Rodarte and Don Giovanni

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The sisters Mulleavy are following up their success with “Black Swan” to designing the costumes for LA Phil’s “Don Giovanni,” in May.  This production also includes the Dude, (not Jeff Bridges) Gustavo Dudamel conducting, and Frank Gehry doing set design, and coincidentally being performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall also designed by Mr. Gehry.  Wow.  That is just too fantastic for words.

Home grown talent!

Their Fra Angelico collection is on view in the Italian Renaissance gallery at LACMA.  It’s in their permanent collection so you have time to pencil it in.

Hollywood and the Ivy Look

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Not to be confused with Blue Ivy, mini Beyonce.

This is a new book from Reel Art that tracks the satorial influence of preppies on hipsters from 1956 to 1965.

Anthony Perkins. Classic clothes always look good.

So strange to think of McQueen's style as preppie, but i guess it was in this decade. He's still the man.

Paul Newman was really fine, wasn't he?

http://www.reelartpress.com/catalog/edition/43/hollywood-and-the-ivy-look

 

Fred Segal Sale

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OK.  It’s sale time.  Private pre-sale.  50% off selected merch starts Thursday, Jan. 12th, from 5pm-9pm.  420 & 500 Broadway, Santa Monica.  Sale continues to Jan. 22nd.

I worked one of these sales and it was crazy.  But I was paid in cash and got a Fred Segal tee, so it wasn’t that bad.

Good deals to be had if you have any $$ leftover from Xmas.

 

 

Eve Arnold RIP

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I first saw her work as a child.  She was behind the lens for my favorite National Geographic photo.  I think it stuck with me because it wasn’t some peasant woman squatting in a rice paddy, the common rural Asian woman shot.  This was a young woman, probably not that much older than I at the time, training horses for the Mongolian militia.  She is serene, focused, and in total control of this animal easily over 800 lbs.  The lush field with wildflowers was vaguely reminiscent of Alaska in the summer, so I could see myself as her, if I were born in Mongolia.

I still remember this photo, from 30 (!) years ago. From Guardian UK, Magnum Photos.

She’s one the first women the Magnum Photography Agency signed.  She’s known for her naturalistic photos of celebs on-set.  Marilyn was a fave, and subject of two books.  She also did reportage in far flung places such as South Africa and China.

Marilyn Monroe 1955. Guardian UK, Magnum Photos.

Marilyn Monroe, Long Island 1955. Guardian UK, Magnum Photos.

Anthony Quinn and Anna Karina on-set of "The Magnus," 1976. Guardian UK, Magnum Photo.

She really captures Marlene in the photo below.  The graphic quality of black and white.  The blonde hair, the leg, the black dress.  One of those people who you needn’t see their face and still know it’s them.

Marlene Dietrich, 1952. Guardian UK, Magnum Photos.

Eve Arnold, died Wednesday, January 4th. She was 99.

 

 

Shame on Saturday

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I saw it this morning at the Landmark Theatres in W. LA.

Film books.

The bar. Tempted, but it was 10:30 in the morning.

I moved to SF before they did all the renovation. It’s quite different that the small little theaters that were here before. I had a Peet’s latte and popcorn with real butter. $9.50 for the matinee, and the seats were a leather couch. Boy things sure do change.

The movie was pretty intense. I’m glad I saw it during the day. Fassbender was tremendous. I hope he gets nominated.

Downton Abbey

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Season 2 starts Friday.  Set you DVRs.

From writer Julian Fellowes, “Gosford Park,” comes Downton Abbey.  He’s described it as having the look of “Masterpiece Theater” with the pacing of “The West Wing.”  Check it out.  You can watch Season 1 instantly on Netflix (that’s what I’m doing) to catch up.  It follows the upper crusty Crawley family, and their servants right after the sinking of the Titanic.

Costume designer Susanna Buxton has her hands full. Each lady has teagowns, nightgowns, evening gowns, day dresses. Whew! And that's just the girls.

Silk chiffon and embroidered lace.

