Crowning Jewels and Feathers
Jen Carrigan’s Violet Magpie
Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Aug 12, 2009 at 11:45AM
3 Comments
No matter your hairstyle or length, there’s a stuff-collecting, vintage-obsessed, glamor-minded lady on the north end of town who’s got something awfully pretty she’d like to bobby-pin into it.
Jen Carrigan of Violet Magpie creates what used to be called fascinators. You may just call them very pretty—or, one-of-those-things-that-Sarah-Jessica-Parker-wore-to-the-London-premiere-of-her-Sex-and-the-City-movie.
Only Violet Magpie’s accessories are nowhere near as over-the-top and difficult to wear, so maybe don’t worry about what to call them. Just keep in mind the idea of a dramatic but streamlined sweep of soft feathers and vintage baubles next time you have the opportunity to get all dolled-up.
But don’t get too caught up in the dolled-up part. Between SJP — uh, Carrie Bradshaw — and PR’s Kenley Collins’ collection of feathered accessories (click here, scroll down), and a certain LA-based line that keeps cropping up in glossy mags – and even Urban Outfitters offering a few styles that you of course won’t be purchasing because why would you buy from them when you could support a local designer, well, it’s a bona fide trend with a historical backbone.
And sure, you’ll want to go carefully into an outfit that involves Jen’s bright blue feathers and a pair pair of jeans, but the results could definitely be worth it. (For help, you might consult Violet Magpie stylist Tiffany Lowry, Jen’s right hand girl.) The line is available at—where else?—Velouria and other shops around town (check the site for more locations.)
[The following local photographers have captured Jen’s work for her site, and by extension, for this post: Sarah Rhoads, Blush Photo, and Jon Hawley.]
Ookay, having recently embraced a summertime look filled with natty hats, I am intrigued by this feather headpiece alternative. Is there an option, I wonder, where feathers might sweep DOWN over my short hair, instead of UP? Up means I (and my outfit) top out at over 6 feet. I am a friend of high heels, I just worry, with the feather, about unintentional big bird allusions across a crowded bar.
Hey there Alexis. Absolutely – the great majority of Jen’s pieces aren’t of the big bird variety. Like those shown here, the idea is most often that the feathers either come toward the face or tuck around the ear. I think these little beauties are a real boon for us short-hair types in particular. We can’t ponytail or chignon, but we can tuck a nice bit of flair around our temples and it doesn’t even require any hairspray. Jen and/or Tiffany — let Alexis know what you think!
Just a few more tips:)
If you’d like to spice things up with Violet Magpies’ little beauties but, are a little gun shy for any reason, go with color tones matching your hair. If you have light hair go with one of her “Naturals” the feather colors are very neutral but still have quite a bit of glam. If your hair is on the darker side move deeper in color and depth. The fringe is something to consider too. Wear the feather fringe away from your face with the jewel feature toward your face. This will add a little pazzaz while facing friends and a little pow when you look to the side and walk away. Her pieces range in shape and size and colors for all occasions. She also has a headband/feather clip duo that you can clip and unclip the feather pieces. This is a way to baby step into just wearing the feather piece itself.
Have fun,
T..xoxooxo