Few fabrics hold such enduring appeal as chintz – a term now widely associated with florals, though its name derives from a Hindu word that loosely translates as ‘spotted’ or ‘variegated’. Originating more than five centuries ago, the patterned fabric was known for its clarity of colour due to the use of local dyes, such as indigo, cochineal, and logwood. It was widely used for furnishings, often later recycled into clothing, which sparked a fashion for printed cotton garments. Such was its appeal, that by the 18th century, both France and England temporarily banned its import in an attempt to protect their textile industries.
Now, chintz has become the generic term for any colourful designs on a fresh background, particularly florals. Traditional chintz has a glazed effect, originally achieved by polishing
