Thank you to everyone who has shown such interest in GlamAmor! I thought I would share some of the questions I answer most often. Please feel free to continue to reach out. I love hearing from you!
How long have you been doing GlamAmor?
I quit my job doing communications and marketing for UCLA in early 2010 to start GlamAmor. The blog went live in February and I've been selling the vintage collection since May of that year.
What is the mission of GlamAmor?
GlamAmor is all about protecting and preserving the HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM. This starts with writing about the designs and designers from the Golden Age of Hollywood that are so iconic they still influence fashion today. I also educate through classes and presentations, and act as an expert on the subject for everyone from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). In fact, I've transitioned much of the GlamAmor Vintage retail store into one of a Study Collection that I use to show the impact of costume design on fashion at the time. It is also open to others for research and inspiration. Some is still available to be shopped as well, which will help raise money for my move toward a non-profit and ongoing preservation goals.
How would you describe your personal style?
West Coast preppy chic. GlamAmor is all about modern classic style...classics that are colorful, sophisticated, and sexy. It draws from the WASP style of the East Coast and mixes with the Golden Age of Hollywood. I definitely enjoy a lot of color since it's so sunny here in Southern California.
Is your style inherent or learned?
Though creative talent is inherent, I would say that I learned most of my style. I'm a huge fan of classic cinema and most of my style came from studying those images. The costume design of Edith Head (who established the look of the Hitchcock Heroine), Jean Louis, and Helen Rose were enormously influential. I combined the knowledge I gained from cinema...with images of WASP icons like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jacquie Kennedy Onassis, and C. Z. Guest...with modern day fashion magazines and studying trends.
Why do you love vintage?
Vintage clothing is art to me. The colors, the design, even just the overall quality of the construction...it's all incredible to me. I love looking at the clothes, even if it's just hanging on the back of my bedroom door. I tell you, it's virtually impossible to have a bad day wearing a vintage dress. Any time I look down or pass by a mirror, I'm inspired all over again. And I'm not the only one...vintage continues to be what inspires today's designers. It's timeless. I believe the most forward fashion today is selling and wearing vintage right alongside the new.
Who are your favorite designers and why?
From the past, I would say Edith Head and Helen Rose (Old Hollywood costume designers), Chanel, and Givenchy. Currently, I enjoy Michael Kors, Jason Wu, and L'Wren Scott among others. I lean toward classic clean lines, great fit, and lots of color.
What don't I enjoy? I feel that preserving the HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM is a calling, first and foremost. Many costume designers are under-appreciated or even forgotten for their invaluable contributions to both film and fashion. I love connecting the dots between the two areas of design. One of my favorite ways is sharing the GlamAmor vintage study collection to show how the iconic costume design had an immediate impact on fashion. It's a part of my HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM class at Woodbury University as well as presentations around Los Angeles.
I also love the production side of GlamAmor. I've enjoyed the original videos I've done and working with the great folks at TCM.
I'm also writer by nature and really enjoy sharing my inspirations and observations, whether from classic cinema, the latest fashion magazine, or being out and about in Los Angeles. I'm in the process of writing a book based on The Style Essentials--the 50 most iconic costume design in the movies that continues to influence fashion today.
Cinema Style File (above) on Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief and
Out & About at Marion Davies' former beachfront estate, now the Annenberg Beach House
What's a good styling tip that you can offer?
My own uniform is unquestionably a great dress. That's the trademark of GlamAmor, really. It's a statement piece that only needs some simple jewelry and you're out the door. It looks amazing and takes a lot less effort than trying to put together a lot of separates. I also find it more comfortable, and didn't Chanel say that was the mark of true luxury? I also tend to pair my vintage dresses with a sexy pump or strappy stiletto. You look modern, sexy, and ladylike.
Finally, if someone is new to vintage, I would say to avoid wearing it head to toe. You want to look modern, not like you're wearing a costume.
How can I stay in touch with you and GlamAmor?
Website http://www.GlamAmor.com
Vintage Study Collection http://www.GlamAmor.etsy.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/GlamAmor
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/GlamAmor
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/GlamAmorInspiration
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/GlamAmor
Email Kimberly@GlamAmor.com
Phone (888) 731-2413
Address 2461 Santa Monica Boulevard
#818
Santa Monica, CA 90404
