New Millennium Pin-Up Queen - Dita Von Teese

The origin of the pin up queen dates back as far as 1910 but I'm sure the beauties of that day and age were quite muted in regards to their photo shoot clothing choices.  The term 'pin-up' got it's name by G.I.'s in World War II who would cut pics of their fave starlet out of magazines and hang them on their locker walls. We've certainly evolved from the days when modesty was alive and well that's for sure!  So here we are in the new millennium as we have bid a sweet farewell to the vintage mavens such as Clara Bow & Gloria Swanson and ushered in the new breed of pin-up known as Dita Von Teese.

Dita Von Teese was born Heather Sweet in Rochester, Michigan in 1972.  As a child she was trained in classical ballet but as she came into adulthood, she became fascinated with the styles of the 1940's & became a pin-up model primarily in the realm of fetish modeling showcasing her extremely small 22 inch waist that she showcased in a magazine called 'Tighlacer', corseted down to 16 inches!  Her dance training ended up paying off as she later went on to incorporate it into her burlesque routines which she has now acclaimed fame for. 

In addition to being a retro pin-up doll, Von Teese is said to be solely responsible for reviving the art of 'burlesque'.  She has been compared to the likes of Sally Rand as her shows incorporate the vibe of the vintage 30's & 40's queens of burlesque.

Aside from doing pin-up and dancing, Dita is a big wig on the fashion scene being #1 on many best dressed lists. Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs are among her fave fash designers.  She has even strutted the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris 2006 for Fashion Week.

She has done for the art of pin-up what Madonna had done for women in pop music which is bringing a bold and edgy new perspective to the old art, in addition to paving a way for up and coming models but my question is..."Did it really need to be revamped?"  As for myself, I think 'not' as the vintage pin-ups queens from long ago will always be remembered for their sense of style and class.

Random Fact: 
Dita Von Teese was married briefly to shock rocker Marilyn Manson...EWWW!

pinuppassion.com , pearlsandpoison.buzznet.com , burlesqueguide.net , mirror.co.uk , hubpages.com

That 70's Style

Spring fashions this year are rolling in with a 'blast from the past' ladies so if you're old enough to have been able to store away your vintage clothes..."go get em" and if not, you can always hit up your mama or your auntie's closets!

A-line skirts, wide leg pants, billowy ankle length dresses and wedge heeled shoes are taking 'front and center' as 'That 70's Style' is back in a big way! 

Fashions are going back to a simpler time when less was best and definitely less overtly sexy.  The 70's were all about femininity with a subtle hint of sensuality...

To achieve the liberated yet ladylike look of the 70's you need to focus on interesting fabrics and patterns and throw away the idea that stripes and florals are 'old fashioned'.  The 70's was a comfortable yet fashionable time, so you can cut yourself loose from anything tight fitting because that was so yesterday.  Make sure you put them away somewhere for safe keeping  because you just never know...it might be back in style next year ha!
   
Designer Marc Jacobs pushed the return of the 70's style at Fashion Week 2011 as he saturated his designs with lines & pattern/color schemes so much so that he put us in a time warp!

  
If you're looking for a muse to copy fashion styles of the 70's from, check out Bianca Jagger & Farrah Fawcett as these two women were on the top of their game as icons of an era gone by... 

polyvore.com , refinery29.com , fakeittillyoumakeit.co.uk , retrovintageshoes.com , diablogmag.com

Polka Dot Daze...

I've been keeping up to date on what's in for Spring 2011 since it's right around the corner and my most recent reveal is polka dots!

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Dots primarily in pastel shades have made a huge impact on fashion trends for this year!  Victoria Beckham is stunning in this pale pink polka dotted Marc Jacobs one shoulder mini!

Polka dot patterns became super popular in the 1950's and the retro 50's dot bold & bright style is still considered to make quite the fashion statement...

You don't have to shop in high priced boutiques to acquire this style trend because it's pretty much 'polka dot daze' currently at all retail chains off and online.  Juicy Couture at Zappos.com, Forever 21.com and Endless.com has a bevy of polka dotted fashions and accessories for you to choose from.

   

This style pattern will take you right through to Fall as you can pair polka dots with capris, a slim skirt or dark-wash jeans!

                                  Jason Wu’s Fall 2011 runway presentation at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week


 www.waynetippets.com , glamour-1105486833.eu-west-1.elb.amazonaws , zappos.com , forever21.com , endless.com . sooofabulous.com

Vintage Film Classic 'Taxi Driver' Inspired Spring Style

Do you remember the classic 1976 four time Academy Award nominated movie Taxi Driver with Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster?  There was a lot of controversy about the film due to the fact that Foster was just 14 years old when she took on the heavy role of playing Iris, a teenage prostitute.

The American born fashion designer Marc Jacobs has recently used this vintage cult film icon as his muse for his Spring 2011 collection during the New York Fashion Week.  Inspired by the 70's, he incorporated the theme to this movie within his runway show by creating styles that brought back the floppy hats, gold sequin platforms, zigzag knits, peasant blouses and hot pants.

Palazzo pant jumpsuits, dresses with thigh high slits, satin jackets and a wild palette of colors consisting of poppy, red, maize and desert orange, fuchsia and bright violet.

Other designers such as Chanel, Moschino & Linda Farrow for Luella have come on board with accessories as well as their own creative interpretations of this 70's retro look with over sized sunglasses, patent clutches and silk scarves.

Although it's a unique concept, this fashion trend will by all means have a difficult transition to everyday life because in all reality..hot pants are rarely hot unless you're a size 3 stick figure eh?!

 granzia.ninemsn.com.au , plaztikmag.com , stylefrizz.com , caseclothesed.com , millionnews.whowhatwear.com , fashionschooldaily.com