Now there's no question that the costume design of classic cinema has been the greatest influence on my personal style...from Hitchcock's Rear Window to Godard's Breathless. Yet in the early years of my childhood, life was less about the movies and far more about television. In fact, I remember the costumes of the small screen's 1969 - 1972 series Bewitched as being pretty magical to me. The original series ran before I was born, but it was rerun endlessly when I was child starting with its first shows in black and white. When the episodes finally evolved into color, I felt a little like Dorothy entering Oz for the first time. There she was...Elizabeth Montgomery, the blonde blue-eyed beauty playing Samantha, wearing a wardrobe of simple shift dresses in just about every shape and shade under the sun. As a young girl, I truly was bewitched by what I saw.
Though these images don't do justice to the show, I can clearly see where some of the seeds of my style began to blossom. Clean lines, loads of color, and minimal jewelry--often just her ever-present heart necklace. And with her easy hair and fresh-faced look, she still embodies much of my ideal of the California girl.
Often there were colorful textured coats as well
Samantha's go to shapes for evening were simple strapless and brocade wiggle dresses
No, these aren't the names of dance moves but rather the popular 1960s dress silhouettes that are once again having a moment for Spring/Summer 2011. The trendspotting Who What Wear and just about every other fashionable publication (including Marie Claire below) have recently reported the blow up of shift and wiggle dresses on both the runways and the streets. Models and celebrities alike know and show just how sexy and versatile these dresses can be.
Though on trend, these are truly timeless silhouettes that never go out of style. In my experience, nearly every woman seems to look sophisticated in these shapes. The magic of their understated glamour is why shifts and wiggle dresses are two classics that will always be found at GlamAmor. Be sure to check the GlamAmor Store to look through the vintage collection online. And if you live in the Los Angeles area, you can try on the very latest additions to the collection at this weekend's A Current Affair show or the upcoming GlamAmor showroom at the California Market Center. Hope to see you soon!
GlamAmor is featured in this month's Carne Magazine, which is a cutting-edge publication out of Spain that's dedicated to art, photography, and fashion. Stylists Marci Michalovitz and Alysha Kelley selected this 1980s Grape Knit from GlamAmor as one of the dresses for the "Last Night's Neon" shoot. I love how the look of the dress can be completely changed up from day to night with accessories--in this case, a textured belt and statement necklace. The editorial features the talent of photographer Conan Thai and also includes the designs of LA-based Chelsea Rebelle, Daisey Gonzalez, and Atelier Basil. Thrilled to be part of such a glamorous magazine spread.
I love it when designers continue to look to Los Angeles for inspiration and right now the trend in makeup is all about our gorgeous glow. This is almost always popular in preppy lines like Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger for spring and summer, but even edgier collections like Marc Jacobs are relishing the sunny chic of Southern California.
One of my favorite products to get an instant glow is the new NARS Illuminator in Orgasm. The liquid sister to their iconic powder blush, you can mix it with your favorite foundation to warm and perfect your complexion with just a hint of shimmer. Or tap it directly onto cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin to look like you just spent the day at the beach. Leighton Meester shows off the luminous look from Orgasm below.
Whereas many people may know what preppy looks like, I am lucky enough to truly live it. After all, you really can't get much more preppy on the West Coast than a Squash Tournament at the Los Angeles Athletic Club and team celebrations afterward at the Jonathan Club downtown. For those of you who follow GlamAmor, you know that honoring the history of Los Angeles is something that I love and I was very excited to visit both venues for the first time. To make the day even more divine, we drove downtown in the 1972 Le Mans convertible on a perfectly sunny 80 degree day.
West Coast Preppy Chic: 1980s white lace sheath dress, 1960s yellow wool coat (shown in other photos),
yellow silk and cashmere cardigan from Victoria's Secret, yellow Charles David strappy stilettos, Barr + Barr camel leather satchel,
tiger's eye and silver beaded necklace custom made for GlamAmor, and silver hoop earrings
Cheering on my friend, Wes, who won his match and advanced to the finals as the #1 amateur in the tournament
Watching the professional league play during the squash tournament was an incredible experience. Julian Illingworth is from Yale and the number one squash player in America. Ryan Cuskelly is from Australia and just won the bronze at the Commonwealth Games, which is Olympic-level athletic play. With this kind of skill and talent, it should be no surprise that both men were on fire and the speed of the match was mesmerizing.
For those who don't know, squash is the pre-cursor to racquetball and infinitely harder. There are areas that are considered "out" and the sport is played with a "dead" ball, which means that there's not much bounce to it and you have to move with lightning speed to keep it effectively in play. You can see how low the ball is often played in the photo below.
Another player from the Ivy League cheering in the stands as USA wins the match
After the squash tournament, everyone headed over to the Jonathan Club for cocktails and dinner on the outdoor terrace high above the city. The Jonathan Club holds a long and distinguished history in Los Angeles. Its inception dates back to 1895 and has been in its current location at the corner of Figueroa and 6th since 1924. The architects of the building were responsible for other impressive structures such as the Biltmore Hotel, also in Los Angeles and the first home of the Oscars, and the famed Grand Central Station in New York City.
The Jonathan Club is one of the best private clubs in the United States and many "important decisions have been made within its walls by the power elite." The top businessmen, politicians, and Hollywood royalty have been members and some have even lived here. Much of the Jonathan Club has an apartment structure so that members may either temporarily stay as hotel guests or permanently stay as residents. It also includes ballrooms, an extensive library, indoor pool, the Sky Bar, the Tuscan Terrace, and other impressive features within its oh-so-private walls. I was lucky enough to experience many of them, so join me on a rare tour of the Jonathan Club. It was everything I hoped it would be...and more.
Two early images of the Jonathan Club--undated above and in black-and-white from 1957
The grand Italian-inspired lobby
Hallway leading to the library
Entering the library
Hallways are adorned with images of former members (including silent screen stars, above), old city maps (below), and museum quality artwork
Kevin and I making ourselves comfortable inside Weston's room at the Jonathan Club
The indoor pool
Entrance to the Sky Bar and Tuscan Terrace, where we heard the strains of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin throughout our summer-like evening
Wes and I kicking back with a cocktail in the Sky Bar
Wes and I kicking back in the room at the Sky Bar where members store their cigars
Cocktail party getting underway at the Sky Bar
Dinner set outdoors on the Tuscan Terrace
What a view!
After hours of celebrating and an absolutely amazing day, we were finally ready call it a night
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the 7th annual FASHION IN FILM OF TCMFF! The 2024 festival theme is "Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film" and that is just some of what will be shared at this year's event - from THE MAD MISS MANTON (1938) to CHINATOWN (1974).
American Cinematheque presents Film Noir Style
The series accompanies and mirrors the book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. Each event will include a presentation followed by a film screening. Like the book, the series is divided into 4 parts:
MAY 7 Before the War 1940-1941 w/ The Maltese Falcon
JUNE 25 War Years 1942-1945 w/ Laura
JULY 29 Year of Transition 1946 w/ The Killers
SEPT 10 Post-War Years 1947-1950 w/ Out of the Past
HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM 1920s-1980s: Opposites Attract
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the fourth event in her series HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM! Opposites Attract focuses on 1950s style icons Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, and Doris Day.
HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM 1920s-1980s: Film Noir and Fantasy
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the third event in her series HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM! Film Noir and Fantasy focuses on 1940s style icons Rosalind Russell, Katharine Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner.
