Cinema Connection--Kim Kardashian Channels Elizabeth Taylor's Maggie the Cat

Ok, believe me when I say that no one is more shocked than me that Kim Kardashian is actually making an appearance on GlamAmor.  After all, this is a girl best known for wearing tight trendy outfits that are most often the opposite of the ladylike classics I love.  But one of the goals of GlamAmor is to show the impact of classic cinema on today's trends and here is an example of that very fact.  If you were ever in doubt of the ongoing influence of cinema on fashion, just take a look at Kim copying Elizabeth Taylor's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ensemble from 1958.  This is for her perfume's advertising campaign, no less, which means it's an outfit very carefully chosen for its appeal.  

And when I say copy, I mean copy...piece for piece from tip to toe.  Compare her homage with photos of the original outfit on Elizabeth.  It's all there--gold hoop earrings, diamond pendant necklace, white short sleeve blouse (with fabric covered buttons), orange belt, cream tweed skirt, gold bangle bracelets, and cream pumps.  My jaw absolutely dropped when I saw the photo in one of my magazines and no credit given to the source of the original style.  For those who don't know, this is yet another example of classic Helen Rose, the MGM costume designer whose design inspired Kate Middleton's wedding dress as well.  Coincidentally, I just happened to discuss both Helen and the wardrobe from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Turner Classic Movies on their July podcast.

Make no mistake...the best designers and stylists know their history and use classic cinema as a reference and resource all the time.  The next time something is a big hit in fashion, just remember that the best new outfits are most often old.

InStyle Swimsuit Shopping for Summer

Usually around May each year, the fashion magazines put together spreads of swimsuit suggestions for summer.  My favorite ones so far have come from this month's InStyle magazine and are shown below.  After doing recent articles on Esther Williams' career and style influence, I continue to marvel at the number of today's swimsuit designs that are inspired by her.  Retro shapes--like the one worn by Marilyn Monroe on Santa Monica Beach (above)--are completely on trend this season and featured in all the magazines.  You can find some really great (and affordable) ones at Popina.  Even designs that don't necessarily seem vintage-inspired are direct descendants of Esther, such as the athletic two-strap tank that was one of her trademarks.  In looking through these swimsuits, they nearly all pay tribute to her.  Thanks Esther...and happy shopping, ladies!

The Swimsuit Style Influence of Esther Williams

With summer ascending before us, I now see the influence of Esther Williams everywhere I look.  After all, the sheer existence of today's thriving swimwear industry is largely a credit to her.  As I mentioned in the earlier article on her career, she arrived at MGM at a time in history--the early 1940s--when swimwear was not necessarily considered part of our standard wardrobe.  It was the midst of World War II, and people had neither time nor a dime to spare.  But as Americans emerged from the war and thoughts of leisure began, they all had Esther's glamorous image in the movies to guide them.

Esther was a one-woman testing ground, too...spending hours, days, and weeks in the water and working to determine the best fabrics and fit for women's swimwear.  By the time that the 1950s rolled around and the middle class was splashing around in suburbia, Esther was collaborating with swimwear company Cole of California to bring functional and fashionable swimwear to the masses.

There aren't too many designs today that aren't the direct descendants of Esther Williams.  Every single one that's worn on the Vanity Fair cover (above) can be traced to her.  Two swimsuit shapes in particular became her trademarks--the halter maillot and the simple two-strap tank.  As a competitive swimmer who needed to perform in front of the camera for hours on end, Esther was most interested in the functional aspect of her swimsuits.  That said, there is no question that Esther wanted to enhance her own natural beauty in the water, and she worked with designers to make her suits the most stylish thing people had ever seen.

Because the glamour and distinct designs behind Esther's swimsuit style have continued to be popular, she started her own line of swimwear twenty years ago.  Made in the USA, her suits can currently be bought at the vintage-inspired ModCloth and at Esther's own swim shop.  But you need not feel limited...her influence is everywhere.  Look through any catalogue or store and you'll find many modern suits that emulate Esther's style.  Here are just a few below, starting with a couple that are on my personal wish list.  And check out Popina for tons of wonderful and affordable retro swimsuits as well.

Even more swimsuits to come in the next blog straight from the pages of the fashion magazines!

Red ruched halter maillot from Carmen Marc Valvo

 Classic black tank from DKNY

 White ruched halter maillot from Norma Kamali 

Persimmon braided v-neck tank from Spiegel

2011 TCM Classic Film Festival--Thursday at Club TCM and the Roosevelt Hotel

The 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival officially kicked off on Thursday, April 28th in Hollywood with some 2500 fans arriving at the Roosevelt Hotel to celebrate cinema for four fun-filled days.  Venues and events at this year's festival promised to be even bigger and better than its inaugural year.  Whether it was screening favorite films on the big screen in theaters where they were originally shown, attending discussions about the films with the stars themselves, watching live tapings of Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz, or celebrating the art of classic cinema with other fans at the historic hotel...this was a party not to be missed.

