Dear David, A slap in the face to fine makers of hand-made lace resident in the UK? Let us be practical. Think of the months required, and the eyesight of the mature lacemakers who are still skilled in lacemaking but must give many hours over to a modern lifestyle of priority to money-making careers, marriage, children, community volunteerism, etc. I think some fine hand-made lace accessories will eventually be given to the new Duchess of Cambridge by lacemakers. What we might consider is that the bride was not a royal or even remotely close to one, which would mean that the cost of handmade-lace-made-in-England would have been enormously beyond the Middleton's financial ability to pay. (I suspect they did pay for the gown and veil.) This, at a time when the high cost of everything related to the wedding was foremost in the news, and loudly criticized. This is a modern royal couple, with modern ideas of ways to simplify pomp and ceremony. If some vintage lace from the royal collection had been used, this might have led to criticism, also. There was much ado about the bride's tiara, for example. No matter what they do, they are subject to criticism. Blame the Press, I say! The children of this marriage will be christened in antique Honiton laces from the royal collection, which were fashioned into a new gown when the one used for Queen Victoria's offspring up until the births of Prince Edward's children became too fragile to be used again. The original christening gown was used a lot and deemed not strong enough to continue in-service. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
In a message dated 5/24/2011 12:17:13 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Dear Brenda, >Here's a link to a very interesting video clip about the making of >that dress. >http://www.france24.com/en/20110514-fashion-Lace-Alexander-McQueen-Sarah-Bu rton-Wedding-Middleton Many thanks for this fascinating link. Having watched it, I find myself feeling really sorry for all those fine makers of HAND-MADE lace resident in the UK - almost like a slap in the face I reckon. David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
