1920′s

1930′s

1940′s

1950′s

1960′s

1970′s

1980′s

1990′s

2000-2007

In present times, fashion has embraced technology and created a genre that I feel is only getting started, fashion films. These films are usually shorts with no dialogue that focus on a designer’s collection or a certain look/feeling. These films differ to what we’ve seen before in that they bring in not only fashion, but artistic and film aspects. A great resource for fashion films and even a fashion film festival is a shadedviewonfashionfilm.com, which solely focuses on short films inspired by fashion. Here is my all-time favorite fashion film, “Are You Also Wistful?” which was a 2010 contest winner for A Shaded View on Fashion Film. Enjoy!

In honor of Valentine’s Day I have chose the beautiful, yet tragic 1968 Franco Zeffirelli’s version of Romeo and Juliet. This is my favorite film version of Shakespeare’s tale of young, forbidden love, because everything in the film is absolutely beautiful. From the bejeweled hair-coverings down to the parti-color hose; the costumes and accessories are very bold and historically appropriate. Many of the costumes consist of rich, brightly colored velvets  accessorized with gold, statement jewelry. These costumes show the wealth of both Romeo and Juliet’s families, which in turn helps the viewer understand the social and financial difficulties the couple faced.

Here are some of my screencaps from the film:

Even though these costumes are designed for medieval times, modern fashion still pulls inspiration from this era. Recently, bright velvets have been all the rage, especially for the Fall and Winter. This would be a great way to brighten up your wardrobe, especially during this dull, grey OU winter. Another way to brighten up your wardrobe inspired by this film is gold, statement worthy jewelry. Highly embellished, multicolored jewelry is such a great way to spice up an otherwise plain outfit, especially if your on a tight budget.

Here are some of my favorite modern looks that remind me of this great film:

Sources: jcrew.com/bhldn.com/hautemacabre.com/fashionising.com

Would any of you rock velvet in the winter, or should it be banished to the Dark Ages?

Today’s post is about the Roman Polanski movie “Chinatown,” a 1974 mystery drama set in Los Angeles during the 1930′s. While watching this movie, I couldn’t stop obsessing over the makeup on Faye Dunaway’s character Evelyn Mulwray. Her look is the definition of 1930′s glam; thin drawn-on eyebrows, bright red lipstick, with finger-waves framing the face. This look describes to the viewers what type of person Evelyn Mulwray is; a rich, beautiful woman with a lot of drama.

I also want to mention Evelyn’s accessories, especially her hats. In today’s time we only see headwear outside during winter, more or less for functional use. Evelyn’s ensembles are the total opposite of that, they speak to us. They enhance her look rather than hiding from the elements.

This look may not be a hundred percent wearable today, but some these elements alone, like the bright red lipstick, the waved hair or a fascinator, could totally spice up an evening outfit.

Source: Instyle.com/Eaumg.net/Style.com

What do you think of this look? Do you think we should forget it, it’s Chinatown? (Kudos to those who get the reference)

This week I am featuring a film from one of my favorite movie genres, the French New Wave, which occurred in France during the late 1950′s and early 1960′s. Many of the films featured in this movement were about the daily lives of France’s youth and the drama that they got themselves into. Les Bonnes Femmes by the iconic Claude Chabrol gives modern viewers an insight into what life may have looked like for these young Parisians and also into what they wore. All of the women in the film looked incredibly classic with pea-coats, little black dresses, and cat eye eyeliner. There isn’t much adornment in these looks and accessories are kept at a minimal; it is all about a simple silhouette with come hither eyes.

I absolutely love this type of look, it’s a great way to look fabulous without spending a bunch of money. These looks also serve as great staples for anybody’s wardrobe and they look great with showstopping accessories. Here are some of my favorite modern interpretations of classic French style:

Sources: Satorialist.com/Style.com

Do any of you play it classic or is it just too plain?

