It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod World

Despite its place as one of the most influential films of the 60s, I have never gotten into or particularly enjoyed Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 film Blow-Up. I watched it years ago when I was trying to self-educate myself with film history, feeling that the film was required viewing. But as it dragged on and my mind began to drift further and further away from the film (how do you make a murder plot seem dull?!), I was completely unimpressed. And by the time the pantomime tennis game closed out the film (which, honestly, that scene feels like a SNL parody of an art house film), I was overcome with a relief that it was finally over. But also glad that I could say I had seen it. My roommate turned to me when it finished asking, "Why did we just watch that?"

The film feels very much like a snapshot of Swinging London in the 60s (insert your Austin Powers impression here) and I'm sure felt very revolutionary for its day. And compared to the academically-stuffy Best Picture winner that year, A Man For All Seasons, I'm sure it felt like they were seeing Spring Breakers. I've read a theory that the reason it was so popular was because of the promise of nudity and (more importantly) there were no subtitles to sit through to see them. I guess before the internet made boobs just a google search away, you had to find them any which way you could.

So when Nathaniel at The Film Experience chose it for this week's movie for Hit Me With Your Best Shot, I saw it as an opportunity to re-examine it. I was willing to give the film another shot. After all, I was so much younger then. What did I really know about what makes a great film anyway? Going in with an open mind, I quickly found that my opinion on the film has not changed. It still feels tedious, meandering, and the unengaging photographer character at its center is misogynistic and so over it all, that why should we even bother ourselves? I know there's more lurking beneath its surface, but I just can't seem to bring myself to see it for more than its face value.

Which is a little ironic considering the thing makes the biggest impression on me are the crazy Mod fashions and glossy photo shoots. With the success and style of Mad Men over the past couple years, it seems we've been having a bit of a 60s fashion love-in again. And the clothes in this movie do not disappoint. They're certainly a lot more high-fashion than anything that Peggy would dare to wear to the office.

The film also co-stars a genuine fashion icon, Jane Birkin, as one of the two girls infatuated with David Hemmings' photographer character. (She's the blonde one.) Jane would later become  famous when she married French singer Serge Gainsbourg and she's also the mother of actress/singer Charlotte Gainsbourg. But her greatest contribution to the fashion world is as the namesake of one fashion's most coveted items, the Hermès Birkin bag. A handbag so exclusive in its status-symboldom, that there's a years-long waiting list to purchase it.

So of course my Best Shot had to be this beautifully composed shot that captures my favorite element of the film: the period's outlandish high-fashion looks.

Although it is more than just a simple glamor shot. As the models are staggered further and further away with the pane of glass between each of them, it begins to mimic later in the film when the photographer begins to repeatedly blowup some photos he took. Copies of copies as they become closer and closer and more unique and distinct. The dividers also show how he looks at the world through a glass, giving him a distance between discovering the reality right in front of him. And with the camera in the shot, which is almost a character in the film itself, it's as if we as the audience are looking through his lens. Seeing what he sees.

Like that fabulously tasty striped number...

A Wardrobe Fit for a Courtesan

Much of the success of Baz Luhrmann's career as a director is greatly helped by the worlds he creates with his longtime collaborator (and wife), Catherine Martin or CM. CM has been there since the beginning for every film (even before she got married to him). She worked as Production Designer on Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet (receiving an Oscar nom for R + J), Costume Designer and Production Designer on Australia (the film's sole Oscar nomination was for her costumes), and of the 8 Oscar Nominations given to Moulin Rouge!, CM's work on the film brought it both of its wins (Art Direction, shared with Brigitte Broch and Costume Design, shared with Angus Strathie). Whatever the reception awaiting Gatsby, it's almost assured nominations for CM's costumes and production design. Baz's films are known for their glitz and decadence and CM never fails to provide it.

In honor of the Oscar winning designs for Moulin Rouge! (and to continue along with Baz Luhrmann week here at the blog), I'm taking a look at the iconic costumes of Nicole Kidman's courtesan, Satine. The team looked to past screen legends (such as Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, and Rita Hayworth) as inspiration for Satine's look. Remembering that the clothes had to work as costumes and not authentic representations of 1899 Parisian Couture, they decided to use materials and fabrics available at the time but to use them in unconventional ways. It's no wonder that Movie Stars of yesteryears influenced the character of Satine because Nicole's star turn (helped in large part by her extraordinary wardrobe) has already taken its place alongside those Hollywood greats.

Screen Test

Before anything even gets finalized for the final film, screen tests are made of how the character will look. The second image actually found it's way into the movie. It's the first shot we see of Satine when Christian (Ewan McGregor) tells us in the prologue about the woman he loved. Corsets and top hats made it into other designs, but the cigarette holder didn't. It'll just have to remain synonymous with Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly.

