Another Look Back: Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face

After spending a semester in Paris it was both entertaining and comical to watch the 1957 film Funny Face.  Audrey’s on-screen transformation from a young, intellectual bookstore employee working in Greenwich Village to becoming a supermodel in the Parisian fashion world seems a little far-fetched but the movie keeps one interested largely because of the incredible fashion!  After Hubert de Givenchy served as costume designer for the film, Audrey insisted that he make all the clothes for her roles in future films. Thus a lifelong friendship developed between Audrey and Givenchy and as a result the world got to continually ooh and ahh over her timeless style in films like Funny Face among many others. Below are some of her most glamorous looks designed by Givenchy for the film: 

“His are the only clothes in which I am myself.”

–Audrey Hepburn on Hubert de Givenchy  

Film: The Great Gatsby

Baz Luhrman's adaptation of the famous book and earlier film, The Great Gatsby was incredibly powerful because of the costuming that served to drive the script. Each character's clothing helped to situate them both in the 1920's as a time period and also in their own personal journey throughout the movie. After its release, the effect on the fashion community was visible as stores from Tiffany to Banana Republic began to carry Gatsby-inspired looks.

Here are some favorites from the film:

And here are a few Gatsby-inspired looks:

Grease (1978)

Known for its catchy tunes and preppy 50's style, "Grease" became on of the most famed movie musicals of all time. In the United States it is still one of the highest grossing musicals to date and although we can't get enough of the classic star-crossed lovers story between Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny (John Travolta), there is another reason this musical became such a sensation...the fashion! 

The movie is set in California in the 1950's and the costume does a fantastic job of portraying the "typical high school cliques" that are so important to the story line. The fashion is extremely helpful in identifying these cliques and their distinct personalities. The bad-boy T-Birds are always clad in their rolled up jeans and black leather jackets 

The preppy girls wearing a classic sweater-set style and full skirts or poodle skirts.

And of course, the "Pink Ladies" who are never seen without their Varsity style zip-ups and mid pencil skirts or leather leggings.

Even though this movie is set in the 1950's, many of the fashion keeps reinventing itself and comes back in style. Because of this, Grease is looked to as the ultimate inspiration for the "50s" timeless look. 

First, LEATHER JACKETS for men and women were put on the map in this movie. Danny and the rest of the "T-Bird" gang wear leather jackets in practically every single scene confirming their tough-guy image they work so hard to put on. And who can't forget one of the most iconic character transformations in history. At the end of the film, Sandy trades her nice girl image and ditches her sweaters and pompoms for a sexy black number including a sassy leather jacket and tight leather leggings. Her chic transformation is due to her complete change in fashion and her attitude shifts aligning more with this new daring look. I think it's safe to say that many women today still idolize this look and reinvent this look in a modern way and to fit their own personality. 

CUFFED DENIM is another style all of the trendsetters at Rydell High sported. This style fades in and out of fashion, but is an easy and simple way to throw a little edge onto a classic jean look. This was a common look for the "Greasers" but many jean brands today have shown a modern version. Here is a recent take on the trend by Burberry Brit:

FULL SKIRTS often embodied the playful good-girl in this movie, frequented by Sandy and her friends. The casual look of dresses with full skirts and tiny waists showed a cute and carefree look that was very popular in the 1950's. The skirt was easy and comfortable, definitely a plus with all those dance numbers! 

VARSITY JACKT/BOMBERS is a staple in this movie because of the classic high-school setting. The Pink Ladies sported matching jackets throughout the entire movie and show their strong identity for being a "group." The fashion of the jackets function as a character development tool as well. As the girls begin to develop their own unique personality and style, it is clear that by the end of the movie they never are wearing their jackets all at the same time. Varsity jacket have recently come back in style today and has been seen on celebrities frequently as a budding trend.

The last look that made a big statement in the movie was the MIDI PENCIL SKIRT. This skirt was a staple item in the girl's at Rydell High, mainly the pink ladies. This skirt was perfect because it was a little bit longer than a standard pencil skirt, but easily showed off curves and still looked conservative. This look was a way for girls in the 50's to look and feel sexy without sparring too far away from a traditional look. This look again has been resurfaced and reinterpreted in our modern era, but till fulfills the same purpose.

Whether you prefer the sweet and innocent "Summer Loving" look or the bad-girl chic "Tell Me About It Stud" there are plenty of looks in this mega musical hit worth revisiting and are seen as inspirations for fashion today.

-Marin

Miss Dior Exhibition Review

The Grand Palais, the large monument along the Champs Elysees, built to display various collections of French art, was the perfect place to display and match the grandeur of Christian Dior’s Miss Dior exhibit. As illustrated throughout the exhibit, Christian Dior’s goal in his work was to “make women more beautiful and happier” (Christian Dior), the exhibit is filled with feminine artifacts and designs that would make any woman feel beautiful upon entering. The exhibition is filled with beauty and artistic expression that was inspired by none other than the alluring and magical perfume, Miss Dior. 

