HORST - PHOTOGRAPHER OF STYLE

This exhibition at the Musée McCord here in Montreal is a Must see for everybody who appreciate style and aesthetic. . .
Horst was a creative soul and one of the twentied centery´s most famous photographers.

As I went through this exhibition, I really could relate  to almost every theme and picture I saw.
I couldn´t help thinking how eternal style and aesthetic are. . . to this day, nothing is new - everything has been done before. It´s just a matter of interpretation and consciousness.

Even some of the designs of the "ancient" couturiers would be as contemporary today. . .

The exhibition was very extensive and organised into themes and periods of his life, staged in black and white, except the big Magazine colour-photos, staged in a more minimalistic white enviroment.

 Photo´s by John Frantsen

I couldn´t help, but take a few photo´s without violating any copyrights, just to show you, what you´re missing if you don´t go.

- Sharing is caring -

2014 - EMMY´S BEST DRESSED

As you probably know by now, I love colors. So, never mind trends. It´s about standing out in the crowd.
In my opinion, the best dressed at the 2014 Emmy´s, that took place August 25, at the Nokia Teatre, L.A.,  looked like this. . .

Allison Janney gets big points for choosing this outstanding, very elegant draped violet number by Nicolas Jerbran. PhotoCredit: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images.

Laura Prepon´s daring choice in this emerald green and turquoise number by Gustavo Cadile was also nice. PhotoCredit: Jordan

Giuliana Rancic also looked quite nice i her Gustavo Cadile dress. PhotoCredit: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

 

Octavia Spencer looked georgeous in this draped chiffon dress by Tadashi Shoji. PhotoCredit: 2014 Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Kaley Cuoco from Big bang theory also looked very stylish and modern in this red and pink organdy/tulle- and applique dress by Monique Lhuillier. PhotoCredit: Strauss Invision AP.

January Jones looked dressed for the occasion in this asymetric ballgown from Prabal Gurung. PhotoCredit: Jason Merritt, Getty Images.

Mark-Ruffalo with Sunrise Coigney, who looked effortless elegant in this bright green asymetric draped dress by. . . PhotoCredit: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Samira Wiley in a simple, classic, but elegant bright yellow dress by Christian Siriano, looked nice and refreshing. PhotoCredit: Evan Agostin, Invision for the Television Campany AP Images

Who was your favorite ?

YSL - The movie

Are you as big a fan of Yves Saint Laurent as me? There will be something to look forward to.
Several new films are coming up soon about one of my all-time favorite designers. The film premieres the 3. april here in Denmark.

The film is about his first years, 1954-57, in the fashion-house of  Dior, that takes the young 21 year old talent in, after he won a category in The International Wool Secreteriate Design competition.

The year he meets his destiny in shape of Pierre Bergé, that becomes his partner in business and life.

In the past, I have written a few posts about Yves Saint Laurent here and here, if you want to know more. Otherwise take a look at this trailer. Enjoy!

FOR THE RIGHT REASON

Juliana Moore in Cannes 2013, Photo: Pool

When you look at my last post about The Golden Globes, it is a fascinating world. . . sort of a dream-world really. -And a very seductive one.
It is very easy to get captured like that and by all the things that is going on in the fashion world; you want to be part of it and start to aspire for more. It´s only natural I think, because everybody wants to succeed.

It all made me think of, what it takes to get there. . . and is it something worth striving for at all. I mean, we can´t be famous actors or designers all of us.

According to all the Media and "Reality"-shows these days, it seems like, especially young people think they have to live through the Media to be someone or something. It´s a bit scary.

I have to say - of course it is possible to be happy and content, without being famous. We just need to dream to keep our hopes up, but at the same time be realistic and think about our potential and strenght.
That might show us the right way. As long as you don´t forget what got you started and hold on to that. Sooner or later you will succeed.

Actually I just need to look at my self. . .
-Initially it began, when I was looking for clothes back then. Since I wasn't  able to find anything that I liked, I began to create my own. I made quite a few experiments, finding satisfaction in this process, and finally decided to study and make a career out of it.

Why and what made you go into fashion ? Share your experience and have a great day out there.

I wrote about what I think it takes in a previous post.Take a closer look at the Labels, if you like posts like this.

 

Actress Zhang Yugi in Cannes 2013, Photo: Loic Venance

BEST GOLDEN GLOBE DRESSES

Of course there were bad choices and bad fitting gowns, but I decided to stay positive.

In my opinion, these actresses stood out in their gowns at The 2014 Golden Globe Awards ceremony, that took place on Sunday, January 12, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, LA.

Here Sandra Bullock in a colorblocked Prabal Gurung gown. Very refreshing, elegant and contemporary. Photo: Jordan Strauss, Invision/AP.

Singer, Taylor Swift in a very nice gown from Carolina Herrera. Photos: Jordan Strauss, Invision/AP and Frederic J. Brown/AFP Getty Images.

Actress and filmmaker, Caitlin FitzGerald in an asymetric babyblue gown from Emilia Wickstead. Photo: Jordan Strauss, Invision/AP.   

