FAN-tastic!

On this warm July evening, I would like to share some reflections on my quintessential accessory- the hand held fan. I am rarely caught without one in my purse or tote. Even in the winter, one can find themselves in situations where one has one too many layers on, and in locations where heaters are set one too many degrees above the comfort level. While some argue that the energy used to fan themselves produces more heat than one is trying to find relief from, I will place my bet that these individuals have not been caught in a concert venue so tightly packed it could rival a can of sardines.

What appeals to me most is it’s ability to provide much aesthetic value to a basic function. Cooling yourself off while looking incredibly stylish all at the same time. It has been my dream to be part of the movement to bring back the hand held fan to the forefront of accessories and I would like to thank my mom and grandma for passing down this tradition to me.

Grandma Nelly Edith and her fan:

My fondest memories of hand held fans are of my mom spraying the fabric of her fan with perfume so that the air that cooled you was also delightfully aromatic.

Although I have some lovely Asian fans, I have a predilection for Spanish fans. The Asian fans I find seem less sturdy and less original that the woodwork on the Spanish fans. I can spend hours gawking over these one of a kind pieces: Spanish Plates.com

I’ve never ordered from this site, because I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to Spain, and have friends who bring me back fans from their excursions to “La Madre Patria”…well at least my unofficial “Madre Patria”…

So while the current hand fans users are often eccentrics and uber fashionistas (ie, Monsieur Lagerfeld), I think this has the potential to be the beginning of a new green chic movement. Who says being environmentally conscious has to be drab?? Certainly, not I.

Karl and fan, pre-uber diet:

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Tags: Accessories, Eco-Chic, Fashion