Fashion in Films: The Classics -- From the Pages to the Big Screen

     The relationship between books and films has always been symbiotic. When done right in every aspect of the production -- from the screenplay, the casting, the costumes, and the set -- some of the greatest movies of all time usually arise from the stories that were derived from books (with the exception of original screenplays, of course.) With holiday films rolling in and the big summer blockbusters looming ahead, I'm more excited than ever by all of the trailers that are being released each day. And I'm not just excited because they're some of my favorite books that I've read when I was growing up and I love nothing more than watching those movies come to life in film, but mainly because of the clothes (obviously.) Period piece movies have always been awe inspiring because the costume design in such productions have a certain intricateness and grandeur to them. I mean, they kind of have to have grandeur because people didn't particularly lounge around in their jeans and t-shirts in those days. Aside from the fantastic dresses, stunning jewelry, and grand headpieces, I've also noticed a common theme in the plot of all of these movies: Love. I've always believed that the greatest stories of all time are the ones about love. Read these books and watch these movies to see for yourself (or in this case, watch the movie trailers for now) then let's discuss. 

Love, KB

p.s. I think casting Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham in the Great Expectations is the most brilliant beyond brilliant idea. I've always had this image of Miss Havisham in my head when I read the book in middle school and her eccentricity is the perfect match for the role. 

Anna Karenina book written by Leo Tolstoy 

release date: November 10, 2012

director: Joe Wright

costume designer: Jacqueline Durran

Kiera Knightley as Anna Karenina

Jude Law as Karenin

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Vronsky

Les Miserables book written by Victor Hugo

release date: December 25, 2012

director: Tom Hooper

costume designer: Paco Delgado

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean

Anne Hathaway as Fantine

Russell Crowe as Javert

Amanda Seyfried as Cosette

Eddie Redmayne as Marius

Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier

Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier

Great Expectations book written by Charles Dickens

release date: Winter 2012/2013

director: Mike Newell

costume designer: Beatrix Aruna Pasztor

Jeremy Irvine as Pip

Ralph Fiennes as Magwitch

Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham

Robbie Coltrane as Mr. Jaggers 

Holliday Grainger as Estella

The Great Gatsby book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald

release date: May 10, 2013

director: Baz Luhrmann

costume designer: Catherine Martin

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby 

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchannan

Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway

Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchannan

Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson

The Wizard of Oz book written by L. Frank Baum

Oz: The Great and Powerful

release date: March 8, 2013

director: Sam Raimi

costume designer: Gary Jones

James Franco as Oz

Mila Kunis as Theodora

Rachel Weisz as Evanora

Michelle Williams as Glinda

Video Obsession: Barneys New York Disney Electric Holiday

     Barneys New York officially launched their holiday collaboration with Disney yesterday called Electric Holiday and premiered the much anticipated short film featuring Minnie Mouse in this fantastical dream as a runway model in Paris wearing Lanvin. The five minute short featured famous faces such as photographer Steven Meisel, Bridget Foley (executive editor of Women's Wear Daily) Nicolas Ghesquiere (who recently left his post at Balenciaga) Lady Gaga (wearing that one-of-a-kind Marc Jacobs dress that she wore on the September 2012 issue of Vogue) Sarah Jessica Parker (who wore a very adorable L'wren Scott Mickey ears at the launch last night in New York City) Naomi Campbell (who looks a lot more like Tyra Banks?) and a very adorable Alber Elbaz of Lanvin (my absolute favorite part of the film!) 

     The short is pure Disney: it's fun, adorable, and brings to life a very colorful dream and fantasy that the company giant is known for so why the backlash against the "skinny Minnie?" When Minnie hits the runway, Tinkerbell taps the entrance to the runway and out comes a Minnie in a sample size supermodel proportions. This apparently prompted an Internet outrage and online petition among those who thought that turning Minnie into such a skinny model sets a bad example to bad young girls. Uhm . . . what? OKAY. I rarely voice my opinion on this blog about so called 'controversial issues' like this, but I feel very strongly about this opposition so here it goes: 

     First of all, Minnie Mouse is a cartoon character. Which plainly means, she's not real. She's fictional. She's an illustration. On top of that, she's a mouse, she's not even human. As much as she is adored by little girls all around the world, I think those children, who despite their age might not know much about the world around them, certainly can distinguish between the obvious difference in her appearance and a cartoon who has two huge mouse ears. I can't imagine a little girl standing around her dress up trunk at home saying "Aww, I wish I was as skinny as Minnie Mouse in her dream sequence as a Parisian supermodel so I can fit in that Lanvin dress." It's just not possible. This video was supposed to celebrate something fun! It was solely created to celebrate the holidays which is synonymous with everything that is good and cheerful this time of the year. A lot of it is based on dreams and fantasies (HELLO it's Disney, people) despite the fact that real people appear in the film -- it's about fashion so naturally actual people in the industry appear in it. Get over it. I really HATE it when someone somewhere always finds the negativity in everything. There are more pressing issues going on in the world right now to have to worry about than getting your knickers in a twist over something that's so harmless. If you see supermodel Minnie and your initial reaction is that it will set a bad example for young girls, you need NOT put together an online petition to rally up support, you need to go see a therapist because it sounds like you're the one with the body image issues (among other things.) Don't ruin something like this for the rest of us. 

