What is your favorite summer style?

Monday, July 15, 2013

Versace turning kinesio tape into high fashion?

During Milan Men's Fashion week for the S/S 2014 collection, Versace had an unexpected twist to their collection. Along with the clothes, they included sports tape with the collection. Mind you, this is a high fashion collection, not the Olympics or some sporting event. Not only was the kinesio tape peeking out from under rolled up blazers, it was featured on button ups & sweatshirts along with bare legs. This collection came as sort of a shocking new trend to the fashion world. 
Kinesio tape came into the limelight around the 2008 Olympics when Kerry Walsh, a volleyball player, wore it during a match. This became one of the most Googled topics during the Olympics & everyone wanted to know what this oddly shaped/ colored thing was. Being an injured athlete (figure skater to be precise), I have been using Spidertech, a form of this kinesiology tape, for over a year and a half now. Whether it actually works or is just a mental thing, I shall never know. However, it does help alleviate some of my back pain & makes for a great conversation piece. I have used the upper back, shoulder, lower back, and groin all on my back to help with my injuries. My doctor laughs at my antics because I will protest against using the non-colored strips. My view is if I am going to wear it, then I may as well make a statement. Whenever I wear it people always stare and ask questions about my tan lines or this thing on my back. You would think I had some contagious disease & not a sports injury...
Finally, Versace has made kinesio tape come back into the limelight. For this injured girl, I couldn't be happier that a high fashion brand has made kinesio tape seem 'cool'. As I have learned, the normal people of the world like to copy the world of high fashion. Granted, I don't think that kinesio tape will be a trend next season but I do believe it can happen. I think the fashion world is slowly gearing up for it. They have started by using it in the mens collections to see the reaction of the world. If it ends up on the womens runway, I think it will catch on. People are still scared to show off injuries but we can make it fashionable by turning it into an accessory.
The trend of showing off your bra through a burnout  t-shirt can be modified with kinesio tape or turn it into a pop of color accessory as a bold statement piece.
My question is: Do you think I can turn this runway trend into an every day look? 
*Pictured: Cotton t-shirt with the open back and Spidertech tape as my accessory.*