February 2007 

Skull symbolism continues to swarm fashion catalogs this winter season. Carried over from summer through fall it is apparent in clothing, accessories, pooch couture and even house wares. Perhaps the trend began a few years back (2003 Spring/Summer) with models displaying Alexander McQueen’s silk scarves adorned with skulls, or the summer release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest” brought out the desire to blast skull and crossbones on jeans, tees and dog attire. Fashion savvy designer Tiffany Alana offers her thoughts on the skull fad.
    
“The younger Hollywood sets the pace for what is hot in fashion; girls in their twenties and hot celebrities being photographed define the trend nationwide and worldwide. With so many of them wearing skull scarves and clothing the trend has really grown in the United States,” proclaims Alana. “I’ve always liked the skull look with musicians such as Steven Tyler. He’s always wearing skulls and many of my designs are based off rock stars whose outfits and stage presence I really love.” By adapting this into her designs, Alana has created several scarves that incorporate the skull and crossbones motif. “I went with the flow and put the concept into my work, making it different with brighter colors, using hearts to make it happy for summer.” Alana plans to incorporate one or two skull-themed pieces into the upcoming spring collection, but adds, “After this season I do not see it continuing past summer 2007.”  

Even though skull and crossbones was once the label for pirates hundreds of years ago it is undeniably an in ‘thing’ with many designers, yet is it valid to deduce that young Lohan’s and Olsen’s are truly setting the fashion scene for America? Back in the seventies Vivienne Westwood linked fashion and the punk music scene to portray frustrated youth. Perhaps current day teenyboppers are showcasing their emotions through their attire. What can be said when using a symbol, that is adorned on laboratory walls and chemical containers to warn children and chemists of deadly substances, as a fashion must?  

One thing is clear, that the recent move to use symbols of death in style is just a way of expressing that almost anything is possible in fashion. Certainly garbing oneself from to top to bottom in crossbones and skull attire isn’t what designers intended, yet a basic accessory, like a ring or scarf undeniably offers the notion of being ‘en vogue’ and willing to try out new things. Balance is key when it comes to being fashionable---too much of a good thing gets old very fast.

The latest in skull style: