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,¹ 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".²

Hugo Wolfram, father of mathematician Stephen Wolfram, served as managing director of the Lurex Company.³

The bodysuit worn by actress Julie Newmar as Catwoman in the Batman TV series of the 1960s is constructed of black Lurex.⁴ 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.⁵ 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 1979.⁶