TV personality, Maria Menounos wore an elegant gown from Max Azria with sheer cutouts and looked quite contemporary. Photo: Jeff Vespa/ WireImage.

Television, film- and stage actress, Edie Falco looked quite nice in a classic, elegant gown from Lanvin. But maybe a different colour would have stood more out on the red carpet. Photo: Jordan Strauss, Invision/AP.

THE GREAT GATSBY

 

The recently released film by Baz Lurhman, is based on F.Scott Fitzgerald  (1896-1940) famous novel by the same name. The novel from 1925 -"explores themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess, creating a portrait of the Jazz age that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American dream".

The movie have not had the best reviews. . . It should be too superficial with less focus on the story. With present designers as Pradas interpretation of the style and the Soundtrack, contemporary music from Jay-Z and Beyoncé. . .
-It sounds more like a show-off. But of course I´ll have to see for my self.

Here is a few pictures from the 1974 movie adaption of the novel instead.

 Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan in the Movie from 1974

Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby

Photo credit: Paramount pictures

Nevertheless the movie about the Roaring twenties is probably going to be a big trendsetter and inspiration for fashion to come. . . we already saw that in some of the latest designer collections.

The Roaring twenties, was a reaction to the the first world war, where people wanted to forget and celebrate peace. That led to excesses and eventually the big Colaps on Wall Street in 1929. 

It´s a fascinating period, that I wrote about  in my Costume Exam when I graduated, back then. . . 

 

But my starting point was Europe and especially Berlin, with Christopher Isherwood famous novel: Goodbye to Berlin as inspiration. The novel that was the base of the musical and film Cabaret. I will try to find it and post about it eventually.

2001 - A SPACE ODYSSEY

"When fashion and future collides" is a documentary that features a series of interviews with revealing insights into the surprising collaboration between the two perfectionists, Couturier Hardy Amies and filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in one of the most visually iconic films of all time, his 2001: A Space Odyssey from 1968.

  

But actually todays subject was just an excuse to write about Space. . . because some nice changes around here is going on. We are moving. . . to another part of Denmark, where we will get more living space with better working conditions for both of us, for the same amount of money. Details will follow as soon as they are settled.

Apart from that, Rikke and I have been busy, planning and working on our future fashion project, which is evolving. So once again real life has taken over. . . But I will continue to post. So stay tuned.

GOLDEN GLOBE DRESSES

There were a lot of "Nude", red and black dresses at the 70th Golden Globe last week.
Some more flattering than others. Some actresses had very bad offers or guidance by their stylists. Either the wrong color, a bad fit or style.
But anyway, let´s concentrate on who stood out. In my opinion the best  dressed were. . .

 -Actress Anne Hathaway sleek and elegant in a simple sequin gown from Chanel.

 Actress Mayim Bialik, from "The Big Bang Theory" looking gorgeous in an embellished gown from Tirani Couture.

 Actress, singer and producer Connie Britton looking glamourous in a KaufmanFranco sequin gown.

 Actress, film director and screenwriter Helen Hunt looking very elegant and contemporary in a gown from Dolce & Gabbana.

Model, television and film actress Jessica Alba looked beautiful in a salmon-colored Oscar de la Renta gown.

But take a look for yourself here and see if you agree. Photos from Getty Images.

NOMINATION !

Unfortunately  "A Royal Affair" didn´t win any Golden Globes, but there is still a chance at The Oscars in february. The danish movie is nominated in the category, Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

The film by Nikolaj Arcel, produced in 2012, is based on a periodic drama that took place at the Court in Denmark around 1769-72.

It´s a story that focuses on the romance between the Danish Queen Caroline Matilda (1751-75) - and the Germean Count Johann Friedrich von Struensee, the Royal Physician of mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and Norway  (1749-1808).

J.F. Struensee, managed through his influence on the King to reform the country in many ways, but was eventually overthrown and executed in 1772.

Christian VII's and Caroline Mathilde marriage was dissolved and she was deported back to Germany.

 The Queen and Struensee playing chess, while the king is teasing a parrot.

 The King is looking at Struensee and the Queen, holding their daugther.

King Christian VII

THE ONE AND ONLY MRS. BOND

  

The 50 anniversary Exhibition of Agent 007 alias James Bond at The Barbican Centre in London has now moved on to Toronto and will also show in Shanghai next year.

But I would like to present Countess Tracy di Vicenzo, played by Diana Rigg  "On her Majesty´s Secret Service" in 1969. She is the only Bond-girl who ever married James Bond, played by George Lazenby, though it only lasted to the end of the movie, where she was killed.
Maybe some of you also remember her as Emma Peel in the cult British television series The Avengers. I was a big fan back then.

Since I have been especially fascinated by the 60´ies style in some of the first Bond Movies, I would like to show her bold wedding-outfit from the movie, as an inspiration for coming brides.

I think it was the very contemporary style and the attitude that made this decade so influental in fashion until this day.

  

 Photos from Google Images

THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

-Is the title of the book about the famous editor of Harper´s Bazaar and Vogue, Diana Vreeland that was published last year by her daughter in law, Lisa Immordino Vreeland.

