zipper

Five Fab Finds and a History Lesson: Zipper Edition

Filed under: Apparel

The zipper was first invented, in a rudimentary form called the "Clasp Locker", in the late 1800s by a man named Whitcomb Judson. Many years later, in the early 1900s, it was perfected into the creation we know today by Swedish immigrant Gideon Sundback and was used mostly to fasten boots. The term "zipper" stuck after B.F. Goodrich used it in a name for a pair of boots showcasing the device (because of the "zip!" sound), and then zippers slowly but surely worked their way into the fashion world as a closure technique that's quick, easy, durable, and effective -- particularly In 1937 when in the "Battle of the Fly" the zipper beat out the button as the favored way to close men's trousers.

Today zippers are everywhere, in every house and on most people in some form or another at any given time. And today fashion designers not only commonly use zippers in their collections but often the zipper is the focal point, there as much for looks as function. See the gallery below for some of our favorite examples.

Gallery: Five Fab Finds: Zippers

Source

Tags: 5 fab finds, 5FabFinds, apparel, fashion, five fab finds, FiveFabFinds, history, history lesson, HistoryLesson, zipper, zippers

Kate Cusak's Zipper Jewelry

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Kate Cusak has found inspiration for a line of jewelry in, of all places, zippers. Using a variety of fabric colors paired with either brass or aluminum, she loops and swirls the zippers until they look less like functional parts of your clothing and more like beautiful fashion accessories. Bracelets, necklaces, and brooches are available in both floral and contemporary patterns, and although some are soft and feminine while others are hard-edged and bold, all are hand-sewn pieces that are sure to spark at least a few interesting conversations. $70 -$1000

Via Fabsugar

Gallery: Kate Cusak Zipper Jewelry