The Story

Lace  is seductive. Sometimes  subtly,  almost  unnoticeably, reserving  its guilty pleasure exclusively for those who can feel the sheer fabric against their skin. At other times it is sensuous, a little bit naughty and certainly more daring: a strong fashion statement for the wearer  to show off with pride. Lace is synonymous with enticement and temptation, while always maintaining decorum – it is stylish and ravishing, like delicate confectionery, graciously  dispensed to the viewer or to oneself.

Lace is a fabric  of threads, a picture  of craftsmanship and precision  that  is brimming with historical references. Its development is closely linked  with that  of the enterprising late medieval  town-dweller. Flemish  lace was and still is recognised as a world-class hallmark of quality. Even after  the handmade production was replaced with machines, the quality of Flemish lace remained high.

From birth to death: lace is a constant in all-important stages of life. Throughout history, this textile always returns to ritual highlights of existence. From baptism to marriage, from liturgy to mourning. Lace appeals to everyone: from the modest caps of the lace workers themselves to the sumptuous costumes of the beau monde.

Industrialization gives lace a metamorphosis. Lace becomes spicy. Where the textile was first used to cover every piece of fabric in a bare way, lace is nowadays used in lingerie or undergarments to decorate the body. The Flemish company Van de Velde is at the cradle of this flourishing textile industry.

Lace is art, even today. Nationally and internationally, old traditional techniques are used to process them into highly original creations. Artists deliberately build a bridge to the past. In short, LACE IS MORE! highlights a rich and multifaceted history of lace through the cultural wealth of Flanders.