"I recently enjoyed the film The Two Popes and was intrigued by the role red played in the depiction of the Conclave. It was everywhere; from the aerial shots of the cochineal ecclesiastical robes of the summoned cardinals to the scrutineer who ceremonially pierced each paper with a needle - through the word ‘Eligio’ - placing all the ballots on a single red thread. Wherever there is power, you will find red. We see evidence of this in Renaissance Venice, on the battlefield of the 18th century, and of course, in fashion where Amy de la Hay treats us to a glimpse of the show Ravishing she has curated and that was on display at the FIT in New York. Roses are also the theme of one of the episodes of the Selvedge Podcast; In episode five I talk to Renuka Reddy, who creates historically accurate reproductions of Indian Palampores: some of which are exhibited in the exhibition Chintz The Cloth That Changed the World. We are given an insight into the influence of chintz in Sylvia Houghteling’s article, where she unpicks the relationship between Indian chintz and English crewel embroidery." - Polly Leonard, Founder & Editor of Selvedge Magazine