Funky Fashions- Feather Shoulder Embellishment
Photo Credit: Kate Szumanska of Show Funky Clothing
By: Silvia Panza, Fancy In The Sand
Silvia Panza is a competitor from Italy who loves everything having to do with horse show fashion, which she writes about on her blog, Fancy In The Sand. If you’d like to have your blog post shared on EquineChronicle.com like Silvia, email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.
If show jackets had a soul, I would say it’s made of their decorations. Without them, show clothing would be just pieces of fabric. Decorations don’t just make the garment beautiful, but they represent the rider’s personality. Spikes, chains, pearls, fringe… the possibilities are endless.
Today, we’re going to speak about feathers. Feathers aren’t as popular as fringe, but you can see them at every big show. They have an allure of freedom, maybe because they’re connected with the idea of flying. Kate Szumanska, founder of Show Funky Clothing, is a big fan of feathers. I asked her why she likes them so much and how she came up with the idea to use them.
Do you use a lot of feathers in your show clothing line?
Kate: “I wouldn’t say I use them really a lot. Although, I’ve used some, and I plan to make a couple more [outfits with them] soon. But, probably compared to most designers, I’m quite fond of them.”
How did you come up with the idea of using feathers?
Kate: “It’s not only about the feathers. I would have to say it’s more about the shoulder pieces, in general. I got inspired with shoulder piece work and feathers by the singer Adam Lambert. He has quite stunning outfits and a wild style that I personally love and find catchy. I like my clothing line to stand out and have kind of a high fashion vibe to it. The name Show Funky Clothing says it all: the garments from me are supposed to be funky, fun, and original.”
In what part of the garment do you normally use feathers?
Kate: “I use them on the shoulders. I think these accessories compliment the show shirt or jacket itself but also the rider’s silhouette. It brings out that extra sharp look and catches the eyes. I’m not a fan of the big and bulky shoulder accessories, but I think some beads, fringe, feathers, and so on really make the show outfit stand out.”
As Kate said, feathers are popular when used on the shoulders, no matter if it’s on a jacket, a vest, or a zip up shirt. They can be a really fun accessory, especially if you want to mix different colors!
Do you like feathers? Would you use them on your show clothes?
