Treasures of the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in Berkeley, CA

I have a treasure in my neighborhood in South Berkeley.  That treasure is the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles (2982 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA, 510-843-7290, LacisMuseum.org & Lacis.com).   It was founded by Kaethe and Jules Kliot in 1965 and is a collection of lace, vintage dresses and wedding gowns, shoes, purses and jewelry.  It also has an extensive library on costumes, textiles and fashion and sells vintage patterns and fabric.   Upon arriving there today, I was invited to join a tour of the lace room being given by owner Jules Kliot, an expert in vintage lace and textiles.  Their collection includes specimens from pre-Columbian Peru, the finest from the 17th Century European courts and examples of the machine laces from the 19th Century industrial revolution.  In addition to lace, the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles also has a large collection of vintage dresses that are on the walls, hanging from the ceiling and displayed on mannequins.  Most of these dresses pre-date the 1930's.  Periodically, they have fashion shows, which I will let you know about.  The next one is in April 2013.  I definitely will attend and have been invited to bring my camera.  If you want to visit the museum, I highly recommend it.  Check out their website for upcoming events.  They are also conveniently located across from the Ashby bart station.

 Walking to the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles

 Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles - Treasures galore

 Woman with red petticoat with attitude in the window at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles

 Mother with children in the window at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles

 Small clothing section at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles

 Mannequins in white gowns with vintage shoes & hats

 White gowns on the wall 

 White lace dress

Brown Suffragette suits

 Lace collection room

 Lace collection

 Lace collar

 Unicorn on lace

 Orvieto Crochet from early 20th Century

 Embroidered picture from human hair (1795)

 Italian lace collar from 17th Century

 Lace collection

 Lace collection

 Lace collection

 Lace collection

 Lace collection

 Carved Chinese ivory fan from early 20th Century 

 Beaded fan

 Chinese painted (paper) fan from 19th Century

 White lace midi blouse with pearls

 Vintage (day) gloves

 Folk art dolls

 Hoop skirts on the ceiling 

 Midi blouse with lace collar

 Jules Kliot, owner of Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles 

 Midi blouses and vintage hats 

 Gowns waiting for waltzes 

 Erin, manager of Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles & her sales crew

 Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles 

 Slippers under glass 

 Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles 

Little black dresses  

 Satin princess wedding gown

 1930's lace party dress

 Red satin & lace girl's dress

 1950's black velvet top (with rhinestone trim) and circle skirt

 Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles 

 Jewelry and beautiful figurine with child

 Vintage (evening) gloves

 Gowns & fans

 1950's afternoon cocktail dress

 1920's fantasy gown

 Early 1900's summer costumes

 Lace wall hangings near the library/bookstore

 Satin wedding gown

 Wedding ensemble wall display

 Members of the wedding - check out the groom's mustache

1880s bodice