Necking It
It was the Dazed & Confused Diesel Black Gold launch party last night which was rammed and ultimately got a little bit too hot for me as everyone was jostling around in each other's sweat at Martin Margiela's former studio space in Kings Cross. I didn't stay long but beforehand, I did get the chance to choose between various necks.
On my Saturday shopping spree (I say spree.... in reality it just meant that I had bought something seeing as I've had scant time for shopping...), I bought a cream satin dress/top thingy that took the form of a cape but had sufficient slits in the front to formulate a dress from 172 Brick Lane by the designer Orphan (so up and coming are the labels that 172 stocks that most alas don't have sufficient internet presence so I can't even research further...). The cape dress itself has a wonderful neckline going on with a padded edge that always makes me think of Jetsons attire and a cut out pattern.
Still for the usual complex/complicated difficulties that I like to create for myself, I couldn't leave it alone and so lined up a neck option. My KapowWow lilac ruff which I can't get enough of...
Yesterday, the zipper collar which the talented of Outi of Outsapop very kindly made me, landed on my desk wrapped up in a pretty blue Marimekko box. It is quite possibly the best use of supposed 'mundane' materials I have seen in a long time and probably the most skillfully done too as the zips are sewn together in such a way that really takes advantage of the actual form of the zipper. It's also quite a weighty thing too. So in the end I did have two neck options to go with even though I had intended to go with the ruff. From sad/sweet clownish outfit avec the lilac ruff to something tougher with the change of a neck just goes to show the range of possiblities of neck pieces.
In the end though, I decided to go with the former option. It was a casual 'necking Peroni' kind of party anyway. I also want to explore the zipper collar a bit further before wearing it out. Plus, Clare from Enchant and Doom who first introduced me to KapowWow was there whom I was chuffed to finally meet in person. Plus, plus Roisin Murphy whom Clare styled in a video with KapowWow was also at the party... see it's all symbolic and stuff...
The zippers look amazing, I can't wait to see what else you put together to wear with it.
Posted by: Sarah | 01 August 2008 at 00:00
Roisin Murphy is love, she makes my heart sing.
Your zipper collar also makes me very happy.
Posted by: Valentina | 01 August 2008 at 00:37
I want the zipper collar SO BADLY!!!
Posted by: Lady Smaggle | 01 August 2008 at 00:49
interesting neck pieces!
you can always prove that the mundane can end up as something dramatic!
Posted by: giancinephile | 01 August 2008 at 01:15
totally awesome! neckpieces are so much more intriguing than scarves or other neckwear, i reckon
Posted by: Fashion Tidbits | 01 August 2008 at 01:36
that zipper collar must way a ton.. in fabulousness.
Posted by: arabelle | 01 August 2008 at 04:10
I love the weight of that neck piece. Zippers out of context intrigue me.
Posted by: enc | 01 August 2008 at 04:36
OH MY GOD THAT ZIPPER THING IS FANTASIC I LOVE IT SO MUCH
i am now going to investigate this person that made it for you
why oh why am i not more crafty?
(crafty in the DIY sense, not the sinister sense)
Posted by: zmicheala | 01 August 2008 at 05:29
Fantastic "necking" options! The zipper collar is insane.
Posted by: Austere | 01 August 2008 at 08:51
Loving the cape dress, 172 is an amazing shop, but alas it is usually out of my price range! I love her zipper neck pieces, I WANT ONE.
Posted by: Carl Starling | 01 August 2008 at 09:01
Amazing outfits ! I love the last one, with the metal-satin mix... it gives me a lot of ideas ! Thanks !
Posted by: charlotte | 01 August 2008 at 09:30
Great outfits! I've got new inspiration! Thank you!
Love,
suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | 01 August 2008 at 10:10
that zipper collar is ao amazing!
Posted by: Daiane | 01 August 2008 at 10:15
Love the zipper neck piece - it must weigh a ton!
Posted by: Make Do & Mend | 01 August 2008 at 10:27
i was going to say... wow you got the zipper collar? that's really amazing!
Posted by: lady coveted | 01 August 2008 at 11:02
Both neckpieces are fantastic- but I'm most amazed by the zipper collar, it's gorgeous! PS: Do the backs of the zips on the neckpiece rub against your neck? I'm most curious..
