Top Fashion Rule Breakers

A fashion 'rule breaker' is anyone who goes outside the realm of what's considered current & 'appropriate'.  Fashion rule breakers dare to think outside the box and often take part in creating their own signature style.  For decades women have opted to follow suit with the status quo is regards to selecting pieces for their wardrobe, for instance by not wearing white after Labor Day, by matching their shoes with their hand bag and by keeping their clothes in sync with the climate.  All of those concepts are so not in effect anymore as these days, especially on the celeb scene, we are deff seeing a more liberal aesthetic in regards to fashion 'dos & don'ts'  Right now there are some major rule breakers and one in particular used to be on top of the game.  Of course I'm referring to 'Madonna'.  Madge dared to wear this monstrosity at the Metropolitan Museum Costume benefit, however, she may have misinterpreted that she wasn't actually suppose to wear one?!  The Louis Vuitton mini paired with the thigh high hooker boots, accompanied by the Marc Jacobs, what looked like a bunny eared hairpiece was an absolute 'flop' and so not classy!  In all reality though, Maddona didn't get where she is today by taking on a wallflower persona but her 'in your face' approach to entertaining most certainly did!

Now that Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj have caused Madonna to take a back seat as leading lady pop star.  This past Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards, Nicki walked the black carpet in what appeared to be a 'Toy Story' massacre!  There was too much going on to even try to make sense of!  From her ice cream cone bling to her cotton candy weave topped off by a colorful surgical mask.  She had us all thinking..."What the?" & that my dear readers was mission accomplished for Minaj!

I have to give Gaga 'mad props' because at least there's a theme associated to her madness.  Since making her debut in 2008 she's rocked the house & fashion houses too, as she has become the muse as well as collaborator both for & with many astute designers.
Minaj make rock but in my opinion Gaga rules!  What's your take?...


pics: damitaro.wordpress.com, huffingtonpost.com, stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com

The Re-Birth Of 'Period Collars'

Vintage trends this Fall are going waaaay back, and I mean way!  All the way back to the days of innocence as there has been a dramatic rebirth of the Victorian style for this upcoming Fall 2011.  During the Edwardian period (1901-1910), high neck collars were popular among women and often adorned with elaborate lace applique and beading & often considered a form of jewelry.  Mind you this style is not to be confused with the gi-normous Elizabethan collars of the Medieval times...

In spite of the fact that the Edwardian collar couldn't be any more modest, covering up 'everything', women of that time actually considered the style to bring an ambiance of allure because of the allure of leaving much to the imagination in that they were giving the viewer 'nothing to see', but 'everything to wonder about'.  That really wasn't such a bad concept eh?  This past year during Paris fashion week 2011, the fashion house of the late designer Alexander McQueen brought new life to the vintage style of Edwardian collars with their Fall line up of suits that entail hints of Goth peppered with industrial chic.  

In regards to Goth, the new generation has definitely been instrumental in bringing back the popularity of the Edwardian collar while at the same time, maintaining true to the original design ...

  pics: photobucket.com, flickr.com, deliaohdelia.blogspot.com, capitolcharlotte.com

Spotlight Saturday - Is Snooki Getting Into Fashion Biz?

In the Saturday Spotlight today is 'SNOOKI' & if you don't know who she is by now, then you must not read the tabloids or watch television & basically live under a rock or alone on a deserted island!  MTV's reality show Jersey Shore, has accumulated high ratings since it first aired in the Summer of 2009.  The cast was picked to represent the current lifestyle trends of what is referred to as 'guidos' & 'guidettes', which is basically a cutesy name for the club scene Italian Americans living in Jersey, Rhode Island & New York cities.  Nicole Polizzi nicknamed 'Snooki', for some reason that has no meaning behind it really, has gained huge celebrity status solely as a result of her outrageous behavior & drunken antics.  Having once had aspirations of going into veterinary medicine, since appearing on J.S., she's pushed that aside and has been making claim to having a new direction pointing towards becoming a designer. She wants to do it all, fashion, hair, sunglasses, etc...etc...  Of course her first goal will be to nab that perfect juice head guido. (If you want the deff look it up on urban dictionary a ha!).  Anyhow, back on the subject at hand, I can only imagine how much the retail biz is going to boom once she releases her line of what?...  matted bunny slippers & faux poof weaves?

