Top 10 Influential Fashion Films

06 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

by cmerry in Actors and Actresses, Celebrity Style, DVD, Essentials, Event Fashion, Fashion Designers, Fashion History, Film, Haute Couture, History, Movie, Music, Red Carpet Fashion, Top Picks, Very Cool People, Videos, Vintage Fashion, Vintage Inspired Tags: , , , , , , ,


This video is about a street poll on the influential role film has played in fashion. Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and other UK designers such as Lulu Guinness, Philip Treacy and Oswald Boateng join design legend Giorgio Armani and international talent such as Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, John Rocha and Michael Kors to give their opinions. The overwhelming winner was Breakfast at Tiffany’s in which Givenchy established one of the most important wardrobe staples: the ‘LBD’ (little black dress) and the large black sunglasses. It is interesting to note that the majority of these iconic films, are vintage, proving the classics in style will be influencing fashion for decades to come.

The Top Ten
1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
2. American Gigolo
3. Funny Face
4. Bonnie and Clyde
5. Desperately Seeking Susan
6. My Fair Lady
7. Pulp Fiction
8. The Great Gatsby
9. Thomas Crown Affair
10. The Graduate

5 Tips for Shopping for Vintage Fashions

06 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

by cmerry in Accessories, Advice, Alternative fashion, Charity, DIY Fashion, Event Fashion, Fashion Advice, Fashion How-tos, Fashion Trends, Local Boutique, Menswear, Shop for Fashion, Style Basics, Style on a Budget, Thrift Stores, Vintage Fashion Tags: , , , , ,

What is Vintage? Essentially, ‘vintage’ is just another name for second-hand clothing, but it can be expensive. Antique flapper dresses from the 1920s and original Raoul Dufy designs are gorgeous, but discovering unique pieces doesn’t have to be expensive.

  • Thrift Shopping If your funds are limited, but you are adventurous, try thrift store shopping. It sometimes takes effort, depending on how the shop is set up and organized, but the results can be very rewarding. My most recent finds were a full length Eileen Fisher silk skirt and a vintage Valentino Boutique Couture Blouse (tags still on) for $17.00, total. Another trip netted me several silk designer scarves (Echo, Ferragamo, Valentino, Liberty of London among them) for $20.00 total for the bagful. Even if I had the money for these at retail, I would choose to spend those 100′s of dollars on other things. I love owning a beautiful designer piece, but love even more that I own them, and spent so little.

  • The List The key to a successful shopping trip is to go with a piece (or pieces) in mind, otherwise it can be overwhelming. Do you need a skirt for a special event, a belt to freshen up a t-shirt and jeans look, or a silk blouse to brighten a dull business suit? This way you can scan shelves and racks for the colors and textiles you want, and only pull those items out. It is safe to say, if you are looking for a black slip dress, you can skip the obvious yellow neon plaid and green striped numbers.

  • Choose Well Build up a list of ideas whenever you go out and come up with your own thrift shopping rules. Steer clear of anything stained rather than just a little dusty, and things with the strong scent of mothballs should be avoided because that scent will never come out 100%. Tiny holes can be mended if they are not very visible, you want to look good not like a little rag doll (unless that is your personal look). Fabric and pattern choices should fit your current wardrobe if you want to incorporate it in everyday use. Choose the wilder looks for parties and special events.

  • Patience Give yourself time. You may not find the perfect piece the first time, or the second, but the third time you might. Take the time to build a perfect wardrobe. Explore the shops and flea markets and if you find yourself frequenting one shop, introduce yourself to the owner and ask if they will give you a call the minute new things come in.

  • Accessories If you’re still unsure about ‘second-hand clothes’, just shop for accessories. Bags, belts and scarves are easily incorporated into an everyday wardrobe. Finding pretty pieces sometimes takes as much dedication as scanning for clothing, but when you find that perfect pair of 1960′s pink rhinestone basket earrings for $2.00 you’ll be converted. Then you just might look around and take a chance on a new ruffled tuxedo shirt or a fun 1970′s mini skirt, and you’ll never see shopping the same way again. Look at it this way, it’s closet of fashion you can raid without mom and grandmom getting mad at you!

    Socially Responsible Shopping Thrifting and vintage shopping is also a great way to recycle. With so many beautiful fashions in thrift and vintage shops you may be able to find what you need and in essence recycle a well-made garment. If the current trends aren’t your taste, you may find past looks in great condition. If you are like me, and dress to express yourself, not follow the trends to the letter, then I think you’ll be very happy. Many thrift shops benefit charities too, so in some cases just by shopping, you’ll be doing a good deed. Just get out there and look!
    Photo, vintagevibes.com

  • Click here for more Vintage Fashion articles

    • A Splash of Vintage Style with Trina Turk

    04 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

    by cmerry in Celebrity Style, Fashion Designers, Fashion links, Fashion Show, Fashion Trends, News, Shop for Fashion, Special Events, Style Basics, Swimwear, Very Cool People, Vintage Inspired Tags: , ,

    003.jpgTrina Turk Visits the Preston Center Everything But Water in Dallas, Texas on April 12, 2008
    DALLAS, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ – Designer Trina Turk will be appearing at Everything But Water at Preston Center to mingle with shoppers and sign autographs as well as showcase her swimwear collection licensed by Blue Water Design Group, a division of Apparel Ventures, Inc (AVI). The Trina Turk Swim and Spa Collection includes swimwear as well as beach/spa related sportswear. The first collection launched for Cruise 2007.

