Calais is a small French port town on the English Channel where, on a clear day, you can see the Strait of Dover. This simple geographic detail had a huge historical impact on the world of textiles that prevails to this day. 

It began when three skilled British weavers fled England in 1816, smuggling Leavers machines across the English Channel (a crime punishable by death in England). They landed, conveniently, in Calais. Once settled in this bustling coastal hub, they freely plied their lace-making trade. Eventually, when the Napoleonic wars were over and the French aristocracy was keen on haute couture, Calais became the lace capital of the continent.

Calais lace was eventually exported all over the world. Complex artisanal savoir-faire was passed on from generation to generation, sealing Calais’ fate as the nexus of lace: Eventually, Calais lace – or la Dentelle de Calais – became a protected trademark in 1958, with specific French family brands that are still flourishing. 

Today, the world’s most outstanding fashion and haute couture brands use Calais lace, which has been worn by everyone from Kate Middleton to Anna Wintour. It remains the gold standard of quality; some of our member brands, like Barbara Lingerie, have specific tags on their products letting consumers know exactly what they’re getting. It reads: “This lace, manufactured in France, is a symbol of luxury and refinement. It combines the modernity of its design with the world of famous traditional Calais lace know-how.”  Let there be no doubt:  If it's not made in Calais, it's not Calais lace.