Diane Claeys was born in Antwerp, Belgium. Lace has been a part of Diane's family for generations. She grew up surrounded by her grandmother's enormous lace collection. Fascinated by the beautiful textiles, Diane started identifying and dating her grandmother's lace collection. To do this properly, she began studying lace, obtaining guidance from the curator of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Lace is a cultural heritage. Laces are far more than just elegant fabrics. They are works of art with their own history and have an artistic value, carrying their own symbols and meanings. The study of the historical background of lace, as well as the art of lacemaking itself, is an exciting and interesting project which can aid in understanding culture and the development of cultural relations. The delicate patterns of lace retrace the history of my country and the life of its people. This way Madam Branders, the lady of Mr. Ambassador, introduced Diane's lecture in the residence of the royal Belgian embassy in Tokyo on December 2nd 2004.
Diane Claeys still intensively studies and collects rare pieces of antique lace. It is a passion without end.
One of Diane's other lifelong passions is Japan and its rich cultural tradition. Diane is honoured to represent Belgium on the World Expo in Aichi ken through her passion for lace.
- 1980 Opening of Claeys Antique lace shop in Bruges.
- 1984 "400 Years of Lace" exhibition organized by Claeys Antique.
- 1989 Cooperation in a documentary about Belgian lace and handicrafts made by NHK TV, Japan
- 1992 Consulted as expert by Kobe Fashion Museum, Japan, for its lace department. A part of Diane's private collection was acquired by this museum.
- 1997 Claeys Study House opened. A small lace school situated in the heart of Bruges where people, who share Diane's passion for lace, can study lacemaking techniques, as well as the history and identification of lace.
- 1999 A 2-day seminar on identifying lace was organised for the first time in Japan. Teacher, Diane Claeys received many students from all over Japan in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
- 2002 Diane appeared on a TBS television show "Sekkai Fushigi Hakken." The magazine Katei Gahou published a feature on the Diane Claeys lace collection and her original lace accessories. In the same year, Diane held an exhibition in the residence of the royal Belgian embassy in Tokyo, themed "Belgian Lace of European Nobels."
- 2003 Lecture on lace history during Belgian Watching event organised by the Belgian Tourist Office in Tokyo.
- 2004 July 6th, lunch-talkshow in Palace Hotel, Marunouchi, Tokyo, entitled "Belgian Laces and Japanese Influence."
In August, cooperation in a lace exhibition in Nagano. The exhibition was reported by NHK TV.
December 2nd, talkshow in the residence of the royal Belgian embassy in Tokyo, entitled "Belgian Lace, a Jewel in the Belgian Crown."
- 2005 Diane Claeys is honored to represent Belgium and introduce lace at the Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan.
- On the 7th of April 2006, Diane Claeys offered a lace message and photo for the program and the menu of the Cherry blossom Charity Ball. This event was organised by ILBS, the International Ladies Benevolent Society. The ILBS was established in 1953. This charity association is a service group which helps various private welfare institutions. On this occassion, an original lace brooch of Diane Claeys was presented to Princess Takanomiya.
- On June the 6th 2007 Diane Claeys taught at Lace Academia 1. This event was organised by Mrs Satsuki in her shop Bon Courage in Tokyo, Japan. Lace Academia wants to connect people with the same cultural interest on an international base.
- During 2008 Claeys Antique participated in the World Exposition in Zaragoza.
- On the 27th of November 2009, “Diane Claeys” shop has opened its doors in the Motomachi main store of CHIKAZAWA lace shop in Yokohama.
Diane Claeys Books 