Favourites from Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011

Read about the designer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_McQueen Runway pictures copyright Vogue.com.au

Movie posters get a fashion makeover:

Just had to post up these re-imagined collection of movie posters by EveryGuyed, which simply (but cleverly) define a film by using only the fashionable clothing the film is assosiated with.

(Images designed by Moxy Creative with illustration credits to James Alexander Mathers and Andrew Lau)

MAD MEN STYLE

If you haven’t noticed already, a ‘retro’ 1960’s influenced trend has taken over parts of the consumer market, particularly in fashion. I believe I am right in assuming that this sudden interest in dressing up, ‘a la 60s’, is party, if entirely due to the Emmy award winning dramatic television series, MAD MEN, which premiered in 2007 and has since, gained massive popularity. If you have never heard of this series, seriously WAKE UP! If you haven’t yet watched it, DO IT NOW!

MAD MEN is set within a fictional advertising agency situated on Madison Avenue, the focal point of the series following its charismatic creative director Don Draper and his life both in and out of the office. Since discovering MAD MEN this year, I have been impressed by the brilliant script that continuously subverts the audiences expectations of characters, by purposely having them do something unexpected, therefore making each individual richly complicated. Not only is MAD MEN a smart show, it has been praised for its historical accurateness and engaging visual style that has, since its debut, begun to saturate the consumer market.


In the fashion world we have seen the return of larger outwards and lengthier skirts in heavier fabrics, mod dresses, big jewellery, high cut A-line dresses and the Jackie Kennedy inspired ‘look’. In terms of men’s wear we have seen the return of the skinny tie, lighter shades of suit colours and even changes in pant and suit cuts.

 I think part of the appeal of the style depicted in MAD MEN is due to the ‘lifestyle’ that involves dressing up and coordinating an outfit to match even if it’s just to go out shopping for groceries. In the world that accepts trackie pants outside the house and the “I don’t care what I wear” attitude, the idea of wearing a hat or gloves matched to an outfit, is quite a glamorous notion.

Even if you find the shows pacing a bit too lethargic for your personal liking, you can still admire the beautiful visuals of the series and its styling.

Artist Obsession: "Stella Im Hultberg"

 

Stella Im Hultberg* is a painter living and working in Brooklyn, NYC.
Born in South Korea, raised in Seoul, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and later in California,  she studied Industrial Design and worked as a product designer before serendipitously falling into the art world in late 2005.

see her webpages for more of her beautiful artwork....

http://stellaimhultberg.com/
http://stellaimhultberg.blogspot.com/

Ten Films For Stylish Inspiration....

1. Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Setting: New York, 1930s

Synopsis: A bored society girl (Katharine Hepburn) ensnares a nerdy paleontologist (Cary Grant) and the two have a series of misadventures with her pet leopard, Baby.

Style: Masculine/Feminine

Watch for: The movie in which Katherine debuted her signature pants, never before seen on a woman in film. When the studio heads insisted she wear a skirt, she strolled around the set in her underwear until they gave her pants back.

2. To Catch a Thief (1955)

Setting: French Riviera, 1950s

Synopsis: A former thief (Cary Grant) is suspected of a series of jewel thefts; to prove his innocence he tries to find the copycat with the help of an American heiress (Grace Kelly).

Style: Glistening extravagance

Watch for: The jewels! Grace Kelly in that white strapless dress with an over-the-top diamond necklace. Her ball gowns, shimmering gold, blue chiffon, etc.


3. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Setting: New York, 1960s
Synopsis: Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), a socialite/call girl, becomes interested in Paul (George Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building.
Style: Lux Glamour 

Watch for: The dresses, the oversized sunglasses, the long cigarette, the giant pearl necklace, and the gloves. Often considered THE fashion film. It solidified Audrey Hepburn as a style icon. 


 4. And God Created Women (1956)

Setting: Saint Tropez, 1950s
Synopsis: A vampy sexpot (Brigitte Bardot) loves one brother, but marries another.
Style: Rampant female sensuality
Watch for: This is the movie that put Brigitte Bardot on the scene, and she became the instant symbol of the "sex kitten." That gingham bikini, the pouty lips, the ultimate "beach hair," and how the (near-naked) Bardot carries herself throughout the film.


5. American Gigolo (1980.
Setting: Beverly Hills, 1980s
Synopsis: Julian Kaye (Richard Gere) is the highest-paid male prostitute in LA (naturally). He falls in love with the wife of a local politician (Lauren Hutton) and is framed for the murder of one of his clients.
Style: American chic at its best. This is the film that put Armani suits on the style map. Lauren Hutton epitomizes effortless American sportswear. And FYI, Richard Gere becomes the first Hollywood actor to appear full-frontal nude on screen.

6. Marie Antoinette (2006).

Setting: France, 1700's
Synopsis: Portraying the life of the French queen who supposedly said ‘let them eat cake’ while sending the country into deficit with her spending habits.
Style: Pastel hued decadence.
Watch for: Very few films can pull off decadence like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette with even the food filled with dazzling colour. The frocks, the fans, the wigs, the stockings, the titillating bedroom scene affair and the masked ball. It’s near impossible not to be inspired by the visuals.


7. Chicago (2002).

Setting: Chicago, 1920’s.
Synopsis: Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) will do anything to be famous, including murder. Once locked up, she and fellow murderess Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) turn to slick lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) to help get them off.
Style: Skimpy jazz-age sexuality
Watch for: If you like great music, clever cuts, and over-the-top costumes, you'll understand why Colleen Atwood walked away with the Oscar for Best Costume design for this movie.

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Setting: Los Angeles, early 1990s
Synopsis: The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife (Uma Thurman), and a pair of diner bandits intertwine.
Style: Hip simplicity.
Watch for: Uma Thurman in the dancing scene. Her capri pants, her crisp white shirt with the black bra underneath, her severe bangs and black hair.

 
9. (500) Days of Summer (2009).

Setting: Los Angeles, 2009
Synopsis: Boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets girl (Zooey Deschanel). Boy thinks he has met the ‘one’, but girl thinks otherwise. A quirky Y-gen film about how sometimes things don’t always work out.
Style: Return to the sixties, quirk and indie feminine.
Watch for: The leading lady’s off beat style, sixties hair cut, indie quirks and her blue dresses. The leading man’s simple neutrals and washouts and his over the shoulder bag.


10. Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)

Setting: New York, 2008
Synopsis: A new chapter for our four favorite now 40-something STAC girls and their fashionable adventures and their frank discussions about romance and sexuality.
Style: Designer soaked NYC Chic.
Watch for: With four main characters, each with their unique style, there is something for everyone. Charlottes ‘Jackie Kennedy’ inspired preppy classics, Samantha’s power colours, lines and cuts, Miranda’s corporate androgyny and rustic tones and Carrie's uptown whimsy chic.