Archive | June, 2010

Rachel Carr
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NYC 6/30 Tonight: Hasta La Vista DJ Mirandom

NYC 6/30 Tonight: Hasta La Vista DJ Mirandom

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Rachel Carr
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Chicago 7/2 You are Cordially Invited to the Grand Opening of Sir & Madame…

Chicago 7/2 You are Cordially Invited to the Grand Opening of Sir & Madame...

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Rachel Carr
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ONLINE Enjoy Half Price Shipping on all orders until 4th July!

ONLINE Enjoy Half Price Shipping on all orders until 4th July!

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Gee
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Fashion Meets Film: Rodarte x Breathless

Rodarte released a limited edition tee to commemorate the film's 50th anniversary.

Rodarte released a limited edition tee to commemorate the film's 50th anniversary.

There is nothing more make-your-entire-day-awesome than when two of your favorite things in the world come together Whether it be the expected (see: cookies and milk, gin and juice, Hall & Oates), or the delightfully unsuspected (see: cheddar n’ granny smith, wine before beer, Paula Abdul and MC Skat Kat-what?!??), complimentary pairings have a tendency to elicit smiles, giggles, and high fives galore. That’s what this column is all about anyways, right?

With that in mind, lets reflect on one of the most make-my-entire-day-awesome Fashion Meets Film pairings in recent times- Rodarte x Jean Luc Godard‘s Breathless. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, and restoration release, of the ground breaking  French New Wave classic, Rodarte sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy have created two limited edition printed tees inspired by the film. The first is a replica of female lead Patricia’s (Jean Seaberg) famous New York Herald Tribune work shirt, and the other a colorblocked version of an original Breathless poster featuring Patricia and Michel (Jean Paul Belmondo) snuggled in bed.  Available exclusive at Barneys NY and LA, Colette in Paris, and Dover Street Market in London, Kate and Laura were honored to re-imagine the influential film in their own work:

” We have been influenced by Godard’s rejection of the status quo and have approached our work with the same desire to create outside preexisting boundaries”.

Patricia (Jean Seaberg) and Michel (Jean Paul Belmondo)

Patricia (Jean Seaberg) and Michel (Jean Paul Belmondo)

Visually, Jean Luc Godard used Breathless as a brilliant vehicle to color outside all of the established lines in film making. From jump cuts to discontinuous story lines, the film’s storytelling methods were shockingly unorthodox for the time, an era when big budget musicals and Hollywood sets reigned supreme. Instead of shooting Breathless on a set, Godard opted to reflect everyday life of the youth on the city streets of Paris, shooting most of the film guerrilla style. By capturing the heartbeat of Paris’ youth culture of the time, Godard’s Breathless also provides a unique perspective on the fashions of the time.

The 60s was the emergence of a new, laid back style that would become what’s known today as the “gamine” look- a casual, yet chic combination of basics and classics that manage to look effortless at all times. You can see the casual gamine look in full swing on Patricia, an American playing an American in a French film.

Striped Tees and Fedoras: Gamine Beauty

Striped Tees and Fedoras: Gamine Beauty

A simple striped cotton tee tucked into an A-line skirt. Short, skinny black jeans and a plain, fitted T with no bra. Flats to match, and a cute but laid back pixie cut. Simple cat eye shades and a Fedora borrow from a boyfriend. These looks are the basics of the gamine look, still so popular today. With the pixie cut making a strong comeback today, it’s easy to picture Seberg’s character Patricia as a contemporary tastemaker. The look is basic, comfortable, and something about it just screams sexy, in an unconventional way at least.

Tres Chic!

If you haven’t seen Breathless yet and are interested in the evolution of the gamine, make sure to check out the remastered release information on the Rialto Pictures site for select locations across the country! And don’t forget to get your Rodarte x Breathless shirt to wear to the theater!

Images By the Amazing Phaymiss!

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ladylexx
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La Chanelphile: Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky Film Review

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Above: Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I (The Adoration of the Earth) - by Igor Stravinsky

There’s a moment in Director Jan Lounen’s film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, after a passionate sex scene (one of many), where the Russian composer tells Chanel, played by Anna Mouglalis, that she is not an artist. She could have had any man she wanted but she could not deny that which inspired her, even if he was married.

This moment ends an intense yet short affair between the innovative designer and the Russian composer but not before the two reached amazing high points in their respective careers.

After dedicating herself to her work, Chanel slowly began to evolve into a piece of art herself. This is something Lounen’s translates beautifully through the visuals in his film. Most of the film takes place in Coco’s garden villa, where she invited the exiled Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelsen) and his family to stay while he worked. The decor of the villa is lavish and speaks to the indulgence of the intense affair. The whimsical garden, large enough for a horse ride and a swing between the trees, speaks to the romantic tones of the film down to the moans coming from the secret love shack in the woods.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

In another scene, while in her room and after parting with Stravinsky, Chanel catches a glimpse of herself working in the mirror and pulls the drape to cover it. As unapologetic and not guilty as Coco felt about her affair with a married man, we see that it really is lonely at the top. She’s surrounded by extravagance and elegance but her loneliness is almost painful for her to witness. Her strict and detailed ways allowed her reach a level of success that is unmatched by any other fashion designer. Stravinsky’s revolutionary use of dissonance propelled him into music history books. After Boy Capel’s death, all the grief-stricken Coco wanted was to be fascinated and intrigued by a man again. She was a woman who yearned, lusted and loved.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

The film paints Coco as a woman of high standards, admired by other woman for her confidence but plagued by others thinking that her gambling with love meant she did not take it seriously.

Chanel was first captivated by Igor’s intensity and his brilliant mind during the legendary premiere of “The Rites of Spring” on May 29th, 1913.

While the French audience, use to ballets like Swan Lake, was outraged over the pairing of Stravinsky’s adventurous composition and Vaslav Nijinsky‘s almost savage choreography, Chanel was excited and drawn to the radical departure. This all makes for one of the most heart-pounding moments in a non-action film I’ve ever experienced. (See a Cannes Excerpt from Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky on Youtube)

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

From the beginning, the film is whimsical and romantic and at times makes you feel like you’re in a surreal world of savage love and emotions. The intense story follows both Chanel and Stravinsky’s greatest achievements (Ballet Russes, Chanel No. 5) but also captures the pain and “decay” of Catherine Stravinsky—played by a striking Yelena Morozova—as she if forced to watch it all unfold before her and her children’s eyes.

The stunning costumes and score are enough to realize that this isn’t just another Chanel film. Uncle Karl even designed a gown for the film but every gown and outfit in this feature is just as stunning as the next. From Chanel to the male actors fitted in the most appropriate suits, expect to find your mouth slightly opened in awe of the sex, fashion and music Coco & Igor provides.

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