A Fashion Crowd: Zip It

Monday, August 25, 2014

Zip It

Vera Wang SS14; Source

Elite Tahari SS14; Source

Mathieu Mirano AW14; Source

This fall, the zipper will become noticed as more of a major design element than a fastener. As ridiculous as this may sound it is quite true. We all zip up something each day do we not? Why does the zipper deserve to be celebrated so widely? I propose that since zippers are so vital why not celebrate them for an entire season. Consider, how important zippers are in their inclusion in the following types of clothing: moto-jackets, moto-boots, skirts with asymmetrical zipper panels and pants with zippers at the ankles. I confess that I am really in love with zipper-embellished skirts right now and I am not the only one. Check out the celebrity and blogger looks below.

Chanel Iman; Source

Song of Style; Source

Allergic to Vanilla; Source

Sun Stilettos; Source

Source

Kate Bosworth in Phillip Lim; Source

I could go on and on but hopefully you know where I am going with this. The zipper will become one attractive mechanism this autumn. The Balenciaga AW14 looks below are credited to Style.com.

I could go on and on about how long it took the fashion industry to learn to love the zipper but I won’t. I will get to the point quickly. It took about twenty years. I can’t believe it took my beloved fashion industry that long to learn to love the zipper but shockingly it did. Did you know that the zipper had a hard time being accepted? Isn’t it amazing that this mechanical marvel was not immediately embraced? Of course, since it was up to the fashion industry to convince everyone that it was acceptable to actually like the zipper I won’t berate my beloved industry for taking so long to promote it. It is still quite astonishing that it took so long for it to be accepted. Note: The looks below are by Herve Leger SS14.

Source

Why did it take about eighty years, from the time of its creation, for the zipper to receive the love it deserves? I won’t bore you with a list of those whom are credited for inventing the zipper but I must at the very least give props to B.F. Goodrich Company. You see, if not for them the word zipper may not even exist in our vocabulary. They referred to the mechanical clasp as a zipper when they used it on galoshes and rain boots. I am ever so grateful that they termed the mechanical clasp a zipper because I just like the sound of it. Can you imagine calling it something else? Exactly; when the term fits use it. Note: The looks below are by Jason Wu and the images are credited to Style.com.

Have you ever left a pair of trousers or skirt unzipped? How embarrassing was the experience? This proves that much of the time when the zipper works as it is intended it goes un-noticed; however, if you forget to let it work its magic watch out for incoming remarks. I hope, my friends, if you notice someone with their zipper unzipped you gently let them know. Nothing is worse than finding out after many hours of thinking you are dressed stylishly that you learn to your dismay that your zipper was not zipped. I have been there done that before so I know of what I speak. Now that I have addressed zipper etiquette, let me discuss how a pair of zippers or a trio or more can be so captivating. Note: All looks below are from T by Alexander Wang. The images are credited to Style.com.

A cluster of zippers have played many starring and supporting roles in fashion design. The placement of a cluster of zippers on tops and dresses is certainly eye-catching. Designers have used multiple zippers to create geometric shapes on tops and dresses and even amazing jewelry pieces for many years.

Miu Miu AW13; Source

Atelier Versace SS13; Source

Erin Barr AW13; Source

Michael Kors RTW13; Source

Michael Kors AW13; Source

Source

Sometimes, however, a single zipper can completely transform a look into an edgy number. How about the placement of an asymmetric zipper on a leather mini-skirt or its strategic placement at the ankle of leather trousers. Does this not prove that the zipper can go from conservative to sexed-up in an instant? It is like a chameleon is it not? In most instances, it is thought of as a mechanism to fasten clothing but in other instances it becomes the central design element that ignites a look.