One word ...."fuggedaboutit!" 




glamour.com
        

Fashion In Film Friday - Racing With The Moon

The 1984 film 'Racing With The Moon' starring Nicolas Cage & Sean Penn was a romantic drama set in California in 1942 & centered around the lives of two young men trying to get in their 'last flings' before heading off to war.  The characters played by Cage & Penn, 'Henry & Nicky', work together at their local bowling alley setting up pins.  After work one night, Henry heads off to see a movie and meets Caddie played by actress Elizabeth McGovern.  After following her home and seeing that she lives in a mansion, he immediately assumes that she is a "Gatsby girl" (meaning 'rich').  In reality, Caddie is living there with her mother who is a maid.

The term 'Gatsby girl' originated in the roaring twenties and defined the era that saw women becoming more rebellious (i.e. drinking & smoking) and it trailed into the mid forties gearing more towards defining women who were the 'haves' in comparison to the 'have nots'.  To be a Gatsby girl in the vintage 40's meant they you afford panty hose and perfume in spite of the fact that you were in the midst of the 'great depression' & in the throws of World War II. 

The 1940's Gatsby girls were modest yet still had the ability to produce a valid amount of sex appeal. Skirts/dresses were knee length or longer and necklines were modest & button down sweaters were 'in'. Maybe it came more from their attitude than from their clothing style? Either way, they made it work!  Maybe it was the allure of 'innocence' that was at an all time high from that point thru to the 50's?... 

pics: freecodesource.com, au-cinema.com, forgottenflux.com, mooninthegutter.blogspot.com, thisislondon.co.uk.com, cultureandthrills.com

40's Redux For Fall 2011

Hollywood's leading ladies of the 1940's, Florence Rice, Joan Crawford & Bette Davis were the era of the bold shoulders, pinched waists and sleek skirts.  Now flashing forward to current style trends, it's a 40's redux for Fall 2011 as we are seeing a resurgence of this once popular vintage design.

Thirty years ago, in the 80's padded shoulder designs resurfaced and it was 'out with Joan Crawford & in with Joan Collins' as her character Alexis Carrington on the then popular weekly sitcom Dallas, brought broad shoulders back into the limelight.  It was basically a huge fashion 'DO' to incorporate pads into every garment be it blouse, dress or jacket.

This year, bold shoulders are being fancied by celebrities yet again, as on the 'up side' we are seeing glam'd up versions as shown here worn by songstress Rhianna. 

Of course there's also a 'down side' as Lady Gaga has her extreme times infinity version of shoulder pads which gives her the appeal of Igor instead of Icon!  I mean seriously?!

*Random Fact: Shoulder pads have been around for decades and were originally created as a means to enhance the appearance of individuals who had narrow or sloping shoulders.     

  
pics: silverscreenmodiste.com, cemetarian.blogspot.com, trueclassics.wordpress.com, live.drjays.com, frumpytofunky.blogspot, chicstories.com, dailymail.co.uk  

End Of Summer 2011

Sad to say, Summer is winding down and coming to an end being that we pretty much only have a hand few of days left until it's officially Fall!  Soon it will be time once again to pull out the cold weather clothing that we've stored away for the warmer months, and begin to consider what's 'IN' for the brand new season come this Fall/Winter 2011.  I've done a little research and here's what I've found...  Fall is going Fun, flirty & flashy as we are going to be seeing a hefty dose of bold colors with a hint of 70's appeal.  Designers such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta & Missoni are re-vamping styles bringing back fur lapels, outrageous florals & the return of the once popular 'white tights' with a vengeance!

The vintage 70's is also going to get it's groove on with these funked up fashions as Gucci bolds it up with these over the top colorful fedoras paired with pinstripe slacks and dyed fur stoles.

