It comes as no surprise our forebears who built great churches and listened to the same bells made similar vestments with the finest fabrics available: rich brocade and pure silks, golden galloons, with decorative rinceau motifs, all for the glory of God. Vestments are like the illumination of an icon -- they reveal something of the beauty of God. From a metaphysical point of view, every manifestation of beauty is rooted in God.
I would like to bring the attention of readers to Lily and Rose Vestments, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a clear tagline, "Quality - Handmade - Custom," this wonderful family-owned business shows that vestment making is a true vocation, a life calling, and a wondrous way to patronize the arts and enrich the sacred liturgy. What I like best about the distinct style of Lily and Rose are the excellent color combinations that we haven't seen in centuries.
The artist behind these creations is Tiffany Peoples, the foundress of Lily and Rose. Images of her work can be found on Instagram. Her portfolio is growing as she builds her business and her work has expanded to include various different styles and fabrics.
Her look is classic, in contrast to the overly simplistic and turgid vestments often produced in recent decades. She builds on a material legacy left us by previous generations of both laywomen and consecrated religious nuns who fashioned with care and great love vestments that are worthy for the altar and cherished for generations.
For those who would like to place orders, Tiffany can be reached here: [email protected].
I encourage young seminarians to order their first Mass vestment sets from her. It is important to support up-and-coming artists who are applying their skill well to enrich the liturgical experience. Tiffany's work is exquisite, very detail orientated, and affordable. She also makes matching antipendium altar frontals and tabernacle veils, all in a beautiful European style. Even to the casual Catholic, the spiritual imprint from beautiful vestments is inescapable.
Vestment styles, cuts, and sizes can be custom made, with unique options that include the Spanish style chasuble, seen above. Some of the vestments also have handmade embroidery, crafted with great skill and patience, seen below. A lost art is thus revived on many levels. Such art and beauty in the liturgy are a springboard for more fervent devotion and prayer.
Many thanks, Tiffany, for your great creations. We wish you well and encourage you to keep up the fine work. A Deo lux nostra (our light comes from God). You are bringing people into contact with the oldest forms of art and spirituality with your melodic creations for service in the "holy of holies." The intrinsic unity of the liturgy and sacred art (that is both sacred and artistic) flows from the function of the liturgy. For centuries the Christian faithful have made beautiful vestments and it is a true blessing to see this tradition continue through the ages.
