Debbie Harry

The most amazing picture I've ever seen of Debbie Harry, she looks gorgeous! 

via Lune Vintage

Valley of the Dolls

Valley of the Dolls is one of my favorite movies. Being the fashion-driven girl that I am,  my favorite films usually feature the best fashion trends of the time and the characters are typically stylish...but that doesn't take away from the actual film...I love Valley of the Dolls in all its glorious campiness!

Anne Welles in all her inherent sophistication

 I am a Bostonian who moved to NYC as a young girl of 18 years to seek my fame and fortune in the big city with hopes of becoming a career girl strutting down 7^th avenue in her Nine West pumps…yikes! So from the start of the film, I am immediately captured by relatability; relating to the young Anne Welles (Barbara Parkins), who leaves Massachusetts to start her life as a career girl in the big city...New York City.  She unknowingly lands her first job with an entertainment law office and the rest is history!  Her good looks and charm make it all too easy for her to become a part of the entertainment circle, soon becoming a fashion model.  She also falls for the handsome Lyon Burke (Paul Burke) and they embark on a tumultuous relationship which sends her spiraling and reaching for that little bottle of “dolls”. 

Anne Welles sleeping all day, only waking to take another "doll"

The talented Neely O'Hara

Neely O’Hara (Patty Duke) is the young, spunky, and naturally talented new kid on Broadway who comes from humble beginnings.  We are first introduced to her rehearsing her first and only solo in a show starring Broadway diva Helen Lawson (Susan Hayward).  Ms. Lawson, no fool to the ways and fickleness of the business has Neely’s solo cut from the show…she’s not having any young chick stealing her thunder!  Neely soon bounces back from the disappointing blow and becomes a young Hollywood starlet, but with fame comes pressure and Neely soon becomes hooked on uppers and downers.

The Hollywood starlet, an addict

Jennifer North, a sexy Broadway chorus girl

Lastly we have the beautiful, buxom blonde Jennifer North (Sharon Tate) who is a chorus girl in Helen Lawson’s Broadway show and a friend of Neely’s.  Jen follows Neely to Hollywood and quickly marries the Dean Martin-esque nightclub singer Tony Pilar (Tony Scotti).  Tony is sent to the loony bin because he has a hereditary nervous disorder, which sends Jen to France to do “nudies” (soft core porn) to pay his medical bills.  Feeling worthless and nothing more than a great pair of boobs most her life, on top of finding out she has breast cancer, Jen commits suicide by overdosing on "dolls".

Jen in her final act

In the end, we are left to figure out what fate Neely meets…does she OD? Does she get clean and win back her audience? Or does she become just another starlet who loses it all because she couldn’t handle it all?

And Anne Welles…well little Ms. Anne moves back to Massachusetts, and realizes she always had it all right here at home in her quaint little town of Lawrenceville.   There’s no place like home!

Ralph Lauren Fall 2012 RTW

 As I am one of many who are utterly obsessed with Downton Abbey, you shan't be surprised that I am currently in a state of withdrawal as I await the third season premiere.  I recently posted on this here blog about the awesome costumes on the show, so you can imagine how super happy I was to see that Ralph Lauren took a direct and literal approach with Downton Abbey being the inspiration behind the fall collection.  The show even opened up with the theme song of Downton Abbey blasting over the loud speakers!  And apparently many editors are super fans of the show as well...there was a collective gasp heard throughout the room as the music started to play.  The first set of looks sent down the runway were inspired by the men of Downton...something like Matthew Crawley's 'out in the country for hunting and sport' attire or Lord Grantham's 'heading to London for business' attire.  These looks were followed by gorgeous gowns typical of the ladies of Downton and a few flapper inspired styles that we are sure to see in the upcoming third season. 

Can't wait to see what bold, brave ladies don the men's inspired looks next fall!

Anna Sui Fall 2012 RTW

True to form Anna Sui, no surprises here and that's not a bad thing.

Downton Abbey

The statement I am about to make isn't just an expression; the costumes in Downton Abbey literally make me swoon. Of course nothing can be left unsaid in favor of this show that has taken American viewers by storm across all demographics...it's simply the best new show on television since Mad Men and that's saying a lot coming from a Mad Men fanatic.

While my personal style sensibilities are rooted in late 1960s-1970s fashion trends (I love a good bell bottom), my fantastical style sensibilities are rooted in the Edwardian and post WWI 1920s flapper fashion trends.  I am awe inspired by the beauty of female garments from the early part of the 20th century...the delicate lace on a simple dress and intricate bead work on an evening gown is pretty damn amazing!  Downton Abbey is my new go-to source for turn the last century inspiration.  What a dream it would be to get my hands on one of Lady Mary's dinner party dresses...I'll even settle for one of her nightgowns!