MOD Monday - Julie Driscoll

In the 60's, music had a huge influence on the fashions that shaped the 'Mod movement' and British singer Julie Driscoll was definitely in the realms of those who inspired people to dress a certain way.  Hailing from London, England, she started out staking her claim to fame by covering a Bob Dylan original titled "This Wheel's On Fire" and soon thereafter became instrumental in defining the psychedelic era that was British music.  In her teens, Driscoll was the prez of the Yardbirds fan club.  

As she progressed on through to the 70's she focused her musical talents in the genre of Jazz and since then goes by the name of Julie Tippet's, having taken on her married name.  In the late 60's, Julie's bohemian style became truly representative of the vintage mod fashion scene.  

The bohemian 60's was different from the hippie 60's in that it wasn't about baring your feet and wearing flowers in your hair.  It was more of a flowy maxi skirts, floppy hats, boas, faded torn blues and cheese cloth blouses that you can see through (I know because my aunt had one!) were what boho was all about. The mod mix in of course was the pixie hair do that was being duped by everyone from Twiggy, to Mia Farrow!

This Fall 2011, we've been seeing a resurgence of the vintage mod styles in stores everywhere!  Mod boho is one of the simplest to emulate with just a few simple additions to your wardrobe.

My fave Julie Driscoll tune is "Season Of The Witch" which was originally put out by the artist Donovan.  In her time, she was totally a hipster chick!



pics: tumblr.com, psychedeliclion.blogspot.com, polyvore.com, broadcast090511.cocolog-nifty.com 

Gaga & Faris Go Hepburn...Who Wore It Best?

Both comedic movie star Anna Faris & pop singer Lady Gaga were seen wearing the same Audrey Hepburn inspired dress this past weekend. Gaga was in Vegas at the 'iHeartRadio Music Festival' & Faris was out and about in New York making a guest appearance on Letterman. The vintage knock off was designed by Moschino, for the Italian fashion houses Fall 2011 collection. Of course Gaga glammed up her version with some Fendi black sunglasses, pearl'esque necklace & Ferragamo black leather evening gloves.  Lady Gaga also went as far as to have her hair coiffed in the signature Hepburn chignon.  Faris on the other hand went more demure, accentuating her dress on a more simpler note with her only accessory being a pair of strappy Louboutins.  

Who do you think captured the 'true' essence of the legendary icon in full swag? 


pics: heatworld.com, dressingupindaisies.onsugar.com      




   

Going For Baroque?

Of all the style trends that were popular for Spring/Summer 2011, I have to say the oddest in my opinion was the 'Baroque' style sunglasses frames & the variations produced by several designers.  Baroque, by definition was an era in which everything in regards to music, clothing, dance and art were overly exaggerated.  This started in around 1600 in Rome Italy.  I'm sure you'd know exactly what I'm talking about if you picture the women as well as the men who wore the tall white wigs and elaborately adorned clothing?

So now you get the idea in regards to what Baroque is all about right? O.k., so there's this designer, Moo Piyasombatkul, who's such a newbie that Wikipedia hasn't even categorized her yet.  Anywho, this 23 year old Thai designer who lives in both London & Bangkok has come up with her own take on vintage Baroque by creating the most architecturally inspired eye wear frames.  She intricately embellishes each pair with opulent porcelain motifs inspired by versions of 17th century furnishings.  She came up with the idea when she spontaneously repaired a pair of her fave broken glasses with clay.

She was quoted as saying that "Whatever the body relates to is jewelry & statement pieces can change a look entirely"...


Don't know about you, but I don't plan on running out and going for 'baroque' anytime soon?  I'll stick with my good old vintage aviator frames...    




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Fashion In Film Friday - FOOTLOOSE

Who doesn't remember the movie that inspired a generation to get up and 'dance'?!  The 1984 film Footloose, starring then acting newbie Kevin Bacon and unknown starlet Sarah Jessica Parker, was about a hip Chicago teen, Ren McCormack (portrayed by Bacon), who moves to a small rural town and soon thereafter discovers that no dancing is allowed as well as any rock music due to the banning of it after the local minister's son was killed in a car accident.

Don't know about you, but I still have the soundtrack of vintage 80's tunes that were the backdrop to this amazing classic.  Aside from the music, the fashions in the film were depicting of the small town values and the rebellious teens who more than desired to break free from them.  Relaxed and loose was the style choices for this flick.  Cutoffs, jeans, cowboy boots, flannel shirts & white tees were worn by both male and female cast members to give the laid back feel needed to make the storyline believable.  At the end of the film, we get to see them all gussied up as they pull off a prom in a barn after the pastor lifts the 'no party' rule... 

Like Flashdance, and every other 80's dance inspired movie, Footloose fashion trends fell into place with a quickness mostly because it was an easy and affordable style to acquire...

