I developed a very personal obsession with sealing wax when I was a young child and my grandfather used it sometimes to seal letters. I was absolutely fascinated by the smooth sticks of red wax, by the fact that they turned into a thick liquid once they came into contact with a flame and they hardened after a few instants, sealing letters and parchments. I also loved the matte/shiny quality sealing wax has: the sticks look usually opaque, but, near a flame, the wax starts sending beautiful shiny reflections and eventually melts.
Years ago I did a few experiments with sealing wax, using the material to create stains and decorations on black felt or to make seals that I would then apply on ribbons and wear as decorations for my hair. I remember I also did necklaces and bracelets with black ribbons and red sealing wax. The main reason that pushed me to experiment with wax was my love for this material, but also the fact that I wanted to add an ironic seal of approval (given by my own self and not by anybody else...) to my personal style. Sadly my experiments are not with me anymore (I have in fact worn them out…), but I’m planning to resume my sealing wax line of accessories as soon as I have a bit of time.
Though red sealing wax will always have a special place in my heart, nowadays you can find wax in the most amazing colours, even pearly or metallic ones, so experimenting might even more fun. In fact I’m planning a black ribbon necklace decorated with wax seals in red, black and gold, I just have to dig out my stamp with my initials, though I’m toying with the idea of having a new one made maybe with my blog logo on.
In the universe of fashion it’s Dutch design duo Viktor & Rolf who turned sealing wax into something rather trendy. Around 8 years ago they introduced their logo, a wax seal disc embossed with the letters “V&R”, that, used like their own very personal stamp of approval, has since then appeared in the backgrounds of their catwalks, on their clothes and even on the box of their Flowerbomb perfume.
Some shiny red tops and blouses from the duo’s Autumn 08 collection also remind me of sealing wax, though it’s their accessories for this season that are really "sealing wax trendy". Called “Frosted Winter Highlights”, Viktor & Rolf’s accessory collection features shoes, boots, bags and clutches in shiny emerald green, black and red patent leather.
Some of their red clutches also bear their wax seal in gold, though the most covetable piece is a shoulder bag in the shape of V&R’s red wax seal logo. I might have experimented with sealing wax, but, well, I never thought about a wax seal-shaped bag. I must admit that I find V&R's bag absolutely charming as it taps into two of my obsessions: red sealing wax and surrealism.
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