How strange this year is: only days ago, it seems, it was deep winter here in Canada and some traces of it still remain, but now spring is hurriedly making up for lost time, knowing that soon it will have to make way for summer.
I’m so happy that summer is coming, happier than I’ve been in a long time. It has to do with the fact that I did not have the chance to go on any trips so far this year or in the fall, especially to my beloved Caribbean. I constantly daydream about being there and try to feel the warmth of the sun and to see that special light that only exists there, a light that enters your mind and your soul, washes gloominess away and makes you full of life again.
On that bright note I want to tell you about my latest discovery: Fashion Hand Fans. This Spanish company is a collective of artists/artisans from all over Spain who design beautiful one-of-a-kind hand fans for today’s fashion-conscious woman. I did not find them, but luckily they found me. The concept of an artistically decorated hand fan is not new, but what is new and fresh is the company’s commitment to give the hand fan the attention and the treatment it deserves as one of the most fascinating women’s accessories ever invented.
Photo source: http://oksanamaxwell.com
Hand fans are so appealing and so “handy” that when Portuguese traders started bringing them from Asia into Europe in the late 15th century they caught on immediately. Soon they were being replicated everywhere. The Fashion Hand Fans website provides a good overview of the history of fans, but, of course, they have been associated with Spain for a long time now, having become almost its unofficial cultural symbol.
Paintings in order of apperance from left to right:
Adrien Henri Tanoux (French artist, 1865-1923) Portrait of a Spanish Lady
Robert Henri (American artist, 1865-1929) Spanish Girl
Winslow Homer (1836-1910) Detail Spanish Girl with Fan
Courtesy of It’s About Time blog (http://bjws.blogspot.ca/2012_07_07_archive.html)
Hand fans were a “must have” lady accessory in Europe from the 16th to the 19th century. Apparently, Madame de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV of France, had a fan that took nine years to make and cost the equivalent of $30,000 USD!
As the society lady’s life style changed, the fans lost their high-fashion status. They remained popular as dance and theater props, because of their obvious aesthetic and expressive qualities, but never really went out of use in real life either: even today, in countries with hot climates, they are one of the easiest and most accessible ways of staying comfortable when the temperature peaks.
One of the kindest gestures I have ever been on the receiving end of was when the mother of one of my friends, while sitting in her living room on a hot afternoon in Madrid, without saying a word handed me a simple paper fan. It had not even occurred to me that relief was so near. And so we sat facing each other, rhythmically fanning ourselves and feeling a sort of a camaraderie and a connection through our fans.
The fan looked just like that:
Fanning herself, Diane Wardell performs in the “Heatwave” dance.
Alcalde 1984
Source: http://www.shsu.edu/about/thennow/1980s.html
Fashion Hand Fans carries the same message as the mother of my friend: give yourself some relief from the heat and look good doing it. It even helps with the posture. Not to mention that having a fan gives you something to do with your hands.
To this end the company offers five different lines of fans, designed according to a theme: there is Urban Fantasy, Nature, New Classic, Vintage, and Wedding. They also do customizations: one of them is that you can have a fan made with a picture of your favorite shoe! If only I could decide on which is my favorite…
The price of the fans varies from 30 to 100 Euros, depending on the style, materials, skill of the artisan, and the length of time it takes to make it. Shipping is not expensive, since, as you can imagine, the fans are very compact. All fans are made to order, so each is unique. Some take two days to make, some three weeks. Fashion Hand Fans s accepts Paypal, as well as all major credit cards, and ships worldwide.
Here is a small sample of fans that are offered by the Fashion Hand Fans online shop. I chose the ones I liked best, but it was not an easy choice: there are so many great ones. I’ve copied the information on the materials, so that you could see what materials go into making each one of these fans and why. Each of these fans would make a very special gift. I’m definitely getting one for myself and for the important women in my life.
By the way, did you know that in fan language holding the fan to your lips and chin signifies fear and doubt, holding it closed between the fingers of the right hand means “need boyfriend soon”, hitting an object with it signifies impatience (could have figured that out), and two strokes on palm of the hand means “challenge”?
Enjoy the fans!
Hand fan “Gaudi“: Urban Fantasy line. Designed by Silvia Ruso, Cádiz
Ribbing
The birch wood is raw, unvarnished, which gives a touch more artisan and unique at the same time feel the touch of wood.
Leaf
Starched white cotton hand painted.
Painted
A face painted with acrylic paints and fixer.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43,5 cm)
Hand fan “Spring“, Urban Fantasy line, designed by Silvia Ruso
Ribbing
The birch wood is raw, unvarnished, which gives a touch more artisan and unique at the same time feel the touch of wood.
Leaf
Starched white cotton hand painted.
Painted
A face painted with acrylic paints and fixer.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43,5 cm)
Hand fan “Mediterranean Albaicin”: also from Urban Fantasy. It’s my current favorite. Albaicin is the former Muslim quarter of Granada, Andalusia. I’ve walked through it many times during my visit to Granada. Its white, closely clustered houses conceal beautiful flower-filled patios with mosaic fountains. I should have carried a fan with me though: even though I was wearing a hat, I almost ended up with a heat stroke!
By María J.C Moreno, Granada
Ribbing
Natural beech unpainted.
Leaf
100% cotton starched
Painted
Acrylic paint.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43,5 cm)
Hand fan “Dots”, Urban Fantasy Line. By María José Nieto, Seville.
Ribbing
Lacquered beech wood in whitte on both sides.
Leaf
100% cotton.
Painted
Quality acrylic paint. Hand painted on one side. It comes with clear coat lacquer to set the colors well.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43 cm)
Hand Fan “Red Lily” from the Nature line by María José Nieto.
Ribbing
Beech lacquered in red on both sides.
Leaf
100% cotton fabric red lacquered.
Painted
Quality acrylic paint. Hand painted on one side. It comes coated with varnish.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43 cm)
From the New Classic line: “Golden Tulle” and “Lady Birds” hand fans. These two are by the same designer: Elena Esteban, Madrid.
Golden Tulle
Ribbing
Polished pear wood, which gives a touch more artisan and unique at the same time feel the touch of wood.
Leaf
White cotton hand painted.
Painted
Background dyed with salt. Frontground in acrylic.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43,5 cm)
Lady Birds
Ribbing
Varnished birch wood.
Leaf
White cotton hand painted.
Painted
Hand painted in acrylic.
Dimensions
Closed: 9″ (23cm)
Open: 16.8″ (43,5 cm)
Hand fan “Sevilla” from the Vintage line. Designer: Vicente Benlloch, Valencia
Ribbing
Birch wood.
Leaf
1st quality fabric and nylon lace.
Painted
Premium paint. Hand painted on one side.
Dimensions
Closed: (27cm)
Open: (49 cm)
Wedding hand fan “Yes, I Want”. Designer: Vicente Benlloch
Ribbing
Nacarine
Leaf
Valencienne
Dimensions
Closed: (23cm)
Open: (43 cm)
