There be dragons
MANILA, Philippines - The Year of the Dragon seems almost magical to many as geomancers, fortunetellers and even the zodiac naysayers have one or 10 things to say about what to wear for the New Year, for an extra dose of luck. If you want to join in the fun but you’re not inclined to don head-to-heel red (underwear included!), there are still other ways to channel a festive vibe without going over the top. Here are some dragon-inspired fashion bits you can get inspiration from:
Vivienne Tam’s “Year of the Dragon”
Chinese-American fashion designer Vivienne Tam has always liked referencing Chinese culture in her designs, due to her bicultural upbringing. Apart from her signature collection of Eastern-inspired clothing, to her “Mao” and “Buddha” collections in the ‘90s, she also created a collection aptly named “Year of the Dragon” for Spring 2001that featured ornate silk dresses and pieces detailed with embroidered dragons. www.viviennetam.com
H&M’s Girl With a Dragon Tattoo
There’s nothing remotely festive about the H&M Girl With a Dragon Tattoo collection launched late last year in time for the release of the film. Designed by Trish Summerville, the costume designer for the movie, the collection consists of dark and drab punk pieces like leather pants and jackets, combat boots and cargo pants, for your inner Lisbeth Salander.
Ralph Lauren Fall 2011
If you missed it at the catwalk shows last February, you surely wouldn’t have zipped past the Ralph Lauren Daryn gown worn by Rooney Mara for last year’s November Vogue. The black gown with a sheer backside embroidered with a dragon is just one of the many China-inspired ensembles from that show. Touches of chinoiserie without the kitsch were seen in the clever use of embroidery on the hemline and sleeve, as vest and jacket accent, or the palette of black, white, and red with touches of pine green and deep violet.
Nike Year of the Dragon
Even sportswear giant Nike can’t get away from the lure of the dragon, having come out just recently with a dragon-inspired collection to coincide with the year’s celebrations. Four shoes were added to their roster: Air Force 1 Low Supreme, Air Jordan 2012, Kobe VII System Supreme, and the Zoom KD IV. The Air Force 1 features a cloud-and-dragon pattern on the tongue and a cloud-and-bat pattern on the sole — all reminiscent of the dragon robe. On the other hand, the Air Jordan 2012 takes off from the myth of the 9-dragons, while the Kobe VII draws inspiration from Kobe Bryant’s childhood in Italy (via the Italian flag color palette) and his love for Chinese Kung Fu. Finally, the Nike Zoom KD IV references year of the dragon-born Kevin Durant with a shoe that includes water dragon elements.
G-Dragon fashion
Kwon Ji Yong or G-Dragon of the group Big Bang is not only known for his unique rap style and compositions, but for his eclectic fashion sense that has shaped many trends in Korea. His decision to turn blonde proved to be a big catalyst in the bleached hair trend in South Korea, as with his use of triangular scarves that was so popular it was called the “Big Bang scarves.” He was reported to have a clothing sponsorship from Louis Vuitton, the first time the brand has sponsored anyone in the country.
Fyodor Golan for Fashion Fringe Spring Summer 2012
The collection might have been called “Flowers of Evil,” but to the discerning eye, Fashion Fringe winner Fyodor Golan’s (the label of Latvian Fyodor Podgorny and Israeli Golan Frydman) collection for London spring/summer 2012 last September brings to mind dragonian myth and lore. Taking off from Charles Baudelaire’s poem on myths and nature, Fyodor Golan’s laser-cut dresses and cropped jackets inadvertently mimicked shapes of a dragon’s wing membrane, under armor, and tail.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Born in the year of the Water Dragon, French haute couture designer Jean Paul Gaultier possesses the best qualities of the dragon-born — determination (he was never educated, but sent his sketches to couture houses for work), disregard for authority (dubbed the enfant terrible of French fashion for his provocative designs), and business acumen (he developed his own line for perfume, eyewear, and ready-to-wear clothing). He was the creative director of Hèrmes from 2003 to 2010, and was popular for his nautical motifs, his work for motion pictures, and his “cone bra” for Madonna’s “Blonde Ambition” (1990) and “Confessions” tour (2006).
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