From Philadelphia
02/22/10 01:50PM
Wave of the Future: Nautical Stripes
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Nautical stripes have been worn by everyone from Audrey Hepburn to the Ramones—making them less like a fashion trend and more like a fashion staple. The classic way to wear nautical stripes is in a boxy, boatneck top known as a marinière, a style popularized by none other than Coco Chanel, who modeled the look off of French sailor shirts. Stripes are showing up on everything from tops to skirts and bags this spring, and the WSJ offers a great overview of the trend here.
From Philadelphia
02/03/10 11:51AM
Bohemian Rhapsody: David Mushegain
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Photographer David Mushegain's work frequently has a bit of a bohemian feel to it—albeit some, like this editorial with Devon Aoki, captures the hippy vibe in luxe designers. He's also shot modern-day gypsies like Erin Wasson and Irinia Lazareanu in beautiful barefoot style—perfect for spring.
From Philadelphia
01/29/10 03:35PM
Bohemian Rhapsody Icon: Janis Joplin
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Janis Joplin was the embodiment of the 1960s: passionate, free-spirited and excessive to a fatal flaw. Her bluesy, throaty voice and powerful stage presence put her on par with male contemporaries like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger and Joe Cocker, which was unprecedented for a woman in rock 'n' roll.
Her style was an extension of her personality—hippy, but no wallflower-child—and she was usually decked out in beads around her neck, wrists and fingers, flowing scarves and long loose locks, vests, feathers in her hair, tye-dye, velvet, bell-bottoms and anything else she fancied. A lot has been written about how Joplin never considered herself pretty, which is especially sad consider that her beauty, grace and style still have a little bit of fashion's heart.
See more.
From Philadelphia
Lauren Bacall
Rita Hayworth
Christian Dior
01/26/10 12:31PM
The Golden Age: Beauty
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Forties-era beauty was all about sleek pin curls, flawless skin, and bright red lips. The look was epitomized by sirens Lauren Bacall and Rita Hayworth, and could be seen on SS10 runways such as Christian Dior. So the perfect accessory for peplums and Peter Pan-collars? The perfect pout. Shop The Golden Age.
From New York
01/19/10 12:08PM
Just Kids
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Just Kids is Patti Smith's memoir of her life with Robert Mapplethorpe—specifically at a time in their lives when, the New York Times notes, they "were young, inseparable, perfectly bohemian and completely unknown."
From Philadelphia
01/18/10 09:30AM
The Golden Age Fashion Icon: Slim Hawks
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Slim Hawks was a model, well-known socialite and fashion plate in the 1940s and 1950s (There she is with Jimmy Stewart, above), and her legend was a big inspiration for some of our retro looks this season. Hawks was pursued by Clark Gable and had a fling with Ernest Hemingway, and Truman Capote even used her as basis for a character in his novel Answered Prayers—it wasn't a flattering portrayal. But Hawks was not the type to care what others thought, and in her autobiography, she wrote "God blessed me with a happy spirit and many other gifts. What I was not blessed with I went out and got. Sometimes the price was too high, but I've never been much of a bargain hunter." You go girl.
From Philadelphia
01/12/10 09:57AM
The Golden Age: A return of 1940s style
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In the 1940s, style was epitomized by women like Ava Gardner, Katherine Hepburn and socialite and model Slim Hawks—classic beauties who combined feminine fashion and a practical aesthetic to create a look that became timeless. So timeless, in fact, that many hallmarks of this era are returning this spring.
Ava Gardner
Katherine Hepburn
The defining event of the decade was World War II, which profoundly impacted women's day to day life and, as frivolous as it may seem, the way they dressed. Fabric and goods rationing meant that clothing needed to be long-wearing and practical—designers were even told that it was their patriotic duty to make clothes that would remain stylish for several seasons.
Urban Outfitters Early Spring Catalog
Marc by Marc Jacobs SS 2010
Nylon
In the 1940s, women dramatically entered the workforce, and styles they adopted for their jobs—colorful headscarves for women in the factories, businesslike "secretary" skirts and tailored jackets for those with office jobs—are emerging as fixtures for spring 2010.
Lula
Style Rookie
In the latter half of the 1940s, Christian Dior introduced what was called the "New Look," which was about less-severe styles, with ruffles, feminine details and other extravagances. Peplum came into play, as did peter pan and other full collars. Expect to see a lot of these—along with headscarves, high-waists, and flirty blouses—in the coming months.
