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Animal Print: A Timeless Classic by Paige Mckirahan
Animal Print: A Timeless Classic
by Paige McKirahan
As a cult classic that never seems to be out of style, animal print is a quintessential industry trend with its reputation ranging from high fashion couture to cheap ready-to-wear.
Society’s fascination with animal-inspired clothing and accessories has been ongoing for centuries; the true embodiment of the statement oldie-but-goodie, animal print has been in circulation since ancient Egyptian times. Pelts and skins were adorned by those in power to show their prestige and if those items weren’t available, the prints were stenciled onto linen sheaths.
Characteristics of the particular animal are thought to be transferred to the print’s wearer and these motifs are widely regarded as erotic. It is said to that the wearer tends to utilize the prints to accomplish some social goal whether the use is subconscious or deliberate.Of course, the style has become increasingly popular in the past 100 years as fashion has evolved to be more expressive. One pioneer of this popularity is starlet Marian Nixon; in 1925, she strolled down Hollywood boulevard in a leopard skin coat with her pet leopard on a leash alongside her, turning heads (and most likely causing traffic jams.)
The print then became the posterchild for Hollywood glam as it was widely used by MGM costume designers (Hello, 1932’s Tarzan!) and has been a staple on runways for decades after. The print more so than the fur became fashionable in the late 1940s after Christian Dior’s spring/summer collection, then again after designer Rudi Gernreich produced an animal inspired collection for the movie Basic Black in 1968.
From ‘80s glamazon to early 2000s chic, everyone from Kate Moss to Mrs. Robinson have let their wild side run with these designs that ooze confidence and intimidation.
Marian Nixon with her pet leopard (photo credit to pinterest.com)
It’s a style your mother wore and most likely your grandmother before her, making animal print a timeless yet relevant motif. Some say that the use of the print should be limited to accessories and accents, but we say why restrict yourself? Whether you want to adorn yourself with the print from head to toe or want to adopt a subtler approach, our collection is sure to have you roaring with excitement!
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Zebra Print Styling by Anna To Ma Ngoc
Limited Vintage Accessories Collection available in the shop now
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Fashion Flashback: Earrings by Morgan Watkins
The earring: an accessory worn widely around the world by women, men and even toddlers. They can totally complete your outfit or be used to balance out any fashion or beauty look while still remaining subtle and timeless. As one of the oldest forms of body modification, getting your ears pierced has remained common practice for countless generations. Read on to learn more about the ever-changing trends of earrings.The process of piercing ears goes way back to biblical times, but the oldest known earrings trace back a few thousand years ago. Worn by ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Mongolian, and Native American peoples, earrings often represented a myriad of different ideals. They could be used to show marital and societal status, tribal and cultural affiliations, and to heal and protect those wearing the accessories. Various materials were believed to provide certain powers, like pearls being utilized to calm stress and help with heart disease, topaz used to aid those suffering with mental illness, and red coral to take the edge off of pain and heartbreak.
Although these purposes remained vital to those who believed in the power of earrings, they were primarily worn for decorative purposes by the rest of the world. The first to wear the beloved hoop style we all know and love was actually a Sumerian king back in 2500 BC. They were proudly worn to represent the power and wealth possessed by the king, and as this trend spread to places like Crete and Cyprus, earrings were reimagined from their simple gold hoop origins to accessories of embellishment and beauty. Beads were added, pendants were stamped into gold, bronze and silver, and wire was wrapped around hoops to add flare and personality.
Meanwhile in Egypt, ancient civilizations opted for bulky earrings, or plugs; their piercings were larger and stretched the earlobe. These plugs were often round or mushroom shaped. Made from materials like glass and carved jasper, some also featured decorative pendants or engraved images of animals.
(Image from https://www.bodycandy.com/blogs/news/modification-history-pierced-like-an-egyptian)
As Greek and Roman goldsmiths became increasingly skilled at their craft, new and improved designs were introduced. Dish shaped earrings accented by dangling flower drops were all the rage. While earrings transformed from objects only owned by the rich and powerful to jewelry accessible to common folk, it wasn’t until the late 16th century that the accessory caught European interest. Once high ruff collars and elaborate, voluminous hairstyles fell out of fashion, earrings were in all over the continent. Dazzling gems and faceted diamonds were must haves in all earring styles, especially girandoles, which were chandelier-like earrings which branched out and held three dangling gem drops. Even men commonly sported simple earrings, but often just in a single ear.
By the 19th century, earrings became lighter, more delicate and less extravagant. Pendant earrings and matching sets, known as parures, were hot trending styles. Inspiration gathered from Romanticism influence led to a revival of the girandole, but they were refreshed to be more modern and simplistic. Other styles featured tassels and fringe, mosaics, or dropped all the way down from the earlobe to graze the shoulders.
Throughout centuries passed, the earring fell in and out of favor with people around the world, and the 1900s were no exception. Early on in the 20th century, piercings were seen as barbaric and unbecoming in America, as they were often associated with indigenous people who were, at the time, being pressured into cultural assimilation. Luckily, by the Roaring 20s, these hateful stigmas fell to the wayside as earrings came back bigger, bolder and better than ever. Glitz and color, diamonds and onyx — the possibilities were as fun as they were endless.
This extravagance wouldn’t last as the 70s called for more a natural, understated look, but just a decade later, the excess-loving 80s would bring big baubles back into style. By the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 21st century, sparkling studs and large hoops were the pairs to wear, juxtaposed by more grunge trends like safety pin earrings and wide gauges. Ear cuffs were also on the rise, giving any outfit an edgy yet bohemian vibe.
