Gossamer Grey

It’s not an overstatement when we say that no one crafts sumptuous fabric quite like the French do. This Belle Époque cover proves our point, as it showcases a reproduction of an exquisite example of luxurious French silk. The frosted finish of our design is inspired by the original fabric’s delicate layering of sheer chiffon over a silken background.

This 20th-century design has a timeless look of haute couture elegance while at the same time suggesting the possibilities afforded designers with the advent of new manufacturing techniques in the fashion industry. In the early 1900s, the textile industry underwent a revolution as synthetic fibres were introduced. While many traditional artisans would have balked at using such “unnatural” materials, the French designers embraced these versatile newcomers, incorporating them into patterns alongside the classic decorative fabrics long treasured by connoisseurs.

Advancements in the textile industry made beautiful fabrics like this accessible to a wider range of people than ever before, but that doesn’t mean the French designers thought any differently of their art or audience. They continued to pour care and expertise into each stitch, and in this Gossamer Grey cover one can see the absolute perfection of tone and magnificent embroidery for which French artisans have become so celebrated.