Jane Eyre, 2011

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This version of “Jane Eyre”, Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Director of Photography, Adriano Goldman, Costume Designer, Michael O’Connor, and Music by Dario Marianelli, seduces you in a cold, windy, embrace.  Beautifully shot, paired with evocative music, plus so many clothing details, I could hardly keep up.

The main takeaway is COLLARS.  So many delicate, artful collars, I couldn’t see anything else.  I don’t know if they were lace, embroidered linen or cotton voile, but just that they were exquisite.  You could use these for a light, prim, detail in a spring collection featuring linen and cotton shifts.  You don’t need any jewelry with collars like these.

Jane Eyre 2011 Holliday Grainger

Don’t you love her little bow brooch?

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska

I love this shot because she’s talking about being trapped and not only is she framed in a window, but the window panes act as a prison cell.

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska

Another great collar.

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska

And another.

Here are some great collar and cuff combos.  Why don’t people make a nice, lacy or embroidered cuff anymore?  It’s perfect for winter, wear it under your fave solid wool/cashmere sweater.  It adds a splash of femininity to something otherwise unisex.

Jane Eyre 2011 Tamzin Merchant

OMG how fun is this cuff?  Double layered and belled! And the collar is such a whimsical shape.

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska and Judi Dench

I love the little tie at the collar.

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska

The sleeve details, tight, pleated, layered in contrast to the full skirts give you a sense of how restrained all the women in this period are.

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska sleeve

A closer look at the sleeve.

The layered sleeves make me want to make fitted wool blazers or pea coats.

Jane Eyre 2011 scalloped sleeve Tamzin Merchant

How cute is this sleeve detail on her shoulder? Imagine it being on a felted wool pea coat? The vertical, hanging necklace is hard to see, and seems a little out of place, it’s almost like a noose around her neck, but I like it.

Jane Eyre 2011 Amelia Clarkson school uniform

Young Jane’s school uni made me think of Helmut Lang in the mid 90’s. Imagine it in black over a white shirt. So cool.

Jane Eyre 2011 Amelia Clarkson school uniform back

The back.

Jane Eyre 2011 Amelia Clarkson shoes

Jane’s shoes are the last vestige of her privileged upbringing. Crafty oxfords, please someone make these.

Jane Eyre 2011 Mia Wasikowska mesh gloves

Grey, mesh, fingerless gloves?! Gimme!

As for the the men, Mr. Rochester is a dandy when the mood suits him, but St. John, played by a grown up Jamie Bell, is always dressed in stark black and white.  I love the contrast of the soft, white, thin cravat with the bulky, black and stiff vest, coat and overcoat.

Jane Eyre 2011 Jamie Bell

This stiff, almost waxed overcoat serves as a type of emotional armor.

Jane Eyre 2011 Jamie Bell

Check out the nice, wide collar from the back. If it were a waxed cotton, it would be selling out in an All Saints shop

All in all, this version surprised me by how stunning it was visually and aurally.  Mr. Rochester always stuns me… Hello?  Sexual harassment!  But it is a classic tome, sure to be remade again, and again, but probably won’t look as cool.  Tremendous job, Michael O’Connor.

http://focusfeatures.com/jane_eyre

Jane Eyre poster. From IMDB.

Breathless

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Whatever you might think of his films, Jean-Luc Godard is a towering and inescapable influence on everything from films, photography, even (maybe subconsciously) to rap music.  I may be bored waiting for the plots to start, may not be that interested in the political or satirical points he’s trying to make, but I sooo appreciate his utter originality and convention-busting mentality.

“Breathless,” 1960, left old-style filmmaking in its wake.  Radical jump cuts and hand-held camera work only became mainstream in the MTV 80’s age of music videos.

Jean Seberg Breathless New York Hearld Tribune shirt

Why doesn’t someone makes these t-shirts so we can buy them??? You could even do a lightweight cashmere or wool. The ultra cool gamine Jean Seberg.

Jean Seberg Breathless hat

Wearing her boyfriend’s hat. She could be going to Coachella, modern, timeless.

Jean Seberg Breathless hat tank sweater

Effortlessly chic. Love the vertically knit tank. mptvimages.com

Jean Seberg Breathless tank sweater

Without the hat, so cute! Just remember smoking kills. But does look cool in black and white. I’m not gonna lie. mptvimages.com

Maybe Goddard called it Breathless because she’s so beautiful.

Jean Seberg Breathless gloves sunglasses dress

This striped dress is perfect for spring. Why did women stop wearing gloves?

Jean Seberg Breathless striped dress

With a sweater thrown over it. Notice the sweater is a fuller cut, not tight.

