The Pretty Pink Arsenal: Housewares

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Punch Like a Lady - The Dressed-Up Knuckleduster

Not your typical family jewels,

yet haute to trot and tough as nails,

the knuckle duster has made a

huge impact on today's jewelry designs.

Alexander McQueen Knuckleduster

As controversial as they are couture,
we saw McQueen debuting this style as early as 2009,
with the company almost being sued by the Hell's Angels for
"misuse of their trademark winged death's head symbol" in 2010.

The duster drama continues to unfold as the
purses gain popularity around the world.
In Hong Kong, police warn they may seize your designer goods
should you choose to don them in the nation's airport.
For more, link in:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130603
/hong-kong-police-target-fashionable-knuckleduster-bags
or
http://www.france24.com/en/20130603-
hong-kong-police-target-fashionable-knuckleduster-bags
will give you all the details.

McQueen Knuckle Clutch

McQueen Knuckle Duster

This trend may not have just hatched,

but it certainly is growing and evolving.

You may not even recognize the main inspiration
for some of these more accessible accessories,

but if you look close enough, it's undeniably a knuckle duster.

gold look three finger knuckle duster ring - earrings / rings / belly bars - jewellery - women - River Island

River Island Knuckle Duster

These cutting-edge creations are a far cry from
their fearsome predecessors.
Enjoy the fun side of fierce
with these dreamy pieces.

Top Shop Rose Gold Pyramid Knuckle Duster Ring

Designerica Triple Moon Ring

Christina Elleni Agra Skyline Key Knuckle Duster Ring

Some stick to their roots
and leave an intense impression:

Kate Mess 'Til Death Do Us Part Knuckle Duster

Diamonds are forever. Unfortunately, so are scars.

Kate Mess has both of those covered.

Mawi Amethyst Shard and Crystal Three Finger Ring

Mawi @ PopSugar Social

Amazing crusader in jewelry design,
Mawi keeps me standing at attention.

Mawi & David Koma Collaboration

Dominic Jones Seti Knuckle Duster Ring

Dominic Jones Gold Plated Claw Knuckle Duster Rings

Dominic Jones commands the spotlight with
these fierily feline arches. A new take on kitty claws.

Double Finger Quartz Ring in Rose Gold

Concrete Polish Sharktooth Knuckle Ring in
Gold w/ Emerald

Hot rocks for the cold stone fox?
Concrete Polish handles that query
effortlessly.

Concrete Polish Double Pyrite Ring in
Rose Gold w/ Gemstones

But the diamond in the rough may just be this pleasant paradox from Black Rose Love:

Black Rose Love Gold LOVE Knuckle Duster

Ok, it's really Cubic Zirconia. But who cares. Love is all you need!

Plus, who knew knuckle dusters could be so practical?
Just look at the way they accent these common housewares:

thabto Knuckle Duster Mug

If you mean business when it comes to coffee,

let them know it's an all-out war if they so much as touch yours.

(for extra pop, go with the lovely blood-splatter design)

Or, you may have heard the tale of
the Porn Star, her Knuckleduster Phone Case,
and her Beaten-up Assistant:

Porn Star Jenna Jameson Beats Up Assistant With "Brass Knuckle" IPhone Case Read more: http://www.k103.com/pages/kristina.html?article=11174543#ixzz2VI8S9bbD

Well, you don't have to grin and bare it to
immolate this pinnacle of back-door royalty.
Get one all of your own!:
(Phone case that is.
You're on your own with the assistant.
And the chiaroscuro career choice.)

KnuckleCase

I'm keeping it classy with my personal preference:

Pink iRock Brass Knuckle Case

Pink is always the lady-like option, don'tcha think?
And Ladies, don't forget the power of DIY.

Just incase you were wondering,
the real thing got a makeover too!

Pink Brass Knuckles @ Weapons Universe

This summer's must have? It's on my list.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Cross-Cultural Doll Match: Kokeshi vs. Matryoshka

If you were expecting a fight to the death, with chainsaws and axes blazing
between these two femme figurines,
with the victor standing over her slain opponent that now resides as a pile of toothpicks,
I'm sorry to break the news that my intentions are far from that fate for either
of these inspiration-filled creations.

I'm cashing in my cute card with this one.

As a girl, I grew up with a whole slew of dolls in my toy chest.

I went through many phases, but the ones that never lost their intrigue
were my Matryoshka and my Kokeshi.

I was hooked from the very beginning...
and as it would seem, I am far from alone.

In the past few years, these dolls have gone from children's play toys,

to cult obsession, to fine art and high fashion!!

Who knew two tiny wooden dolls could make such a massive impact.
And, for some reason, both are of the wooden variety.

The Kokeshi and The Matryoshka:

The wheres and whens are a bit of a mystery when it comes to the creation of either of these iconic figurines.

Basically, these two distinctive dolls graced the presence of humankind about
150 to 200 years ago.

For an extensive history lesson, visit:

http://www.kokeshidesigns.com/history

http://www.russianlife.com/matryoshka-soul-of-russia

Mostly, they have been sold over the years as emblematic and interesting souvenirs. It didn't take them long to gain world-wide popularity, however, prompting a sense of nostalgia in the young and young-at-heart.

Appealing to our child-like awe for all things exotic, and of course cute, they have been adopted as collectibles by adults and children alike, some costing a very pretty penny.

And the interpretation keeps progressing in the modern era,
making it quite a challenge to narrow it all down.
Here is but a portion of the creme de la creme of this creative cross-cultural craze.

Fine Art

Check out how modern artists are redefining the decorative dolls:

Above and Below:
Ego-Alterego:
Doll Haus: The Modern Matryoshka

Above and Below: Gallery Nucleus: Kokeshi Dolls

Nesting dolls by JennyBird Alcantara

Pistacchi Design

These are certainly not your grandma's wooden dolls.
Cutting-edge designes, but still delightfully adorable.
The child-like may be amiss, but the awe and intrigue
are as present as ever.

Camilla d'Errico Kokeshi

Elsa Mora

Rockabilly Kokeshi by ToughLittleUrchin

Painting by Rommy Torrico

Vogue Russia 10th Anniversary Edition

Subtext Gallery

Some are super fierce.

Some are almost frightening.

Some have a hint of fetish.

And others are just in-your-face

provocative.

Bryan Rawling Erotic Russian Dolls Sculpture

This erotic interpretation of the nesting dolls appeared at the Hollywood Sex Museum

while it was still in it's glory days.

They are as big as they look.

Kokeshi Sculptures by James Watts

But these Kokeshi by James Watts are just as intimidating when it comes to scale,

just a little more toned-down

in the way of style.

If I've failed to portray the massive impact this models have had on the art world,

perhaps these will portray their gargantuan influence:

Hanako the Giant Kokeshi
@ Roppongi Art Night

Giant Matryoshka Display in Moscow’s
AFIMALL City shopping center

It's not King Kong...
these well-mannered monuments would never stray
outside of the their protective palaces.

Toys Galore
Fine art is just the beginning. These can be displayed in your home for a much more moderate price.

Sasha the Kokeshi Ninjette by Temple7e

Ninjas and Robots
@ Matryoshka Madness

Momiji Kokeshi Dolls

Sketch Inc. 'Little Neons" Matryoshka

Lucha Libre Matryoshkas @ Perpetual Kid

Ninjas, robots, and Luchadors
cover the taste of most of today's kids.
Even I couldn't resist the ninja nesters.

For something unique,
colorful and cute to boot,
custom works of art can be attained with just a little research.
(good ones to the right and below, hint hint)