Jacquard fabric is a type of fabric woven on a special and complex loom called a Jacquard loom, which was invented by a French weaver named Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804. The loom operates by lifting and lowering yarns to determine the arrangement of warp and weft yarns, creating the desired pattern or effect. Jacquard fabrics have complex patterns woven directly into the fabric, rather than printed, dyed, or embroidered on top. Any fabric with woven patterns bears resemblance to jacquard, but technically speaking, only fabrics woven with Jacquard looms can be considered genuine examples of this fabric. Jacquard fabrics come in an array of designs, from dramatic ornamental damasks to florals, stripes, chevrons, or geometric patterns. They can be made from almost any type of fabric, from luxurious silks and organic linens to simple cotton textiles. Jacquard fabrics are mainly prized for their ornamental properties and are also relatively durable and heavyweight. They are commonly used to make formal apparel such as evening wear and men’s suits, as well as drapes, curtains, and duvet covers. The jacquard process can also be used to produce brocades and damasks, which once required endless hours of painstaking labor to weave by hand.