Recently, designers have been playing around with earrings in new and inventive ways. Whether it be mix and matching different sets at Chanel and Alexander McQueen or experimenting with asymmetrical styling at Dries Van Noten, it’s clear that the way you wear your earrings this season and beyond could take your look from zero to 100% high fashion. Need more earring inspiration? Check out talkingfashion.net and our wide array of earrings and other accessories!
(Image from https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/trends/news/g32581/best-earrings-fashion-week-autum n-winter-2018/?slide=9)
References:
“THE HISTORY OF THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EARRINGS.” Magal Gioielli . Magal Gioielli, 21 Jan. 2015. Web.
Ward, Susan. “Earrings.” lovetoknow. LoveToKnow Corp, Web. -
Fashion Flashback: Necklaces by Morgan Watkins
"Fashion Flashback: Necklaces" by Morgan Watkins
As more ancient jewelry is discovered and unearthed, the world learns more about how we, as a species, have lived. But while archeologist findings have paved the way to understanding past generations, some pieces, like the world’s oldest necklace, stir up more questions than they answer. Read on to learn more about the origins of the necklace and what styles reigned supreme throughout the years.Currently holding the title as the oldest form of jewelry known to man, the first necklace dates back all the way to 130,000 BC; that’s a whopping 30,000 years before the age of modern men. The artifact was found in Croatia, and made from white-tailed eagle talons. This led to researchers raising the question: were Neanderthals more intelligent and developed than we had previously assumed? And what did jewelry mean to them?
(Image from http://www.ancientfacts.net/7-oldest-pieces-jewelry-world/)
Although these questions may be forever unanswered, we can at least draw conclusions as to why later civilizations wore ornamental neck gear. The Egyptians are famous for donning elaborate beaded collars made from glass and pottery to represent celebration and religion. Collars were also worn for funeral purposes and used to protect the wearer from evil.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
Ancient Greeks sported more delicate necklaces which hung lower and were often made from gold. Animal carvings and pendants displaying cameos of landscapes dangled from the bands. In Ancient Rome, only elite members of society wore sparkling gold and silver necklaces, featuring semi-precious stones and gems like diamonds, sapphire, and amber. Ropes of pearl were introduced at this time and came in and out of style for centuries.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
By the Byzantine era, the rise of religious garb took over. Christianity and Catholicism had a firm grasp on the world, inspiring individuals to represent their religion via their attire. Necklaces made of gold and silver adorned with crosses and other religious symbols were worn prominently until newer styles came into fashion around the end of the Middle Ages.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
As necklines increasingly widened and lowered, necklaces became a must have accessory, at least for those who could afford them. Around the early 1600s, the choker saw its debut into the world of style. But long before they were worn as fashion statements, chokers were used on slaves as they were transported to European countries. Enslaved individuals were forced to wear brutal and uncomfortable iron chokers to keep them from escaping. With origins of cruelty, it’s hard to believe that chokers would later become symbols of patriotism. During the French Revolution, female patriots would tie thin red string around their necks to represent the Revolution and their narrow escape from death and injustice. Similarly was the red ribbon choker, which paid tribute to those who lost their lives via guillotine, while a strip of black velvet was worn when the individual was mourning the death of someone close to them.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
Another popular style emerging in the 16th and 17th centuries was the locket. Common conceptions of lockets are that they contained portraits of the wearer or their loved ones, but they actually held an array of other objects too, like perfumed fabric squares and even poison. Some lockets withheld an image of the individual who gifted the necklace, while others depicted family crests, religious symbols, or allegiance to the monarchy. These special necklaces remained popular throughout the years, and they now serve as precious heirlooms for future generations.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
With the Romantic period came more extravagant designs in jewelry, necklaces being no exception. Although necklaces were more popular with women than men, they were layered on generously with an army of other accessories. Gem encrusted collars, pendants adorned with jewels, pearl necklaces, ribbons and more were stacked, mixed and matched with other dazzling pieces. By the end of the 1800s, machine-made jewelry led to necklaces becoming less expensive and more accessible to everyday individuals, so everyone was in on the fashion fun.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
Although the 20th century toned things down a bit, the exhilarating influence of Chanel and the Art Deco movement led to an influx of costume jewelry being worn and reimagined in the real world. Strings of pearls and glass beads, chunky collars, geometric pendants and precious gems were hot trends, up until the minimalistic age of the 90s took the wheel. Both men and women ended up opting for simple leather cords and metal chain necklaces in lieu of the bolder styles from previous decades.
(Image from www.talkingfashion.net)
These trends have withstood the test of time, as chokers, cross necklaces and delicate chains have come back into fashion both on the runway and off it. So be sure to hold your great-great-grandma’s shining golden pendant near and dear to your heart, because it could be the next necklace style revival. But if you decide lockets aren’t your thing and you’d like to pass your jewelry onto another fashion lover, be sure to get in touch with our consignment team at consign@talkingfashion.net to get the best sale value possible.
(Image from https://www.whowhatwear.com/chanel-fall-winter-2018-runway)
References:
Briggs, Helen. “Necklace Is ‘Oldest in Americas.’” BBC News 1 Apr. 2008. BBC News . Web.
“Byzantine Baubles: The History of Jewelry.” Gallery Byzantium. Gallery Byzantium, 15 Sept. 2017. Web.“Locket History: Heart Lockets & Photo Keepsakes Through the Ages.” With You Lockets. With You Lockets, n.d. Web.
Moody, Oliver. “Neanderthal Bone Necklace ‘world’s Oldest Jewellery’.” The Times 12 Mar. 2015. Times Newspapers Limited. Web.Parute, Edīte. “Choker Necklace - Incredible Origins And History Through The Times.” Fashionologia Historiana, 28 Aug. 2017. Web.
Torntore, Susan J. “History of Necklaces and Pendants.” lovetoknow. LoveToKnow Corp, Web.
