A brief history. Moiré is a pattern, not a fabric. The word derives from the ancient Arabic word "mukhayyar," literally translated as "goat hair cloth." It was a fine, woven cloth produced by angora goats in Turkish villages, especially Ankara. Historical references as far back as the 14th century mention Ankara's growing fiber industry. Mukhayyar came to be known as mohair and then moiré. This wool was judged to be even finer than silk. It took washers, dyers and pressers as well as weavers to produce it. Although versions of the names moiré and mouarie changed between England and France for centuries, the literal translation of "moiré" is "watered mohair." In the 18th century, any fabric with a natural horizontal rib could be folded lengthwise and pressed through heated rollers. The ribs that didn’t align were flattened, resulting in the watermark on both sides of the fabric. Silk and taffeta were the most popular and sophisticated fabrics during the 18th century, and ball gowns made from moiré were highly sought after by queens and the gentry. From 1600 to 1750, during the baroque era, moiré fabric became the go-to choice for drapery and cushions.This white high-gloss room delights in the strong color of the moiré cushion sitting quietly on the old-Hollywood-inspired chair.