Fashion Shoot
The scarf has morphed from being an out-of-date fashion accessory to the most exciting thing you can wear today — and a KDK scarf is everything your heart could possibly desire
Drape yourself in luxury
One of the hottest trends in fashion right now is the scarf. Since the invention of weaving, the scarf has been woman’s best friend. A square of fabric it might be, but look at how women have used it: to protect hair and head; to create sartorial drama and beauty; knotted into a sling to carry a sleeping babe.
Throughout history, draped through the arms, a trailing scarf was the ultimate statement of feminine grace. French women have long wielded the scarf, both to disguise ageing necks and, because French women are mistresses of thrift, for updating plain basics into something out-there for panache.
To learn how to do anything in a contemporary way, one must watch how young people, who are at the forefront of engagement with life, approach it.
Right now, young women and men are wearing scarves as belts; on bags; turban style; as ‘nightdresses’; twisted elaborately as a Regency dandy around their unlined necks; and using them as improvised blankets on flights.
Me? I preserve my exquisite pieces of silk in special drawers. In one case, I framed it.
What I especially appreciate in young people’s approach to these exquisite works of art in fine, luxurious fabrics: they don’t care. They just wear it. Which is what it was designed for.
KDK are sisters who design scarves because they love colour and print. They don’t have any of the silly preservation-nonsense attitude I have. For them, scarves are a living, breathing, vital garment that conveys who we are, and can perform many purposes into the bargain.
“Scarves are amazing,” says Keira Kennedy, who does the digital design work. Her sister, Dairine Kennedy, is the colour expert. They started out doing clothes, but soon realised what they actually loved about fashion was fabric and colour. “We both had this thing that we wanted to create luxury for everyday life,” Keira tells me.
KDK scarves are modern, unique, colourful, uninhibitedly inspired by life in Ireland. They utilise digital prints on luxurious cashmere, silk and modal — another natural, but more affordable, yarn. “People love that there is a story in our scarves. Our prints are inspired by Irish landmarks and landscapes, but not in a precious way,” Keira says.
KDK still dabble in clothing, creating extra-long (“because they are so hard to find”) print sweatshirts, and bobble hats (“just because we like them”). KDK are for happy people and happy-wearing, luxury style. LOVE it.