Monday, February 18, 2013

The Many Uses of Customised Grosgrain Ribbon Designs

Grosgrain ribbons are extremely popular these days. Even if the name is not so much of a household term in the industry of fashion, it is however the contrary among industries that center on the manufacture of these kinds of ribbons on top of the many other choices of fashion and garment accessories that they produce. Grosgrain is essentially a type of fabric. To us common folk, we always get the impression and the mental idea that any form of fabric is always smooth to the touch and the texture is free-flowing and gentle. However, with grosgrain, the fabric is almost ribbed and corded. These characteristics of a grosgrain fabric make it durable, strong and not easily ripped. That said, these properties and characteristics of a grosgrain fabric make it an indispensable part of jackets, formal coats, polo shirts, and other aspects of men’s formal wear.




Even in the world of evening gowns and formal dresses, the use of grosgrain ribbons is also extremely popular. Grosgrain ribbons are used to form the belt, the pleats and even the hem of a gown or dress. Since grosgrain ribbons come in different shades, colors and widths, there is a type of grosgrain ribbon fit for any designer’s project. Even outside the world of fashion, the use of grosgrain ribbons can also be seen. When companies provide lanyards to their employees so that they can hang their IDs on their necks, grosgrain, more often than not, is the fabric used to create these lanyards.

Also, with the ribbed and rigged surface of a grosgrain fabric, the surface can include some embroidery. Whether you want to incorporate the name of your company or the name of your organization, you can do so by having it embroidered on the grosgrain ribbon by a trusted professional. Aside from being embroidered with a name, the surface of a grosgrain ribbon can also be embroidered with patterns and symbols that may fit whatever occasion or event the said ribbon will be used for.

Aside from the wide use of grosgrain ribbons, the use of peacock feathers is also widely apparent. Although there are fashion designers who really make use of authentic and real peacock feathers, majority of the fashion industry today make use of synthetic ones. After all, with the existence of manufacturers who create peacock feathers that look exactly like the real thing, why would anyone bother take the feathers out of a real live peacock? Interestingly enough in 2009, Vera Wang, a known wedding gown designer in the United States, made a wedding gown that was made completely out of peacock feathers.

The color play of blue, violet and green truly made the entire ensemble a lovely piece of creation to look at. Vera Wang made use of a total of 2009 pieces of peacock feathers to complete the said wedding gown. Although it was not really worn as a wedding gown by a bride, and though it was created mainly out for display purposes, it cannot be denied that the use of peacock feathers can instantly transform a plain and mundane dress to an extraordinary piece of wonder.

Peacocks Feathers and Other Niceties

Peacock feathers truly make a statement. When it is paired with a hair clip, it can instantly transform that piece of hair accent with a whole new level of flair. The same way goes if several pieces of peacock feathers are used as accents in clothes. It can transform gown ball dresses, cocktail outfits and evening gowns into glamorous pieces of fashion. Although one might be refuted if one talks about peacock feathers on apparel to an animal enthusiast, today however, there are a number of manufacturers and suppliers that make artificial peacock feather that look exactly like the real thing.


Aside from making a statement, peacock feathers are also used as a unifying theme especially for apparel that incorporates several earth tones and colors. Dress cloths in colors such as brown, white, gray, red, beige, dirty white and green can totally take advantage of the vibrancy and variety of shades found uniquely in peacock feathers. It is of interest to note that back in the year 2009, it was reported then that fashion designer and couture expert Vera Wang made an entire wedding dress all made of peacock feathers! The said wedding dress was estimated to have been made using a total of 2009 pieces of peacock feathers to commemorate the year 2009. At that time in 2009, it was Vera Wang’s most expensive wedding piece until she designed a wedding gown for Jennifer Lopez two years after, which never happened. The famous peacock feather wedding dress was estimated to cost around 1.5 million dollars, and such wedding frock continues to be an inspiration in the entire wedding design and wedding fashion industry.

Of course, there is more to fashion and apparel accessories than just peacock feathers. A lot of clothing accessories such as beads, diamonds, stones, sequins and valuable stones are used as accents to clothing pieces. These require intricate skill and experience to have it sewn on the part where the fashion designer sees it best. Other examples of clothing accessories include laces, silk ties, grosgrain ribbons and satin ribbons to complement any piece of clothing.
For budding fashion designers, it really pays well to know how to pump up a seemingly quaint and mediocre dress by making full use of clothing accessories. Though it is true that less is more, it is also a good thought to consider to mix and match several clothing accessories to form into a new piece of art.

Today, there are a lot of outlets and manufacturers that feature these clothing and garment accessories, thus making such materials easily available for any project where such accessories may be required. By visiting such specialty shops, you can also explore other fashion and garment accessories that you may not otherwise know have you not gone to a said shop. You can have a whole new world of choices to make your design pieces truly a stand out and a coveted piece among fellow fashion lovers.  From grosgrains, ribbons and laces to buttons, peacock feathers, valuable stones and pins, there’s just no limitation to anyone’s imagination.