French town laced with uncertainty

Weaving mills are slowing in Caudry, a northern French town whose workers have been spinning fine lace for Chanel, Valentino, Dior and their high-fashion predecessors since 1825.

"I'm worried," said Laurent Sautiere, a 35-year-old worker with lacemaker Solstiss as he knelt before a clattering 10-ton Leavers lacemaking machine, cranking a steel wheel to halt the spinning. "There's less and less work."

Caudry is home to 10 lacemakers, including two of the world's biggest weavers for haute couture.