From the Selvedge Team: All Tied Up
Katerina Knight, Selvedge's Editorial Assistant tells us about the charm of gift wrapping, sharing her go-to stores for the best wrapping materials.
All Tied Up by Katerina Knight
It is not the act of buying presents that is the charm of Christmas preparations for me, but rather the true joy is in the gift-wrapping.
Popping down to VV Rouleaux on Marylebone Lane, a haberdashery haven for trims and embellishments- fishing through shelves of ribbons in ginghams, silks and velvets to add the final flourish to my gifts, provides endless hours of pleasure.
Image courtesy of VV Rouleaux. Image above courtesy of STRAW London.
During the Middle Ages ribbon peddlers would travel through Europe, selling the finest strips of silk to the affluent, who would wear them with pride, adorning their clothing.
Traditionally Silk ribbons were woven on a narrow loom and from early 1700 through to 1860 ribbon weaving was an integral industry in Coventry and the epicentre for the craft in England. Almost half of the city earned their living from this trade. Serving the fashion industry with ribbons for bonnets, gloves and petticoats, amongst other things.
Image courtesy of Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
But soon with a rise in cheaper, synthetic alternatives the crafted silk ribbon could not quite compete. Silk ribbon making has become something of a niche market and today only one manufacturer in Coventry remains- Toye, Kenning and Spencer. From its factory in Bedworth, ribbons are woven, predominantly for medals, regal and military services and period costumes for film and theatre.
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum holds an exquisite collection of ribbon ephemera; over one thousand individual fragments of ribbon, two hundred fifty sample books and a rare ribbon loom.
In more modern times the ribbon has woven its way to find a purpose that offers both decoration and function- tying presents. It is a staple tool for the serious devotee to Christmas wrapping. The iconic scene as Rowan Atkinson asks, “Would you like it gift wrapped?” in the beloved 2003 Christmas classic, Love Actually, inspires many of us to go that extra mile.
Image courtesy of VV Rouleaux.
The Christmas ribbon has become something of an icon no doubt; not only to wrap presents, we dress our trees in dainty velvet bows and suspend a wreath of ivy, holly and pine from the door. But we are reminded of the ribbon at Christmas in those unexpected places too. As I take my annual trip to watch the Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, to be mesmerised by ballerinas twirling the stage; long legs laced up with silk ribbon to hold their slippers firmly in place. Or as my family and I finish festive lunch and sleepily cosy up by the fire, each year my father will assuredly find the channel broadcasting the Wizard of Oz and one can not ignore the perfect ribbon that boldly sits in Dorothy’s hair.
Although production may have declined, the ribbon still is rightfully treasured. With shops like VV Rouleaux and McCulloch and Wallis stocking the finest of trims, the passementerie trade is still very much alive in Britain today. For a humble strip of cloth, it is a token reminder of the touch of nostalgia and opulence that Christmas brings.
Image courtesy of Straw, London.
And for STRAW London, that reminder is anything but subtle. Their giant gingham door bow is a sustainable alternative to the traditional wreath, and a timeless icon that year after year will embellish your door with extravagance.
Where to buy your Christmas ribbons in London:
VV Rouleaux, Marylebone Lane
MacCulloch & Wallis, Poland Street
The Cloth Shop, Portobello Road
Ray Stitch, Essex Road
Or for that extra special gift, find excellent antique trims at markets such as Portobello Road.
Text by Katerina Knight
All Tied Up by Katerina Knight
It is not the act of buying presents that is the charm of Christmas preparations for me, but rather the true joy is in the gift-wrapping.
Popping down to VV Rouleaux on Marylebone Lane, a haberdashery haven for trims and embellishments- fishing through shelves of ribbons in ginghams, silks and velvets to add the final flourish to my gifts, provides endless hours of pleasure.
Image courtesy of VV Rouleaux. Image above courtesy of STRAW London.
During the Middle Ages ribbon peddlers would travel through Europe, selling the finest strips of silk to the affluent, who would wear them with pride, adorning their clothing.
Traditionally Silk ribbons were woven on a narrow loom and from early 1700 through to 1860 ribbon weaving was an integral industry in Coventry and the epicentre for the craft in England. Almost half of the city earned their living from this trade. Serving the fashion industry with ribbons for bonnets, gloves and petticoats, amongst other things.
Image courtesy of Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
But soon with a rise in cheaper, synthetic alternatives the crafted silk ribbon could not quite compete. Silk ribbon making has become something of a niche market and today only one manufacturer in Coventry remains- Toye, Kenning and Spencer. From its factory in Bedworth, ribbons are woven, predominantly for medals, regal and military services and period costumes for film and theatre.
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum holds an exquisite collection of ribbon ephemera; over one thousand individual fragments of ribbon, two hundred fifty sample books and a rare ribbon loom.
In more modern times the ribbon has woven its way to find a purpose that offers both decoration and function- tying presents. It is a staple tool for the serious devotee to Christmas wrapping. The iconic scene as Rowan Atkinson asks, “Would you like it gift wrapped?” in the beloved 2003 Christmas classic, Love Actually, inspires many of us to go that extra mile.
Image courtesy of VV Rouleaux.
The Christmas ribbon has become something of an icon no doubt; not only to wrap presents, we dress our trees in dainty velvet bows and suspend a wreath of ivy, holly and pine from the door. But we are reminded of the ribbon at Christmas in those unexpected places too. As I take my annual trip to watch the Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, to be mesmerised by ballerinas twirling the stage; long legs laced up with silk ribbon to hold their slippers firmly in place. Or as my family and I finish festive lunch and sleepily cosy up by the fire, each year my father will assuredly find the channel broadcasting the Wizard of Oz and one can not ignore the perfect ribbon that boldly sits in Dorothy’s hair.
Although production may have declined, the ribbon still is rightfully treasured. With shops like VV Rouleaux and McCulloch and Wallis stocking the finest of trims, the passementerie trade is still very much alive in Britain today. For a humble strip of cloth, it is a token reminder of the touch of nostalgia and opulence that Christmas brings.
Image courtesy of Straw, London.
And for STRAW London, that reminder is anything but subtle. Their giant gingham door bow is a sustainable alternative to the traditional wreath, and a timeless icon that year after year will embellish your door with extravagance.
Where to buy your Christmas ribbons in London:
VV Rouleaux, Marylebone Lane
MacCulloch & Wallis, Poland Street
The Cloth Shop, Portobello Road
Ray Stitch, Essex Road
Or for that extra special gift, find excellent antique trims at markets such as Portobello Road.
Text by Katerina Knight
1 comment
Just amazed to see the shop I found in Marylebone Lane featured in my precious Selvedge magazine a few days later. We had super friendly service and a blissful time browsing. I had a wonderfully nostalgic trip around Marylebone where I lived about 55years ago, The shop is a del;ight, highly recommended.