Ponchos were a must have in the boho realm of the 1970's and ADAM & Alexander Wang have done an excellent job of resurrecting the style befitting the current day trends.

I think I was especially surprised to find that sequins are making a big come back this Fall as we are seeing pieces embellished with all that glitters for a glitzy fresh take on an old fave.  For instance this V-neck sequined shifty by Prada that is simple yet stunning!

It's looking like Fall 2011 is about making a bold statement so whatever you choose for your wardrobe this year, you have a free pass to be vivacious! 


pics: southfleetmotorinn.com, coolspotter.com, tarstoisoisbeau.com, fashionmefabulous.com, glamour.com




   

Fall Fur'y

Outerwear is going tactile for Fall/Winter 2011 as with the onset of the chilly temps right around the corner, we will be seeing more cold weather apparel adorned with wild & woolly patches of fur, both faux & real.  Big statement coats or chic vests worn with skinny jeans and stilettos will be the perfect pairing as opposed to opting for colors of the rainbow.  Head to toe neutrals in black, brown, beige & gray are the way to go...  During fashion week 2011, American designer Peter Som, blew the runway away with his unique take on the common fur coat by deciding to fur the sleeves only on these absolutely unique & dramatic pieces.

Tibi of New York has an amazingly diverse selection of fresh fashions, for instance they offer the ultimate in utility chic in this Tibi's fur coat combo'd with rich wool felt that has detachable sleeves and bottom panel that converts this garment into a flirty cropped fur jacket.

My personal fave comes from Burberry Prorsum which to me has captured an ultimately vintage aesthetic with their double breasted, wool tweed trench coat with black fox fur panels.  It only goes for about $3,950.00.  It's a gorgeous coat, but geeze oh' peets that's pretty pricey!

Whether you like it or not, cruelty free fur is taking a back seat to the real deal this year because 'fur' is trending hot!  Global retail sales for fur were up more than 5% putting sales at over 14 billions in spite of the current recession.  


pics: atouchofluxe.com, tumblr.com, polyvore.com, flickr.com

MOD Monday - 'That Girl'

I was thinking today about how much television has changed over the decades in regards to the new ratings standards & then I remembered a popular wholesome television show that ran for about five years from the mid sixties to the early seventies called 'That Girl'.  'That Girl' starred the then, up and coming actress Marlo Thomas.  Thomas was born in Detroit in 1937 and is the daughter of the late comedian Danny Thomas who is well known for being the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Marlo has kept her father's legacy of 'hope' alive as she has continued on as national outreach director.   

Thomas' career fell into place easily because of her father's rapport in the business, starting out in small roles and then making her own mark when she got the lead role on the popular, now vintage sitcom.  Ironically, life was imitating art or the other way around maybe, because the plot was based on the life of an aspiring actress who moves from her small hometown to make it in the big city. To many, Marlo Thomas is considered to rank up there with the top 10 fashion icons of the 60's.  From her signature flip hair style, to the bold geometric, colorful fashions she wore that inspired a generation, she was the ultimate 'girl next door' who made being smart, funny & beautiful admirable.  

In a sense, Thomas was instrumental in moving women towards the future of 'doing it for themselves' so to speak as her character Ann Marie in the show, was a young woman who graduated from college, didn't rush into getting married and having children, but rather moved away from home to live on her own and pursue her own career goals.  Looking back in retrospect, I wonder if Candace Bushnell who wrote 'Sex In The City', used Thomas' character in 'That Girl' as her muse? Or is it just a coincidence that Carrie Bradshaw & Ann Marie were both trend setting clothes horses, living in New York City?  Things that make you go Mmm? I'm pretty sure she would never fess up to it, but makes you think doesn't it?

