Lurex

The threads that give youth fashion shine, glamorous - gloss, and VIPs - royal luxury.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

As you know, not all gold that glitters. The same can be said of silver. But in our time this does not really matter! Lurex filaments will add shine and shimmer to precious metals to anything.
Fabrics embroidered with gold and silver threads existed in ancient times, at least from the times of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome and Byzantium to the present day well-preserved pieces of such fabrics have survived.
Of course, they were a symbol of wealth, luxury, noble origin, belonging to the highest circles of the church. As a rule, kings and queens, princes and cardinals dressed up in such clothes.
Gold and silver threads were made mainly in two ways: either wrapped a thin metal sheet with an ordinary thread, or gilded a thinly sliced ​​mucous membrane of the intestines of animals. It turned out an expensive, but very effective material.

But at present, gold and silver threads are available to everyone.
The history of this accessibility began in the 1950s, when T.E. Dolan, the chef of an American company engaged in cellophane packaging for cigarette packs, began experimenting with new gold and silver thin ribbons to quickly open the packs. And in parallel, he invented a shiny thread: an aluminum thread coated with polyester. And this thread was given the name "Lurex" (from lure- seduce).
So, quite by accident, T.E.Dolan turned a whole new page in the fashion industry! Indeed, inexpensive Lurex threads fit perfectly into the new post-war style, when women finally began to look like princesses and queens!
And new threads quickly began to conquer countries on all continents.
In addition to this, an airless aluminum thread did not rust, unlike real metal threads. And the Lurex threads were easily woven or intertwined with other threads, and thanks to the colored shell it was possible to achieve a variety of colorful effects. And most importantly - the price of Lurex threads has become quite affordable!
Now almost every woman can afford to turn into an aristocrat, pop diva or princess from a fairy tale by sewing or buying a cocktail dress, jacket, skirt, top or trousers made of fabric with lurex.
Yes, and for many decades now designers have been using lurex fabrics in their collections in every possible way!
In the photo: DIOR ball gown embroidered with metal threads and pearls (1954); Indian brocade with hunting scenes (1965, Lyon Museum); Elizabeth I, Queen of Great Britain (1533-1603) in a coronation dress, embroidered with real gold threads; a model from ROCHAS (1), as well as models from the DONNAKARANNEWYORK (DKNY) collection.
Title photo (on the main page of the site): singer Cher in a dress of lurex.
Photo: AKGIMAGES; GETTYIMAGES; CATWALKPIX.COM; U2 / ULIGLASEMANN
Material prepared by Elena Karpova

Watch the video: LUREX. Queen - How Can I Go On Freddie Mercury (May 2024).