From Koniaków to Paris: how traditional Polish crocheting is captivating high fashion

Koniaków lace is much more than a traditional ornament. For the women of the village Koniaków, in southwestern Poland, it is a way of life, a passion, and an expression of identity. In this village, almost every woman knows how to crochet - the skill has been passed down from generation to generation,** often from early childhood.

As one of the lace makers, Wiesława Juroszek, recalls how she made her first piece lace at the age of six. Today, around 700 women in Koniaków are involved in the lacemaking industry.

What distinguishes Koniaków lace is its lack of templates and patterns. Each design is created from the mind - the result of imagination, experience and many years of practice. As Lucyna Ligocka-Kohut, president of the Koniaków Lace Foundation, emphasizes, it is this uniqueness and artistic freedom that attracts the largest fashion houses worldwide.

From the bedroom to the catwalk

Although until recently Koniaków lace decorated mainly tables, altars and traditional folk costumes, today it has entered the world's catwalks without any complex. Its unique style has impressed brands such as Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Comme des Garçons, Magda Butrym and Rei Kawakubo.

The lace made its debut at Paris Fashion Week back in 2018, where it adorned a bridal tailcoat designed by Kawakubo. In 2025, it appeared there once again - this time in a modern piece by Polish designer Magda Butrym. Koniaków lace has also been seen on the cover of Vogue, bringing this traditional handicraft to the world stage.

A bridge between tradition and modernity

Although fashion changes from season to season, Koniaków lace is able to maintain its character, combining tradition with modern design. At the Koniaków Lace Center, which operates in the heart of the village, tourists can not only admire the unique handicrafts, but also try their hand at crocheting.

A special occasion is the summer "Koniaków Lace Days" - a festival during which workshops, demonstrations and meetings with masters of this art take place.

Tradition also has a modern face here. The younger generation documents the work of the lace makers, recording the techniques and making them available online. More and more products are going on sale online, and handmade clothes and accessories from Koniaków are gaining popularity all over the world.

A heritage that lives on

Koniaków lace has been included on the UNESCO national list of intangible heritage. This is a well-deserved distinction that confirms its cultural, artistic and social value. But the most important thing is that lace is still alive - it changes, inspires and delights.

Koniaków lace is not an exhibit locked away in a museum display case, but a living tradition that, thread by thread, connects the past with the future. A place where, out of women's passion and patience, art is created that finds its way into the hearts of people all over the world.