Feathers are freshening up fall fashion
It might seem foolish suggesting feathers are a new fashion trend this fall — after all feathers have been beloved by the fashion world for centuries. But it’s what modern fashion designers are doing with their feathers that makes the motif fresh and modern.
Plumage filled the fall-winter 2013 runways. At Prozena Schouler, Alexander McQueen and Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Emilio Pucci, feathers covered hats, shoes, bags, clothes, jewelry and hair accessories. Feathers came in all colors and types and were paired with unusual materials.
Representing movement, classicism, femininity, opulence, glamour— birds and their plumage will always find a way into fashion.
Elizabeth Bell Jewelry Former model Beth Yorn, whose nickname is “Bird,†designs nature and animal jewelry from her Los Angeles studio for her line Elizabeth Bell Jewelry. She says feathers represent “trust, honor, faith, wisdom and power.†Oxbone feather necklace with Indian diamonds and African tsavorite on a 14 K. gold chain, $1,180. At Roseark in Los Angeles, (323) 822-3600.
Crow’s Nest Jewels “In dreams, feathers mean travel, or the ability to move freely through life,†says UK jewelry designer Daniel Belevitch, creative director of Crow’s Nest Jewels. Ring of 18-K white gold with white diamonds and blue sapphires and a signature pear-shaped tsavorite, $19,050. Available through Roseark in Los Angeles (310) 822-3600 and on crowsnestjewels.com.
Jason Wu Michelle Obama favorite Jason Wu’s fall collection showcases modern feather designs. His white ostrich feather dress combines feathers and white satin fabric, $4,950. Available at net-a-porter.com.
Dries Van Noten Dries Van Noten’s bright fuchia “Davita†dress is just one of numerous feathered pieces in the sought-after Belgium designer’s fall repertoire. It’s 100% silk embroidered with pink feathers, $2,500 at A’meree’s Newport Beach, (949) 642-4423.
Loree Rodkin Los Angeles jeweler designer Loree Rodkin designed Michelle Obama’s first inaugural ball jewelry. Her 18 K white gold and diamond earring feather set is $22,000. Available at net-a-porter.com and Maxfield in Los Angeles (310) 274-8800.
Anita Hopkins “Feathers add a delightful asthetic, color, texture and shape to any hat, and I love using them in odd ways too, painting, dying and manipulating them for a visual surprise,†says nothern California millinary designer Anita Hopkins. Her Toyo Top Hat is available at Church Boutique in West Hollywood, $450.
Clemmie Watson “Feathers are so delicate and fun to work with,†says jewelry designer Clemmie Watson who crafts her inventive designs in Los Angeles. The brass and vintage Austrian crystal necklace boasts emu feathers from a farmer friend in Taos, New Mexico, $1,200. Both her feather necklaces and earrings are available at Church Boutique in West Hollywood and clemmiewatson.com.
Nikos Koulis Greek jewelry designer Nikos Koulis loves the challenge of making “feathered†jewels look alive, giving them motion and play. His 18-K. gold earrings have pave rubies ($3,413) or tsavorites ($4,488) running down the center. Available at London Jewelers in New York or by contacting Nikos Koulis at nikoskoulis.gr
