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   

Fabric Chat - The Return Of Chambray

Chambray is referred to as the 'old faithful' of fabrics.  It's been used for years to make men's work shirts but has gone from rugged to refined.  If you're not familiar with the characteristics of Chambray, here's the scoop.  Chambray is a fine lightweight fabric designed from cotton, woven with white threads across a colored warp. It can either be loom woven or combed & the weave can either be plain or dobby meaning having a 'raised' geometric pattern.  It has the feel of a linen finish.  I love that look, however, I don't care so much for the fact that it wrinkles easily.


Stars in Chambray: Carrie Underwood in a tiered chambray mini, Blake Lively in a chambray shirt dress...
The fabric once thought of as 'for men only', has become completely versatile on the feminine fashion front as we are seeing everything from flouncy tops, skirts, cargo pants and so much more!

    

Often once popular with women as the fabric of the 'boyfriend shirt', it has evolved into a wide spectrum of fashion fare and there's a long vintage history with the fabric, as chambray goes way back even to the days of our girl Marilyn...

: thefashionables.com , omiru.com , fashioninfilms.com , luuux.com , myfashionlife.com , stylebakery.com

Fashion In Film Friday

The 1959 movie 'Some Like It Hot' starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and the legendary Marilyn Monroe was a controversial film for it's time due to the fact that it ended up being banned in several states, Kansas, Memphis & Tennessee.  This was due to the lead male characters played by Lemmon & Curtis, wearing women's clothing which in turn sparked an 'adult entertainment' restriction because of the idea that it was promoting cross dressing.  That was not the case at all as the plot centered around two struggling musicians in the 1920's, on the run from the mob hiding out with an all girl band, disguising themselves as women to fit in...

The movie showcased an amazing costume wardrobe of styles beyond befitting the vintage days of the roaring 20's.  One dress in particular worn by Marilyn pushed the boundaries of that prudish era of what was allowable on screen, when in one scene she wore a dress considered so 'barely there' that it was said to have been her first on screen nude scene!  The dress was made of sheer chiffon and the bust was adorned with two appliques placed appropriately to hide certain parts of her anatomy.  Isn't it amazing to think this was considered risque?  

Besides Marilyn's questionable fashions in this film, 'Some Like It Hot' was said to have been a movie that inspired or promoted rather, cross dressing.  If you look back in history, cross dressing in film as they refer to it, or rather men dressing as women and vice versa, goes back to the early 1900's with silent films.  Truth is, there is always going to be an air of taboo where the subject of gender bending on any level is concerned but I don't really think that movies or music for that matter really has anything to do with promoting that degree of change in anyone and the idea that it can or does, is pretty much ridiculous!  What do you think?...   

: shotsyvintage.wordpress.com , vintagehllywood.virbcom , post-gazetteorg, moviepostershop.com , diaryofacelluloidgirl.blogspot.com , blog.dressvintage.com 

Fashion In Film Friday

The 1959 movie 'Some Like It Hot' starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and the legendary Marilyn Monroe was a controversial film for it's time due to the fact that it ended up being banned in several states, Kansas, Memphis & Tennessee.  This was due to the lead male characters played by Lemmon & Curtis, wearing women's clothing which in turn sparked an 'adult entertainment' restriction because of the idea that it was promoting cross dressing.  That was not the case at all as the plot centered around two struggling musicians in the 1920's, on the run from the mob hiding out with an all girl band, disguising themselves as women to fit in...

The movie showcased an amazing costume wardrobe of styles beyond befitting the vintage days of the roaring 20's.  One dress in particular worn by Marilyn pushed the boundaries of that prudish era of what was allowable on screen, when in one scene she wore a dress considered so 'barely there' that it was said to have been her first on screen nude scene!  The dress was made of sheer chiffon and the bust was adorned with two appliques placed appropriately to hide certain parts of her anatomy.  Isn't it amazing to think this was considered risque?  

Besides Marilyn's questionable fashions in this film, 'Some Like It Hot' was said to have been a movie that inspired or promoted rather, cross dressing.  If you look back in history, cross dressing in film as they refer to it, or rather men dressing as women and vice versa, goes back to the early 1900's with silent films.  Truth is, there is always going to be an air of taboo where the subject of gender bending on any level is concerned but I don't really think that movies or music for that matter really has anything to do with promoting that degree of change in anyone and the idea that it can or does, is pretty much ridiculous!  What do you think?...   

: shotsyvintage.wordpress.com , vintagehllywood.virbcom , post-gazetteorg, moviepostershop.com , diaryofacelluloidgirl.blogspot.com , blog.dressvintage.com 

RED...The Power Color!

"Scarlet, rose, crimson or just plain red...call it by any name, it will always be considered the color of romance and rage! Red is the most emotionally intense color to wear if you want to draw attention to yourself on any given occasion.  It's often always associated with energy and desire and the frequent wearer of the color 'red' usually has an unspoken aura of heightened sensuality...


In 1953, the very first issue of Hugh Hefner's 'Playboy Magazine' featured the infamous Marilyn Monroe as the centerfold and it comes as no surprise that the backdrop for the photo shoot was 'red'.  It is said, that when used in advertising, the color red evokes feelings of eroticism. 

Vintage screen stars, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor were best known for their pouty red lips and the seductive statement making shade for evening wear... These vampy vixens were way ahead of their time, putting sexy off the charts!

The legendary designer Valentino who has been in the business of fashion for over forty five years, has used so much of the color scarlet in his collection's that his fans named it after him...'Valentino Red'. 

Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang at the 2011 Academy Awards...

Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese in Zac Posen...

Red, most definitely still dominates to this day in regards to fashions, from evening wear, right down to rain slickers and let's not forget the red lipstick!  Red is always going to be the color of POWER!

 flickr.com , polyvore.com , forum.prisonplanet.com , feveravenue.com , jempole.com , thecubiclechick.com


  

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

Today would have marked the 85th Birthday of the legendary bombshell, Marilyn Monroe.  She was born Norma Jean Mortenson in 1926, in Los Angeles California, but was baptized Norma Jean Baker.  She spent the majority of her childhood in foster homes & began her career as a model which later led to her landing her first role in the 1946 film, 'Contract'.  In spite of playing the role of a bimbo, Monroe was quite intelligent and an avid reader.  

She was curvy and far from being waif thin like the models we often see today.  She was the standard for her time. Women wanted to be her, often emulating her fashion style of the 50's. Little does anyone know, she was solely responsible for creating her own iconic look...platinum blond hair, full red pouty lips and knock em' dead dressed to accentuate her hourglass shape!  She knew what she was doing, and boy did it work for her!

It was in the news just today, that thirty years ago, Anton Fury of New Jersey randomly bought an envelope full of negatives at a garage sale and found out after having them developed, that there were thirty three pictures of the late actress/vintage sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe...An unexpected treasure!  He stated after buying them, he tucked them away for a few decades and is now interested in having them appraised.

A 'rare find' such is this is, is a perfect example of why I love doing what I do!


                                  "Happy Birthday Norma Jean!"


: cbsnews.com  marilynmonroeart.net  etsy.com wallpaperstock dhantenan