     With that said, please ENJOY this video short and name all of the famous faces that appear in them before the credits roll in at the end! Happy Holidays everyone! 

Love, KB

A Very Fashionable Holiday 2012 Gift Guide

     Since Thanksgiving is fast approaching we're already bombarded in every direction by all of the upcoming holiday deals and shopping events. From Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, there are an ample amount of opportunities before December 25th to find something special for that special someone in your life -- in this case a very fashionable and fashion savvy someone. If there is someone on your list who speaks style and fashion fluently, then look no further than this ultimate gift guide that I've put together, which is personally inspired by my Christmas wish list this year. 

     First of all, even though this seems like an obvious move, unless otherwise indicated or asked for by the person receiving the gift, I would stay away from clothes. Clothes are tricky in terms of taste, fit, and all the disastrous factors that goes into giving someone a dress, skirt, blouse, sweater, etc etc. Unless you know that person's style very well (or giving them Chanel, you can NEVER go wrong with Chanel) I wouldn't blindly go in that gift-giving direction. As for everything else, it's fair game so see my list below: 

Fashion Books 

Fashion coffee table books are guaranteed winners. I've never met a fashionista before who didn't like receiving a hard cover fashion book to add to his or her ever expanding fashion library. 

Barneys New York Electric Holiday Disney Collaboration 

EVERYONE loves Disney. If you don't, you have something inherently wrong with you. With that said, for their holiday shop this year, Barneys collaborated with Disney to create Electric Holiday which includes gifts like a 9" Diane Von Furstenberg Vinylmation figurine (my personal favorite) to Mickey patchwork plaid ears and Christmas ornaments, there is something for everyone. To read about the collaboration click here and to shop the collection click here. 

Movies and TV Box Sets

Blu Rays, DVDs, and Television Box Sets also make great gifts. If you watch a lot of fashion savvy television shows and movies like I do, coming up with gift ideas in this category is easy. Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, Mad Men and Downton Abbey are just a few shows that have an acclaimed praise for their costume design and styling. I also loved the clothes in movies that I recently watched such as Midnight in Paris, My Week with Marilyn, and Moonrise Kingdom. 

Handbags & Shoes 

If diamonds are a girl's best friend, so are her handbags and collection of shoes. I know you might think that this falls under the apparel category, but here is where it differs: for handbags, all sizes fits all, and as for shoes.. well shoes are just fabulous and always make great gifts. Take a note from Carrie Bradshaw and Cinderella. You're welcome. 

Technology 

A lot of fashion houses have embraced this new category in their fashion line. From iPhone cases to iPad cases and cool headphones (and even texting friendly gloves! genius!) there is something for every single thing you own that requires an Apple charger. 

     But if there is something that I absolutely know, it's that it's so much easier to shop for a fashion savvy girl on my list than anyone else (and I'm not just talking about myself.) And while you're on your Christmas shopping quest, don't forget the Christmas music. May I suggest A Very She & Him Christmas. Sing it, Zooey. 

Love, KB

Current Craving: Romanticism

     As cynical and sarcastic as I am, I'm a total romantic at heart. I still cry to the endings of romantic comedies (The Five Year Engagement was the latest culprit) and listen to songs that just melts and breaks my heart (Taylor Swift's new album RED is currently on repeat on my iPod.) And as the holiday season quickly approaches I'm beginning to put together my holiday ensembles -- from Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, Christmas, New Years Eve, and everything in between -- I only had one theme in mind: Romanticism. I've always believed that there is something very romantic about the holidays *cue Love is All Around you from Love Actually. I found this beautiful gold brocade-like dress for Christmas and I didn't have to look far for styling inspirations because it's so easy to be inspired this time of the year. The dress is such a statement piece (flowers of gold embroidered on bronze-dappled black mesh with a back cutout) that I want to keep everything very minimal and simple with the exception of a fantastic headpiece. There is nothing I hate more than knowing exactly what I want and not being able to find it anywhere. And then a lightbulb lit up in my head and remembered those celestial star headpieces in the Rodarte F/W 2012 runway show that everyone was raving about (almost more than the clothes!) PERFECT! But now where to get them? Thanks to the age and rage of DIY tutorials on the internet I found the solution to my styling problems with a simple Google search and came across this fantastic video by Refinery29. Now all I need is a chic updo and a red pout and I'm ready to celebrate one of my favorite holidays. Only snow would make this moment truly romantic.  

