The Museum of Ivanovo Calico is one of the most interesting museums in Ivanovo. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the production of calico fabrics. Since the beginning of the 18th century it has become the main specialization of the Ivanovo region. You can also see a large collection of cotton plain weave fabrics collected by Dmitry Burylin.
Burylin`s family founded the first textile factory in Ivanovo at the end of the 17th century. Dmitry Burylin headed the family business since 1872. He was one of the first in Ivanovo who started machine processing of fabrics at his factory. In addition to the successful development of production, Dmitry Burylin is known as a collector of coins, medals and archaeological artifacts.
In addition to coins and archeology, Burylin collected exhibits related to his main business: textile. And it was not just a hobby, but the need to follow the novelties of the textile industry and innovations in fabric processing technology.
Dmitry Burylin collected more than half a million types of fabrics, and this collection became the basis for the creation of the Ivanovo Calico Museum. In 1914, Burylin built a Museum of Industry and Art next to his house. Then it housed a collection of fabrics. In 1987, a separate Museum of Ivanovo Calico was created in the house where Dmitry Burylin lived with his family. This is a beautiful two-storey mansion in the Art Nouveau style.
The main exposition of the Ivanovo Calico Museum is called "Ivanovo textiles. History and modernity". Here you can see the history of the development of the textile industry, from ancient hand spinning wheels to machine production. The technology of drawing patterns on fabric is of great interest. To do this, patterns were carved on the wood. A wooden board with a pattern was called "manner". The drawing was transferred (stuffed) onto the fabric by this manner. These technologies required high skill and whole dynasties of masters were formed in Ivanovo. They allowed Ivanovo factories to take a leading position in Russia.
Several halls are dedicated to the fashion of the 19th century. Calico fabrics at that time were used for sewing women`s dresses and clothes. A large exposition is dedicated to the Soviet era. Famous Soviet fashion designer Slava Zaitsev was born in Ivanovo and started his career here. In the Museum of Ivanovo Calico there is an exposition opened by the Fashion House of Slava Zaitsev, which is called "Slava Zaitsev. Life = Creativity".