    The gorgeous signature prints draw inspiration from the Trina Turk ready-to-wear line with unique hardware details developed from Trina’s vintage jewelry collection. Known for the amazing fit, the suits are sold as separates to be mixed and matched. “My collections have become synonymous with the resort lifestyle as many of my inspirations are rooted in sun- drenched mid-century California,” says Trina. Prices range from $58 to $125 and customers shopping at Everything But Water will be able to enjoy refreshments as well as receive a designer necklace with a Trina Turk purchase.

  • Who: Trina Turk
  • What: Trina Turk shows her Swim & Spa Collection
  • Where: Everything But Water | Preston Center 6139 Luther Lane Dallas, Texas
  • When: Saturday, April 12th 1pm-4pm
    *10% of sales will be donated to the Dallas County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

    About Everything But Water: The number one source for women’s swimwear and resort fashion, offering the latest trends, largest selection and an outstanding level of specialized service that inspires confidence and personal style.

    007.jpgAbout Trina: Trina Turk says she considers herself lucky. One of her favorite quotes is: “Luck favors the prepared mind.” But luck had very little to do with the phenomenal growth of her business.

    Her mother taught her to sew when she was just 11 and after years of hard work and creativity her line is now sold by Barney’s New York, Fred Segal, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Not to mention the celebrities wearing her clothes and the stylish women who put her pieces together in unique ways.

    Her Description of a “Trina Turk customer”: What’s the opposite of a wallflower? Why she likes thrift shopping: You can learn a lot about how quality things are made.

    Check out Trina Turk’s Website

    • Modern Lady, Vintage Style

    04 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

    by cmerry in Actors and Actresses, Advice, Alternative fashion, Celebrity Style, Charity, DIY Fashion, Education, Event Fashion, Fashion Advice, Fashion Trends, Red Carpet Fashion, Shop for Fashion, Social Advice, Thrift Stores, Very Cool People, Vintage Fashion Tags: , , , ,

    thandie-newton-picture-6.jpgThandie Newton has the right idea when it comes to fashion. In a recent news item she says vintage clothes are not only glorious, but a great way to recycle. Thandie is known for her passion in making the world greener. Why buy new things when there are so many lovely fashions in vintage and thrift stores already? Her tastes may be vintage but her ideas are very modern.

    Thandie Newton has said she can’t understand why people buy new clothes when there is so much great vintage material out there.
    She said that she loves buying secondhand clothes because of the benefits for the environment: “It is grotesque how out of control manufacturing has become, and the excess, the pollution that’s caused by it.”
    “Vintage [fashion] is not only glorious and stylish, it’s also the way forward in terms of recycling.”
    “Whenever I go into great vintage stores, I wonder why we ever buy new things.” Source: fametastic.co.uk

    Remember to check out Thandie in her new film Run Fatboy Run with Simon Pegg.

    “Frock Me!” Vintage Fashion Event in June, London

    03 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

    by cmerry in Accessories, Alternative fashion, Art, Celebrity Style, DIY Fashion, Event Fashion, Event Locations, Fashion Advice, Fashion Designers, Fashion Show, Vintage Fashion Tags:

    Frock Me! on June 8th is a vintage fashion event that is held in London several times a year at the Chelsea Town Hall. In addition to clothing, pick up accessories such as hats, shoes, gloves and jewellery from a retro era.

    And according to Frock Me! organizers, vintage clothing attracts a diverse clientele, from stylists and models to fashion students and collectors and even stage and film costume designers.

    Those looking to mingle with designers and celebrities may well spot them rummaging for fashion one-offs in the crowd as items can reportedly be found to suit “all tastes and budgets”.

    Stocking items from a range of eras including the 1920s, 1950s and 1960s, period Pucci, Lanvin and Chanel items are all among those likely to be found at Frock Me!
    Ckick here for more info: “Frock Me” Vintage Fashion Event

    Vintage Fashion Fair in London April 6

    03 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

    by cmerry in Alternative fashion, Art, Celebrity Style, Conventions, Crafts, DIY Fashion, Event Fashion, Event Locations, Expos, Fashion Advice, Fashion Designers, Fashion links, Fashion Show, Fun links, Prom fashion, Shop for Fashion, Special Events, Style on a Budget, Thrift Stores, Vintage Fashion Tags: , , ,

    Are you going? I have a feeling this one is going to be even more amazing than the last. The Vintage Fashion Fair will be held on Sunday 6th April in Notting Hill.
    Anita Bott founded this one after the end of her previous partnership with Battersea Vintage Fashion Fairs. Anita’s Vintage Fashion Fairs (AVFF) organizes six fairs a year and features vintage clothing, textiles and accessories dating from 1800 to 1970. Everything from vintage buttons, braids and trimmings to stage costumes and high fashion can be found at the Vintage Fair.
    She is hoping to make this the Number One Vintage Fair in the UK and is off to a great start because AVFF was voted 16th out of Vogue’s 100 ‘Guide to the Greatest Shops off the Beaten Track’.
    Click here for more info: Anita’s Vintage Fashion Fairs

    Ancient Vintage Fashion Inspiration

    03 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment

    by cmerry in Art, Event Fashion, Fashion Designers, Fashion History, Fashion Trends, Formal Events, Movie, Photo Galleries, Photos, Red Carpet Fashion, Special Events, Vintage Fashion Tags: , , , , , ,

    Don’t feel bad if you look to past iconic eras of fashion for inspiration, everybody does. The decades that come to mind instantly might be the 70′s or even the 20′s.. sometimes it might be the BC’s!
    egyptart8.jpg
    e-334.jpg
    paltrow.jpg
    Gwyneth Paltrow in Zac Posen at the 2007 Academy Awards

    Follow

    Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.