“Breathless,” is also a play on, “An American in Paris.” But instead of a squeaky-clean American trying not to get caught in a questionable social situation, this American girl knows what’s up, and isn’t fazed in the least by getting into a questionable social situation.

Breathless movie poster

Even his 1960 poster for “Breathless,” looks more modern than any movie playing now. Jean Luc-Godard.

Eames house at LACMA

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“California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way,” opens Oct. 1, 2011.  LACMA reassembled the Eames’s living room from their iconic Pacific Palisades home, for this exhibit.

Ricardo DeAratanha Los Angeles Times Eames House

Eames house at LACMA. Ricardo DeAratanha , Los Angeles Times

When can I move in?  How can you not be inspired living here?  Beautiful design everywhere you look and then, that gorgeous view… I saw a LACMA assembly of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s, Willow Tea Room, and found it extraordinary. Being in the space can’t compare to photos.

Homework: add something graphic and modern in your space.

Weegee show in LA

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If you’re in town around the holidays and love noirish 50’s. These would serve as a fantastic inspiration point for an editorial shoot.

weegee MOCA grand

Weegee in Los Angeles, at MOCA grand.

Rock Stars

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They do moonlight as actors sometimes or in docs but there’s no denying their influence on fashion as a cultural force; on the masses and designers.  The swagger, the creativity and unique style they project is something to respect.  And seriously, who looks better in flared jeans, you or Robert Plant?

I ran across this slideshow on Yahoo.

John Lennon New York City T-shirt Bob Gruen

John Lennon.  Photo: Bob Gruen

He’s a well known rock photog, and it’s from his new book Rock Seen.  He took this iconic shot of Lennon.

Homework: Rock out with your c**k out.  I mean that figuratively, of course.  Don’t get arrested, although that is really rock star.  But seriously, try tailoring your jeans.  Buy some vintage Levi’s that fit your waist and tailor the rest.  Make it bootcut, straight or skinny, but make sure that waist fits (no muffin tops!!!) and the rise is comfy (no cameltoe!!!).

A Room with a View

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“A Room with a View” is my favorite film.  I first saw it in high school when it came out and loved it ever since. It is perfect. The acting, direction, production design, music, and a perfectly balanced story: drama, comedy and romance!  What more could a girl want?

Maggie Smith Judi Dench A Room with a View

The high Edwardian collars and nipped waists with long flared skirts… See how great Judi Dench and Maggie Smith look, even as “women of a certain age,” in this era.

Maggie Smith Judi Dench A Room with a View

See Maggie Smith’s belt? Such a fantastic detail giving a clue to her character’s unfulfilled desire to live with more passion.

Helena Bonham Carter A Room with a View

The lace laid shawl-like over the blouse is a beauty.

A Room with a View Helena Bonham Carter Julian Sands

Their eyes lock over a sea of wild grasses.

A Room with a View Helena Bonham Carter Maggie Smith

Lucy’s dressing gown is to die for. Imagine sewing all those lace panels?! The costumes and hair play up the contrast of these two personalities, young, independent, against, older, prim, constrained by society’s expectations.

A Room with a View Helena Bonham Carter Daniel Day-Lewis

Is this fantastic or what? And look at that waist!

A Room with a View Helena Bonham Carter braid

She looks so sweet with that gorgeous thick braid and jacket.

 Isabella Cellani A Room with a View

This young lady’s image has always stayed with me. Her layered collar, full sleeves and beautifully rustic hair are magic.

 Isabella Cellani A Room with a View

Her braid from the back is exquisite.

Daniel Day-Lewis A Room with a View

The men look great too. Daniel Day-Lewis at his sourpuss best. Stiff collar, stiffer personality.

A Room with a View Julian Sands suspenders

And what can I say about Julian Sands? Never looked finer than in this film. His comfortable bohemian, free-thinking fellow allows himself to say what he feels and go for love above all else. Love the braces (suspenders)!

Director James Ivory, and producer Ismail Merchant are in a class by themselves.  Merchant Ivory films stand the test of time. Costume Designer, Jenny Beavan did a marvelous job with this one.  So many great details to choose from, I had to narrow it down.

PLEASE DON’T REMAKE IT!  Why mess with perfection?

So this is the blogosphere?.. Someone turn on the lights, I can’t see where I’m going…

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First off, yes, I know the ´ is missing. I figured it would confuse people on how to type it into their Google search.

My taste in film range from the intellectual, Tarkovsky, to the sublime-y moronic Dumb and Dumber.  I am not a snob.  I love it ALL.

Bear with me while I try to arrange my thoughts with the corresponding widgets, pages, categories, and whatever else thing-a-ma-bobbers they have here.