Before the movie programming began, passholders were treated to a welcome party at Club TCM.  Club TCM was located in the Blossom Room, the site where the very first Academy Awards banquet was held at the Roosevelt Hotel in 1929.  It was a thrill to be part of such a special place and I kept looking around to drink it all in.  Reflective of TCM's talent in art direction and production, the Blossom Room was transformed into an Art Deco bar and supper club.  Bathed in red light, the architecture of the room was echoed in added columns and complimented with a sleek bar, dance floor, and a movie screen as the centers of the room.  Then everything was surrounded by red leather booths, classic movie posters, palm trees, and photographs from Jack Pashkovsky adorning the walls.  Club TCM was a great place for our parties, most panel discussions, and even as a relatively restful getaway in between all the screenings.

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing on the big screen on a set reminiscent of Club TCM

Staff perfectly matched the mood of Club TCM in their smart tuxedos

Collector Mike Kaplan loaned foreign classic cinema posters to the festival, including one from our opening movie An American in Paris

One of the many beautiful photographs of Old Hollywood from Jack Pashkovsky

First on the festival schedule was the opportunity to meet the people behind TCM.  I was personally excited by the discussion since they do such an incredible job of honoring and presenting classic cinema.  Hosted by Scott McGee, the audience was able to learn more about the network from their top tier professionals--Genevieve McGillicuddy (Managing Director of the Festival and in charge of TCM Marketing and Branding), Charlie Tabesh (Programming Director), Pola Changnon (Creative Director), Tom Brown (Director of Original Programming), Darcy Hettrich (Director of Talent), and Jeff Stafford (TCM Digital).  It was an insightful look into the passion, talent, and work ethic of each of these people and their teams. As we all see every day on TCM, the quality of their production is so high--such attention to detail--and they possess a level of respect for both art and artists that is unmatched by other networks.  I loved Darcy sharing that they send hand-written notes to guests after appearing on TCM, which speaks volumes about the consistency in quality across everything they do.

My favorite moment, though, came from the last question from the audience.  A woman actually asked for original programming that would show the fabulous fashion of classic cinema, especially when it still obviously has such an impact on today's trends.  I couldn't believe it!  The request garnered a rousing round of applause from the approving audience and of course I couldn't agree more.  After all, that's the whole point behind GlamAmor!

After the discussions in Club TCM, everyone moved into the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel where this year's festival allowed passholders to be a part of TCM tapings with both Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz.  Being in the audience was a fun way to show our support of the network as well as meeting other fans.  Some of the fans were even interviewed on-air about their passion for classic cinema, including Theresa Brown (above).  The tapings were also an opportunity to watch all the behind-the-scenes action and interviews with celebrities such as Mickey Rooney, Barbara Rush, Alexis Gershwin, and Ileana Douglas.

Robert with Tom Brown (Director of Original Programming, above) and

Holly Hadesty (Studio Group Wardrobe, below)

Carol Strong giving Robert a touch up before going on-camera

Barbara Rush, who starred alongside the Rat Pack in Robin and the 7 Hoods, was instrumental in Robert's early career.  She said it was easy to see that he would be a success when "he looked like a president and sounded like Orson Welles," not to mention possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of classic film.  I also met a fan who knew Robert from his Hollywood Reporter days who shared that Robert was still just as genuine and considerate as he was back then.  For those of us who love Robert, this comes as no surprise at all.  Happy birthday, Robert, and best wishes for many more!

Cinema Connection--the Glamorous 1930s are In Style

Lo and behold...immediately after I posted my last blogs on Jean Harlow and 1930s inspired gowns, I received my latest In Style magazine and found them highlighting 1930s fashion from the runways and in Reese Witherspoon's new film, Water for Elephants.  I love how the movie's costume designer, Jacqueline West, describes gowns from this elegant era as hanging "like wet metal poured over the body."  Need I say more?  If you want a gown for evening, there is just nothing sleeker and sexier than the 1930s silhouette.

1930s Inspired Glamour at the California Market Center

In these more casual times, it's often hard to find the kind of glamour I admire and that was so celebrated in the 1930s.  Happily, I found some samples shining on the Fall 2011 runway at the California Market Center.  Musani Couture had many many vintage-inspired gowns in their latest collection...each one a true work of art.  I love the intricate beading in each of the dresses, many with wonderful plunging necklines in either the front or back.  If you drop by the CMC to visit GlamAmor, be sure to visit Musani's showroom in Suite A309 as well.