Before entering the exhibition, one is greeted with a larger than life portrait of Christian Dior in a tailored white suit with a black and white handkerchief in the left pocket. Upon viewing this monstrous portrait in an all-white room, visitors are encouraged and inspired to read and become more informed on the artist before entering the exhibition. After the brief yet informative biography of Christian Dior, jmdjkone enters the exhibition and is immediately flooded with beauty, femininity and the color: pink.

Because Christian Dior was originally interested in art, a stairwell leads the exhibition viewer to the top level of the giant room, displaying various paintings and artists which inspired Dior. Teaming up with five other artists, the exhibition notes that Christian Dior and these men opened up an art gallery. Along with this, Christian Dior also owned his own art collection. Walking up these stairs, viewers are greeted with various paintings and sculptures which inspired Dior. The art ranges from kitschy sculptures, such as a woman with a baguette on her head, to the highly influential Pablo Picasso painting. The body of work displayed at the top of the stairs helps the exhibition viewer gain information on the art Dior appreciated as well as what inspired his work. 

The flow of the museum transfers from past to present when the exhibition visitor is lead down the stairs to be magically engulfed in colorful modern art pieces inspired by the Miss Dior Eau de Toilette. Most notable, Polly Apfelbaum’s Rainbow Nirvana Houndstooth, is an installation which depicts hundreds of women from cultures across the world dancing and being themselves in their element. To view this, the visitor enters a dark room and is surrounded by a projection of these dancing and singing women. The artist mixes tradition hand-weaving techniques with modern technology to create a surreal and almost frightening depiction of women, objects, and sound floating across a night sky.

Walking across the first floor of the exhibition, one can see various other modern art pieces brought to life by Miss Dior. One of the most eye-catching is an enormous, illuminated pink bow made from carbon fiber and adorned with over 1,500 perfume bottles. Upon first glance, the viewer can only see a massive illuminated bow. After reading the bow’s description and meaning, one would be delighted to know that the Miss Dior bow and its use of everyday materials conveys the essence of “childish innocence and passionate audacity” (Joana Vasconcelos). Further down the exhibition, the viewer is entranced by a massive five meter sculpture plays on the viewer’s olfactory senses and essentially, provides a unique and psychedelic experience upon stepping inside.

One of the more personal and easily understood modern art pieces is Karen Kilimnik’s dramatic display of today’s consumer society. The Miss Dior perfume bottle sits at the center of a lavish bed of flowers, pink clouds, and chandeliers depicting the perfume’s romantic and feminine origins. Very inspired by Marie Antoinette, it’s no wonder that Miss Dior has this lavish, romantic and overdone connotation. This piece inspires the viewer to view Miss Dior and its role in today’s modern consumer-oriented society. Along with these previously mentioned, the entire first floor is engulfed in various artists’ interpretation of Miss Dior; its colors, purpose and message. Though many of these installations and massive sculptures may appear daunting and frivolous, one must read the descriptions and pamphlet to find the true meaning; this can often be surprising and enlightening. 

Amidst the massive installations and sculptures lies two video installations: one, showing Miss Diorn commercials on a loop and one displaying various historical clips of Dior’s designs and inspirations. The video displaying Miss Dior’s commercials is rather intriguing and captivating as the viewer is able to see each model that has represented Dior throughout the years; the most recent being Natalie Portman. These video installations tie the exhibition together and make it relatable to modern day life in that they depict celebrities and movie stars who viewers are familiar with.

Last but not least, the absolute highlight of the exhibition is none other than the collection of beautiful and perfectly feminine dresses created by artists who were inspired by his lovely fragrance. Although each dress encompasses the fragrance’s expression of love and femininity, the dress that stands out is Lillian Bassman’s Miss Dior gown. Enveloped in colorful flowers, this gown speaks the true meaning of the fragrance. As it perfectly tailors to a woman’s hourglass figure, its small waste, large hips and bust create what many would consider, the ideal womanly figure. Any woman who wears this dress would immediately feel like a goddess, undeniably feminine and beautiful.

 

The Grand Palais’ Miss Dior exhibition is anything but ordinary. Its chaotic layout is somewhat daunting and overwhelming upon entering yet gradually becomes easier on the eyes after exploration. The classic Parisian theme of grandeur is clearly displayed throughout the museum with a twist of pink and floral design. Throughout the exhibition’s informative videos, influential artwork and modern interpretations of Miss Dior, the viewer is able to grasp Christian Dior’s main goal: to make every woman feel beautiful and happy.

-Avery