Farrah Fawcett...In The News Again?

Farrah Fawcett is in the news today in spite of the fact that she passed away close to two years ago.  Her ex long time lover Ryan O'Neal has come forward to claim that he believes the stress from their tumultuous relationship brought on her illness and ultimately cost her her life.  I personally think that idea's a bit out there, but reading the article gave me my inspiration for todays post.

Farrah Fawcett was an American born actress and stated to have also been an artist although I had never heard of her stating any fame from it.  The only art I knew she was involved with, centered around the photo shoot she agreed to do for Playboy when she hit her fifties in the 90's.  Having turned down anything that had to do with being nude in movies and the media throughout her career, this came as a complete shock to her fans!  That spread was the best selling issue ever, topping out at over 4 million sold.

    
In her early career, Farrah started out in commercials & she was a spokes model for Breck shampoo, Noxema, Ultra Brite toothpaste & the 1975 Mercury Cougar.  She then went on to further her acting career landing a role on the popular hit show of the late seventies, 'Charlie's Angels' opposite Jaclyn Smith & Kate Jackson.  It wasn't until 1976 when she posed for the infamous red swim suit poster, that she became an overnight sex symbol.  That poster sold over 12 million copies world wide & the only overtly sexual aspect of the photo was that her headlights were on ah ha! 

She was also considered to be in the top 100 most influential fashion icons of the seventies with her skimpy clothes, big smile and mass of blond curls.  It was even suggested that she deserves some major kudos for inspiring the glamazon Victoria's Secret "Angel" look since her legendary hairstyle has been mega duped on the catwalk.

Unfortunately, I can't help but remember how in the end of her career, she became a bit wacky and eccentric with her flighty antics during talk show interviews & other televised media events.  I think this was due majorly in part to the fact that Farrah was having an issue with the idea of growing old.  It was evident in the bad nip/tucks, that she was chasing time and wasn't interested in the concept of aging gracefully...

All of that changed in the end as Farrah let go of worrying about esthetics or how the world saw her physical self when she let us all see her battle with cancer in a very raw and intimate account of her day to day struggle with the disease that ultimately ended her life.  She redeemed herself in the public eye and left behind her a legacy of strength, dignity and grace that will never be forgotten.


: ioffer.com , babble.com , rockthe411.com , leninimports.com , manshappy.wordpress.com 

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

Today would have marked the 85th Birthday of the legendary bombshell, Marilyn Monroe.  She was born Norma Jean Mortenson in 1926, in Los Angeles California, but was baptized Norma Jean Baker.  She spent the majority of her childhood in foster homes & began her career as a model which later led to her landing her first role in the 1946 film, 'Contract'.  In spite of playing the role of a bimbo, Monroe was quite intelligent and an avid reader.  

She was curvy and far from being waif thin like the models we often see today.  She was the standard for her time. Women wanted to be her, often emulating her fashion style of the 50's. Little does anyone know, she was solely responsible for creating her own iconic look...platinum blond hair, full red pouty lips and knock em' dead dressed to accentuate her hourglass shape!  She knew what she was doing, and boy did it work for her!

It was in the news just today, that thirty years ago, Anton Fury of New Jersey randomly bought an envelope full of negatives at a garage sale and found out after having them developed, that there were thirty three pictures of the late actress/vintage sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe...An unexpected treasure!  He stated after buying them, he tucked them away for a few decades and is now interested in having them appraised.

A 'rare find' such is this is, is a perfect example of why I love doing what I do!


                                  "Happy Birthday Norma Jean!"


: cbsnews.com  marilynmonroeart.net  etsy.com wallpaperstock dhantenan

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

Mae West

Before Marilyn and before Madonna, there was Mae West, Hollywood's first superstar sex symbol and the original blonde bombshell.

 

born Aug. 17, 1893, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S. — died Nov. 22, 1980, Los Angeles, Calif.)

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