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Issue Date: December 17, 2006
FASHION
X marks the spot
Skulls and crossbones go upscale.
By Michele Meyer
Vans slip-ons, and Zola Hats feature skull patterns and adornments.
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How morbid are we? Skulls and crossbones are sprouting up on everything from T-shirts and socks to black-tie cuff links.
Perhaps funereal fashion arose from the resurgence of '80s punk rock or the hit summer sequel "Pirates of the Caribbean." "Edginess and coolness are in the air right now," says Roopal Patel, senior fashion director at New York's Bergdorf Goodman. "In the '80s, skulls defined you as rebellious, gothic or part of a biker gang. Now skulls no longer seem threatening."
Yes, Deakin & Francis' white gold, diamond-eyed skull cuff links are worn for black-tie occasions (they also come in 18-karat gold). And what could be cooler than Vans classic slip-ons with skull print? The macabre motifs also adorn Ralph Lauren's men's socks, Chrome Heart's key rings, NFY's jeans, and Thomas Wylde's T-shirts, scarves, sundresses and bags.
Says Kathy Poncher, designer of Zola Hats (whose "Sean" style has optional crystal-studded or hammered silver skulls): "It's Chanel meets Johnny Depp meets Sid Vicious. The skull and crossbones epitomize that."
Michele Meyer recently wrote about high-fashion khakis for men.
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