Emmys 2010--Best Dressed

My pick for Best Dressed of the 2010 Emmy's is Claire Danes.  It's probably not a surprise since it occurred to me that it's a very Kimberly ensemble.  Beachy hair, sunny makeup, sparkles but in a nude minimal shape (thanks to Mr. Armani here), and minimal jewelry...though even I would have worn a little bit more to the Emmy's.  Fantastic all the way around.

You can check out photos of other dresses for hits and misses.  Have to say I was surprised by how much the darker colors--especially navy and black--dominated the summer red carpet, even if it is a preview for fall trends.  It's still August!  

What did you think?

Out and About--MOCA and The Biltmore

I just saw my friend Kevin post pictures from the Dennis Hopper exhibition when it hit me that I still hadn't blogged about my own visit to the museum!  It's been a crazy month, let me tell you.  So once again we hop into the time machine and head back a couple weeks to a very hot summer day that started at the beach and ended downtown.

I am a huge fan of Los Angeles, as most of you know, and I never cease to be amazed at the opportunities here.  On this day, I was able to indulge in the most contemporary art at one location and then revel in the rich history of yet another location only a few blocks away.  The beach in the morning and skyscrapers downtown in the afternoon.  First, brunch in Marina del Rey...

Sitting in the restaurant's beautiful outdoor garden on this sunny summer day

Appreciating a perfect summer suit

Celebrating the day ahead with a glass of champagne

Arrived at MOCA first...

...then headed off to the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA for the exhibit

Contemporary Fashion:  1960s hot pink minidress, 1960s white leather handbag, gold Charles David cork wedges, gold hoop earrings, gold and diamond band ring, gold Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses.
Essie's Plumberry polish on toes.

Ironically, you couldn't take photos inside the photo exhibition, but that still didn't stop me from getting a couple

The Dennis Hopper exhibition was well curated by another fantastic artist, Julian Schnabel.  He filled the walls with photographs instead of isolating and highlighting only a few, which told a much broader story.  Sometimes the story was because the photographs were beautiful or contained a lot of meaning and messages.  Dennis was quite passionate about civil rights issues and that is clearly reflected in his art.  Then sometimes the story was more a fascination with his lifestyle and all the artists who he spent his time with, which ranged from actors to artists from the Ferus Gallery.  Of course all his photographs were well composed and most exuded some sort of sensuality.  

Julian also included some of Hopper's film work, including his direction of the classic Easy Rider

Now off to the Gallery Bar at the Biltmore Hotel for a smart cocktail after the show

The three towers of the Biltmore up against the Los Angeles skyline

Entrance to the Biltmore.   Since 1927, just about every giant--actors, artists, writers, politicians--has stayed and played at the Biltmore Hotel.

The Biltmore's majestic lobby

The Biltmore's Gallery Bar (above) and adjoining Cognac Room (below), where I enjoyed my refreshments

Another reason I love the Biltmore is its connection to my beloved classic cinema and its history.  Not many people know that the Biltmore is the birthplace of the Oscars.  In 1927, the Academy of Motion Pictures--led by Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM--came up with the Oscars ceremony at a luncheon in the Biltmore's Crystal Ballroom.  Legend has it that it's there where master MGM art director, Cedric Gibbons, also sketched out the design for the Oscar award on a Biltmore napkin. 

In addition, the Academy Awards were then physically held at the Biltmore for many of its early years--1931, 1935-1939 (1939 being arguably the greatest year in movie-making history), and 1941-1942 and then later the 50th anniversary of the awards as well.  A photo of the 1937 ceremony is shown above with its legend below matching names to many of the famous faces.

Some of my favorite classic cinema stars received their Oscars at the Biltmore--
including Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis, and Jimmy Stewart for his Best Supporting Actor role in The Philadelpia Story, one of my favorite movies ever

The Biltmore in 1943

I love Los Angeles!

GlamAmor-ous Men of Style--Sean Connery

I've highlighted Men of Style before on GlamAmor, including the trendsetting Steve McQueen, and I enjoyed it so much I've decided to make it a regular blog. Since I just caught Dr. No yet again the other day, I took that to mean that I should continue highlighting GlamAmor's perfect men with the gorgeous Sean Connery...all 6'2" of him.  My favorite--tall, dark, and handsome.  From tuxedos to suits to casual cotton, it's hard to think of a man who was more perfectly framed by a character and his clothing than Sean as James Bond.

Possibly the best introduction of a character on film...ever

With Jack Lord as CIA op Felix Leiter, who also looks great.  Love the glasses!

For me, there is hardly anything yummier than a man in a great suit.  The literary character of James Bond had certain preferences in his suits and I found this great guide for any man who's interested in this type of Saville Row style.  He gives details on each of Sean's suits in the movies as well.

