Bad Characters in Good Taste: Femme Movie Style

I knew you all would be the ones to share my passion for movie character styles, especially when the nuances regarding such are often subtle and easy to overlook.  Here are some of my favorite inspirational characters-for both their fashion sense and attitudes (though at times deeply flawed)- it just wouldn't be the same with out that edge...


Carmen in "Carmen Jones" (1954)
Dorothy Dandridge stars as the untamable and manipulative Carmen Jones-a gypsy spirit tortured by the idea of stagnancy yet infatuated with the idea of being in love.  She meets her end as she lived her life-quickly and without a goodbye-but she owned those clothes right to the last breath.

Bonnie (Faye Dunaway) in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967)

 the beast that is taking what you deserve, the beauty in unyielding loyalty and the doomed fate they share.

Coffy (Pam Grier) in "Coffy" (1973)

Seeking revenge for her brother's death Coffy goes undercover as a prostitute to anihilate the drug lords responsible.  She changed clothes, she changed fros but the gangster never left.

Rizzo (Stockard Channing) in Grease (1978)

Classic.  The sensitive highschool bad girl gets sexed up in timeless pieces.

Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer) in Scarface (1983)

Casino (1995) Ginger (Sharon Stone)
Ginger. The ultimate hustler always put on the glitz with a wardrobe that, like her personality- had range.  Beaded gowns, feathers, furs and gold- to terry cloth separates, pleather- this woman's transformation was documented just as much throuh her wardobe as in her destructive behavior.

Brave the Winter Chill With Luxe Skin Quenchers

The groundhog failed to show his shadow, so word has it that we may be basking in the heat a bit earlier than expected.  Until then, it's possible that the winter weather could be tearing your skin apart!  Here are some quick fixes I adore that will keep your skin soft, smooth and radiant:

Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse

Orange Extract and Olive Oil work together to remove makeup and impurities and provide intense moisture replenishment to very dry skin. Makes you feel good about taking care.

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

A lightweight "water" serum that attracts moisture to the skin and seals it in, leaving the skin soothed and supple.

Clarins Hydraquench Bi-Phase Serum

A deeply penetrating treatment where opposites join forces to change skin!  The oil and water mixture provides double hydration and environmental protection that prepares skin to tackle the most brutal cold.  

Bobbi Brown Soothing Balm

A rich all purpose balm meant for any part of the body that is dry and needs a little something extra.  Use it on your cuticles, elbows, dry patches on the face or even as a dewy highlight for the cheek.  Love Love Love this stuff (doesn't hurt that its pink too-(raise the roof)

Josie Maran Bronzing Argonne Oil

With all the same benefits as the original organic moroccan oil AND-it warms up skin that's been struck pale from winter time hibernation.

We Owe You BIG, Sweet Designer Collabo Lines!

We have seen them.  We have judged them.  We have loved them. 


In the past, it's been relatively easy to undermine and verbally slaughter rappers and pop stars who produce clothing lines, but that form of entertainment has rapidly evolved into a substantive discussion about style, economics and accessibility. Now that professional designers are approached to create discount lines for retailers like H&M and TARGET, style and artistry sell the clothes instead of pop drama and dirty laundry.  High fashion is at the fingertips of all from the most resilient buyers (those dedicated few who stand in line at every debut because they want two of whatever-first AND in their size) to those who could care less about the name on the tag.  This shift in orientation has made it possible for discount and trend focused retailers to provide a dynamic selection of fashion for the general audience and to attract a more fashion savvy consumer to an unexpected destination: one who basks in the glory of spending less money and looking as fabulous as the ones who spent more money.  "Designer For" is the order of the day.  Have it with a side of cool.


              T  H  E    C O L L E C T I O N S:   A  T I M E L I N E 

                                        H & M

11/2004  K A R L  L A G E R F E L D  (by Karl Lagerfeld)

                                 

11/2006  V I K T O R &  R O L F  

                            

10/2007:  R O B E R T O  C A V A L L I (by Roberto Cavalli)

03/2007:  M   BY  M A D O N N A (by Madonna)

04/2008: T R I B U T E   T O   M A R I M E K O (H&M Design Team)

11/2008: C O M M E S  D E S  G A R C O N (by Rei Kawakubo)

04/2009:  M A T T H E W  W I L L I A M S O N (by Matthew Williamson)

11/2009:  J I M M Y  C H O O (by Tamara Mellon)

12/2009-02/2010- S O N I A  R Y K I E L (K N I T S & L I N G E R I E)

11/2010:  L A N V I N 

T A R G E T

T H A K O O N

M c Q  A L E X A N D E R   M  c Q U E E N

J E A N  P A U L  G A U L T I E R

W I L L I A M  R A S T 

R O D A R T E

L U E L L A 

P R O E N Z A  S C H O U L E R

GO JUST STAND THERE...(it's worth the wait)