The Point de Venice initially imitated by Alençon lace has gradually been replaced by a network of large hexagonal stitches decorated with picots on all sides. This distinctive mark of the first Point de France from Alençon first gave way to smaller and lighter meshes to transform itself at the beginning of the 18th century into the small, almost round curly knits characteristic of the Point d'Alençon. At the same time, the Alençon factory developed new varieties of fancy stitches called modes. They took the form of stars, diamonds, chevrons, or checkerboards requiring great virtuosity. In the second part of the 18th century, the designs were reduced and simplified to leave the dominant place to the background mesh.