Uproar as lace-makers slip into G-strings
Polish lace-makers facing declining demand for their table and altar cloths have provoked uproar in their industry and criticism by the Catholic Church after producing sexy underwear.
The radical adapting of the traditional skills of the women of the southern mountain village of Koniakow has proved a huge success with soaring online sales.
With some items on sale to American customers for more than $100, their fortunes have turned around. But even though the intricate patterns and old-fashioned techniques have been maintained, critics say their tight little tops, pants, bras and even the briefest of G-strings, called stringi, are bringing shame upon a respectable craft.
Malgorzata Stanaszek, who set up Koni-Art underwear and is now supplying Japanese, American and European customers, said: “We weren’t selling much lace so we had to think of something. It wasn’t one woman’s idea, it was more like a collective idea.”
She and her sister, Teresa, combined efforts with other women, but not everybody is happy. Mieczylaw Kamieniarz, who runs the lace museum in Koniakow, said: “All of Koniakow is ashamed.
“We have made Koniakow lace for altar cloths, priests’ robes, even the [last] Pope himself. And now people are going to wear Koniakow lace on their bottoms.”
The village was built on its women’s lace-making talents, exporting the fine cotton creations for at least 200 years, with lace galleries a common sight on its streets.
Even the communist regime recognised the traditional handicraft as an art, subsidising those who made it and buying it for officials to present to foreign dignitaries.
The traditionalists are refusing to take the move without a fight. The priest names women suspected of making underwear during his Sunday services.
Mrs Stanaszek pointed out that the money coming in from the new products was helping to fund the church.
“If we listened to everything the priest says, we wouldn’t earn a penny,” she said. “Anyway he’ll have to come to terms with it soon. The stringi are funding his contributions.”
