Mar

18

Bow Knows

Filed Under Vogue Rogue 

Bow montage

The Cat-astrophe M·A·C-Hello-Kitty post (and this will be the last of my meanderings on this theme) has got me thinking about bows lurking in all kinds of places. On hats and cats; Minnie and GaGa.

The style blogs are agog with the hair-raising (well, more hair-placing) accessory ever since Leighton Meester’s character, Blair Waldorf, from television series Gossip Girls has been donning them, episode after episode.

I confess, I’ve never watched the series, but judging from the pictures available of Meester’s looks online, it appears the bow-band (consider that trademarked!) offers a sense of class, (in every sense of the word) to two variations of the same haughty attitude: I have money and I’m flaunting it with my overpaid for appropriated wardrobe part bubby part Bergdorf, or I’m better than all these private school uniform clad students who are like the speed bumps of life. Argh!

Mischa Barton, from The O.C. (the other Josh Schwartz calorie-wise programming), tried to revive the headband earlier, in an exclusive collection developed with accessories designer Stacey Lapidus. Although the selected bands remain for sale online, the press has been more critical towards the actresses new turn in career, and front-row attendance at fashion shows, than the line itself that I’m hard-pressed to know if the collaboration has been successful.

Meester’s costuming is provided by Jennifer Behr. Custom orders include crystal, leather, and ribbon for celebs looking to sparkle head to toe. Like Barton, a subdued sophistication, even when playful, is the basis for Behr’s pieces.

Which brings me back again to bows. Though Leighton Meester’s costuming is crafted and fine, it’s the scale and volume of a great, big bow that gives it and the wearer that panache. The oversize-ness in relationship to the paired outfit provides the unmistakable presence of the wearer’s ability to command a room and hold it.

Yes, the big bow, and bow-band is power. And although a derivative of hippie garb, it’s the antithesis of flower power. It’s bold, bumptious, and in some cases, Barack; which may explain why it was the favourite of Mercedes-Benz fashion week spring/summer 2009 collections of Chanel, Moschino, United Bamboo, and TopShop.

The bow is confidence exemplified; the most vital feeling to carry through a shift from darkness to light, from cold to warmth. The ultimate accessory that perfectly teams well with the dawning of a new era. Episode after episode.

IMAGE | Michael Cunningham| Crowns: A Brief History of Church Hats| Time Inc. | 26 January 2009 IMAGE | Character Image © Disney | Minnie Mouse Happy | Disney-Stationary.com Coloring Book | 16 May 2008 IMAGE | Sanrio | Hello Kitty| taken from Portalbrain.com | year undetermined IMAGE | photographer unknown | Lady GaGa | taken from Beautyarchives.pursebuzz.com | year undetermined

Comments

One Response to “Bow Knows”

  1. Joel DeWit on April 25th, 2010 10:44 pm

    Very interesting topic! Too bad they aren’t that in style for guys :)

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