Harem pants! A new sensation.

I guess footmen were the Edwardian bling of their day. The taller, better-looking, smartly dressed (at their employer's expense) footmen you had, the richer you looked.

Conversely, the maids had to pay for and make their own dresses and aprons. The evening apron was required to be more decorative and that cost $$$. Not very fair.

 

 

Poshmark App

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No need to trudge down to Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads Trading Co. anymore! (Those twats didn’t buy back my Notify or James Jeans but they were buying used FAKE Uggs?)

The Poshmark App lets you take a picture of your item, post it on their site, and they handle the transaction, and pay you once the buyer receives the merch in good condition.  Their cut is 20%, and every buyer pays a flat $9 shipping fee.

The makers started a Poshmark community, and people could interact and re-post items on it.  You can also share your merch on Facebook and Twitter.  Only for the iphone right now, and it’s frickin’ free to boot.

http://www.apparelnews.net/news/retailing/123011-Poshmark-App-Takes-Fashion-Sharing-Mobile

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Karl Lagerfeld for Net-A-Porter

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I loves me some Karl Lagerfeld. His “The Day Before,” for Fendi on Sundance, is THE best.  When his head seamstress at Fendi breathlessly recounts her first meeting with him and says, “I am his disciple.”  So am I, I said aloud, mesmerized by his Karlness.

He designs for Chanel and Fendi, two of the most luxurious labels, plus his own line.  That’s how many collection each year, for each line?  Everything he does is at such a high level, and to do that for three brands boggles the mind.

So, I am a little puzzled by the first looks released by Net-A-Porter for his “lower” priced line for them, debuting Jan. 25.  This is NOT a blog that snipes or bashes people.  But I can question and maybe disagree, can’t I?

These proportions throw me. Baggy 3/4 sleeve top (baseball style?) with short pleated skirt? Volume + volume? Those two items look a little too frumpy for detachable collar and leather fingerless gloves. Like an S & M-y cheerleader?

Sharkskin double-breast jacket with houndstooth printed pants that unzip? Is it the styling that's throwing me? It's WAY too much.

There are more, but I’m not going to beat a dead horse.  I’ll just say more detachable collars and fingerless gloves.  I know it’s a play on how Karl dresses himself, but I think it could’ve been… How should I say it?  A little more exquisite, a little less “Project Runway.”

Like I said, I loves me some Karl, so I’m a bit deflated that this isn’t rockin’ my world.  I’m not going to say the Kaiser has no clothes.  He does.  I just won’t be buying them.  And if you disagree with me, by all means pounce on http://www.net-a-porter.com on Jan. 25th.

Charlotte Rampling

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She inspires everyone from photographers, fashion designers to everyday women who want to exude that effortless sensuality.  Her exotic eyes, tall slim frame, and innate intelligence cast a spell.

Angelina Maccarone’s, “Charlotte Rampling: The Look,” is a doc about the graceful, captivating, “icon of desire” (Maccarone’s words.)  Interviews with friends like Jurgen Teller and Peter Lindbergh give us a peek into her world.

Now playing in LA at Laemmle’s Music Hall.

http://www.kinolorber.com/film.php?id=1227

2011 Award Season is under way

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I’m SO behind in reading my papers.  But I’d be remiss for not mentioning Dec. 18th, LA Times Image Section.  Lots of great articles on this year’s crop of exciting costumes.

On David Fincher’s “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-dragon-tattoo-20111218,0,7503394.story

On the surge in 20’s inspirations, “The Artist,” and Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby.”

http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-artist-20111218,0,6082131.story

Arianne Phillips talks about “W.E.” and the work remaking Wallis Simpson’s stunning wardrobe.

http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-phillips-20111218,0,7127321.story

Costume Design as part of building a character.

http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-honorable-20111218,0,6699626.story

Menswear from this season’s films.

http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-mens-styles-20111218,0,7403329.story

This just illustrates how little time I have to actually go see movies!!!  Oy.  You single childless people go frolic carefree into the night and see them for me!