Julia's Screen Style

Shouldn't those guards be saving her from the dress devouring her?

This weekend brought the release of the first of two Snow White films headed to theaters this year. This family-friendly take on the tale, directed by Tarsem Singh, features Oscar-winner Julia Roberts as the evil queen. And is not to be confused with the one this summer were Kristen Stewart's Snow is apparently Joan of Arc and Charlize is just, well, awesome. I can't say that I'm clamoring to see Mirror Mirror (and I guess I'm not the only one from looks of the box office. The trailers make it look so bad, right? But, I shouldn't form an opinion until I've seen it. After all the lesson of Snow White is to not judge a book by its cover. Wait, that's Beauty and the Beast. What's the theme for Snow White? When in trouble, seek out dwarves?), but the major point of interest is definitely the elaborate costumes created by Oscar-winning costume designer, Eiko Ishioka (Bram Stoker's Dracula). Over at Movieline, there is a great photo gallery of the costumes, so you can take in the insanity wonders of people with swans and boats on their heads.

Julia Roberts is such a modern, contemporary actress that it's not very often that we see her in such a stylized, fanciful way. And while her real-life style is less defined than some other stars, she's definitely brought some iconic styles to the big-screen. In celebration of her outlandish gowns in Mirror Mirror, I thought it would fun to look back at some of Julia's looks from past movies. And I think we all know what the first one is gonna be:

Pretty Woman (1990)

 

This post was really just an excuse to post pictures of Julia's amazing costumes in Pretty Woman. If anyone tells you that they don't like this movie, call them out for the dirty liar that they are. It is impossible to resist Julia in this film. Just try not to stop when you see it playing on basic cable (which is at least once a day). In what other movie can you see Julia Roberts in both a blonde wig with vinyl thigh-high boots and an elegant red gown with opera length gloves–and make both looks work. This movie is one of the best fashion movies of all time (just in case you were wondering, I would include Funny Face, Clueless, and The Devil Wears Prada on that list as well). A time capsule of what was considered chic and modern at that moment. While the clothes may look dated now, there's no denying the elegance of the polka dot dress worn to the polo match or the black lace cocktail dress. Like a modern day Eliza Doolittle, Julia's Vivian Ward is transformed into a lady through her clothes. And who doesn't love a shopping movie-montage? 

Hook, Erin Brockovich, and more after the jump

Gwyneth Paltrow Here to Save the Day

Let's be honest, most people that watch the Oscars probably haven't seen the films nominated. It doesn't really matter. The Oscars aren't just a celebration of film, but a chance to see movie stars mingling together and being forced to make awkward banter on stage. But, the main reason most people watch is for the fashion. Chances are you'll never have a custom couture gown made for you, so let's look at pretty people who have! The major trend of the night was white, red, and a lot of heavily beaded/sparkly gowns. But, all anyone can talk about is Angie's leg. (It really was kinda amazing/bizarre.) But, one little body part shouldn't get all the attention. I was gonna do a 5 best dressed list, but I was a little unimpressed with everyone as a whole. Luckily, there was one saving grace to the evening. We'll get to her in a moment (pretend like you didn't already read the title of this post). I'm gonna break down my worst, best, and biggest disappointments.

Worst: Shailene Woodley

Maybe I'm biased because I just really didn't like her in The Descendants. She was getting so much praise for crying underwater, but what else did she bring to that role? It's not that she was Jessica Alba-levels of bad or anything, it's just that anyone else could have given that exact same performance. I guess they had to invite her because her film was nominated, but if she stayed on that ABC Family Channel show where she came from, and I never had to hear about her again– I'd be perfectly okay with that. Anyway, back to the dress...

How old is she trying to look here? I think she's still a teenager, but her white-on-white, bedazzled Valentino makes her look like she took her grandmother's old prom dress out of moth balls and is ready for her 40 year high school reunion. This dress is just so dowdy on her. This dress itself is...adequate, i guess (much like her performance). But, it needs like a Diane Lane wearing it–a woman with more maturity that can bring some sex appeal to it. God, would that even work? The more I look at it the more I feel like it's a hopeless cause.

Biggest Disappointments: Rooney Mara and Emma Stone

Y'all know how I feel about these two ladies' style, so it was a huge disappointment when I saw what they chose to wear to their first Oscar ceremony. We knew Rooney was gonna wear something structural, and there are parts of this Givenchy dress that I do enjoy. The back is interesting and weird and the fabric on the train moved so elegantly. But, the front was not right. She told Seacrest that she just picked it out that morning. Maybe if she had had some time, she could have gotten it tailored to actually fit. The bodice was baggy on the sides and tight on the top. There was a strange business happening with her whole ribcage-cleavage area. And what were those scalloped boob shelf embellishments? What was going on there? And the white just washed her out way too much. 