“Do The Right Thing” is a 1989 dramedy by Spike Lee that focuses on racial tension on hot summer day in Brooklyn. I chose this film, because it offers a great example of what young people wore in the late 80s and early 90s. Here are some of my favorite looks in the film:

I’m sure most of us recall the 80s and 90s bright neon colors mixed with spandex sportswear, and the loud prints in even brighter pastels. Even though it hasn’t been too long since these trends were gracing American streets, fashion today is still incorporating what we now call the “90s aesthetic” into modern clothing. Hints of the late eighties/early nineties can be seen more in the coloring and prints, i.e. neon and Keith Haring-inspired graphics, of clothing than in the spandex or active wear as daywear trends of the past. While neon or large, colorful prints may be intimidating, I feel these touches could be a great way to get rid of the winter blues. After all, who wouldn’t feel upbeat in a bright fuchsia sweater?  Below are some modern looks with that 90s twist:

Sources: Style.com/GlobalGrind.com

Do any of you still incorporate the nineties into your looks, or do you choose to leave that in the past?

Today’s post is about the G.W. Pabst silent classic, Diary of a Lost Girl. This 1929 drama is about a young, naive girl, Thymian, played by the gorgeous Louise Brooks. Brooks’s character becomes pregnant and then is disowned for choosing to be an unwed mother. This film features Thymian as an unknowingly strong character who ventures into the world of prostitution in order to make a living. Since the movie centers on “bad girls” and was made during the 1920s, the flapper look is prominent in almost every scene. Dropped waists, bobbed hair and black patent Mary-Jane shoes grace the screen, giving the viewer a wonderful visual experience. Here are some flapper looks on Louise Brooks’s Thymian.

Even though these looks occurred over eighty years ago, modern designers still incorporate them in their collections. Here are some of my favorite modern flapper looks.

Source: Style.com/Satorialist.com

What do you think of the flappers and their looks?

Welcome back to the second post of Fashion on Film, covering another favorite in the fashion community, the 1982 sci-fi movie Blade Runner. The reason why so many people love the costuming in the movie is because it mixes influences from 40s, punk, and futuristic clothing. Even though there are many stylish characters in the film, I’ll feature my two favorites, Rachael and Pris.

The noir siren Rachael, who plays the love interest to Harrison Ford’s “Deckard,” wears outfits consisting of raised, padded shoulders and full-length fur coats. Her hair ties in with the 40a aesthetic with full, shiny liberty rolls. Here are some screen caps of Rachael’s war-time style:

retrochick.co.uk

Another fashionable character featured in this film is the punk bad girl, “Pris,” played by Daryl Hannah. Pris’ typical outfit consists of fishnet stockings and leotards, with accessories like a fur coat and a punk choker to feminize her dark look. A great feature about Pris’ appearance is her hair and makeup, which is a blunt, platinum bob, sprayed on eye paint, and a kabuki-white face. Here are some of my screen caps featuring Ms. Pris:

As I mentioned before, this film has served many designers for inspiration, especially when creating futuristic looks. Here are some Blade Runner-inspired looks on and off the runway:

Source: Style.com/Bill Cunningham/retrochick.co.uk

What do think of this mixture of old and new, or do you feel that these looks are already part of the past?

Welcome to the first post of Fashion on Film! Today I’m going to write about a film that is already considered a cult classic in the fashion world, The Virgin Suicides. This 1999 film was written and directed by Sofia Coppola, who by the way, happens to have some of the best laid back style I’ve ever seen. The script is based on a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides that tells the story of the five Lisbon sisters who face scrutiny, isolation, and death in their suburban 1970s lives. This film is made up of fairly dark material, but it is contrasted by the sisters’ outfits of long, white nightgowns and pastel colored maxis. The sisters’ appearance is ethereal, made of long, straight blonde hair with clean, makeup-free faces, creating an angelic virginal look.

Here are some of my screen caps of the Lisbon sisters’ innocent style:

Since the film’s debut, many designers, stylists, and editors have praised the film for its fashion inspiration. It’s easy for me to see why the fashion community would admire such a look; it’s feminine and evokes youthfulness. I feel that many young women like myself appreciate the Lisbon sisters’ look, because it’s low maintenance, comfortable, and contains an air de mystere. I enjoy channeling this movie in my spring and summer wardrobe, because it’s breathable and unfussy. Here are some modern looks inspired by the Lisbon’s virginal look:

Sources: Style.com/The Sartorialist

Enchanting. What do you enjoy about the Lisbon sisters’ style?