4 min’

In the softest corner of fashion conversations this summer, an article in Vogue Italia by journalist Alice Abbiadati quietly made its mark. Titled “Lace-core: The Most Delicate Trend of the Summer”, it spoke of a romantic return — not to nostalgia, but to touch, to detail, to a kind of femininity that chooses slowness and texture over noise. In the article, Alice spoke with designer and creative director of Antonina Poppy, Antonina Pawlowicz.

As Alice so beautifully puts it, “Lace, crochet, scalloped hems, and sheer fabrics are no longer a language of innocence, but a statement of personal style” These are garments that don’t try to be seen, they simply are. Worn with quiet confidence. Layered in ease.

This idea is echoed by Antonina: “It has always been a constant source of inspiration and at the core of our identity. Lace symbolizes duality — it’s delicate yet bold, nostalgic yet enduring. It reminds us of the value of slowness, detail, and craftsmanship. It carries a sense of heritage, yet it feels entirely modern when reimagined with new purpose.”

Antonina’s approach to fashion mirrors this. In her world, lace is not a decoration — it’s a feeling. One that carries memory in every thread, that invites you to look closer, to notice the beauty of time and care. When Alice asked what draws her to such details, Antonina replied with simplicity: “Because they slow you down. They invite presence.” And isn't that what summer calls for? A slowing. A surrender. A white dress that lets the sun in. A crochet vest with stories tucked between stitches. A sheer lace blouse that moves with you, not against you. Nothing rushed. Nothing loud.

The lace-core aesthetic, as explored in Vogue, is part of a greater shift. After years of structured minimalism and harsh lines, there is a collective desire to soften. This summer, more than ever, fashion is whispering instead of shouting. The clothes that matter are the ones that feel like skin, like memory, like love letters folded into cotton.

Antonina Pawlowicz brings these textures to life in a way that feels deeply aligned with nature. Her pieces aren’t about seasons or trends. They’re about mood. Air. Light. They belong to long summer mornings and quiet golden evenings. In her hands, lace becomes modern, not through reinvention, but through context. Through care. Through how it’s worn — layered with linen, mixed with raw silk, softened with bare skin and minimal adornment. “An intricate, handcrafted weave of delicate details feels like a rebellion against the noise of modern life,” said Ofri Weintraub, speaking to BoF about the growing popularity of lace and crochet. And we can’t disagree — lace-core is everywhere, and it’s shaping up to be the defining summer aesthetic of 2025.

As Alice notes, “Lace today is no longer tied to the idea of purity or propriety. It’s sensual. Independent. Almost subversive in its gentleness.” And that’s exactly what makes it so timely — and timeless. There’s strength in softness. Power in romance. And in a world that often equates value with speed, detail becomes a quiet rebellion.

Read more: https://www.vogue.it/article/lace-core-tendenza-dettagli-pizzo

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