Chain Reaction
A year onwards, I'm kicking myself because I didn't get this Hussein Chalayan giant fabric chain necklace/scarf that I saw because I couldn't justify spending £150 on what is essentially a 'cartoon' statement piece. It's the kind of thing that you could only wear once or twice before getting labelled 'the girl with the mammoth chain around her neck.' Then I saw this picture in Street magazine of a London stylist rocking the necklace in blue (I wanted it in cream) and I swore a bit more because (and I'm at risk of sounding like a crazed fangirl) she looked so cool (ok, that already did sound like a bit dorky).
But then the gods smiled at me and in United Colours of Benetton, of all places, I got my fabric chain fix in red in the form of a wooly scarf (not as cartoon like as the Hussein Chalayan but quite chunky nonetheless). As part of United Colours of Benetton's 40th anniversary, they have produced these scarves in many juicy bright colours (I have my eye on the monochrome one next) at £25 a pop so considerably less than the Chalayan price.
And now I have completed my fangirl homage to the stylist in the original Street picture. I rarely try not to do copy-cat moves but I couldn't deny the coolness of that outfit. In any case, my 3.1 Philip Lim trench is a lot shorter so I couldn't exactly do a full-on mirror image anyway.
Wow, I thought the Benetton thing was ridiculous till just now. You wear it way better than the other lady :) It looks fab!
Posted by: | 29 October 2006 at 19:34
I love these (loved the Street picture at the time too)...now I just need to hope that Benetton in the US ordered these...
Posted by: Hebden | 29 October 2006 at 19:45
It looks like a rather amazing scarf. I also like your hat.
Posted by: Leah | 29 October 2006 at 19:51
The red and gray look looks quite nice, I must say. Perhaps I will try to crochet myself a version of these scarves!
Posted by: Eli | 29 October 2006 at 20:01
I love, love love it :)
and sometimes copycatting (??) is allowed!
Posted by: ingrid | 29 October 2006 at 20:04
They right to say that the runaway trends eventualy end up by getting to the streets. The scarf - necklace is absolutly amazing.
Posted by: Carolii | 29 October 2006 at 20:53
you know.. i like your outfit way better than the one in the magazine. The red chain scarf pops and is complimented nicely by the hat and belt.
Posted by: Aubrey Murray | 29 October 2006 at 22:14
honestly, u look gorgeous in that outfit. I love your coat...!!never really heard of philip lim...what's his coat price range?
xx
Posted by: linda | 29 October 2006 at 23:40
brilliant!
Posted by: lane | 29 October 2006 at 23:40
i think the girl in that picture is "ebony bones" (http://www.myspace.com/ebonybones)
Posted by: Laura Wolf | 30 October 2006 at 00:26
susie! i seriously love that outfit...you look great and the bright scarf really "pops" against that trench(i love phillip lim,too.
Posted by: gia | 30 October 2006 at 00:43
WOW-my friend who is an artist makes chains like that from gold lame' metallic fabrics. They look almost like real metal. Yours is fab!
Posted by: kime | 30 October 2006 at 09:07
I remember you posting that streetstyle pic before and I loved that scarfthing. So I'm definitely going to check it out. I can imagine yours might be more comfortable than the original one actually. Less heavy.
Great outfit as well. I think copycatting is ok, as long as the ensemble in question really fits your personal style. And this outfit pretty much screams Susie to me.
Posted by: Elise | 30 October 2006 at 10:18
suze, i luv your outfit, its inspirational.. now if only i can wear it without looking like some kind of lunatic in the 30+ degrees south east asian weather.. maybe one of these days i will.. ;)
Posted by: yoenk | 30 October 2006 at 12:04
Great find Susie, and what a saving as well!
Is it long enough to wrap around your neck twice and be worn like a scarf?
Posted by: Hye Park Lover | 30 October 2006 at 18:33
you look so cool!
Posted by: StColaPop | 30 October 2006 at 19:16
I think Bless originally came up with this scarf-chain thing. 1 year ago people allover Berlin were wearing it. Now Benetton is copying it. Kind of mean stealing ideas from a tiny avantgarde label. Or?
Posted by: Jennithegreat | 30 October 2006 at 20:50
I know which Bless collection you're talking about! But I'm positive the Chalayan came before it.... ah such is the chain of 'inspiration'...
Hye Park Lover: Yes it is long enough to wear as a scarf btw!
Posted by: susie_bubble | 30 October 2006 at 21:21
im in deep love with your chain scarf
im most definitely gonna pick one up in black and grey, if im daring, in that magenta.
and i love your fashion sense, very unique and original yet you make it work great.
Posted by: caroline | 30 October 2006 at 23:27
yeahh its amazing how you put it together! you should really be freelancing as a stylist!
Posted by: wafooys | 31 October 2006 at 02:38
I saw this in a magazine and I instantly thought of you!
Posted by: DJM | 31 October 2006 at 11:41
Looks marvelous on you, I am afraid they'd lock me up if I wore it down the street here...
Posted by: Ulla | 31 October 2006 at 18:39
Thanks for the heads up- I love these scarves!
Beautiful in red.
Posted by: eurobrat | 01 November 2006 at 00:04
maybe you didn"t know but Anna Osmer Andersen does similar "big-chain-wool-necklace"!
http://www.embassygallery.co.uk/www.embassygallery.co.uk/fools%20gold/Anna_Osmer_Andersen.htm
Björk wore it last year for her "private" concerts tour, when releasing Medulla.
it looks more like "art" but it's jewels! big one!
osmer75@yahoo.com (i've written this email from id last year. don't know if it still works)
Anna Osmer Andersen is ex-student of the Royal College of Art.
Posted by: berlinrocks | 01 November 2006 at 09:10
super cute
Posted by: lane | 02 November 2006 at 02:31
Matches your red hat so well, you look cool!
Posted by: cruststation | 03 November 2006 at 13:30
that seriously looks horrible. how can you wear such a fashion fopa?
Posted by: muppiebots | 14 November 2006 at 02:32
ER.. THE GIRL IN ORIGINAL PHOTO IS PUNK SINGER EBONY BONES!! NO 1 ROCKS THE CHAIN THING LIKE HER - FUK BENETTON
Posted by: Jon-jon | 16 November 2006 at 01:21
Seriously love it. im going to make some in really experimental fabrics! your coat is really gorgeous too.
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Posted by: Vostromanm | 14 September 2007 at 10:29
where did you manage to find this neckleace?i cant find it anywehre online! and im dying for the monocrome one, my emila address is j.c.z.reid@hotmail.com, if you could let me know id be very very grateful!
-jen x
Posted by: jennifer reid | 26 September 2007 at 14:01
so who is she and do u know her?
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Posted by: Priorihweoos | 17 November 2007 at 18:15
You can buy small wool necklaces & large open end scarfs at beyond the valley in london (they have them online to.
I have a grey merino wool one, which I love!!!!!!!
Posted by: emily close | 15 January 2008 at 19:13
These are so cute!
I really want one. I might give DIY a go!
I've been trying to find a picture of the Chalayan ones for ages, could anyone link me to it?
x
Posted by: Floey Ramone | 06 April 2008 at 19:16