Portrait
Since the early 19th century, first Calais and then Caudry have been the two main production centers for an exceptional lace: Leavers lace. Located in northern France, 170 km apart, the two towns have made Nord-Pas-de-Calais the world's leading region for this unique craft. Today, France is home to 80% of the world's Leavers machines, all concentrated in Calais and Caudry. In 1958, the Dentelle de Calais® brand was created to avoid any confusion between this woven lace and the lower-end knitted lace that had just appeared. In 2015, the Dentelle de Calais-Caudry® label took over from the Dentelle de Calais® label.
"The Dentelle de Calais-Caudry® label is a promise of excellence for high-end lace, made in France, in accordance with the rules of the art that have made it famous. It precisely certifies that this precious and rare lace is made on Leavers machines, using an original thread interlacing process derived from a bicentennial know-how. The label allows the luxury lace woven in Calais and Caudry to be distinguished from knitted lace, which is much more common."
The Dentelle de Calais-Caudry ® label is owned and controlled by the Fédération Française des Dentelles et Broderies. Only Leavers lace made by lace manufacturers in Calais and Caudry who are members of the Federation are eligible. Many brands choose to display Dentelle de Calais-Caudry® labels on their products. These numbered labels provide consumers with a clear, precise guarantee of the lace's origin and manufacturing process.