 *RANDOM FACT: A remake of Footloose is in the works to be released this year starring Kenny Wormald & Julianna Hough       


pics: posters555.com, matttrailer.com, bing.com, polyvore.com

70's Vintage Punk Rock Vixen Wendy O Williams

Before there was Madonna, Lady Gaga, or any other who was considered to be a 'shock rocker' female pop star, there was a force to be reckoned with and her name was Wendy O Williams.  If you were growing up in the late seventies to early eighties, you know exactly who I'm talking about!  In July of 1978, her band 'The Plasmatics' gave it's debut performance at the infamous CBGB in New York. Williams instantly became a punk rock cult icon for the ages and had a consistent following during her career thereafter.  

If you think today's female musicians have pushed the envelope in regards to what's considered controversial or taboo, Wendy O puts them in the rank of saints compared to her on stage antics. Williams was an intense personality on every level and it came through in her lyrics, her persona and most of all her wardrobe which was mostly 'skin'.  She was big on strategically placed electrical tape.  In the early 80's she was arrested several times for simulating sex on stage, attempting battery on an officer and for perpetrating obscene conduct.  She even went as far as to perform in nothing but shaving cream on one occasion!  This chick was off the hook crazy and the crowds ate it up!

After The Plasmatics went their separate ways, Williams attempted a solo career in 1984 when she released an album titled "W.O.W" that was produced by Kiss members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley & Ace Frehley.  She also gave a shot at acting appearing in the 1986 indie film, 'Reform School Girls'.  She ended up retiring all together in 1991 and toned it down quite a bit ending up working in a health food store, citing that she was just sick of people!   

Unfortunately, Wendy O Williams stage act was not an act at all, the brash & hardcore personality she portrayed to the public, was really who she was on the inside.  In 1993 she attempted suicide by hammering a knife into her chest but she changed her mind when it just lodged in her sternum.  Another attempt occurred in 1997 with an ephedrine overdose and finally she succeeded on April 6th 1998 when she went into the woods near her home and shot herself.  She was only 48.  This vintage music vixen was the epitome of a bad girl style icon and definitely paved the way for those who followed in her footsteps, so f.y.i. it wasn't a big revelation when Amy Whinehouse, Lady Gaga or Pink rocked the tape, as the punk rock vixen queen of 'shock & awe', Wendy O Williams had 'been there and done that' when they were still in diapers!        

 : hangout.altsounds.com  , fabsugar.co.uk , flickr.com , myspace.com , noisy-subculture.blogspot.com , corbisimages.com , chorniccandy.com, binside.typepad.com , tatparade.blogspot.com

Fashion In Film Friday!

It's that time of the week again here at Retro Threadz where we discuss a film that inspired the world of fashion and this weeks movie is..."Valley Girl" circa 1983 starring Deborah Foreman and Nicolas Cage who at the time the movie was made had not yet made his mark in Hollywood as a reputable actor. 

The term Valley Girl was a stereotype given to a group of ditzy, materialistic, self-centered and often promiscuous California girls in the 80's.  They even were characterized as having created their own language called 'valspeak' which coined phrases such as "Ohhh my gawd"..."totally awesome"..."that's so gnarly" and the unforgettable.."whatever!!!"  More than the language became a trendy fad, the fashions choices of the Vals which originated in California spread out to the United States. This style included colorful headbands, leg warmers worn with heels, ra-ra skirts which have been seen making there way back to the racks, mini skirts worn with leggings, sweatshirts with cut collars worn off one shoulder, dresses with thick shoulder pads & polo shirts with the collar poppin'!

Of course the style has made it's way back to current day, as does pretty much every vintage fashion trend once passed as we are seeing more bold, colorful statement pieces both in jewelry and clothing.

The 80's ROCKED and not just because it was the decade I grew up in of course!  The music, the fashion, the vibe..."Yeah..It was all pretty 'bitchin'!" 

 movieposter.com , thisnext.com , 1.bp.blogspot.com , polyvore.com          

Fashion In Film Friday

In 1977 John Travolta's role in the classic hit movie Saturday Night Fever about a troubled Brooklyn teen trying to make it as a dancer, shot him to stardom as an instant sex symbol of the 70's.        

  
Besides popularizing disco music around the world, the fashions in this film started a major style trend with synthetic fabrics that gave four star status to nylon and polyester.  This was the time of butterfly collars, bell bottom pants and handkerchief hemline dresses.  Clothing was comfortable and most of all danceable!

This style is still, and always will be quite universal so much so that it even made it's way to Suneet Verma, the Delhi based designer who closed the Lakme '10th Annual Fashion Week' last year with his 'Night Fever Collection'.
His pieces included silk georgette net and organza of the late 70's & sequin sheeting of the 80's. Staying true to the theme, his show was full on with mirror balls and Donna Summers/Bee Gees disco tracks!

Whether you love it or hate it...DISCO is never gonna die!!! 

pics: latinomusiccafe.com, l.yimg.com, getahead.rediff.com