The properties bestowed on rayon through different manufacturing methods and processes provided almost limitless variety. By the 1930s rayon was available in a profusion of different fabrics, from crepes to velvets, satins, chiffons and gabardines.

Despite the hype surrounding the wonders of artificial silk, early rayon suffered from an image problem. Manufacturers were often coy in their advertising, frequently avoiding the term “artificial” in favour of euphemisms. It was time to give the new fibre its own identity.

If you love vintage fashions, you probably have a fondness for rayon. Welcome to a new series of posts examining the fashion histories of different fibres and fabrics.