by Marina Rybak
I was curious to learn about the origin of the words to inspire and was thrilled to discover that it simply means to breathe into, derived from the Latin word inspirare.
How refreshing and easy it is to initiate the creative process when all you need to do is inhale, to take a breath of fresh air and be ready to receive. How magical it is to generate an idea, to nurture it through the channels of imagination and bring it to life.
Regardless of where I am, I always manage to find treasures right under my nose and inspirational jewels are seldom more than an arms reach – or they find me. I am excited to draw your attention to one such jewel – “Gems of European Lace” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
The Met holds one of the finest collections of handmade lace in the country. Yet this installation is the first of a kind. Although it is small, it is a true gem. I have a personal interest in this exhibit, since I have supported the museum’s Lace Fund at Ratti Textile Center for many years. Preserving our lace heritage, coined “Lost Art,” is of importance to me, for I recognize its direct influence on the lingerie design vocabulary.
In large part, the museum’s assortment was formed more than a century ago, reflecting the tastes of wealthy American women who became interested in collecting handmade lace and were gracious enough to donate their collections to the museum. The precious examples that have been chosen for your viewing, illustrate a variety of styles and techniques spanning a period of more than three hundred years.
I zoomed in on early Venetian needle lace – a glorious ancestor of venice embroidery, however, my absolute favorite item comes from menswear – an 18th century lace cravat. Its conversational pattern depicts hunting scenes and it bursts forth with masculinity, completely debunking the concept that lace belongs to the realm of the feminine. You may have forgotten that men wore the very best lace, and this exhibit is casting a wink in the direction of androgyny.
The laces are exceptional, but I wanted to see more. My dream is to have the lingerie community come together and lend its support to the Met, so that a full-blown major production on lace could be presented. By acknowledging our connection to “Lost Art” and encouraging such an event, the lingerie industry would turn the spotlight on itself. Rather than wait for a trend to happen we can create it.
In the meantime, while I cast my wish into the Universe, take a trip to the Met and be inspired.
