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As featured on America’s Next Top Model, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are the hottest live fashion accessories, adorned with Swarovski crystals and sold for USD$80 a piece. These roach brooches were first conceived by 19th Century Victorians, and now revived by LA based avant garde fashion designer Jared Gold.

<lisa from america’s next top model

They come with a silver chain that leashes the roach to its owner. Their lifespan is about 1 to 3 years and according to Jared Gold’s sources, only male roaches are used because the females bite. This is untrue. None of them bite. They only have sharp spines on their legs.

Each crystal is carefully glued onto the roach’s hard exoskeleton. Every roach features a different crystal pattern, and therefore individually unique. They can be purchased from Black Chandelier.

<precious crystals and loathsome roaches become one

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are the most popular roach pets. They are wingless and hiss when in defense or fighting with other male roaches. Here’s a caresheet.

I wonder what happens when the roaches die. Will owners pluck the crystals out for keeps?

Images copyright of Amanda "Maendi" Brooks.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 17th, 2006 at 10:08 pm and is filed under Art, Fashion & Style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.