Posted by: Blue Floppy Hat | 01 August 2008 at 12:12
That zip collar is AMAZING!! So good to see it in reality!!
Posted by: Elliott James Sainsbury | 01 August 2008 at 12:15
hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
you are fantastic!!!
a kiss for you, my dear friend!
god bless u dear
can we exchange our link
r u ready to do?
i hope you will add me or visit at my blogs.
i have added you on my blogs and i hope you will add me also on your blogroll.
http://rohit-fashion.blogspot.com/
http://fashionclutch.blogspot.com
bye
take care
see you
i hope you will in touch
Posted by: ROHIT | 01 August 2008 at 13:39
OMG SUSIE
that zipper collar is AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING
i think it will haunt my dreams.
Posted by: Laia | 01 August 2008 at 14:52
wow that zipper piece is pretty cool! does it have belt potential??
Posted by: Prêt-à-Porter P | 01 August 2008 at 14:53
I´m so happy you all like my nacklace :))
I have tried my own zip necklace also as a belt. Looked great! The thing is that this piece is sewn together all round so squizing myself in it was a bit difficult... I have to figure out a fastening system (maybe a shorter zip sewn into the mix) that could be opened and closed to make dressing up easier. Hmmm. There´s development potential here :)
The necklace is all canvas in the back so the zipper ends won´t rub to skin.
Posted by: OutsaPop | 01 August 2008 at 15:12
Beautiful in a Serpentine way. Outi is very talented.
Posted by: D | 01 August 2008 at 15:17
that zipper collar is fantastic, but both look great with the cape-dress.
Posted by: fashionherald | 01 August 2008 at 16:43
It's amazing how much a single accessory can totally change the look of the outfit. I'm really drawn towards the zipper one, however I just want to grab and squish the ruffle. So basically I'm saying both are incredibly appealing to me!
Posted by: AngieMontreal | 01 August 2008 at 17:43
The zipper collar is impressive!
Posted by: Allure | 01 August 2008 at 21:22
What is "necking peroni"? Urbandictionary was no help.
Posted by: Nico | 01 August 2008 at 22:42
The zip necklace really is as good as I suspected...fabulous.
Posted by: Rowena | 01 August 2008 at 23:15
the zippers are so amazing. i can't get my head around how it's put together/
Posted by: a dreamer | 02 August 2008 at 14:15
I don't mean for this to sound cheesy or hyperbolic, but your ability to skillfully combine complex items in such a tenuous area as the neckline really does amaze me. I have enough trouble picking out a necklace that doesn't compete with my collar.
Posted by: Cammila | 02 August 2008 at 17:24
Camilla... the cream satin probably helped a bit in being able to support the wonderful zippered collar....
Nico: Peroni is a brand of beer.... and 'necking' means to drink a whole bottle of something all in one go.... usually used with beer... so e.g. 'I necked that whole bottle of Kronenberg...'
Posted by: susie_bubble | 02 August 2008 at 20:40
hi susie!! that zipper thing that outi made for you is gorgeous!! i love it. hopefully i can find a nice bag of pink zippers so i can start on my own project!! i've been wanting to do it forever and looking at those she's made just made me want one even more (because i sure can't afford junya's). can't wait to see it in more of your outfit posts!
Posted by: gilda | 03 August 2008 at 13:40
Oh my goodness,the zippers are the most fabulous thing I have seen in ages! I'm in love(or should that be lust?)
Posted by: vernagold | 03 August 2008 at 16:03
WOW WOW WOW to that amazing zip necklace!
Posted by: Elli | 03 August 2008 at 17:10
this is such an amazing piece. you totally deserve it!
Posted by: fashionispoison | 04 August 2008 at 02:05
explore away but please don't keep us waiting too long...
Posted by: Imelda Matt | 04 August 2008 at 10:44
I WANT THAT ZIP NECKLACE...
Posted by: sophie stiletto | 05 August 2008 at 15:02
That collar is so ridiculously amazing. I'm envious.
Posted by: ambika | 06 August 2008 at 21:50
I'm so in love with neck pieces. becca and I both wrote about them this week. I really want to try making one of those zipper collars.
Posted by: Jael | 08 August 2008 at 14:12
Looks a lot like thw work of Kate Cusack...hmm......
http://www.katecusack.com/necklaces.html
Posted by: Jen Preston | 11 August 2008 at 13:06