Lurex

{{Short description|Yarn with a metallic appearance}} {{For|the artist name used by Freddie Mercury|Larry Lurex}} thumb|Lurex yarn [[File:Cheryl Cole, Hastings.jpg|thumb|upright|Cheryl Cole wearing a Lurex dress while performing with Girls Aloud at Battle Abbey, Hastings]] thumb|upright|African lace made with Lurex

'''Lurex''' is the registered brand name of the Lurex Company, Ltd., for a type of yarn with a metallic appearance. The yarn is made from synthetic film, onto which a metallic aluminium, silver, or gold layer has been vaporized. "Lurex" may also refer to cloth created with the yarn. The word "lurex" is absent from the English language as a common noun: this is the name of the trademark and the company Lurex Company Limited,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lurex® {{!}} The Lurex® Company Limited|url=https://www.lurex.com/|access-date=2022-02-02|publisher=Lurex|language=en-US}}</ref> which launched the production of such yarn based on nylon and polyester—Lurex in the 1970s. The name was based on the English lure—"temptation; attractiveness".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Соблазнительный люрекс|url=http://newslab.ru/article/257380 |language=ru |access-date=2022-02-02 |website=newslab.ru}}</ref>

Hugo Wolfram, father of mathematician Stephen Wolfram, served as managing director of the Lurex Company.<ref>[http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/business/profiles/931620.Telling_a_good_yarn/ Telling a good yarn by Jenny Lunnon], ''Oxford Times'', 21 September 2006.</ref>

==In art and popular culture== {{Self-sourcing examples|section|date=June 2019}} The bodysuit worn by actress Julie Newmar as Catwoman in the ''Batman'' TV series of the 1960s is constructed of black Lurex.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keyes |first=Allison |date=2008-03-16 |title=Catwoman: Feminine Power, on the Prowl|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88203149 |website=All Things Considered |publisher=NPR |accessdate=2013-06-09}}</ref> In 1973 Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury released a record under the name Larry Lurex, while recording the group's self-titled debut album. He chose the name to parody the stage name of the glam rock singer Gary Glitter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Freddie Mercury: 10 Things You Didn't Know Queen Singer Did|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/freddie-mercury-10-things-you-didnt-know-queen-singer-did-114828/ |website=Rolling Stone|date=23 November 2016 |access-date=30 January 2026}}</ref> Lurex was mentioned in Australian group AC/DC's song ''Rocker'' - "Lurex socks, blue suede shoes, V8 car, and tattoos". Lurex was worn at the 1920s-themed 50th anniversary party for MOMA in New York City in 1979.<ref>Schiro, Anne-Marie (November 15, 1979). [https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/15/archives/modern-museum-50-has-a-20s-party.html "Modern Museum, 50, Has a 20's Party"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved 2017-01-21.</ref>

==See also== * Lamé (fabric) * Metallic fiber

==References== <references/>

==External links== * [http://www.lurex.com Official Lurex website] * [http://www.suncoco.com Other Metallic thread & yarn supplier]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lurex (Yarn)}} Category:Synthetic fibers Category:Technical fabrics Category:Yarn