Called the "High Priestess of Fashion," Diana Vreeland (1903–1989) was an American original whose impact on fashion and style was legendary.

She became the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar in 1936, where she worked for 25 years, before taking over at Vogue. Vreeland established herself as a controversial visionary with an astonishing ability to invent and discover fashion ideas, designers, personalities, and photographers.

This year a Documentary by the same name has been released. The documentary celebrates the highs of her career and reveals her personal history, vulnerabilities, steely determination and divine triumph.

-A must-see for any fashion enthusiasts.

MY FASHION AGENDA

I´m back from a nice break in the sun with new energy. . . if you have been wondering about my whereabouts.

 

Before the vacation, I had to finish the Gala dress for my niece and different other things. But now I´m back. 

Today, I am working on a new project, that is a a little secret for now. It will be revealed in time, so stay tuned.
Tomorrow I am bringing home the dresses from the display at Profil Optik. So, it´s your last chance to take a look before it´s to late. Otherwise you will have to make an appointment.

Last, but not least, I am offering you a scarf in a little GIVE AWAY, since it is three years ago I posted for the first time.

OH JAMES !

London is the place to be this year. I didn´t know. But on our way to Montreal, I read about James Bond 50th anniversary in the dutch magazine Holland Herald.

Did you know? - that it actually is 50 years ago the first James Bond movie were launched in 1962. Of course it has to be honnoured with the Exhibition: Fifty years of Bond Style at the Barbican Centre.
Expect everything from costumes and weapons to sets and props designed for the legendary cinema Icon. The exhibition runs until 5 September.

I am going there, since I am a Bond fan and especially find the costumes of the 60s and 70s very in-spiring.

"The first James Bond film, Dr. No, had an impact on ladies' fashion, with the bikini worn by Ursula Andress proving to be a huge hit: "not only sent sales of two-piece swimwear skyrocketing, it also made Andress an international celebrity".
Andress herself admitted that the "bikini made me into a success. As a result of starring in Dr. No as the first Bond girl I was given the freedom to take my pick of future roles and to become financially independent".

It has been claimed that the use of the swim-wear in Dr. No led to "the biggest impact on the history of the bikini". From Wikipedia

1962

 

1963

 

1964

HOLLYWOOD COSTUMES

Talking of London, wait until Autumn to go ! Because Hollywood´s most memorable costumes is to go on display at V&A from October 20.

"This exhibition will bring together over 100 outfits worn by unforgettable cinema characters, from Dorothy's dress in the Wizard of Oz,  Scarlett O'Hara's velvet 'curtain' dress from Gone With the Wind, Holly Golightly's black Givenchy dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's to Darth Vader's cape."

The Exhibition is curated by Hollywood costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis, who explains:
"I didn't go looking for costumes, I went looking for characters. This is not a decorative show. There's plenty of glamour - Marilyn Monroe's dress from Some Like It Hot is jaw-dropping in its nakedness.
But it's not about the fabulousity, it's about what's inside." From The Telegraph.

I am looking foreward to that. Are You coming ?

"STARS EN DIOR"

Not long ago Chanel was publishing a fashionbook about "Northern Women in Chanel"  by Peter Farago and Ingela Klemetz-Farago, who also had an exhibition at Design Museum Denmark in Copenhagen.

I didn´t see it myself, but the exhibition had mixed reviews. . . questioning if it just was a concept to promote Chanel, the photographers and why northern women ? - missing the context.

Now Dior takes it further. "Stars en Dior" is an upcoming book about Dior dressing the Stars of Hollywood. 

-Telling the story of Dior and featuring 250 photos of film stills, location shots, photographs and of course portraits of stars past and present in looks by the iconic designer and his successors.

Books for fashionistas and collectors, but also another way of getting  more publicity and valuable exposure, to keep up the interest I guess. 

"Stars en dior" is published by Rizzoli and coming out in France this May and later on in other countries.

MARY´S BOTTOM LINE

-Is a new very interesting documentary on Channel 4 in Britain, hosted by retail guru Mary Portas.

"Britain used to be a manufacturing colossus, renowned for its worldclass clothing industry. But today, most fashion is made cheaply abroad.
In the middle of the worst recession, she believes a window of opportunity has opened to restore some life back to British manufacturing.  Since transport costs and foreign labour costs are rising, Mary Portas wants to reignite the UK clothing industry by starting her own production line to manufacture a key staple in any woman's wardrobe: 100% British made knickers.
Therefore she is heading to Middleton, Greater Manchester, to set up the new production line. Mary wants consumers to understand the value of buying British: skills, UK jobs, pride in our manufactu-ring heritage".

What a great initiative. I really hope she will succeed in her admirable cause. 

 

I think that Denmark as well as Britain have "suffered" more than enough. Because of the growing costs to produce locally is forcing manufactures to move their production east, causing unemployment here.

I hope our politicians have learned that lesson by now, but also have made the manufactures think about their role.
Maybe they need to take a look at this program on Channel 4 and learn about pride and the consequences of their decisions.

Update 2018! This series is now available on Netflix.