Founder Member of the Textile Society Dies

Natalie brought to the textile word a wealth of knowledge. Her forte was silk designs, her book ‘Silk Designs of the 18th century in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum’ and contributions in the wonderful ‘Barbara Johnson’s Album of Fashions and Fabrics’ are only a small part of her literary legacy. The three volumes of designs 1743-4 by Anna Maria Garthwaite that she help to acquire for the V & A are now able to be studied by everyone. Natalie worked in the Victoria & Albert museum for 38 years, 35 of which was in the Department of Textiles starting as a museum assistant and rising to Curator of Textiles. Her work was not confined to London as she was able to give her expertise and help to many people around the world, in Switzerland at the Abegg Stiftung, the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam, the Museum of London, the Museum of Costume Bath, Waddesdon Manor and Knole to name just a few of the recipients of her knowledge. From 1990-1994 she was President of the Association of Guilds of Weavers and Dyers.
Always having an interest in students of textiles she supported them in many ways giving of her time after she retired to helping them gain more knowledge of all things textile. She will be missed by everyone who has worked with her, although she will live on in her publications.