The Colourist Magazine: The Synthetic Revolution
How Lancashire’s Wartime Invention Changed the World
Exhibited at Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington
2 October – 19 December 2025
Part of the British Textile Biennial 2025
Ever wondered how a humble polymer dreamed up in wartime Lancashire went on to transform wardrobes, industries, and even the planet? Last autumn, Haworth Art Gallery invited visitors to explore The Synthetic Revolution — a fascinating exhibition that delved into the story of synthetic textiles: their invention, their allure, and their lasting impact on our world. Co-curated by artist Claire Wellesley-Smith and fashion historian Amber Butchart, the exhibition marked over 80 years since polyester first took shape at the nearby Calico Printers Association Ltd (CPA) Broad Oaks Printworks in Accrington by Whinfield and Dixon.
That breakthrough went on to create Terylene, Britain’s very first synthetic fabric — and the beginning of a textile revolution…
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