Hitchcock

Growing up, I always looked forward to watching a Hitchcock movie when it was on AMC.  While the stories were the best part, Hitchcock's famous "cool blondes" were always fun, in a beautiful, slightly sinister way.  Kim Novak, Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint.  Some better actresses than others, but all perfectly in the theme.

Happy Mother's Day!

My mother and grandmother in Pasadena, 1956.  

Arrrgggg

Here is my last installment of photos inspired by LACMA's exhibit, a lobster bikini by Mary Ann DeWeese for Catalina Sportswear.  My apologies for the delay (I've been on background costumer duty). 

This little number is from 1949, and is truly a surreal dream, a la Schiaparelli and the ilk.  I thought she needed an eyepatch; Daryl Hannah in "Kill Bill"anyone?  This was perhaps a bit heavyhanded, and I added some major outlining, but it was awfully fun to do.  Some softer things will follow tomorrow...

The Other (medium)

Immmmaaa back! I was out of commission due to winds (I'm allergic to everything and have the disposition of a pre-Raphaelite woman), but I'm going to continue my posts about LACMA's exhibit this week, because I just find it so darn interesting and I so love my Mid-Century.

In 1940's California, women's fashion began reflecting the growing interest of Mexican design (the state was adjacent to the country, I'll have you know).  Of course, it was romanticized and exoticized, but when put on 1940's dresses the bright stripes were oh-so-fun.  

Scandal!

 Oh Rudi Gernreich, what are we going to do with you? 
His infamous topless bathing suit caused quite a scandal  but I never really thought it was that great of a design, so I didn't fully appreciate him until I went to LACMA's Costume Council talk "That California Look: Mid-Century Fashion Magic With Curator Kaye D. Spilker."  The lovely Ms. Spilker spoke of just how influential he was, and highlighted some of his other brave designs, like this one from 1965.

Wonder Bread

The introduction to LACMA's exhibit begins with a quote by Wallace Stegner: "California's American, only more so."  I think Margit Fellegi's little beach set for Cole featured in the exhibit reflects this perfectly.  Designed for warmweather, with primary polka dots that suggest both innocence and streamlined modernity, the outfit is a celebration of a post-war lifestyle.  Plus, it was mass produced for the lady sick of sewing.

Mid-Century Madness

This week, in honor of LACMA's exhibit California Design, 1930-1965: "Living In a Modern Way", I'm going to focus on Mid-Century fashion and all its glory.