Natalie Portman’s Lanvin Dress

The moment Natalie Portman posed on the Golden Globes’ red carpet in that fabulous two-toned Lanvin dress I was immediately reminded of the red dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face  and the iconic dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when she sang “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Some fifty years later and Natalie Portman wears a similar dress but still looks like a modern yet timeless movie star.

      

Oscar de la Renta’s New Exhibit

Yesterday my father and I went to the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute on 69th and Park to see Oscar de la Renta’s Joaquín Sorolla and the Glory of Spanish Dress exhibit, which celebrated not only the spanish dress but its culture and customs through dress. Bridal customs, farming attire, flamenco dancers, and matadors outfits were only some of the exquisitely designed 19th century pieces on display. I have never seen such attention to detail and fabric before. It was a sight to see especially when today’s everyday wear dully consists of jeans and sweaters. The exhibit further cemented in me that our culture today really only exists by cycling and recycling past looks and cultural trends like the mod dress for instance. There is nothing new.  So once again once was old is now new again.Which brings me to my next point. Intertwined with the original spanish outfits were contemporary pieces made by design houses like Oscar de la Renta (who has always found Spanish culture at the root of his inspiration for almost every collection), Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Christian LaCroix, Eve Saint Laurent, and of course, Chanel. The dresses were all circa the 2000s.

I could only find two of the looks on display online, but if you have a chance to see the exhibit before it closes on March 10th, it could be neither a waste of time nor money.

Balenciaga Fall 2006

Christian LaCroix Spring 2006

 

The 1940s Dress

Miu Miu Fall 2011

Anna Sui Spring 2012

Proenza Schouler Spring 2012

Proenza Schouler Spring 2012

ADAM Spring 2012

After Miu Miu’s Fall 2011 Collection took fashion by storm, appearing in countless magazines and being worn all over the red carpet, it was evident that everyone was obsessing over those 1940s inspired dresses, well the whole collection actually! So what is the nicest form of flattery? Copying. Well I beg to differ, but my parents always told me to not be upset if someone was copying something I originally did. So Miu Miu should be flattered that such design houses have found inspiration by converting the fall dress into a spring look by using bright hues and intoxicating design! Such bright beautiful flower patterns!

Photos c/o elle.com

The Most Memorable Fashion Moments in Film

Today TMC showed Rebel Without a Cause. I had thousands of channels at my disposal, but when a good film comes on, I just can’t pass it up. I called to my 20 year old sister who was making lunch in the kitchen and asked her if she’d ever seen a James Dean film. After she replied “no,” I got the idea to make a list of the films that have had iconic fashion moments and that still inspire fashion designers today. Everyone should watch these movies, they have come to define our American culture after all!

When coming up with my list of most memorable fashion in film, it seems that the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s has dominated the era of great style, great designers, and great moments.

So what are the most beautiful fashion films? Here’s a list of 12 great films with greater fashion moments (in no particular order).

1. A Single Man — With fashion designer Tom Ford as the director, A Single Man was bound to be heavily influenced by fashion. And guess what? He didn’t disappoint. From the saturated images to the crisp white button downs, Tom Ford is meticulous about color and style. For a first time film maker, he not only impressed but surpassed everyone’s expectations. After watching the movie you wonder why a man wouldn’t wear anything but a Tom Ford suit!

2. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)–The movie that made James Dean an icon. The troubled story of three teenagers searching for a greater meaning in their life has become a story that outlasted the 1950s. The famous line when Jimmy Stark cries out to his parents, “you’re tearing me apart!” is a line that most teenagers can relate to regardless of the decade they grew up in. But what is most remembered is James Dean’s rebellious outfit: jeans, a white tee, and his red jacket. You can’t get much cooler than that! An outfit that symbolizes his inner rebellion.

3. Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s– Every movie Audrey Hepburn is in is worthy of being on this list. Designers like Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy saw film as an opportunity of dressing Hepburn in beautiful clothes making film her own personal runway. Making a “cinderella transformation” turning from an ordinary “funny faced” girl to a sophisticated posh woman, Audrey Hepburn shows that clothes do not make the person brings out the inner confidence of any women.

4. Rear Window–My first inkling when I saw Lisa Fredmont (Grace Kelly) strut into Jeff’s (Jimmy Stewart) apartment in a dress with a black bodice and a white tulle full skirt, I was sure Dior had designed the costumes for the movie. His “New Look” collection had debuted just weeks before. To my surprise, it was none other than legendary iconic costume designer Edith Head who was responsible for such elegant ensembles. Whether it be a daytime suit or silk negligee, all five pieces will grab your utmost attention in detail, color, and the overall grace that Grace Kelly exhibits.

5. To Catch A Thief — It would be unfair to include Rear Window without acknowledging Edith Head’s continued work in dressing Grace Kelly for Alfred Hitchock films. Grace Kelly continues to enamor audiences with such stunning outfits. The simplicity of Edith Head’s design is complimented by the acute attention to detail.

6. Annie Hall– Well La-Di-Da La-Di-Da, Annie Hall in menswear heated up the screen by making it sexy to don a pair of jeans and a flannel. It’s not just a film that broke almost every mold of how a Hollywood film should be made (i.e speaking directly to the camera, and the famous balcony screen), but the fashion was just as taboo. Diane Keaton (as Annie Hall) menswear revolutionized and catalyzed a change in mainstream culture that is still prevalent today. I currently sit in my flannel button up and corduroys while I write this post to you. So thank you Annie Hall for making it acceptable and sexy to wear man’s clothing.

