“Based on our Nottingham heritage, this is a shopping experience not to be missed.”
Eddy, 5* TripAdvisor Review
Having lived and studied in Nottingham, Debbie fell head over heels for the stories of regions rich textile heritage and Nottingham Lace. This was started by securing student sponsorship from royal lace knit manufacturer G.H.Hurt & Son est. 1912 who supported Debbie with yarn and mentoring for her Textile Degree and Masters.
On establishing her first jewellery collection in 2006, Debbie experimented with casting Nottingham made knit and lace fabrics cast within her own resin jewellery collections.
The opportunity to meet then Nick Povey, owner of Fewkes Lace Embroidery Company, and visit Nottingham’s last lace manufacturer, was a catalyst for the creation of a heritage archive in 2010; the Debbie Bryan Nottingham Lace Archive.
Fewkes Lace Embroidery Company were established in 1910. Lace was designed and made at Morley Avenue in the Mapperley Top area of Nottingham for over 100 years. In 1981, Fewkes, the makers of these intricate pencil drawings, punch cards and Lace samples also created the Nottingham Lace for Lady Diana Spencer’s Wedding Dress.
Original pieces from Nottingham’s industrial lace heritage are also now housed in-store, repurposed as unique display props for the gallery and tearoom. You can spot technician’s tables, lace winders, stools and chairs.
Nottingham Lace Archive
A collection of Nottingham Lace technical illustrations, Jacquard punch cards, antique Nottingham lace trims and motifs, alongside fabric, Lace embroidery hoops, and table cloths from, by ninth generation Lever’s Lace producer, Cluny Lace. Each purchasable in our Lace Market gallery.
Cluny’s cotton laces are a superior quality and have beautiful intricate patterns made just eight miles from our Lace Market design studio and gallery. The collections are inspired by design ideas dating back to the 1600’s. Many of which are then hand-dyed to our own colour recipes, becoming beautiful home interior pieces and gifts in the form of framed Nottingham Lace and our popular Nottingham Lace embroidery hoops.
Famously in 2012, Cluny Lace supplied the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace with lace to create Kate Middleton’s royal lace appliqué for her veil and shoes – for her wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Debbie Bryan’s Lace producers are also associated with and create fabric for global brands Burberry, Jigsaw, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, Dolce and Gabbana, Etro, and Christian Dior.
Inspired Design
Enthusiasts of heritage industries and craftsmanship, for over ten years we have enjoyed the creative influences of our Nottingham Lace Archive, inspiring us in design and making. You can read about our studio practises and heritage-inspired collections here.
We also use our Nottingham Lace Archive to inspire our creative Crafternoons. Using Nottingham Laces for appliqué and embroidery design. You can explore our heritage-inspired Crafternoons here.
