The Crowning Glory

My affinity with headbands, headpieces, hats and basically anything that adorns the head is inexplicable.  I can’t reason it.  I just love it.  For some it’s a mere afterthought, a nuisance even having something on the head.  For me, it’s the piece de resistance, the thing that completes an ensemble, something that can be THE feature all by itself.

Whilst I’m still waiting for my Topshop turban to come through, something far far FAR superior has come my way.  Over my very short weekend (actually, it was about 23 hours due to my inability to get up for a stupid o’clock train) in Brussels to see the La Cambre mode show (more on that later…), Anthony Vaccarello, who I’ve mentioned a few times on the blog (ex-La Cambre student, winner of Hy√®res 2006, now working at Fendi and more importantly, a friend!), very kindly let me stay at his apartment.

Even kinder though was his gift.  I’ll just call it ‘The Crowning Glory’, the best of my headgear collection by far – a headdress made of a mass of black and white braided leather ‘hair’, intertwining with each other and a delicate lace covering the eye mysteriously.  This headdress was part of his final year collection at La Cambre and also part of the collection that won him the Grand Jury Prize at Hy√®res last year so I’m pretty much chuffed and honoured that he parted with it and gave it to me.  Anthony clearly gets my love for all things head-related!

‘You’ll never wear it out!’, a skeptical voice might say.  Wrong!  With several parties coming up, the crowning glory will get its rightful airing.  I could wear it as an accessory, an addition.  But I could also wear it as if it were part of me, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.  I’m enamoured with the way it keeps part of my face hidden and how it sort of moulds in with my head.  Outfit wise, well – anything goes but something that reflects the attitude of Anthony’s collection would work but seeing as it is The Crowning Glory, I’ll find more than one way to wear it out.  Merci beaucoup Anthony – well and truly!              

(Background by Tessa McSorley)

40 comments

  1. hey! i love that sequinned jacket. may i please know where u got it from? 🙂 thank u! x x x

  4. IT’S ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!
    I love love love love love love love it, and needless to say, I am incredibly jealous.

  5. All compliments go to Anthony of course…
    Jenny: The jacket is from the Karl Lagerfeld for H&M collection…might still be able to find it on eBay if you’re lucky…

  6. love the white lace detailing. suits you perfectly, whilst if i wore that… oh dear…

  12. it’s a beautiful thing…like something you met in the sea and became friends with…some kind of magnificent creature…you are totally rocking it and of course you MUST wear it out… xooxox

  15. I think it’s gorgeous and I think you actually SHOULD wear it out as much as possible! So 20’s but with a twist. Belgian designers are the best 😉

  16. I was going to a post about headwear today too, but you beat me to it!
    That is simply the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen. It’s totally breathtaking. I actually imagine the bottom half of the model to have a fishtail, because she looks like a mermaid whose just risen from the sea. Just gorgeous.

  18. gorgeous!
    I also love that incredible fern/algae like lace. How did he do it?
    and can he teach me/show me were to get relevant information.
    I am trying to compile a mental database of fabric manipulations and trims and this is one I would love to learn! Very inspiring!
    thankyou.. and you look gorgeous too.
    I am so very jealous…..
    marie

  20. Really really wonderful! I can imagine it being like a ‘familiar’ wrapped around your back, ready to sparkle magic dust on anyone who dares touch it! Lucky you!!!

  21. wow what an honor, that is the coolest thing i’ve ever seen, honestly! and it looks great w/ your sequined jacket!
    also i’m a new fan of your blog, very inspiring, keep up the great posts!

  22. that headpiece is so cool!!! i like the eyepiece the best, though. all that braided leather in the back is kinda too much for me. where the hell can one get that headpiece?!?!

  25. Wow, I love this, I have a headwear brand and would love to have the skill to make something so lovely.
    It’s a bit 1920’s and so many other things too, just lovely.

  27. Pretentious meaning…. pretending… now what exactly am I pretending to do…. pray tell Michelle…
    Edit: Thanks for pointing out the 1920’s reference… I’m not sure Anthony was referencing that…we’ll see! I think he made the lace himself so I will need to ask about that too….

  28. erm stop talking michelle…or at least say something that makes a bit of sense
    I think it looks amazing x

  32. Gorgeous headpiece! Also, what’s that lace top under the blazer? It looks lovely.

  34. Such a beautiful, fantastical piece. Truly one of a kind…it belongs in a fairytale, I am immensely envious of you…grrr ;]

  36. hmmm leather hair! that would make a great hairpiece. You know when i saw that i thought immediately of my friend Miriam – she would LOVE that headpiece.

  37. I’m so proud that you wear my hat Susie .. You diserve it 😉 XXXX
    I’m waiting for you in Brussels this summer or in Rome ..

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