NOW INSPIRED: Brittany's Young Women Make the Case for Lace

I stumbled upon these stunning photos by Charles Freger while flipping through the April 2014 National Geographic. Some may consider lace too "granny," but not me. I find it utterly romantic.

If anything makes the case for lace, it is this staunch hold on tradition by the young women of France's Brittany region. At one time, the women of Brittany always wore lace caps, and some of those evolved into tall, fantastical shapes during the 19th and 20th centuries. There are many different varieties depending on village, location and time period. While these headdresses inspired painters like Paul Gauguin, most woman abandoned the style in the 1950's.

Happily, today's young Breton women have recognized the importance of their beautiful heritage costumes. Today, they have formed social groups called Celtic circles where they train year round to compete in full costume in summer dance festivals, sometimes also appearing at weddings and religious festivals. Donning the full costume takes about a half an hour, and may seem impractical in this wet, windy region. But the women are determined to keep the practice alive. Lucky for us. It would be a shame if such beauty faded into obscurity.

Can't you just imagine that gorgeous lace translated into an interior?