Ahhh the women of 007...here in a grey 3-piece light wool suit with Pussy Galore

Casual in blue gingham at a riverside picnic with Sylvia Trench (again)

In pink gingham this time with Wayfarer style sunglasses on the beach with Domino

In one of his many casual light blue outfits with Honey Ryder...

...light blue swim trunks...

...light blue towel with with Tanya...

And just to be slightly different, a dark blue silk robe...and mink mitt, which appears to be very enjoyable

The Style Essentials--TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT "The Look" of Lauren Bacall

When I first started GlamAmor years ago, one of the earliest articles I did was on the style of Lauren Bacall.  As sometimes happens with technology, an effort to make a couple changes to the original post unfortunately deleted it entirely.  And so, because she is currently TCM's Star of the Month and I just covered her iconic style in The Big Sleep (1946), it was imperative to right the wrong and delve even further into the evolution of Bacall's sophisticated style and its influence.

As I mentioned recently, she captivated me from an early age.  Film noir was my first glimpse into the wonder of classic cinema and Bacall featured prominently in that with three giants--The Big Sleep, Dark Passage (1947), and Key Largo (1948).  Even when I watched as a child, she really struck me as so different than any of the other actresses of the day.  There was a worldliness about her that I related to--an old soul who seemed like she had "been there, done that" despite being a mere 20-year-old.  She was also stunning, and her smart style choices always seemed much more sensual than anything overtly sexual. 

This style started even before Bacall's first film.  At the ripe old age of 19, director Howard Hawks' wife, Slim, saw Lauren modeling on the cover of Harper's Bazaar.  Hawks remembered the serious-looking siren when casting his next picture and she was hired for her first ever film opposite arguably the biggest star of the time, Humphrey Bogart.  1944's To Have and Have Not was to become the stuff of Hollywood legend.

Lauren modeling on the cover of Harper's Bazaar in March 1943 as seen by Hawks' wife, Slim (below), 

who would also influence Bacall's onscreen style with her trademark suiting

Though Bogart was married at the time and much much older than Bacall--nearly 25 years--their chemistry was so strong and connection so real that he couldn't help falling for her.  They were ultimately married and remained happily so until his death many years later.  Incredibly, their falling in love is captured forever on film and right in front of our very eyes in To Have and Have Not.  You can see why she was so adored when you watch the movie.  Street smart yet vulnerable, Bacall seduces the audience just as she seduces Bogart with that famous come-hither look of hers, which was quickly dubbed "The Look."  Interestingly, "The Look" came more as the result of her overcoming nerves during production...keeping her chin down to calm her shaking.  Whatever the reason, the young actress shines in one of the most iconic moments in film history (video below) when she delivers the lines "You know how to whistle, don't you Steve?  You just put your lips together...and blow."

Style-wise, Bacall was always in very good hands at Warner Brothers.  Milo Anderson was the first costume designer she worked with when he was charged with creating the wardrobe for To Have and Have Not.  I consider it one of The Style Essentials because of its two iconic outfits--the fitted checked suit and nearly two-piece black silk gown.

Bacall's suit has many elements that continue to be influential today.  The gingham print, peplum jacket, and pencil skirt are all on trend in fashion right now.  But of course all of these things are timeless as well--you can almost always find a suit similar to this in stores.  And this particular suit also influenced future costume design...watch for the evolution of this suit to the one in her next picture, The Big Sleep.

Note the very on trend peplum in this influential suit

To Have and Have Not's nearly two-piece evening gown has influenced fashion design as well.  Think of gowns like Jennifer Lopez's plunging green Versace years ago...much of its origin resides in this dress.  And midriff-baring outfits are also all the rage right now in fashion.  This black silk gown is one of the first and shows how to do it right.

Bacall's famous seduction scene from To Have and Have Not

The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall was so intense that WB continued to pair them in movies,
 starting with the film noir giant The Big Sleep

Here costume designer Leah Rhodes takes inspiration from Bacall's To Have and Have Not suit
and again from Slim Hawks herself (below)

Bacall's style is never overtly sexual...
case in point, this vested evening gown

Always so polished--look at her equally influential 1940s hairstyle--
and elegant even when jumping from bed in the middle of the night

Bacall was a bona fide actress and many forget how well she did on screen and stage (she won 2 Tonys!) without Bogart by her side.  Some of my favorites include colorful style classics How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Marilyn Monroe and Written on the Wind (1957).  And Designing Woman (1957) with Gregory Peck is an absolute favorite of mine for the simple reason that it's a movie inspired by the life of my hero Helen Rose...who does the costume design for the movie as well.  Bacall's wardrobe while playing a fictional version of this great costume designer is a real feast for the eyes.

Everyone knows how crazy I am for a well designed back
and this olive dress includes a subtly sexy surplice back

Simple but elegant navy wiggle dress paired with a mink stole and leather gloves

The film contains a collection of clothes for a fashion show

in addition to the perfect classic style of Helen Rose on Lauren Bacall