Zippers : A necessary fastener invented in 1851 that has elevated itself to the world of style, and whose anniversary we are celebrating today. Sometimes tacky, sometimes edgy, we can’t possibly name every accomplishment of this humble invention — so let’s narrow it down and start with the 1930s. After all, if we all have birthdays, why not celebrate the birth of something so important?
Schiaparelli’s Fall/Winter 1939 collection, worn by Millicent Rogers | Image via threadforthought.net
“She fits them cleverly on shoulders, sleeves and skirts; to front, side and back openings and on pockets.”
Elsa Schiaparelli was a couture fashion designer who displayed zippers in her designs, even when it was considered uncool to do so. She used brightly-coloured fasteners on her sportswear collection, and oversized ones on evening dresses. However, these weren’t used in a pointless, impractical way either; Elsa’s collections were always praised for their wearability. The Italian designer was truly an original, and was known to encourage her customers to don whimsical details such as insect motifs and other provocative designs.
Big Zip jumpsuit from the 1970s. It’s the BeeGees vs Scarface, remixed by DJ Sexist | Image via broadsheet.ie
“Fits so tight it shows all you’ve got… you’re a walking turn on. Easy on, easy off, quick as a flick of her tongue,” says the copywriter of The Big Zip.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets it right. Let’s fast forward, and take the year 1970s as an example. It’s the year of disco, and men and women alike have found themselves zipped into onesies. Just in case you think this was a one-off piece, try this on for size. As embarrassing as this was, both men and women did like their clothing a little more flashy and skintight in the disco era, and we reckon this was probably sitting on the tamer side of things.
As we move closer to the present, we find that we millennials have some pretty mortifying trends of our own. Remember the pants that can be zipped off, to transform into shorts? Please let that be on the list of trends that never come back.
We also spotted this little number (pictured below) zipping around the internet. The words that came to mind were: subtle and inconspicuous — haha! Now, this statement-making jacket has been credited to a Spring Summer 2010 Balmain collection, but we cannot find further proof of that. We cannot believe everything that’s on the internet, kids! Or perhaps it was part of the collection, but the fashion house decided to retract all existing images out of embarrassment.
Balmain SS2010 zipper jacket | Image via outsapop.blogspot.sg
So what’s on the zipper trend-watch for 2016? We’re glad skintight jumpsuits and over-enthusiastic zipper placements are over. Let’s take a look at what the fashion world is saying. (Caveat: Not all zippers serve a purpose.)
Image via fashionisers.com
As Louis Vuitton opts for the zippered pants end, Jeremy Scott aims for a strip from top to bottom, while Alexander Wang replaces ripped knees for zippered knees.
N. Hoolywood | Image via nymag.com, Photo Credit : Imaxtree
Shoulder zippers, who woulda thunk we needed them? This piece is by N. Hoolywood.
Siki Im | Image via nymag.com, Photo Credit : Imaxtree
This Siki Im piece goes for the side-zip. Not an entirely new concept, but we like the play with fabric.
Image via wmagazine.com, Photo Credit : Adam Katz Sinding
With 90s fashion making a comeback, we’re not too surprised that the collared zippers have been spotted. We’re getting a 1990s tennis jacket vibe here!
As we prepare for the arrival of Summer in May, relax, smell some roses, and stay tuned for yet another installment of a quirky holiday soon to come in next week’s issue of “Quirky Holidays”.
