Amy Mortensen of Chicago has dubbed herself “The Owl Lady,” although she didn’t always like owls.
“I was never really into owls until I inherited my grandmother’s collection, but they have seeped into my life and I really do love them now,” she said. “Owls had a huge trend in the 1970s and I know a lot of her owls dated to that time, but I think [my grandmother] liked them before that started.”
Almost 40 years later, owls have reappeared as a major trend. That is why in 2009 Mortensen opened “The Owl Lady,” a shop on Etsy.com that sells exclusively vintage owl pieces.
But why owls? Mortensen said she believes they have a lot of aesthetic versatility. They can be serious, whimsical, cute or scary.
“There aren’t many other animals that have that kind of range, so I think they can appeal to a wider range of people,” Mortensen said.
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It seems owl accessories are the new “Hoot Couture.” Stores such as Indie E-Retailer ModCloth are filled with owl necklaces, rings, bags, earrings, owl prints on clothing and more.
Jessica Oakes, a junior studying advertising and working in fashion PR, said she loved owls during her freshman year, but would not buy them anymore.
“I think owls are trending now, as opposed to three years ago, because it takes people a while to accept new things,” Oakes said. “I think owls will stick around for a while, but slowly fade out. Once you get too much of a good thing, you always tend to get over it. That’s how it is for me at least.”
These wide-eyed creatures aren’t only popular to wear. They are also one of the most current trends in home decor. You can find owl lamps, wallpaper, umbrella stands, rugs, salt and pepper shakers and other home accessories.
The Roll Up, a crepe restaurant in Orem, features owls as a major part of its decor. Owner Curtis Mills said the choice to use owls started because the restaurant is open late. There weren’t many owls at first, but over time the restaurant has accumulated a sizable collection.
“My mom would buy owls, my sister brought these owls from France, everyone started donating owls,” Mills said. “People think they’re cute.”
Now a huge owl made from an eight-foot block of Styrofoam and fiberglass stands sentinel in front of the restaurant. The owl theme has been a hit with customers, but Oakes has noticed another owl trend taking off.
“In today’s fashion world, owls seem to have shifted toward the baby avenue,” Oakes said.
The blogosphere has seen a recent surge of owl-themed baby showers and nurseries. Creatures that have historically been seen as sinister are now taking on bright colors and cartoon-like appearances for little ones.
Owls date back 60 million years and appear in the lore and mythology of almost every culture on earth. They can symbolize wisdom, protection, mysticism, secrets, death and birth. In ancient Greece, the owl was associated with Athena, goddess of wisdom, and it was believed owls could see in the dark because they possessed an inner light. Native Americans saw owls as secret keepers and weather predictors. With such a complexity of symbolism, it is no wonder owls have inspired artists throughout time.
In modern arts, owls are swooping into the mainstream. Owl City, the electronic pop music project of singer and songwriter Adam Young, who went platinum in 2010, just released a new album. The year 2010 also saw the release of “Legend of the Guardians,” a computer animated film about warrior owls, and the beloved “Harry Potter” owls took flight through each movie as pets and messengers in the magical world.
For those who love this trend but don’t want to give in for fear it will fade away, “The Owl Lady” has some advice.
“I think owls will always be popular, maybe not to the extent of a trend, but I have met some very enthusiastic and slightly obsessed owl fans,” she said. “Their versatility is part of their charm and I think a part of their enduring popularity.”
