Scarf Soup: June 2011

You think things happen fast in Hollywood? Nothing compared to the scarf industry. Emotional roller coaster, I tell you.

Here's a true story, as best as I can remember it:

Over the weekend, while I was getting sunburned at a backyard barbecue...

(pre sunburn)

I received an e-mail from an editor at Woman's World magazine asking for scarves that might fit a "Fall's Hottest Colors" spread. She wanted them by ... oh, yesterday.

I baked in the sun and my mind raced. I sipped a Corona.

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I got an idea.

"I know," I thought. "I'll find the perfect pieces and convince her - through my professionally aloof yet charming attitude - to take them late."

(Because people don't like you if you're not charming BUT they don't respect you if you're not aloof.)

Flash forward to Monday - I told Chris...

(Chris)

to find scarves that matched the pantone chips the editor wanted, called Deep Teal, Quarry, Cedar, Coffee Liqueur and Phlox....

(pantone color book)

Phlox, if you are wondering, is a magenta. It's the name of a plant with clusters of white, red or purple flowers.

Phlox Plant

Okay, I know I'm getting away from the story but realize I've just gone through a trauma. Let me continue.

Chris chooses four great scarves and I kick into high flak mode to secure our fashion foothold in Woman's World Magazine.

This is Woman's World Magazine, by the way.

Not the most fashion-forward publication but it's sold in supermarkets across the country and boasts some of the biggest female subscription stats.

Plus, if it's good enough for Dr. Oz, it's good enough for me.

I throw the chosen scarves on our trusty mannequin and e-mail the following photos.

I helpfully listed the color names on each - a clever and winning move, I thought. (I also love how camera-shy Chris happened to accidentally end up on the background of each of these! Photo karma.)

I e-mailed the editor and she responded: "I need Quarry and Deep Teal - can you send asap?"

Bingo.

I announce to the office my victory. Something to the effect, "You know, Dr. Oz is going to be wearing our Striped Linen in Denim on the cover of a major national magazine."

I was riding high. My sunburn didn't even hurt anymore.

Then another e-mail from the editor: "Can you send me photos?"

I frowned. Didn't she already see the photos I so deftly attached to the e-mail? (I am part of the technical elite who can attach photos to e-mails - I'll show you how if you're nice.)

I decided not to point out the editor's embarrassing oversight and just resent the photos. I wrote something like, "Here's your Deep Teal and Quarry!"

I might have used several exclamation marks; I don't really remember.

Then the final response:

"thanks but they don't work :("

And that's how I got rejected by Woman's Wear Magazine. One un-punctuated sentence, followed by a frowny emoticon.

I picked myself up off the floor and broke the news to everyone. Nobody seemed surprised. They know it's a cold, cold world out there. Sometimes you're on top, the next you're on the bottom.

C'est la fashion.

Put your hands together and welcome the second official Scarf Soup Guest Blogger: Zazou Designer Christopher Carroll!

Let's start with the few photos I have of Chris. I'll give each a little title.

"iPhone Face"

"Chris Desk Avalanche"

"Avoiding Vickie at a Photo Shoot"

"Official Web Site Shot Chris Was Forced To Do"

I asked Chris - a UC Berkeley alum, published author, prolific painter and chief designer at Zazou for 30 years - to expound on art and inspiration.

(That's a grandiose way to say I hounded him for two weeks to write something for the blog.)

Covertly, I wanted the opportunity to use all my failed photos and divulge the desk avalanche (it makes a dramatic noise I eagerly anticipate).

But I also sincerely wanted someone to address the artistic vision and craftsmanship that lives in every Zazou scarf. Preferably someone who really knows art and fashion.

Someone unlike myself.

Chris is the kind of person who talks about Matisse and Picasso like they were old drinking buddies. But not in the way that makes you think he's showing off. Not to "out-art" anyone. In fact, I'd say he's probably studied more about art and fashion for the sheer pleasure of it than anyone I know.

Like, he still subscribes to W Magazine.

Chris designs all of the Zazou prints by hand - by painting them, using cut paper, sketching and using really intricate collage techniques. Over the years, Zazou has done scarves ranging from Geishas on Mt. Fuji to Fifi, the pink poodle. As each season approaches, I can't wait to see what he'll come up with next.

But as you can tell from photos, Chris is not a self-promoter. So allow me:

Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Carroll!

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PRINTS

by Christopher Carroll

Prints and patterns define an era every bit as much as fashion does. It's fascinating that you can almost name the year when you see some particular polka dot or floral. We seem to have an uncanny knowledge of what print is in style and what is definitely not in style.

Zazou has been doing prints from the very beginning and we've seen a lot of things come and go - and come and go again. Each Zazou design is an original and drawn or painted by hand, even if it is heavily influenced by a particular period.

photos by Lena Carroll

Zazou does a lot of designs for museums and has been drawn to the work of many artists and periods. Toulouse-Lautrec has been in our line on many occasions and seems forever in style.

Le Moulin Rouge

We've also done a lot of Egyptian things - with these we really want them to be authentic as well as beautiful. This means keeping them true to the period without doggedly reproducing images.

Goddess Isis

Over the years we have been inspired by Botticelli, the Impressionists, the Ballet Russe, Fortuny as well as many others.

Palazzo

With florals we are always inspired by real flowers. We like to keep them botanically correct as well as beautiful. Florals can be saccharine and we avoid this by using bold shapes and strong backgrounds.

Orchid

Each season seems to have a flower - sometimes the trend forecasters can give a clue what it should be, but something always bubbles up anyway.

However, year in and year out the rose continues.

Rose

Then there's the entire ethnic influence. This again changes every season.

Crete

It is very interesting what captures our eye from other cultures -- or for that matter, who is influencing whom.

I just heard a true story that Matisse stopped at a little shop on his way to Gertrude Stein's apartment in Paris and bought her a little African statue. Who should be there when he arrived but Picasso.

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The history of art took a new turn.

We have seen the wonderful influence of Japan and China, and lately African, motifs come into prominence - so decorative, strong and always the hand of the artists clearly in evidence.