Researching lace in preparation for a client fabric care training session I learnt a fun fact. When banking heiress, Catherine de Medici, moved to France ahead of her marriage to King Henry II of France, she brought lace makers with her from Italy (most people just pack lace knickers). Her arrival influenced the lacemaking industry (and cravings among nobility) in France. She was a much misunderstood queen and queen mother (allegedly loved dispensing poison). But for her contributions to French lace? We thank her.
