Fashion In Film Friday - Star 80

The 1983 film titled 'Star 80', was based on the true story of the rise to fame of Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten, portrayed by Mariel Hemingway opposite Eric Roberts as her estranged husband, Paul Snider who took her life in a jealous rampage.  The movie achieved much acclaim and was even on film critic Gene Siskel's top ten list of the best films of 1983.

Dorothy Stratten was a small town girl from Canada, going to high school and  working at a local Dairy Queen when she met a customer, the twenty six year old Paul Snider who was a Vancouver club promoter and pimp.  Snider immediately set his sites on Stratten & coerced her into letting him take nudes pictures of her to submit to Playboy for consideration. 

She was underage at the time so he forged her mothers signature to sign the model release.  After being taking on by Playboy, Hefner suggested to Dorothy that she sever ties with Snider as he could see he was a complete 'hustler'.

Unfortunately Dorothy attempted to and it cost her, her life.  On August 14th, 1980, Paul Snider convinced Stratten to meet with him to 'talk' things out, in the house they once shared together.  Shortly after her arrival, he shot her and then raped her and her death was considered to be one of the most pre-meditated thought out and bizarrely orchestrated murders in history.

The movie 'Star 80', totally embodied the fashion flair for that time frame of the early 80's and the costumes in the film were impeccable.

Dorothy Stratten was the feminine version of the popular trends of that time bringing a vibe of romanticism with her style choices.  Off the shoulder flowing dresses, strapless gowns & lingerie. Stratten was the ultimate 'girly girl' of the 80's who unfortunately was stifled in the prime of her life & career.

Dorothy Stratten born Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten in a Salvation Army hospital in the 1960's left behind her a 'rags to riches' story that will never be forgotten.  


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Fashion In Film Friday - 'The Seven Year Itch'

Who doesn't remember the classic 1955 film...'The Seven Year Itch' starring Marilyn Monroe & Tom Ewell about a married man who was becoming disinterested with his marriage and entertains the idea of straying outside of it?  'The Seven Year Itch' is a term that has been used by psychologists for decades to define the decline of monogamous relationships after seven years.  The movie was nearly prohibited from being released due to the sensitive nature of the story line that proposed the idea of adultery. Weren't those the good old days when 'less was more'?

This is the flick that made the white halter dress and Marilyn a sensation.  The infamous photograph of her standing on the air vent while her dress was being blown to reveal her undergarments is still one of the most recognizable even fifty years later.  The dress just like Marilyn, is a timeless icon.  The man behind the dress making was a much sought after designer of that time, William Travilla.  It was said that his best work was the white halter dress he put together for Monroe.  The flattering a-line skirt, the deep v-neckline bodice and the lightweight fabric he selected for the ease of movement was simply beautiful.  He chose the color white because it's associated with innocence.  After the filming was over Marilyn was quoted as stating ... "Billy Dear, please dress me forever.  I love you, Marilyn."

This vintage dress was popular fifty years ago and I'm sure it will be just as popular fifty years from now as to this day, women are still in search of the perfect 'Marilyn Monroe style dress' just like the one she wore in 'The Seven Year Itch'... 

: impawards.com , freenewfashiondesign.com , myfashioncollection.com   

MOD Monday

Go-go boots first became popular in the 60's given the name that was derived from the 1962 slang term "go", meaning something that was "all the rage" and that was followed by the term "go-go dancer" in 1965.  Back then, a go go dancer wasn't necessarily a stripper as many well established night clubs featured mod mama's in retro frocks and go-go boots dancing in cages.  Initially boots were only thought to be worn during bad weather to protect us from the elements and not as street wear, but just like everything...fashions evolved...

The go-go type boots generally sits at the knee or above the knee with a lower flat chunky heel.  They were famous for drawing attention to the legs when paired with right mini skirt/dress.  You know you've found a 'vintage' go-go boot if it's made of plastic or vinyl and it's colorful, because the 'mod' go-go boots of the 60's came in array of colors!

Nancy Sinatra and Jane Fonda, both made go-go boots popular in song and film, as Nancy sang about them in her popular one hit wonder hit "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" and Jane showed us her sexy side in some space age go-go boots in the cult science fiction movie Barbarella.

Check out these sexy lace up boots worn by stewardess's in the 60's and for real with the hot pants?!

Retro Threadz 'LOVES' us some go-go boots & there have been many unique style and color variations that have came and went, but we are always on the hunt for that special find!  Currently, we have a few left in the shop...

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Fashion In Film Friday

Usually we do a film from past decades, but our 'Fashion In Film Friday' focus is going to be on the new movie that was just released this past April,  'Water For Elephants' with Reese Witherspoon and Twilight heart throb Rob Pattinson.  It's a love story set in the 1930's about a traveling circus.  

This flick is very 'old Hollywood' and not just on a cinematographic level.  The styles are right on and true to the era. The 30's were to some degree 'glam' and the movie 'Water For Elephants' features Reese in a bunch of silky, slinky dresses that are currently the inspiration for designs by Galliano & Dior.

Fashion trends tend to follow most major motion pictures and retailers are already anticipating the demand for this vintage 30's style! Zappos has even created a special edition scarf inspired by the one Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) wears in the movie. 

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Fashion In Film Friday

"T.G.I.F." & Welcome to the weekend!  Our Fashion In Film Friday topic is the 1988 movie 'Heathers' starring Winona Ryder.  The movie was basically an 80's prequel of sorts to the popular current flick 'Mean Girls' (i.e. bad girl cliques verses the goody goodies).  This popular 80's hit made school girl chic' a popular fashion trend that is now considered 'vintage'...

Plaid was popping up everywhere after the release of this film & 80's prep style was on the rise!  Pleated skirts that sat just above the knee, colored opaque tights & ballerina flats all topped off with a fitted padded shouldered jacket.  I remember this style all to well as I have to confess I actually dressed liked this!  

I haven't seen this style make a return since it was once popular, but you just never know..It will probably come back on racks in the not too distant future.  One lesson to be learned from following fashion trends is I always make sure to hang onto pieces that were once all the rage because "what's old always becomes new again....eventually."






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Fashion In Film Friday

In addition to our Mod Mondays, we're going to be doing Fashion In Film Friday's here at Retro Threadz.  Each week we'll be picking one movie that inspired the world of fashion.  Fashions of every era have always been motivated by movie costumes since way before there was even color or sound in films.  For example the German stage and silent film actress Marlene Dietrich was a fashion icon of the 20's and was considered a scandalous rebel in her time due to her love of masculine attire.  She wore a top hat and tuxedo in the 1928 vintage film Morocco which raised eyebrows and more than likely began the dawn of sexual ambiguity in clothing styles.   

In regards to her style she was quoted as saying...
"I dress for the image, not for myself, not for the public and definitely not for men"...

pics: zerode.wordpress.com, mythicalmonkey.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Taylor...Timeless Beauty

The beautiful Elizabeth Taylor just recently turned 79 this past February and has been in the news over the past several weeks for being hospitalized for congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She remains stable and there are no new developments in her condition.

Award winning two time Oscar recipient Taylor defined herself as one of the most influential style icons of the 20th century with her stunning face, violet-blue eyes and the trademark beauty mark on her chin.  She was never afraid of playing up her bold eyebrows and that became a trend among women everywhere.


She has influenced film fashion for over five decades and became famous not only for her acting talents but for her style choices in clothes and jewelry.  Since she was a teen she has been intriguing us with her sass and sex appeal.


Elizabeth Taylor will always remain a timeless beauty...     

pic: cowkitty.net