Why would Emma Stone wear a look so similar to the one Nicole Kidman wore to the Oscars in 2007? And Nicole's red bow gown worked so much better. The bow on Emma's red Giambattista Valli gown threatened to devour the actress's head at any moment. It was larger than life. I do like the idea of it. i just think the proportions were off. The color worked well and I do like the flow of the skirt. I just expected so much more from her.

Best Dressed (by far) and My New Hero: Gwyneth Paltrow

You just know that lady behind her in the sari is pissed that she's pulling off a cape 

Without Tilda, Cate, or Nicole at the ceremony this year, it seemed like no one would bring that high fashion look that stands out from the crowd. But then up in the sky came a beacon of white light, in the form of Gwyneth Paltrow in a Tom Ford dress and...cape. I love that cape. It is so elegant and unexpected and really made a pretty white gown, that would have been fine on its own, something to talk about. She looked so glamorous and regal in it, like a 1930's movie goddess. She (and her cape) single-handedly saved the red carpet from being an underwhelming affair. Angie's leg needs to stop stealing the spotlight from the night's real winner. Someone get started on photoshopping Gwyneth's cape on people...

Cate Blanchett: A History in Oscar Gowns

The Most Stylish Stars

Today is the start of Fashion Week here in New York. And while most of us will never get the chance to sit front row at a runway show, it's just one of the many perks of being a celebrity. (They even get paid to attend!) Mainly because fashion, film, and celebrity are so closely connected. The designers know what the stars wear influence our everyday fashion. When Clark Gable appeared without an undershirt in It Happened One Night, sales of the item plummeted. And when Marlon Brando in Streetcar Named Desire starred in the film wearing just the undershirt by itself, the item found new popularity with a new generation. And the red carpet at the Oscars is a televised runway in which a star can be made. Uma Thurman's lilac Prada at the 1995 ceremony brought a new life to the design house. In 1996, Sharon Stone was the talk of the Oscars. The reason: the Gap turtleneck she wore. Who knew wearing something you could get at the sale rack in the mall could be so chic? Elie Tahari is now a red carpet staple, but it all started because of the designer's burgundy dress that Halle Berry wore when she won Best Actress in 2002.

In honor of Fashion Week, I have compiled a list of who I think are the most stylish actors at the moment. All four have a style that's all their own. It may not make them better actors, (luckily, all four are already pretty good at their day job) but it certainly adds to their persona.

Ryan Gosling

It's hard to make menswear interesting. Try to go classic and it can get boring (oh, another black tux). On the other hand, if you get too creative it can start to look like a costume (Alan Cummings, I'm looking your way). Which, is why it's so amazing that Ryan Gosling is able to pull off what he does. A maroon tuxedo shouldn't work and yet it does on Gosling. Even his casual clothes are interesting. Whether it's a short-sleeved cardigan on the Today show (I've been looking everywhere for one and there's Gosling wearing it like it's no big deal) or a striped tank worn to break up street fights, he always brings a twist to make it unique. 

Rooney Mara

We can thank David Fincher and the role of Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo for the emergence of Rooney's new-found style. This time last year, she was sporting long, brown, wavy hair and dressed in a way that no one would call memorable. What a difference a black bob and some goth inspired couture makes. It all may be a little manufactured, but they are doing a damn good job. At every premiere and event that she's attended in the last few months, she's brought a style that is becoming her own. Her clothes are edgy and modern, but in a way that isn't over the top. And unlike her character in the movie, who's punk look can be off-putting, her red carpet looks may be hard, but they still have a femininity to them. 

Emma Stone

You can actually pinpoint the exact moment that Emma Stone became fashion's new one-to-watch. At the 2011 Golden Globes in a simple peach colored Calvin Klein dress and blonde hair pulled back, she made her presence known. It was so simple, yet elegant. And with two hit movies to promote this past year, she continued to show-off the fashionable star she has become. I love that her hair is back to it's signature red color because it just makes her stand out more. She's not afraid of bright colors or trends, but doesn't get upstaged by them. And she always wears items that are flirty and fun, like her 50's influenced Alexander McQueen dress at this year's SAG awards.

Tilda Swinton

There is no one else quite like Tilda. To put it simply, she is a fashion icon. Who else would wear what looked like a garbage bag to accept their Best Supporting Actress Oscar and make it look high fashion? She has a taste for the avant-garde, favoring unconventional designs that challenge our view of how an actress should dress. Her look has even inspired an entire runway collection by Viktor & Rolf in which all the models were made up to look like the actress. Recently she's been doing a David Bowie-inspired androgyny thing that is executed effortlessly in a way only she could pull off.