Find your inner feather this fall…
Stumbling into the dressing room of an affordable fifth avenue retailer, accompanied by heaps of fanciful clothing, I see a vision of a pillow like, feather encompassed clutch resting upon the sales clerks’ counter. It beckoned to me. “Is that taken?” I ask, teetering on nervousness that it indeed had already been claimed. “No,” he responded, “it isn’t even on the floor yet. We’ve only received two.” “May I?” I said, as I jutted my free hand forward forgetting about the pounds of fabric in my other arm. It was impractical but it was perfect. I forgot about the dressing room, leaving the helpless sales clerk with no other choice than to return my ridiculous mountain to the correct clothing racks.
I packed meticulously for my first jet-set vacation to the South of France. I wanted to make sure that this delightful addition to my wardrobe would indeed make its appearance. I hadn’t seen anything of its kind yet. I was hoping my spontaneous purchase was the picking of a fashion visionary (not victim). Upon arrival into St. Tropez, I was whisked off to dinner with a long time friend whose life consists of the extraordinary (and the expensive). He was accompanied by his wealthy Russian allies. A girlfriend to the heir of an ‘I will not disclose’ oil conglomerate gushed in her best English avec Russian accent, ‘VVVHere did you find daat?’ Without revealing the birth of my feathered friend, I coyly smiled and thanked her knowing that if it weren’t Gucci or Versace, the clutch would lose its luster. IT was a hit and I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling the feather frenzy that evening.
Feathers, for one reason or another, have been tickling their way back into fashion. A dainty earring here, a feather painted bangle there…but what exactly is influencing designers to revisit what was once reserved for the wealthy and aristocratic? At one time, feathers were a representation of status. In the early 1900’s, fair ladies donned the streets with large hats bejeweled with ostrich feathers imported from afar. Perhaps it is this nostalgic call to affluence that prompts the Van Goghs of the fashion empires to once again incorporate delicate adornments into their creations. Conceivably these plumes could be interpreted not as a symbol of a booming economy, but as a symbol of attainable luxury – a sign of hope that we too will achieve the heavy bank accounts of the Russians (errr maybe not quite) and without apology, flaunt such extravagance. At best it is a current economic allegory.
Feathers are also present accoutrements in pop-culture. Clearly, no one missed Lady Gaga’s feather frothed face at this year’s red carpet at the VMA’s. That was the point. But seeing that it is such a harried trend, will it remain?
I decided to interrogate and sought out a veteran merchandiser for Saks Fifth Avenue. “I have seen the trend being pushed through for the past year initially as small accessories like headbands and earrings – it is now emerging into the ready to wear. I personally adore the flashback to the 40’s – an era of femininity and glam; however, it is a defined trend. In this economy, it can sell, but our current customer is searching out the fashionable yet practical pieces.”
I apparently was not one of the customers she described. Strutting like a peacock is still my style… even if only for just a short while.
For feathered items featured at SAKS click here.
XOXO,
Stephanie Roberts
Editor of www.closetdiaries.com
Tags: Closet Diaries, fall fashion, feather, mara hoffman, n.e.r.d., peacock, Rhea, saks, Sarah Rogers, stephanie roberts
Closet Diaries, Fall Fashion 2009 2010 | admin | 
October 7, 2009 1:01 am | 
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