Cluny Tapestry Chiffon Scarf

DESIGNER'S NOTES

A sublime yet bold Fox & Chave silk chiffon scarf that draws its inspiration from the iconic Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.

These 15th-century masterpieces evoke the elegance, mystery, and symbolism of medieval France. Woven with allegories of the five senses and an elusive sixth panel, À mon seul désir, these artworks have fascinated historians for centuries with their rich detail and hidden meanings. The unicorn, a symbol of purity and desire, joins the lion in a timeless dance of courtly ritual and feminine grace. 

This design echoes the millefleurs background and the tapestry’s palette of deep reds, golds, and jewel tones.  À mon seul désir, the mysterious sixth panel is widely interpreted as symbolising free will, love beyond the senses, or the renunciation of earthly pleasures, but its true meaning remains unclear.

The phrase roughly translates to To my only desire or By my will alone. In the scene, the lady places or retrieves a necklace from a chest, unlike the other five panels which clearly depict the senses. This act, combined with the enigmatic inscription, has led scholars to see it as a statement of inner choice, emotional self-possession, or spiritual awakening, something transcending the five physical senses.

COLOURS

STYLING

There are many ways to style a Fox & Chave chiffon silk scarf including the basic drape, belted drape and reverse drape. Our chiffon silk scarfs look really good worn in the bandit knot or faux infinity style too. More scarf styling ideas are available in this wonderful How to Tie a Scarf book.