Emmy Winner Designed Her Own Dress...

Up until this weekend, I had absolutely no idea who actress Melissa McCarthy was and then I saw the hilarious movie 'Bridesmaids' that's out on DVD today.  I'm not one for watching television so the sitcom 'Mike & Molly' that she won her Emmy for 'outstanding lead actress in a comedy series', was news to me!  In an interview she stated that she couldn't find a dress that appealed to her to wear to the yearly event, so she decided to design something for herself.  McCarthy said her love for creating fashions goes way back to her college years as she initially pursued her passion for textiles & fabrics by attending design school with the intent of ending up in that field.  The purple gown created was a joint effort being that she got Danielle Pearl who is a reputable couture dressmaker on board with her in her project.  Melissa was quoted as saying the piece was "wildly comfortable".  In my opinion, the dress did absolutely nothing to flatter her plus size figure and there was a definite lack of lines or variations in patterns to do the job.  I'm totally not fond of the empire waist on full figured gals and the dress was so long that you can't even see the shoes she chose to wear which could have been a focal point for accentuating the otherwise dismal dress.  Because she's rather short, I would have chose a more delicate fabric, like a layered chiffon in anything but deep purple, maybe black with intricate beading accents and perhaps a bolero jacket to give the illusion of height.  Seriously, anything but this!... 

This comedic actress is far from a plain Jane, so it really disappoints me that it was her first time to shine in the spot light and she didn't hit the mark!   


pics: nydailynews.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

Fashion In Film Friday

'Almost Famous' was the movie that made the bohemian style of the laid back 70's 'famous' again...  It is a fictional tale based around a young teen who lands a job an intern reporter for Rolling Stone mag and his adventures following the band Stillwater, in an effort to get his first cover story published.

The 2000 film is in part autobiographical being that the movies director Cameron Crowe, was himself a teenage writer for Rolling Stone and the flick depicts certain aspects of that time in his life.  It's Kate Hudson's character, the groupie Penny Lane that we remember most about this movie. Penny is the perfect blend of carefree, rocker/hippie chic who's fashion sense in nothing but fun and fearless!  Gypsy, halter tops & peasant blouses.  Paisley prints, stone washed denim cut offs and shearling jackets.  This film reeked of the youthful rebellion that spawned from the 70's! 

Designers have emulated the styling of Hudson's character Penny Lane as seen here by Alberta Ferretti with her 'boho couture collection'...

There's a little wild child in each of us, so here's some ideas if you plan on channeling your inner Penny Lane with this vintage retro rewind timeless fashion style!....You know you want to!

pics: cinematic-fashion.blogs.com, polyvore.com, oudailyfashion.wordpress.com, queensofvintage.com, jetflicks.info.com, amazon.com

Michigan Teen Wins Oscar Gown For Prom!

Kayla Staskiewicz of Waterford Michigan, was the 'belle of the ball' after winning a contest her father entered her in, hosted by Detroit's NBC tv station WDIV.  The prize for one winner, was getting to borrow the crystal embellished, $25,000 Versace gown Christina Ricci wore to the Oscars in 1999.  The cincher to the big win was being able to fit in the size 0 pale grey couture piece owned by the actress.  Ten other girls were in the running, but Ms. Staskiewicz was the modern day Cinderella, fitting into it perfectly!

The Italian fashion house of Versace's is known for styles that are out of the norm in regards to colors, materials & cuts that harbor clingy, glamorous and sensual silhouettes.  This number worn by Ricci at the 71st Academy Awards in 99' was no exception.  Speaking of 'out of the norm', recently, Christina was caught by the paps at the May 2011 Met Gala wearing a Zac Posen vintage inspired gown that appeared to be more of a costume she might have worn in a Tim Burton film!  This was more of a webbed disaster than a Gothic romance piece dont'cha think?  Guess you just can't win em' all!

pics: luxurylaunches.com , bellasugar.com

Sans Vintage at the 2011 Oscars

Just like I look forward to the Grammy’s every year to see ‘who wore what’ & 'who wore it best', I get just as excited that the Oscars always follow.  However, I was a bit disappointed that the 2011 Oscars were pretty much sans vintage in comparison to years past. It seems as though there were only a handful of female celebs who chose to don themselves in vintage couture or vintage inspired for this extravagant media overloaded event.

Guest host for the evening, Anne Hathaway had many changes throughout the night but the one dress that stuck out for me was the vintage inspired ruby red frock by Valentino that was definitely reminiscent for me of the dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in 'Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend'. I loved the timeless design of this piece.

Academy award winner Marissa Tomei who is well known on the red carpet for having an eye for vintage chose a 1950 couture Charles James dress from ‘Lily et’ cie’ that was navy satin on the top with iridescent plum organza ruffles on the bottom.  I personally did not like her choice this year alongside with the fashion police.

Nominee for best actress in a supporting role, Mila Kunis was my pick this year for best dressed.  She was ethereal in the light lavender lace gown from the Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture Collection.  This dress was not vintage but totally rocked the vibe.

The most controversial gown of the evening was worn by Livia Firth, wife of Academy award winner for this years best actor for his role in ‘The King’s Speech’.  Livia was draped in a pale hued ‘upcycled’ gown created from 11 recycled vintage dresses from the 1930’s by designer Gary Harvey. The only element new in the whole garment was the thread that was used to stitch it together.

Although I found this dress rather drab, I embrace the statement she was making with her choice to go for the ‘green’ side of design.

source: stylebistro.com , vintageclothing.about.com , justjared.buzznet.com   examiner.com