MOD Monday - Missoni For Target Collection

The Italian fashion house Missoni, famous for it's colorful patterns and unique knitwear is reaching out to us 'common folk' and creating a collection exclusively for Target.  Missoni has been around since 1953 and was most definitely trend worthy in the 60's with it's flair for geometric chevron & striped prints, as well as bold florals.  These pricey designs that hail from Varese, are going mainstream and quite affordable as we will be seeing pieces ranging from $19.99 to $54.99 at the popular retail store, that are all set to go for this Fall 2011. 

Their clothing styles are definitely staying true to the vintage MOD vibe that captured the essence of the 1960's proving that everything in regards to fashion revolves back around decades after they were once popular.  My question is... "Will today's youth opt for this overtly edgy fashion fare?"  I'm thinking probably not and that this will be more revered by the late 30's to 40 something crowd, because these pieces are definitely in the same form as they were over forty years ago as pictured here in this vintage Missoni swimwear ad...  

The dish is that there has been a limited supply since they hit the stores on September 13th and once they're gone, they're gone so you can either purchase them direct or online until October 13th.  

I love all things MOD however, I'm not quite sure that I would personally go to this extreme with the pairings shown above.  In my opinion, I would worry that someone would mistake me as dressing up for Halloween as a hippie or a character from the Austin Powers flick ya know? Maybe one or two Missoni accessories would suffice, but as a whole, these styles are just too busy for my taste!   


pics: ladychirpsalot.com, thebohemianluxelife.com, maggiemaggio.com, missoni.com

Fashion In Film Friday - Wild At Heart

In 1990, director David Lynch released a film called 'Wild At Heart' about two lovers on the run, played by Laura Dern (Lula) & Nicolas Cage (Sailor).  If you've ever seen a Lynch film before than you know just what to expect.  Although he never fails to be more than entertaining, his story lines usually go off in a million directions leaving the viewer wondering..."What the heck was that all about?"  For some, it was considered to be a cult classic but that subject still remains up for discussion because during the original screening people were walking out in droves.  In spite of that, 'Wild At Heart' won the prestigious Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival that year...

Between the music & the costume designs, the movie had a serious vintage vibe to it and even though it was produced in 1990, you really didn't have any idea what era it was set in.  It is a mixture of 40's, 50's, 60's & new wave retro that was the 80's.  The soundtrack includes everything from Glen Miller's 'In The Mood', Gene Vincent's 'Be-Bop-A-Lu-La' to Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game'.

From The snakeskin jacket worn by Sailor to the aerobics leotard & leggings paired with cowboy boots worn by Lula, there was a whole lot of diversity going on in this movie in regards to fashion styles.  Unlike Cage who basically wore the same outfit throughout the entirety of the film (jeans, t-shirt, jacket), Dern's wardrobe was eclectic and I'm assuming because of the title of the movie, the costume designer, Amy Stofsky knew exactly what she was doing by making the crazy personalities of the characters believable with the ability to create a free spirited feel to the roles being played. 

Usually, I give my readers a little 'how to' in regards to creating a style in accordance with the film it was inspired by, but not this week.  I don't think there's no room in any ones wardrobe for the return of the aerobic leotard!

*Wishing everyone a safe & fun filled Labor Day Weekend!

pics: geraldine-lisboa.com, posters555.com, realmovienews.com, joeyzine.com, moviemail-online.co.uk, allmoviephoto.com, davidlynch.de,                    

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  

Fashion In Film Friday - The Black Dahlia

The 2006 film, 'The Black Dahlia' set in the 1940's was based on speculations on the true events that led to the gruesome death of Elizabeth Short whose body was found sliced in half in Leimert Park on January 15th 1947, in Los Angeles, California.  To this day, the identity of her killer has not been found and it probably never will...  Short was given the nickname 'The Black Dahlia' by the newspapers, because it was common in that era to do so in an attempt to sensationalize the headlines.

Starring Scarlett Johansson, Josh Hartnett, Hilary Swank & featuring Rose McGowan, it was directed by Brian DePalma and based on the novel by the same name.  The vintage fashions in this film were detailed and accurate of the 40's when modesty was at the forefront of every day styles.  The 'big band' era, was coming to an end but the fashions of the age of swing were staying put.  Wedged cork shoes, swing dresses, lace & taffeta evening wear, simple fabric day dresses and padded shoulder, fitted jacket skirt suits were in.  Elaborate netted hats and fox tail stoles as well as delicate angora sweaters.  Hemlines & necklines were definitely reserved.

Leaving something to the imagination was the allure of femininity and the timid seductive attraction that embodied the styles of the 1940's.






pics: allmoviephoto.com, impawards.com, movies.about.com, google.com, moviesonline.ca, archive.hippopress.com