The Fabric of Gender

The Fabric of Gender, volume 1, examines the social and economic transformations occurring in France during the Third Republic from 1870 to 1940. Helen Chenut focuses on the textile town of Troyes in the Champagne region to illustrate the intense struggles of workers facing industrial capitalism. This work of social history follows four generations of laboring men and women as they navigate an adversarial relationship with mill owners. Through the study of labor unions, consumer cooperatives, and socialist parties, the text explores how a counterculture of resistance emerged to fight for a social republic.

This scholarly volume integrates gender studies and labor history to highlight the vital role of women in the knitted textile industry. As garment-making skills became central to productivity, women emerged as key actors in the movement for living wages and consumer rights. The Fabric of Gender provides an innovative look at class, politics, and consumption within the French fashion and textile industry. It serves as a significant resource for those researching political economy and social science.