Fashion and Film

HOW FASHION AND FILM GO HAND IN HAND

Film and Fashion are so very closely linked that we almost don’t notice their trendy sway. Movies have contributed to major trends in fashion, hairstyles and make-up.

Here are my personal favourite Top Fashion Moments in Film.

Sex in the City has definitely made MANOLO BLAHNIK shoes a household name but Blahnik opened his first shop in 1973. Woman drool over the expensive and exquisitively designed shoes as worn by Carrie and the the girls in Sex in the City.

Designers like Sass and Bide have even featured in Sex in the City. Sarah-Jane Clarke was wearing a self styled denim jacket and took it off and handed it to a security guard, who gave it to Sarah Jessica Parker whilst on set of filming Sex in the City. The next day, the Sass and Bide girls were invited to Parkers trailer to show their designs. Later they were commissioned to make a few one of pieces for the Series. This propelled their brand instantly internationally.

Desperately Seeking Susan, in this 1985 hit starring Madonna, created a trend with many look alikes appearing on the streets. (I remember it well!) She wore black dresses with leggings to men’s pants with exposed lacy bras to rolled-down rhinestone boots. She also wore chains with dangling crosses (which had the churches horrified), beads and of course bleached blonde permed hair.

Saturday Night Fever (dadadadadadaaaa) 1977 hit starring Johnny Travolta.

John Travolta’s blow-dryed hair, tight, shiny polyester pants and that famous white suit. Men wanted to look like him.  He gave men the courage to dress flamboyantly during the Disco era and was responsible for those embarrassing wedding photos in the 70’s sporting white suits. (looking back I bet they wished they hadn’t).

God Created Woman starring Bridgett Bardot in 1957

Bridgitte Bardot was a style innovator. In God created woman Brigitte wore her hair in an unkept style during an era of coiffed perfect hair. She also wore a very tight skirt (girdle free) for her bongo gyrations, making woman and men mouths drop. It was Brigitte Bardot who caused the demand for the bikini. It was because of this film that bikinis became fashionable. Pretty amazing considering the two piece swimwear was band from the Miss World Contest 6 years prior.

The Wild One (Marlon Brando)

Marlon Brando invades a small town with his biker gang “Black Rebels Motorcycle Club”. His iconic look of cuffed jeans, leather cap and tough black motorcycle jacket created this cool look to civilians. This look influenced TV and Movies like “Happy Day” and the Fonz and the “Rock and Roll Revolution”. This is a continuous trend today that is timeless in its style.

Mad Men Television Series

Mad Men is set in the 1960’s, at the advertising agency on Madison Avenue, New York.  The focal point of the series is Don Draper, creative director at Sterling Cooper and a founding partner, as well as those in his life, both in and out of the office.  Mad Men has received critical acclaim, particularly for its historical authenticity and visual style. It has influenced designer such as marc Jacobs with his latest collections of corsets, cleavage and cocktails. We are talking full skirts 50’s style, sweetheart necklines and cat’s eye sunglasses.  We may and I hope even see a change in models on the catwalk, steering away from the waif look to a more volumptuous look of Joan Holloway. Arguably this series has caused a” Bubble Up” effect.

If you haven’t seen the Mad Men series and you love fashion of the 60’s, do yourself a favour and get the series out.  Get a group of girls together with some champagne and take yourself back to the past. Yummy Don Draper!

You know when you’ve made it when there is a Barbie Doll to honour you.