Now in her early 70's, Marlo mostly continues to work with St. Jude but hasn't really done any acting in over a decade.  Active in fundraising for the children's cancer charity, she continues to donate all proceeds from her book, 'Thanks & Giving: All Year Long' to the hospital that offers support to gravely ill kids who otherwise couldn't afford treatment.

pics: paperplanesandmaryjanes.com, rdujour.com, tarkus-magicmac.blogspot.com, webtvwire.com, lateblooms.com, fanpix.net, singbookswithemily.wordpress.com, beautyandthebudget.onsugar.com

Spotlight Saturday - Kardashian To Wed This Evening

Another Kardashian wedding is in the works as the eldest of the sister siblings, Kim, 30, will be walking down the aisle for the second time this evening to wed professional basketball player Kris Humphries, 26.  Of course the event is going to be a media frenzy spectacular as the E Channel will be televising it in a two part special this upcoming October.  This is the second wedding for fashion mogul Kardashian.  She was married to music producer, Damon Thomas from 2000-2004. At least she waited six months to wed Humprhies, unlike her sister Khloe who wed Lamar Odom after having only been acquainted with him for like a minute. 

Random Fact: Kim Kardashian is launching her own clothing line at Sears 




pics: buzzbox.com

Fashion In Film Friday - Pulp Fiction

The film Pulp Fiction, that revived John Travolta's career and put him back on the list of Hollywood's leading men, was released in 1994 and has since become a cult classic.  Directed by the infamous Quentin Tarantino, the movie has several stories within the main plot that centers around two hit men, Vincent Vega & Jules Winnfield played by Travolta & Samuel L. Jackson.

Fashion becomes a part of the films allure when in walks Mia Wallace, as portrayed by actress Uma Thurman.  Thurman's character in the film is the classy coked up wife of a high profile mobster/loan shark.  Mia's style is a cross between the vintage bad girls of the 50's & 60's, peppered with a touch of MOD.  The black flared clam diggers paired with a simple tailored white shirt (tunic length), finished off appropriately with ballerina flats was sheer perfection in regards to the costume designs that gave this move it's retro vibe.

This is such an absolutely easy look to obtain because it's basically an effortless, yet timeless style.  So whether you opt to shop at high end department stores such as Neiman Marcus or Saxs Fifth Avenue or scale it down a bit to Macy's or Nordstrom, you're sure to find your 'Mia inspired outfit'.  

PICS: MOVIEGOODS.COM, NYDAILYNEWS.COM, FASHIONFUNHOUSEIMPOUN.CO, POLYVORE.COM           

CoCo Chanel A Nazi Spy?

The reputation of the revered designer CoCo Chanel is being put to the test as speculations have surfaced that she was a Nazi spy.  It wasn't kept a secret that she dated a German military intelligence officer during the war who was later found out to be a Abwher spy. The question remains as to whether or not she knew this info and if so, did that make her guilty by association?  A book was released this week suggesting that she did know and that she was actually a part of the operation.

American author, Hal W. Vaughan, a veteran of both World War II & the Korean War, worked with the U.S. intelligence community in Geneva and claims to have had intimate connections with international relations.  In his book, Vaughan even states that Chanel served Abwehr as Agent 7124, under the code-name 'Westminster'.  It was even suggested in his writings, that she was a liaison who attempted to orchestrate a meeting between Hitler and Winston Churchill in Madrid.  This puts a definite damper on the legacy the poverty born Chanel has left behind & since she passed in 1971, she's not here to defend the accusations.   

If she was in fact a part of the debauchery that was the Holocaust, all I have to say is..."Sucks to be you right bout' now CoCo" because those are some heavy duty irreparable sins!        




pics: torbaytorq.co.uk, documentingreality.com

Nylons/Pantyhose...Who Wears Them Anymore?

It it just me or does everyone else notice that it seems as though pantyhose/nylons are becoming extinct?  I swear, I rarely see anyone wearing them anymore.  They've been around since the 1920's when skirts started getting a bit shorter in length, at least to the knee of course.  Vintage hose were first made of silk, which made them expensive and because of the delicate nature of the spun silk material, they ran quite easily.  My mom told me that her mother used to put them on with gloves on her hands in an effort to keep them in tact. The early hose were thigh highs worn with a cumbersome garter belt to keep them from falling down.  They weren't conveniently elasticized like the ones we see today.  

