Calais-Caudry Lace, the luxury of Calais XXL
Lace is an institution in Calais, and the City of Lace and Fashion is its essential ambassador. Its fashion exhibitions are renowned, and the Dentelle de Calais-Caudry label is a reference in the luxury sector. It was in the Saint Pierre district that the lace industry exploded in the 19th century. Strolling through this district of Calais is to realize the architectural transformations brought about by this industrial epic.
To find out everything about Calais lace!
The city of lace and fashion is the place to go to find out everything about the lace industry in Calais. Clothing, textiles or machines, the collections are presented in a vast factory typical of the 19th century in the Saint-Pierre district. Between fashion and lace, the different rooms allow you to discover the different trades and machines. Of this iconic know-how of French luxury, the most impressive thing to see is the demonstration of Leavers looms. The secrets of these cast iron monsters are revealed by lace professionals. An opportunity to discover that the refinement of luxury can also come from the machine.
More than a museum, the Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode is a real place to live. There is a restaurant, boutique, auditorium and resource center dedicated to fashion on site.
©Amandine Richard 
©Amandine Richard Renowned fashion exhibitions
This must-see place in Calais XXL also gives pride of place to Fashion. Haute couture houses or young designers, lace is to be classified in the high-end of the world of luxury.
Every year, these are haute couture gems that leave you with stars in your eyes. You have been able to admire dresses by Balenciaga, Yuima Nakazato, Iris Van Herpen, Yves Saint Laurent and even Givenchy!
Stroll through Saint Pierre, the origin of Calais lace
Walking through the Saint Pierre district in Calais allows you to see the profound changes of the 19th century. You have to venture off the main avenues to discover the architectural diversity: masters' houses, workers' houses or former workshops and lace production factories.
Originally there was a village along the canal opposite the current city of lace and fashion. The first mechanical tulle looms arrived in England in 1816. The inhabitants of Calais XXL call them "Leavers looms". It was the beginning ofan industrial epic that transformed the city ! The village of Saint Pierre was transformed into a town of 33 inhabitants thanks to the development of the lace industry during the 000th century.
©Nohcab Calais-Caudry lace, from the heart of Calais to world-renowned
One might have thought of the influence of Flemish hand-made lace. After all, Bruges, the "Venice of the North" is only a hundred kilometers away... But it is in Nottingham, in the North of England, that the origin of Calais lace is found. In 1816, workers from this city smuggled the first machines to settle in the commune of Saint Pierre. Throughout the XNUMXth century, the town became a city and the small activity a flourishing industry. Many British subjects came to settle in Calais, especially since regular maritime transport with England was established at the same time. Many founded families, put down roots in Calais, and an English tradition like Christmas pudding is still very much alive here.
©Nohcab 
©Nohcab The magnificent Théâtre de Calais is located in the heart of the Saint Pierre district and its shops. There is a monument dedicated to Joseph-Marie Charles, known as Jacquard, in homage to this 1910th century inventor from Lyon and creator of the mechanics that bears his name. The monument was inaugurated in XNUMX and is located in front of theater… also a very recent building (1905). The sculpture is the work of Marius Roussel, chosen from among 14 projects.
The adaptation of its looms to the massive English Leavers machines greatly contributed to the expansion of the lace industry in Calais. The Calais-Caudry Lace Label brings together the traditional cradles of this type of lace production. The world of fashion, luxury and lingerie is crazy about this know-how from Hauts de France. During her wedding to Prince of Wales William, Kate Middleton wore a white and ivory dress in Calais-Caudry lace!