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

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

FAD FLASH! - Snakeskin Pedicure

There's a new fad going around that involves of all things... 'SNAKES'!  The reptile has been around for ev'.  It's been on your bags and on your shoes and now it's making it's way to your toes!  Snakeskin pedicures are the new fad and women are forking out the $300 bucks it costs to have 'real' & "yes you heard me right...snakeskin sheds adhered to their toenails!"  A California manicurist, Terri Silacci of Monterey California's Euphoria Lounge Salon & Spa, came up with the idea when one of her children brought home a piece of snakeskin from science class.  She said it took her about six months to perfect the whole process which involves using 'Bio Sculpture Gel' instead of regular nail polish & a custom cut piece of snakeskin scaled to the size of each toe.  

Regardless of the fact that 'no animal' is being killed or maimed for the sake of vanity, I know that I personally don't dig the whole idea of snakeskin being adhered anywhere on 'me'. Maybe it's because I 'HATE' snakes?  


"Sssssssssss!"   


pics: spaweekblog.com, mysnakeskinpedicure.com, footluxe.com