Women have been wearing hose,thigh highs,tights, for years for many reasons. Number one being that they give the allure of slimness & firmness to the wearers legs.  Coming in various styles and colors they have definitely been a fashion staple for as long as they've been around and have evolved with the times with expanding styles.  Nowadays their is an amazingly wide variety to choose from in regards to patterns, colors, weaves, fishnet, smooth, sheer to waist, control top, etc...

Pantyhose had definitely went off the fashion scene for the past what seems fifteen years, for whatever reason?  Maybe it's because they're somewhat confining? At least that's my opinion.  Or maybe it's because we tend to dress more informal in the 21st Century? Regardless, I think women were opting for a more natural look and feel trading off hose for tanned bare legs.  It's all the talk in Tinsel Town that the new Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is bringing the popularity of wearing hose back in style.  Known for being a trend setter, Middleton's panache is not due to her haute couture or hats, but rather for her choice in wearing delicately sheer stockings.

So, I guess they're back 'in', for now & I suppose that there is a time and place for them for instance when going on a job interview or when dressing for a formal occasion.  I'm not a big fan of them myself, are you?  Care to share your opinions on the subject of... "To hose or not to hose?"  


pics: vintageretro.tumblr.com, treehugger.com, dreamstime.com, fashionstyle.street.com, s1.hubming.com

MOD Monday - Raquel Welch

60's sex symbol and pop culture icon, Raquel Welch was a big deal in her heyday. Born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, Illinois in 1940, she was of Spanish/American descent because her father was a Bolivian immigrant.  Prior to becoming an actress, Welch was involved in acting on a small scale doing plays in her local community theatre. She worked as a cocktail waitress and also did work modeling for the department store, Neiman Marcus.  Her first taste of being behind the camera was when she landed a gig as weather girl for a San Diego television station.

In 1965, at the age of twenty five, Raquel got her first movie roll in a campy beach film that landed her a contract with 20th Century Fox, but it wasn't until the 1966 movie 'Fantastic Voyage' that she actually achieved star status.  The movie that pushed her into her own, was the remake of 'One Million Years B.C.' which she starred in wearing nothing but a fur bikini and speaking only three lines of dialect. The movie poster for the film became a best seller and made her one of the leading sex symbols of the 60's.

Welch seemed to be solely responsible for making 'cleavage' a fashion accessory in the 60's as MOD fashions were becoming more revealing once her bodacious bod was on the scene!  Ironically, in 2010 at the age of 70 and still as fab as ever, Raquel Welch wrote a book titled..."Beyond The Cleavage" which is cited as being part autobiography and part personal philosophy on every subject from dealing with the angst of youth to aging gracefully.

Denying having had any plastic surgery, she promotes that her longevity with retaining a youthful appearance has everything to do with exercise, yoga, a strict diet, a tad of hormone replacement therapy and three hours of make up in the morning.  I don't know if I particularly buy into all of this especially after seeing this photo of her with her wig tape showing?  In all reality unless she has discovered the fountain of youth or sold her soul, there is absolutely no way in 'H-E-double hockey sticks' that anyone can be 70 and look this flawless without a little help from their friends (i.e. plastic surgeon).  It just ain't happenin'!

pics: idiotflashback.wordpress.com,dvdconversfusion.com, google.com, electricjewelryandfashion.blogspot.com, fashionfave.blogspot.com, luxlogic.blogspot.com, jeffs60s.com, blog.ladybunny.net

Spotlight Saturday - Kristen Stewart Goes Glam!

Twilight babe Kristen Stewart has been known for being a feminine tomboy with the most quirky vibe of awkwardness when speaking in public at award shows or talk shows, but on screen she has the innate ability to transform herself into any character she portrays.  Usually seen in grunge attire, the 21 year old actress says her boy'ish nature stems from being the only girl having all male siblings.  This September, Stewart's going to be kicking the femme side of herself up a notch as she will be appearing on the cover of 'W' magazine in full on glam.

pics: thehollywoodgossip.com