inspiration: b&w f/w 2015

Patti Smith + Johnny Cash forever

does it get any better than these two?

no, no it doesn't. some icons never get old, and all i want to wear lately is black and white.

mise en scène

 via clothes on film

one of my favorite films of all time is Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly both inhabit their characters so perfectly, and the wardrobe used in the film for both actors is extraordinary. the posts at the brilliant blog Clothes on Film are insightful and inspiring, and like stephanie's wonderful post on Being John Malkovich and my earlier post this year on eccentric fur coats, they really connect the dots in the making of iconic 'looks' that circulate in fashion and cultural imaginations today. Chris Laverty, the editor/writer behind Clothes on Film, explains the significance of clothing and costume to film here:

"Costume design remains one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated filmmaking arts. Far in excess of merely ‘dressing’ an actor for their role, costume design is discourse. A film can be read via costume; sometimes overtly, sometimes subtextually. Not just conspicuous sci-fi or period, but contemporary stories set within a familiar world in familiar attire. On screen even the most rudimentary item of clothing can take on meaning."

style icon(oclasts)

 Anna Dello Russo, photo via jak and jil

Iris Apfel, photo via NYT

  Daphne Guinness and her killer shoes, via Streetfsn

i went to see the docu-biopic on NYT street style photographer Bill Cunningham two weeks ago, and as BC himself would say, it was maaahvelous! i won't rehash the film here, as there are plenty of reviews elsewhere and you should really go see it for yourself.

in contrast to other highly stylized street fashion photogs, Bill Cunningham's photographs for the NYT span decades and favor a cultural commentary-like 'lens' to documenting the New York scene. i particularly like his weekly On the Street videos where he gives his cheerful take on trends as he sees them.

one of the recurring themes in the film was the definition of 'style' and who has it in our celeb-crazy world. it is an unspoken rule that you should never ask BC to take your photograph or even acknowledge his presence should you be so lucky to be snapped by him. there's a slightly cringe-y scene in the film when a woman, unaware of this special code, clumsily approaches BC and not-so-subtly tries to get her picture taken. BC also makes some remarks about the boring, 'cookie-cutter' style of those who have so-called 'good taste' but no individuality...the three outrageously stylish women above are some of his favorite subjects. fair enough - there is an excess of celeb-fueled fashion these days.

still, i do admit that i will take inspiration now and then from (gasp!) the Olsen twins, Kate Bosworth and Sofia Coppola. i gravitate towards understated items (so-called 'classic'/quieter pieces). where's the line between boring good taste versus individual great taste? how do you express personal style in a meaningful way in your everyday life? who/what inspires you? are there fantasy style elements do you love but feel like you could never wear?

style inspiration: edward gorey et al

i've always wanted to do an inspiration post about Edward Gorey, one of my favorite illustrators and writers. there is something about how he combines the dark and macabre with moments of absurd hilarity that makes him so unique...Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Graveyard Book) perhaps inherits some of the surreal and twisted legacies of Gorey in his children's books, but they're quite different.

Edward Gorey, style icon.

my love of Edward Gorey's illustrations in particular leads me to a little 'visual etymology' of the eccentric fur coat as it has appeared in his works, and various vintage films over the years.

february inspiration board

the one and only Sofia Coppola.