Thursday, March 18, 2010

Coral........... and Real Mink Ribbon

Steven Meisel ~ Vogue. September 2007

I haven't given myself one of those fashion inspired gift wrap challenges lately and since I am nursing a muscle injury from when we swerved and averted a car accident a few weekends ago I have to stay off the bike and am self-restricted to minor movement. I can stand and wrap, just can't seem to bend well so a wrapping challenge it is and this fashion photo had me more than intrigued. Nothing like a good dose of coral fur to distract me from the fact that my cycle challenge is interrupted so early in the game. Too bad, the weather is simply fabulous right now and I could have covered some ground by now. This is only a delay and not a quit kind of excuse before I even start. And I think I want that doggie in the window, I am having replacement dog fever really bad these days. I used to put a ribbon on my male puppy until my son said "no more Mom" and he was right, the poor boy dog looked ridiculous. The next dog will definitely be a female. She can watch me gift wrap with ribbons in her hair.

What a luscious coral colour to experiment with and turn my head towards a colour zone that I might not think of by myself. Fashion has a way of doing that for me. I notice combinations that served me well in my designer days and now gift wrapping. Looking for gift wrap cues in fashion and interior design isn't such a frivolous thing, inspiration comes by keeping your eyes and creativity open. I have these gorgeous bronze organza bows that I gussied up with a length of bronze taffeta so the ribbon bows would add volume to the rear of the organza bow. It doesn't really need it, I just like doing it.

I find myself reaching for these narrow, satin ribbons lately. For something so thin, it does seem to capture the eye which surprises me. I tend towards wide ribbon in much the same way I tend towards larger jewelry, nothing more than a personal preference. In the end I did slide a wider hand-dyed silk underneath so it just goes to show you how I can't shake my preferences as easily as I think.


I like to move bows forward to the front of the box just to mix up the styles. And you know how I love these glass hearts. Since my photo table moved I have been having a bit of a camera lighting and focus problem. This really is the same coral as the top photo. Time to call in the real experts again.


Yes, this really is mink ribbon and I had very little of it left to work with so I gussied it up with an organza ribbon that has petite glass stars. Just gave it a little more sparkle and gift glam and how much better could the star colour be for this wrap challenge? This mink ribbon is so unique and tactile that it does show it's luxurious nature best on solid paper, it certainly doesn't need any pattern competition.


Steven Meisel ~ Vogue. September 2007

Totally off topic here but maybe I just need to go sit in a Paris bar somewhere
until this muscle is healed? Practise my sultry look.

These organza bows do have plenty of impact for gift wrapping and cost no more than a standard ribbon bow. That being said, isn't this a better way? I have them in bronze, chocolate brown, black, and green and they are on my website under the Wrap Room. Just so you know.



A frou frou welcome to the most fashionable of new followers.

Have the best weekend.



Vogue photos from Vogue Archives/Other photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

20 comments:

  1. Loving that mink ribbon Sande....xv

    ReplyDelete
  2. Packaging is everything... and these are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love how you put the bow on the side! Genius!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I love coral with brown! And you reminded me of this coral top I used to have. For the longest time, whenever I wore it, people would comment that I looked great - It was such a plain top, I couldn't figure it out - until I realized it was the color giving my face a little extra oomph! Hmmm ... where IS that top?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Sande~

    Nobody does coral like you! I believe this means Beautiful spring is almost here! Oh and that mink, A M A Z I N G!!!

    XO

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mink ribbon and coral wrapping... a definite winner in my book!!!
    Luscious :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely color combination. Mink ribbon; how lucious.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Sande; You transferred the inspiration of those outfits perfectly to a exquisitely wrapped package. I'm very sorry about your knee, and I hoping it will mend soon so there is still plenty of sun-filled days to hit the pavement. I'm hoping you give into your urge for the girl puppy. Her wrapped in ribbon watching you work your magic conjures a wonderful picture. Thanks for your comment of inspiration this week. I think our family is ready for some happier days. Happy weekend to you and yours xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Sande! Only you would have a mink ribbon how wonderful luxurious. Love this idea. Thank you for sharing,Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the coral wrappings, so beautiful. Coral jewellery always reminds me of summer, so the combination with mink is a completely different take from the expected for me, but it really works and looks stunning, thanks x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi sande, love the Organza bows devine! So sorry I still havent managed to ride my bike the plans today went out the window as we have a cyclone on the way so had to get the house & garden safe Elaine :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. First of all, these are so chic! Secondly, I want to be the woman in the first image and wear that outfit!!!

    Have a lovely weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That mink is DIVINE ! By what I have seen on the runways .... fur is back in a big way !

    Still Pedaling,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  14. So sorry about the injury. ack. never mind, you are getting along stunningly with the ribbons and paper, absolutely gorgeous. and yes, you and I, we probably need to up our techno game. at least you HAVE a blackberry!:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Coral is such a beautiful colour and brown goes with it perfectly, Sande. I love the little glass hearts. They really give the gift that special twinkle.
    Rest that ankle well, and you will be back on your bike before you know it.
    Enjoy the weekend, Sande. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  16. J'adore the heart on the box... BEAUTIFUL!

    ReplyDelete
  17. sorry to hear about your injuries. Get better soon. LOVE this post. Love the thought of your dog is bows too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This blog has been a favourite of mine for a while, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable reading this after this post. I am saddened to see such a light-toned message about fur industry - an industry based on cruelty. Please make sure you are fully informed about the fur trade before deciding to promote fur any more. You can find some information here: http://www.infurmation.com/facts.php

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely colors and textures, Sandi! That mink ribbon is divine - wow!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sande, so sorry about your knee injury, but you can't keep a good woman down for long. These new creations are fab !! Are those Swarovski hearts? I would never open a gift if it was wrapped like yours...that alone is a gift. xx's Marsha

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are such a lovely addition to my day. Thank you.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails