Dior lace + historic inspiration
where we escape into some historic photos, learn the roots of an archaic word and shop on Etsy = good times.
Good riddance to January. A stressful political month, devastating wildfires here in California and a horrific plane crash that killed young athletes amongst too many others. So while I’m watching the runways and reading my history books, I’m also awake at 2:30am reading reading the Wikipedia entry about Bobby Kennedy and then Ted Hughes (for some reason) and then just feeling icky. I don’t know what to say — except please don’t do what I do. And I hope this gives you a little escape. And what is haute couture if not an escape and celebrate of beauty and human artistic achievements. Let me also recommend, that you save this post and if you find yourself doom scrolling, you navigate over to the The Dior YouTube channel (specifically the videos of the atelier - embroidery lace embroidery, lace applique and tombolo lace ) Nothing like watching skilled artisans at their craft to make you feel better about the potential of humans to create beauty.
OK so when I saw the lace choker tied with ribbon that Maria Grazia Chiuri sent down the runway for her last Dior haute couture show I was reminded of the lace that we sometimes see tied around the necks of women in 18th century portraits.
Like this….
So random etymology fact: In the 16th and 17th, fabric tied around the neck was known as tawdry lace. Have you heard of the word tawdry? I wonder if it’s on the way toward being archaic? It means showy, cheap and of poor quality. I think certain kinds of prom dresses fit in this category.
The word derives from the festival held in honor of the Northumbrian queen Etheldreda, who was revered as St. Audrey. At this annual festival held in her honor, in the 16th and 17th centuries, one could purchase cheap lace to wear around the neck to represent the necklaces that St. Audrey had worn as a girl.
It’s doubtful that the lace sold at these fairs was actually the lace that we are admiring in portraits. That was likely just fabric off-handedly called lace because true lace was an expensive luxury item. The lace that we are admiring here (like the lace at Dior) was fancy enough to sub in for jewelry.
When asked what was her favorite part of the recent show, it was the lace produced by the atelier that Chiuri mentioned. (Specifically the lace done with raffia and gold stitching that was on those big hoop skirts). (You can see the whole interview here).
And not a lace collar, but I couldn’t do a post about lace and not mention Laura de Valenica Kirk’s amazing post on decorative capelets. I’m always blown away by her creativity. Even though this isn’t jewelry per se, it’s definitely more in the accessory column than in the clothing column to me so I’m counting it as jewelry.
I also love that wearing lace like this is an easy way to change up an outfit. I’m not sure I’m necessarily ready for the lace capulet in the winter, although I’m totally on board with a lace shawl over a tank top in the summer as my gateway in.
And look, lace deserves a longer post, but I’m ended January with a giant headache (thanks to my 2:30am doom scrolling), but if you want to join me in adding some lace to your summer look, I found some things to get us started…
There are so many amazing vintage options. I put them all here on ShopMy and honestly, this was the tip of the vintage lace iceberg. Happy hunting.
I knew that about poor Ste. Audrey, and the tawdry connection! 💕 These lace chokers are so pretty! I have crocheted a lace collar for myself (from vintage yarn), so these can be made by crafty folks too!