Love, KB

Halloween 2012: Daisy Buchanan

     HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone! As this great fall event comes to a close I'd like to share my Halloween costume this year as the Great Gatsby's Daisy Buchanan. To prepare for the release of Baz Luhrmann's rendition of this classic Fitzgerald story (coming out summer 2013), I thought dressing up as one of its complex characters is the best way to celebrate it. Not only do I love this 1922 novel, but I also love the style of the 20s (along with the 50s and 60s) and the costume design of the 1974 movie, starring Mia Farrow, and the collaborative genius of costume designer Catherine Martin and Miuccia Prada for the 2013 film. Instead of taking the predictable 1920s flapper route and buying a fringe dress in a bag from the costume store, I've decided from the very beginning to create this costume from scratch and make it as accurate as possible. I found this incredible dress with this intricate embroidery and sequin detail which was not as low waisted as I had hope (to stay true to the 20s fashion) but it worked perfectly for the occasion. Once I found the dress the accessories came easy: elbow length white gloves, pearls + pearls + more pearls (a gorgeous pearl necklace with the crystal bow), feather boa, and an amazing headpiece find which consisted of this amazing crystal pattern and feathers. PERFECT! I just added a classic red pout and gold heels and viola! I was instantly transformed into Daisy Buchanan and into the Jazz Age. To complete the costume I tried to play the part and say superficial things all night and made my voice sound like money.. 

Love, KB

1974 Great Gatsby

Fashion in Films: Hitchcock and Grace Kelly

     Today kicks off the first day of 13 Days of Halloween! Oh how I love Halloween. I love everything about this time of the year. From carving pumpkins to putting together a one-of-a-kind costume, this holiday calls for tradition. Although, I have to admit that when it comes to the mandated horror movies that this day requires, I'm not a very big fan of the typical blood and guts horror movie (or Paranormal Activity. F#&K that movie. I couldn't sleep for months.) Aside from The Addams Family (which, let's face it, doesn't really count as horror but is definitely Halloween appropriate) the most adventurous that I get with movies this time of the year is It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. That is until I discovered the films of Alfred Hitchcock. I prefer the old school suspense and poor special effects. With the exception of the classic movie, Psycho, I personally think that the best Hitchcock films are the ones starring Grace Kelly: Dial M for Murder (1954), Rear Window (1954), To Catch a Thief (1955) -- all of which are featured in my annual list of Halloween movies . And yes, of course my opinion is completely biased. Any movie that combines the 50s, white gloves, Grace Kelly, and the talent of costume designer, Edith Head, becomes more of a fashion film to me than a classic Halloween appropriate thriller. Except for Dial M for Murder (Moss Mabry), Edith Head created all of the iconic looks for Rear Window and to Catch a Thief. 

     So this Halloween, if you're easily frightened and blood makes you squeamish (bonus points if you appreciate costume design in films and love fashion) I suggest looking into these three films. For a Stylist Fashion Blog-Hitchcock synopsis read below: 

(1) Dial M for Murder 

Plot: Husband (Ray Milland) discovers wife (Grace Kelly) guilty of infidelity and black mails another man to have her killed but murder plans not executed as planned. 

Watch out for: The red lace dress in one of the opening scenes with the full A-line midi skirt, sweetheart neckline, and 3/4 sleeves. 

(2) Rear Window

Plot: Photographer (James Stewart) stranded at home because of a broken leg witnesses suspected scenes of murder through the window of his New York City apartment and pieces it together with socialite and fashion savvy girlfriend (Grace Kelly.)

Watch out for: 

- The entrance scene of Grace Kelly in the black and white dress with deep V scoop neck (front and back) and full chiffon skirt. 

- Three piece pistachio green suit (with white halter dress shirt) and pillbox hat complete with a mesh veil. 

- Black dress ensemble with sheer shoulders and belted waist. 

- Brocade dress with full A-line skirt. 

(3) To Catch a Thief 

Plot: Reformed jewel thief (Cary Grant) suspected of returning to his old ways, meets the beautiful and rich Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly), but soon proves his innocence. 

Watch out for: 

- Grecian dress with delicate thin straps in varying colors of blue and sashays of light chiffon. 

- White strapless dress with sweetheart neckline and bandage-like strip detail in the bodice.