#exposed zipper

Brandon Maxwell

Pre-Fall 2023

This French Terry Hoodie features a two-way exposed tape front zip closure and is crafted in an ultra-soft slub cotton that you will quickly make it your go-to layer. Featuring pick stitch seam finishing, kangaroo pocket and signature Peace sign chest emblem.

100% Cotton

2 way zip

Contrast top stitching

Washed Black

DRESS – The Limited

Of all the trends that need to die, this one is at the top of my list. I’d like to know who first had this thought: “This is a lovely dress, but I want it to have all the flair and panache of a $2.00 Forever 21 sale rack reject. I know! I’ll slap a chunky, cheap-looking zipper on the back instead of a nice, feminine, hidden zipper. It’ll be perfect.”

That person, whoever he or she is, needs to seriously rethink their decision to work in the fashion industry.

In the last year I’ve watched this trend grow in popularity to the point where, horrifyingly, it has invaded even the most workwear-centric stores like The Limited. As I was poking through their new arrivals I stumbled upon this gorgeous pink dress and was already planning on adding it to my shopping cart as the product page loaded. My excitement drained away when I looked at the back detail. Suddenly a gorgeous, versatile sheath dress that I could wear in any season and dress up or down looked like it got attacked by an over-excited craft enthusiast with a hot glue gun and a zipper.

This is not to say all zipper details are terrible. Take, for example, this Alexander Wang sweater that I spied on The Classy Cubicle back in October. The zipper adds a bit of interesting detail that doesn’t feel cheap or tacky. I’ve even got a blazer with a zipper detail that I’ve featured on this blog before.

But there’s a big difference, I think we can all agree, between zippers like these and the chunky, bought-in-bulk-from-Michaels zippers hastily sewn onto the backs of dresses.

I want my clothes to look like I bought them at Banana Republic when, in reality, I bought them at Forever 21. Not the other way around.

We're choosing a cover photo for our new Schiffer Fashion Press catalog and are leaning towards this detail shot from Bokyeong Juliette Kim's collection during her time at The Fashion Institute of Technology. Kim was advised by Professor Leonard Choong and designer Narciso Rodriguez.

"The texture of the fabric was so peculiar but it allowed me to construct the garments in a unique way, which was an amazing challenge but gave the designs their level of originality."