Well Read: I Love Your Style

I recently happened to find this book and it seemed to be perfect for those who are interested in the history of fashion, inspirational guides to lifestyles and their reflection in personal style. Released last year, here's a short description of what to expect from the former fashion muse, creative director for designer label Tuleh, and author, Amanda Brooks.

"I Love Your Style is a sumptuous full-color look-book and style bible, complete with more than 400 classic and modern photographs, that will both empower and inspire women to dive into the challenge of defining, or refining, their personal style. With fully illustrated chapters, sidebars, shopping lists, and personal stories devoted to a range diverse styles and shopping techniques-Classic, Bohemian, Minimalist, Street, High-Fashion, Cheap Chic, Vintage-Brooks walks readers through every angle of the fashion world, from the basic pieces and accessories that define a style, to the small details, combinations, and adaptations that can make it your own.

With its focus on embracing creativity, personal history, originality, and the freedom to pick and choose aspects from any distinct "style"-and with no "rules," "commandments," or lengthy lists of "don′ts" in sight-I Love Your Style is a must-read for budding fashionistas, or anyone who finds herself frustrated in front of the mirror each morning."

With the Fall season approaching, this will be a great book to read before hitting the racks!

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Well Read: Posing Beauty

There is a new book out, just in time for Christmas, called Posing Beauty.  Aimed at presenting a definitive look at African-American beauty - this is one book that will be on my holiday wishlist (hint, hint ; )   The NY Times review makes me want this book even more:

"In the pages of “Posing Beauty,” readers can appreciate African-American men and women as dandies and debutantes, models and beauty queens, politicians and clubwomen across the generations. The book is a treasure, a triumph and a singular achievement that invites fresh and enduring insights with each viewing."

As I research fashion related topics - I am always discouraged to find the lack of African-American images in the vintage fashion arena.  So, this book will be a good first step in showcasing the stylish men and women of the past decades.  I want to see more images such as these: (Photographer: Carl Van Vecten - Eartha Kitt, Leontyne Price, and Blanche Dunn)

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Well Shot: Gordon Parks

As it gets cold - I find myself adding more warm pieces to the store.  This week, fur has been my obsession - ie: fur coats, fur hats, fur stoles and fur collars.  Gordon Parks, the photography mastermind, took these gorgeous 1950s pictures of women in fur for Life magazine.  Please, oh please, can I have that cape in the third photo?

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Bill Gibb Exhibit: Epitome of Hippie Chic

UK Vogue - 1976

Twiggy - 1971

UK Vogue - 1972

"Reality is so horrific these days that only escapism makes it bearable at times. So the more glamour the world can provide, the better people will like it. However fashion changes, glamour will never go out of vogue." - Bill Gibb

On exhibit at the Fashion and Textile Museum is - Billy: Bill Gibb's Moment in Time, October 24, 2008 - January 19, 2009. Bill Gibb's was the British designer that captured the hippie movement by mixing prints that didn't match (tartan, fair isles, checks, stripes and liberty prints) with the ecleticism of the free-spirited decade. The 1970's was his moment to shine with widespread press in Vogue and dressing stars such as: Twiggy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Bianca Jagger.

The 1970s was Gibb's decade, the years when he was discovered by Vogue and by America. His debut collection in 1972, held at the Oriental Club in London, was the sensation of the season. Everyone came - Cecil Beaton, Lord Snowdon, David Bailey, Beatrix Miller and of course Twiggy. It was this that really launched his brief moment in the spotlight. By 1975 Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor were wearing Bill Gibb, and he had his own shop on Bond Street. Source

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Style Icon: Nancy Cunard

Nancy Cunard was a heiress, poet, and world traveller that was noted for her distinct style and love of African jewelry and accessories. She led a cultured life, rejected her family wealth, and shed light on civil rights causes. Her story is amazing and her style was impeccable...

Though she partied with celebrities and had many lovers, Cunard rejected her privilege and fortune to fight for the oppressed. She was a poet, a publisher and a paramour of many writers of the 1920s and '30s. And though she died penniless and alone in 1965, she was a pivotal player in many historical events of her era. Unhappy with a life of privilege, Cunard rebelled early from a lonely childhood and took up with writers such as Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot and Wyndham Lewis. Dazzled and inspired by these men who became lovers, Cunard eventually published her own books of poetry. Source

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Supreme Style

The Story of the Supremes from the Mary Wilson Collection will exhibit at the Victor and Albert Museum until October 19, 2008. The display shows the changing image of The Supremes from the early days when they were known as The Primettes to the glamorous Hollywood designs they wore at the height of their fame. The notable designs at the exhibit include:

Garments, worn both on and off stage, from their early outfits to the most glamorous beaded costumes are on display. Visitors can see the black rhinestone-encrusted velvet gown that Diana Ross wore to her farewell performance as well as the stunning orange beaded dresses both designed by Bob Mackie, nicknamed the Sultan of Sequins and the Rajah of Rhinestones. The tropical lilac gowns designed by Michael Nicola in 1972 are also exhibited. When The Supremes performed for the Queen Mother they wore magnificently beaded dresses designed by Michael Travis. According to Mary Wilson each dress weighed an amazing 30 pounds! source

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Style Icon: Cecil Beaton

Twiggy, 1967, Cecil Beaton. (Vogue, Courtesy Sotheby's)

Audrey Hepburn, 1964, Cecil Beaton. (Vogue, Courtesy Sotheby's)

Nancy Cunard, 1929, Cecil Beaton. (Cecil Beaton Archive, Sotheby's, London)

Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, 1937, Cecil Beaton. (Cecil Beaton Archive, Sotheby's, London)

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." - Cecil Beaton

Cecil Beaton had the distinction of capturing five decades of fashion and film photography. Not only did he use photography as his medium - he also led a decidedly stylish life. Shooting for Vogue, earning an Oscar for costuming "My Fair Lady" and "GiGi", designing sets, and sketching are all accomplishments that he undertook during his lifetime.

Note: check out the newly commissioned fabric line based on 1948 drawings by Cecil Beaton

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The Little Black Dress

The one agreed upon "must have item" for any women is unquestionably the Little Black Dress or LBD for short. For those not content to just wear a LBD - now, there is a museum exhibit dedicated to this fashion icon. The exhibit takes place June 20 - August 25, 2008 at the Fashion and Textile Musuem in London. Charting the development of the little black dress from the 1920s to the present day, the exhibition looks at the stories behind women's favourite LBDs.




Here's to, Audrey Hepburn, the woman who made the Little Black Dress a part of our everyday language.

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Vintage Vogue

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Vogue, May 1975 - Jerry Hall

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