Whilst in London in September I popped into Beyond the Valley and they had a couple of the wonderful KapowWow ruffled neck scarfs. Sadly none in a colour I wanted but I recently checked their website and was pleased to find they don't just create ruffled pieces, but also scarfs which are made from layer upon layer of strips of reclaimed fabrics that look like ribbon and some which look like a huge tangle of textiles. Utterly heavenly.
A fabulous neck ruff has been on my list for some time although quietly in the back burner, but my desire has been re-ignited once more because I'm reading about 16th century Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory. One of, if not the, most prolific female serial killers of all time. She is said to have been hauntingly beautiful yet with an insatiable appetite for awful cruelty, and is believed to have killed upwards of 600 young women over a period of 30 years. Her portrait shows a woman with huge dark eyes, dark hair piled high on her head and covered in red, wearing a huge ornate ruff and a dress of velvet and jewels.
I would of course be more than happy to have one of the other incredible pieces to tide me over until the perfect colour of ruff comes my way.
KapowWow are also stocked at Pixie Market.
Queen Michelle
Nice ruffs! I've been after a floppy one like the one Alison Goldfrapp wears for a while. A fully feathered would be nice too.
Posted by: Isabelle | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 11:31
I've been getting non-stop wear out of my lilac one.... I love their grey jersey scarves and ruffs....on my xmas list for sure...
Posted by: susie_bubble | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 11:36
What amazing neckpieces, the 1st & 3rd are so gorgeous! The story of Countess Elizabeth Bathory is incredible!
Posted by: Brigadeiro | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 11:54
Beautiful. Nothing like re-writing history! x
Posted by: Frankie - Swell Vintage | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 11:58
I smell another DIY coming! This time I'm tempted to try something similar too. They look so good!
Posted by: lopi | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 14:44
This is inspirational! Ruffles make my knees weak.
Posted by: naboonies | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 18:05
Wowee! Ooh, what gorgeousness! I'm just as obsessed and have been making my own handmade neck ruffs for a while too on Etsy.com
Posted by: misfitchic | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 19:20
Please don't go on a killing spree adorned with a ruffle!!
Posted by: Make Do Style | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 21:07
What book are you reading about Countess Bathory? I've only just found out about her, but I'd like to learn more.
Posted by: Emily Linn | Thursday, 27 November 2008 at 21:45
I'm shan't be killing anyone any time soon! Emily, it's a book called The Bloody Countess but it's a bit all over the place. It was first published in the 70's, so not sure how accurate it is. There isn't that much about her to found really as there weren't many records kept concerning her crimes at the time, for fear of reprisal. But the book serves as a good overview.
Posted by: The Queens: Kingdom Of Style | Friday, 28 November 2008 at 08:53
Very nice! My fav is the red one. If you're interested in reading more about Elizabeth Bathory, try reading, "Bathory: Memoir of a Countess". It is fabulous.
Posted by: Ann-Marie | Friday, 28 November 2008 at 13:59
Dang, Bathory killed all those people?
I'd love to see you DIY this ruff.
Posted by: enc | Saturday, 29 November 2008 at 04:32
I have a grey jersey neck ruff from Kapow Wow (like the red one) and I love it! Just as warm but more interesting than a scarf.
Luv
Poochie
Posted by: Princess Poochie | Saturday, 29 November 2008 at 04:34