Church blasts g-strings
Polish lace-makers have been criticised by the church for switching their talents from alter cloths to sexy lingerie.
The Catholic church has slammed the women of the mountain village of Koniakow for using their traditional skills to make lacy G-strings.
Koniakow lace has been made for altar cloths, priests' robes, even the last Pope - but their livelihoods were in jeopardy before they switched to lingerie.
Their new online business has proved a huge success with items on sale to western customers for more than £50, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The famous intricate patterns have been maintained, but critics say their skimpy pants, bras and G-strings are bringing shame upon a respectable craft.
Mieczylaw Kamieniarz, who runs the lace museum in Koniakow, said: "All of Koniakow is ashamed.
"We have made Koniakow lace for altar cloths, priests' robes, even the Pope himself. And now people are going to wear Koniakow lace on their bottoms."
But Malgorzata Stanaszek, who set up Koni-Art underwear, said: "We weren't selling much lace so we had to think of something. It wasn't one woman's idea, it was more like a collective idea."
She pointed out that the money coming in from the new products was helping to fund the church.
"If we listened to everything the priest says, we wouldn't earn a penny," she said. "Anyway he'll have to come to terms with it soon. The stringi are funding his contributions."
Polish lace-makers have been criticised by the church for switching their talents from alter cloths to sexy lingerie.
The Catholic church has slammed the women of the mountain village of Koniakow for using their traditional skills to make lacy G-strings.
Koniakow lace has been made for altar cloths, priests' robes, even the last Pope - but their livelihoods were in jeopardy before they switched to lingerie.
Their new online business has proved a huge success with items on sale to western customers for more than £50, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The famous intricate patterns have been maintained, but critics say their skimpy pants, bras and G-strings are bringing shame upon a respectable craft.
Mieczylaw Kamieniarz, who runs the lace museum in Koniakow, said: "All of Koniakow is ashamed.
"We have made Koniakow lace for altar cloths, priests' robes, even the Pope himself. And now people are going to wear Koniakow lace on their bottoms."
But Malgorzata Stanaszek, who set up Koni-Art underwear, said: "We weren't selling much lace so we had to think of something. It wasn't one woman's idea, it was more like a collective idea."
She pointed out that the money coming in from the new products was helping to fund the church.
"If we listened to everything the priest says, we wouldn't earn a penny," she said. "Anyway he'll have to come to terms with it soon. The stringi are funding his contributions."
