My Fashion Line: Central Theme

Throughout my exploration of fashion, I developed a fascination with the use of a snake's skin and form. I own several different snake rings, a snake skin skirt, and snake skin sandals. As I walked around the Wallace Collection and the V&A, I took notice to the incorporation of snakes in paintings, ceramics, and jewelry. Then it occurred to me: the serpent is one of the oldest mythological creatures.  It is no wonder that they seem to be as popular now as they were dating back to ancient egyptian times. According to my research, what makes the snake so intriguing is its dual expression of good and evil, fertility and rebirth, poison and medicine. Throughout history, different civilizations have interpreted the snakes symbolism in different ways. The Egyptians saw it represent royalty and deity, while in traditional Hinduism it represents sexual passion and desire, and the Romans interpreted the snake as a symbol of everlasting love. Cleopatra seems to be the most notable historic figure to wear snake jewelry; however, Greek, Nordic, African, and Native Americans have all celebrated the snake in different forms with varying meaning. 

Serpent arm bands on display at the V&A

The Victorian era incited the rapid increase and return to the popularity of snake jewelry when Prince Albert proposed to Queen Victoria with the very first engagement ring. Similar to as shown below, the ring was the image of a snake with an emerald-set head. 

A genuine Victorian knock off
Queen Victoria was a trendsetter - one of the first inspire rampant copies of what she wore

Therefore, for Queen Victoria, the snake was an emblem of eternal love. Peaking in the 1840s, the snake represented wisdom and eternity and was a prevalent motif on rings, bracelets, brooches, and necklaces. Next, the snake had a resurgence during the Art Nouveau period with the help of French jewelers Jules René Lalique and Georges Fouquet. The snake played a prominent role in this period because of the heavy emphasis on the essence of nature.

Whether coiled in a knot atop a ring, tapered into a necklace, or wrapped around the wrist as a bracelet, the snake has remained a favorite amongst fashion and jewelry motifs throughout history. As shown below, the snake is the focus of Bvlgari's most recent ad. I hope to incorporate the snake into my fashion line's identity and use it as a central theme in my collections to come.

2013 ad campaign