December 19, 2016

IF VELVET COULD TALK

Velvet walks a fine line. Used in one way it evokes 60s and 70s rock & roll. But dark, dangerous night clubs, opium, and late nights are not really my look. Used in another way, it conjures images of the grand, yet poorly insulated castles of 17th-century Europe, with heavy crewel and large crackling fire places. Totally my look! But simply stated, my point is that either way it's got a strong personality and tends to look better with age. Though a 75-year old velvet clad rocker is a matter of preference I guess.

Velvet dates back to 1399. I first started my relationship (a slow one I admit) with velvet when I was at FIT studying textile design in 2007. To give us all some perspective, during that time we went on a class trip to Prelle, a historical French textile house that sells mostly to museum period rooms, historical homes, and the world’s wealthiest private families. Prelle archives are vast and deep. It's here among the damasks and brocades that I discovered the true beauty of velvet, and the marvelous texture it takes on over its lifetime. Just like us, it becomes better with age. The authentic, faded quality from years of use, the parties, the gossip, the naps, the stargazing – all not-for-sale intangibles seamlessly integrated with this textile. For velvet to become ‘velvet’ it must be worn down by a life well lived, complete with memories and tall tales alike.  Every fiber, thread and unattractive ‘scuff’ will hold your story tight and remind you of "that time we had.”

Remember, sometimes you have to look back to go forward.

[Back to velvet throwbeds.] -- [www.prelle.fr]  
Written by Beata Henrichs-Lieb