Musical Wardrobes

Cheesy or not, I love musicals.  They are amazing performance art pieces combining acting, song, dance, set design and costuming in a particularly powerful way.  The six highlighted here have AMAZING wardrobes and are scenes pulled from some of my favorite movies.  Please enjoy.  This post is very special to me...

Click the hyperlinks or view directly from this page where available.

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Cabaret (1972) 

"Mein Herr"

 Performed by Liza Minnelli (Sally Bowles).

Set in 1931 Berlin, Cabaret is a must see movie that documents the sexual undercurrent of Pre-WWII Germany.  Outfitted in a bowler hat, high-waist shorts, thigh highs with garters, granny boots, vest and choker, Liza masterfully executes classic Bob Fosse choreography and a classic look.

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There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

 "Lazy" 

Performed by Marilyn Monroe (Vicky), Donald O'Connor (Tim Donahue) and Mitzi Gaynor (Katy Donahue).

 Marilyn's sash and shoes, Mitzi's midriff sweater and this scene as a whole make me swoon!  What a great number!  The colors are perfectly coordinated; Donald O'Connor's green hat, orange band, yellow sweater vest, gray pants, and black accessories work harmoniously with Mitzi Gaynor's cropped sweater and orange shoes...Sheer genius.  I love the sleeves of Marilyn's jumper and the earrings worn by she and Mitzi are adorable.

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My Fair Lady (1964)

 "Ascot Opening Race" 

Performed by the attendees of the Ascot Opening Day in a severely stylish manner.

   I would gladly give my entire wardrobe for ONE of the outfits worn in this scene.  Enough said.

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The Pajama Game (1957)

 "There Once Was a Man"

 Performed by Doris Day (Katherine 'Babe' Williams) and John Raitt (Sid Sorokin).

Doris Day is rocking a fabulous top, perfect cigarette pants and I adore Raitt's monochrome (and super tight) ensemble.  Not to mention this song is awesome; it's very catchy and I love hard like that...

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Sweet Charity (1969)

 "Rich Man's Frug" 

Performed by the Pompeii Club's swanky set.

This iconic clip is absolutely brimming with mod loveliness.  It is madness expertly choreographed by none other than Mr. Bob Fosse.

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Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains (1982)

"Professionals"

Performed by Diane Lane (Corinne Burns), Marin Kanter (Tracy Burns), and Laura Dern (Jessica McNeil) aka The Stains

 

If you love 80s fashion, please watch this movie.  The wardrobe is an integral part of the plot and will leave you inspired.  The Stains were stylish from the start donning fishnets, sheer tops, vintage sweaters, briefs, ankle socks and heels to the mainstream outfits featured in the closing credits.  Cult classic...

Polarized: Aging and Fashion

As I approach 30 at the speed of life my style is steadily evolving.  The more I embrace these changes I find myself disheartened by the suggestions of "fashionistas" and the "30 is the new 20" propagandists in the business of making women feel the secret to youth is in their wardrobe.  This is tragic.  I don't want to be 20 again.  Neither should you.  Our bodies are changing; our responsibilities to family, work, side interests and communities are increasing...Shouldn't the clothes we wear also shift?


On the other side of the spectrum, boutiques and lines geared toward a more mature woman are sprouting up everywhere in response to the demand for fashion forward options.  This is a fantastic trend yet it disregards my generation.  There are few accessible and intelligent modern clothing lines to which the confident woman approaching the prime of her life can default.  


So what do we do about this?  We have to start by being honest with ourselves.  We must dress for today and not the life and figure we once knew and fondly remember.  Once that is done, we can't solely look to the standards set by the media and major retailers.  Experiment and let your life, body and personality be your guide by investing not only money but time and thought into your wardrobe.  Don't constantly dress for one facet of your life when so many things define you; think of yourself as a functioning whole.  


I like to feel sexy.  I'm sort of old-fashioned.  I like a polished and well tailored look but I'm edgy.  I work in high-end fashion.  I love to experiment with silhouettes, texture and color.  I'm cold natured.  I salsa dance and use public transportation so movement and comfort are important.  I'm 4'11", petite and curvy.  On any given day, I need a single outfit and a few modifications that will fit in a bag to accommodate all these things.  


Navigating the various, and often conflicting, aspects of our lives is the challenge we all face and meeting them with grace and style yields our unique look.  The benefits of accomplishing this are limitless and invaluable.  Make it a priority.


Godspeed.

Natacha Rambova

"Why Change Your Wife?"   

Sofa with phonograph and bar in arm rests

  

 As a part of my continuing education, *ha!*, I recently watched the Cecil B. Demille silent film, “Why Change Your Wife?” (1920), starring Gloria Swanson.  The heavily adorned sets and costumes were beyond lavish; rich down to the smallest detail.  It was a visual smörgåsbord served on platinum trimmed porcelain dinnerware by the awe-inspiring costume designer Natacha Rambova. 

Add her to your heroine database.

Dancer, designer, actress, writer, producer and entrepreneur Natacha Rambova (1897-1966) was born Winifred Kimball Shaughnessy in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Early in life she displayed the creative, independent and industrious nature that would set the stage for her legacy, rejecting the constraints and conveniences of her wealthy upbringing. 

Though merely half of her films have survived and few were commercially successful, she is heralded as a style innovator and icon for her design contributions to ballet, Broadway, film and fashion between 1916 and 1933.  Known for her exotic and foreign effects, Natacha researched historical facts to ensure accuracy in her designs and played a major role in bringing the Art Deco style aesthetic to Hollywood from Europe in the 20s.  

 …and she was Mrs. Rudolph Valentino for a spell.  Their controversial relationship often, unfortunately, smothers her artistic contributions to culture and fashion so we'll move on...

A notorious shopper, her signature style, long hair in braided chignons and turbans gave her a mysterious sexiness that defied time and space.  As an advocate of self expression through fashion, Rambova opened a couture boutique on Fifth Avenue in 1927 and started a clothing line after her first year.

Natacha’s ensuing forays in business included real estate development and Egyptology.  A long time spiritualist and student of ancient religions, Rambova helped decipher ancient inscriptions and conducted classes on myths and symbolism until her death in the mid 60s.

Rust and Red.

ADAM Spring/Summer 2011

Paired with the crisp white and pale gray, this is an amazing color combination. Never fear alternate neutrals outside of the traditional blacks and browns. When you work within the same hue, your options are limitless. Draw color inspiration from objects throughout your environment. Flora, architecture, stormy skies and so much more can hold clues to your next favorite outfit.

Quick challenge...find a scarf or a piece of jewelry with several colors in the design that you like but would not normally put together. Assemble an outfit using these colors but DO NOT wear the inspiration piece. Anchor with neutrals (white in the photo above) as needed to create a cohesive look. This exercise will guide you through expanding your color vocabulary until you develop an eye for mixing on your own.