【ZUTTO Exclusive】

A river lace blouse from L'art de vivre, carrying on Europe's history.

Delicate lace that makes you want to stop and stare. As inexpensive lace has become more common over time, river lace has become a rare and precious material—and L'art de vivre is the brand building its collections around it.

ZUTTO commissioned a special version of the brand's popular lace blouse, made to open at the front. With buttons added, it can also be worn as an outer layer, making it a blouse that can be enjoyed across a wider range of seasons.

【Special Order】Pintuck River Lace Blouse

"River Lace," Beloved by European Aristocrats and Parisian Women

River lace was beloved by European aristocrats and Parisian women alike. Lace was first incorporated into French fashion as far back as the late 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. At the time, France encouraged high-quality craftsmanship as part of its economic policy, and lace garments were one symbol of this. Clothing adorned with linen and silk lace sourced from Lyon became established as a dress code at the Palace of Versailles, and this culture continued through the era of Marie Antoinette.

River lace refers to lace made using a specialized loom invented by John Leavers in 1813. The manufacturing method has been passed down unchanged from the 1800s to the present day, but since river lace looms are no longer produced, only old machines more than 100 years old, along with skilled artisans, are capable of weaving it. Its very existence is antique and precious, and it has a delicate texture reminiscent of hand-knitting.

In 1950s Paris, during the heyday of couture houses like Chanel and Dior, river lace enjoyed great popularity among Parisian women. However, as time went on, manufacturing technology capable of mass production developed, inexpensive lace became more widespread, and river lace—which requires specialized production skills—steadily declined.

Against this backdrop, "river lace" has become a rare and precious material in the modern era. L'art de vivre is a brand that develops collections planned in Japan, using river lace looms held in India. While carrying on tradition and technique, the brand creates lace wear that harmonizes with contemporary fashion.

A Popular Blouse Specially Ordered with Buttons

A Front-Opening Blouse That Expands Your Styling Options

The first special order ZUTTO placed with L'art de vivre was the 【Special Order】Pintuck River Lace Blouse. Based on a design originally offered as part of the brand's regular line, buttons were added to create a front-opening blouse. It's a luxurious piece that combines river lace with delicate pintucks.