencel. Despite not being a recent development, Tencel has managed to make brands and consumers […]
Just a needle and thread: The art of embroidery
The different types embroidery and its history Embroidery has been around for thousands of years and probably started out as a way of repairing garments. Over time, new stitches and techniques were employed to add […]