7. Atonement– Although it did not win an Oscar for Best Costume Design, Atonement was nominated for the category. With roles like The Dutchess and Pride & Prejudice, Atonement seems more modern for Knightley, but there is no denying that films that take place in the past is where Knightley feels most in her element. And to really cement Atonement as a film with great fashion, Kiera Knightley posed for numerous magazines wearing that famous green dress, which further marks its place in film fashion history.

8. An English Patient–Another movie centered around World War II, An English Patient captures audiences not only by its flashback sequences and a riveting love story, but through the beautiful safari clothing–crisp white tops with beautifully-made khaki jackets and earth-toned pants. The English Patient won the Oscar for Best Costume Design in 1996.

9. Blow-Up–In London during the Swinging Sixties of sexual liberation and freedom of expression, a photographer takes a beautiful model to a desolate park and believes he witnessed a murder. With mod sixties dresses and Twiggy inspired looks,Blow Up is full of great fashion moments and Italian director Antonioni is credited with making the thin model as muse.

10. La Dolce Vita– You may not think there is anything sweet about La Dolce Vita after watching it, but the clothes sure look good. A film about the temptations of a rich and famous life takes Marcello (played by Marcello Mastroianni) into a life of cheating, lying, and deceiving resulting in an incomplete quest for happiness and love. However winning costume designer, Piero Gherardi, makes sure everyone looks fabulous, making it hard to resist a life of such superficiality. La Dolce Vita is also a cultural movie–full of Alfa Romeos, vespas, Latin Lovers and most importantly the fitted Italian made suit with the skinny black tie that remains a timeless suit.

Start the New Year Off Bright!

1. Matthew Williamson ($385) 2. Victoria, Victoria Beckham, 3. Marni ($74) 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs ($498) 5. Marchesa ($775) 6. Michael Kors ($1795) 7. Matthew Williamson ($765)

Florescent Yellow and Girly Pink are the must have colors for this spring season.

Splurge or Steal On This Drop-Waist Little White Dress

Lately I have been looking around for appropriate yet stylish outfits that show off both my professionalism as well as my own personal style. Now 22 and a senior graduating college its time to sophisticated my wardrobe while still maintaining my own flare. The hunt has been harder than I thought. But while shopping around I found this beautiful winter-white drop-waist dress by Victoria, Victoria Beckham  which I assume to be priced at around $800 to $1000. On the right is Top Shop’s tennis dress for a steal at £85.  So would you Splurge or Steal?

New York For The Holidays

Although there is nothing more touristy than seeing the big Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza, you just have to do it. I didn’t go ice skating (the line was a 3+ hour wait) but I did walk along 5th Ave to go shopping/see the window displays at some of the most well-known stores in the world. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it up to Bergdorf Goodman’s or Barney’s, but I did make it to Henri Bendels (picture shown above). There’s nothing more American than converting a strong female icon, Lady Liberty into a sex symbol! Am I right? Wearing a one shoulder dress with a slit that reveals her entire leg, our Lady Liberty looks more like the sexiest most fashionable model than a woman that promotes freedom and democracy. It seems that Lady Liberty is changing with the times.

Flat White’s Flat White Coffee

 

Europe is incompetent when it comes to making ice coffees, but ask for a latté and you’re in for a treat. Although the London cafes including Starbucks make  down Americano on ice and if you ask for an iced coffee, they have perfected the lattés and flat whites (after ordering them several times I still don’t know why a flat white is so different from a latté) in London. Definitely worth the £4 (almost $7 coffee, and you think Starbucks is bad!).

As you can see from the picture, the froth has a detailed leaf created inside. I am not lying when I say, you cannot get a latté in London without a design on top. Maybe that’s how they get away with charging so much! And although Starbucks is just as highly demanded in London as it is any US city, many people still enjoy the ambience of a one-of-a-kind cafe. This photo was taken on one of my last days in London at a cafe in Soho called Flat White. It’s like a labyrinth getting there and the cafe is so small you will probably walk right by it a couple of times, but it’s worth the search. It could have possibly been one of the best coffees I’ve ever had. It is true, I’ve never been to Italy, but I would never steer you wrong.

I could use a Flat White coffee right now.

Making Fur A Staple

I’ve wanted a fur vest for two years now. I bought one from Urban Outfitters last winter and ended up returning it. I didn’t have the confidence to wear one out in public. But every time I’d go shopping, I’d gravitate to the fur vest rack every chance I had.

I found that on my 5’2″ frame, fur seemed to consume body. It was like the fur was wearing me instead of me wearing the fur!

Disappointed that I couldn’t pull it off, I gave up on fur for a while. But when I was at Forever21 over Thanksgiving holiday, I found a $30 fur vest I just couldn’t pass up. If it just hung in my closet, I didn’t mind since it was such a cheap investment. And who knows, maybe I’d find cause to wear it.

Well, from the picture above you can see that I did end up wearing it–with a pink and white striped fitted Ralph Lauren blouse. I found that combat boots, leggings, and a fur vest wasn’t working for me so I made it an accessory of a preppier ensemble. I paired it with a pair of Gap jeans and loafers I bought in Paris. Instead of street sartorial, I found that fur works for me if I try looking classy, not edgy.

Shoe Museum? Nope, Just Selfridges

I’ve been in many boutiques, shops, and department stores with beautiful interior design and an exquisite set up of clothing on the racks, but I’ve never in my life seen anything like what I saw at Selfridges on Oxford Street in London. The shoe section is more like walking through a museum as you appreciate the design of a £1000 shoes than a place to just buy them. But what was most surprising was the larger than life shoes that were displayed throughout the shoe section.  I  know Carrie Bradshaw would just die.