Traditional Polish lace crochet is becoming a new favorite in fashion

Wiesława Juroszek was only 6 years old when she learned the intricate handicraft of lace crocheting from the women in her family as part of a long tradition in their little mountain village. Now, 53 years later, she is part of a new generation of women using those skills to make Koniaków famous far beyond Poland's borders. Their uniquely crocheted, beautiful wedding dresses, skirts, blouses and even traditional tablecloths are enjoying a surge of popularity and elevated prices for the skilled work. "In Koniaków, almost all the women do hekla, as we call it," Juroszek told The Associated Press. "For us it's a passion, for us it's our whole life." Around 700 women work as lace makers in Koniaków, which is nestled high in the Beskid Mountains in southern Poland near the border with Slovakia. The techniques have been passed down for years by Koniaków women, who were following the tradition of previous generations of Polish women who embellished bonnets worn over their hair by crocheting lace ribbons to be tied around their foreheads. "It was a decorative element. When a woman was married, she had her own," Juroszek said. " Later, women started making them as table decorations, like napkins, and the shape became round. And the women sold them, which was a way to earn money." What began more than 100 years ago simply as work to support household budgets has been transformed into a prized craft. Blouses sell for at least 3,000 to 4,000 złoty ($750 to $1,000) and wedding dress prices reach up to tens of thousands of złoty. The steep costs are based on the amount of time the women need for their needlework, with even a simple blouse requiring several weeks. Unlike some other traditional craftworks around the globe, crocheting lace is not fading; it's flourishing. Koniaków lace has drawn the attention of international designers. The ladies of Koniaków say each of their lace creations is one of a kind, so it comes as no surprise that international fashion designers noticed the pieces. This article was provided by The Associated Press.