Reel To Real #4: Brigitte Bardot in "Contempt (Le Mepris)"

So I was requested to feature Brigitte Bardot in "Contempt", and coincidentally, this was one of the examples I had in mind when I thought of this column. Jean-Luc Godard's 1963 film may actually be the most visually stunning movie i've ever seen. I mean, it takes place (partially) in Capri! So as to not blend in with the unforgettable settings, Bardot's wardrobe had to be very memorable. 

As the commenter wrote, "solid colors, thin silhouettes, oh my!". The entire film (as in much of Godard's work from this era) is characterized by a use of bold primary colors, which extends to Bardot's look. She looks very put-together but not in a dull or dowdy way. Her look is great and easy to copy because it can be worn in either a professional or casual setting (think high-waisted pencil skirts, cardigans, ballet flats, and stripes). "Contempt" takes place in a sunny, paradise-like setting, so your look shouldn't be heavy.

(Bardot with Godard on set)

Her look is more playful when it comes to makeup; it is Brigitte Bardot after all, so she sports her famous cat eyes, which you can copy by liberally applying liquid eyeliner. And you too can rock that giant headband- just make sure it isn't white (when I tried that my sister said I looked like I had a head injury)

Proof that the "Contempt" look is easy to replicate? I've done it myself plenty of times:

New York Gets Fashion Incubator

According to an article by Jennifer 8. Lee of the New York Times, New York City is getting a fashion incubator for up-and-coming designers. The Bloomberg administration proposed the plan as a way to not only occupy otherwise empty space but to shore up some of the city's industries (the administration has set up similar incubators for freelance finance workers, restaurant workers, and media workers).

The idea behind the space is this: designers who have been working for a year and a half and employ a staff (paid or volunteer) can apply for a showroom. The rent would be extremely cheap, subsidized in part by a grant from the city. The CFDA would offer educational seminars on industry issues. There would be twelve showrooms in all.

The building is located on W 38th Street--the heart of the Garment District. With this incubator, the city can try to preserve the Garment District; the CFDA can help young talent enter Manhattan; the owner of the building can attract young, interesting tenants; and the emerging designers can have a dream showroom in Manhattan. Let's hope this works.

Poll!

Contrast needs your help. We want to find out what your favorite fashion blog is. (Obviously Contrast, but we mean your favorite non-Vassar fashion blog. ;-P) Vote for your favorite in the poll, or, if you don't see it, write it in the comments.

Happy October Break!

Rahm, you didn't show the pretty pictures to the kids! Oh well. Enjoy the adorableness.

From new Internet obsession rahmblr.

Reel to Real #3: Janeane Garofolo in "Reality Bites"

So at the latest "Potpourri" in the college center I found this dress (for only ten dollars!):

After buying it I realized that part of why I liked it so much is that its baby-doll style and pattern reminds me of Janeane Garofolo in  the 90s time capsule "Reality Bites." Winona Ryder may be the movie's star (and she's wonderful), but Garofolo steals the show with her sardonic wit, not to mention her Bettie Page bangs and eclectic, fun style:

Her look in the movie is playful. Think baby-doll dresses and colored tights (which may subconsciously be why these two things are a staple of my wardrobe). Wearing patterns will also help you get her look. In the movie her bedroom walls are covered in kitschy posters, so don't be afraid to have fun and to have a sense of humor while dressing

Look Ouuttttttt It's Spider Goat! Part 2

As mentioned earlier, the American Museum of Natural History currently has on display a piece of woven fabric made entirely from the silk of golden orb spiders. I got to see it this weekend, and it's really awesome! Take a look:

 

 

Random Vassar Thoughts

"Kiss the Girl" is playing while I'm writing an essay about compulsory heterosexuality. This is the postmodern world that we live in.

 Post your random Vassar thoughts in the comments. You know you have them.

Noooooooo

According to Fashion Week Daily, Conde Nast, the publisher of luxury titles Vogue and W, is cutting back on its super-high end stuff. Because of its limited appeal, W is only going to be published 6 times a year instead of monthly. And some industry insiders think Conde is going to buy Elle. Unlike Vogue and W, it has a broader appeal and, thanks to Project Runway, Stylista, and The City, broader exposure than the more upscale titles.

Keep It Fresh, Keep It Classy: Don't Be Cheesy

Hello again friends. After my last post on "going bold" in the socks department, I figured I'd give you all a contrasting article, so to speak. See, I'm going to elaborate on an article of clothing that needs to be toned down: underpants. Strange subject? Yes, but this must be addressed. I know we all want to wear our lucky "Wednesday" tighty-whities or that pair of boxers that has, "Hi, my name is Dick," written all over them (Ok, those are funny, I'll give you that). Now stop before you pull those absurd shorts up, and ask yourself, "Would I wear a shirt or a pair of pants with this design?" If you answered no, then it's time to check yourself. The well dressed man is well dressed EVERYWHERE. Here's a good rule of thumb: if you'd be embarrassed being seen in those boxers simply because of the way they look, don't wear them! I mean, save for when you're changing in the locker room, the times when someone else gets to see you in just your boxers tend to be the best times of all. Let's not ruin them. Keep your boxers as classy as your shirt and pants.

On the Street

On the Street: Pretty Florals

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Have On the Street photos? Want to show off pictures of your favorite outfit? You know the drill: cecholst [at] vassar.edu

Harvest Fest!

 

 

Paris Fashion Week: Lanvin

All images WWD.com 

Albar Elbaz certainly knows how to put on a show. His Spring 2010 RTW show was both a celebration of austere elegance and a comment on the modern woman. 

Elbaz claims that his show was inspired by his customers: high-powered women who run the world by day, but "collapse" when they come home. His collection was asymmetrical, often with one shoulder or limb bared, despite the protective envelope of the rest of the garment, often broad swaths of cloth barely controlled by pleating and draping. None of the silhouettes in this collection were new: tulip skirts, kimono-style dresses, jumpsuits, broad shoulders. We've seen these before. However, Elbaz has repackaged them in an intelligent concept. His emphasis was on the horizontal: each outfit came with a belt. By bisecting his modern women, he showed how her intellectual and sexual sides were, by unfortunate necessity, separate, but had every chance of forming a beautiful whole.

The materials used were, of course, stunning. According to style.com, Elbaz used polyester for the incredible jumpsuits and invented a new way of quilting. Some dresses had a chiffon over-layer. There were several leather dresses--a material tough but pliant, again, a comment on his customer--that showed lots of originality and lots and lots of sequins. In addition, the show had some interesting styling choices: there were several transparent tops (a remark on vulnerability?), and dresses layered over each other, creating a remarkable whole.

A lot of the Spring 2010 RTW shows have been beating us over the head with nostalgia, like crazy neoconservatives and a recession couldn't have told us that the 80s were back. Elbaz's collection shows the mark of a great designer: he's taken several shapes that, in many lesser hands were tired and gleefully frumpy, and injected a much-needed shot of intelligence and grace.

Reel to Real #2: Monica Vitti in "Red Desert"

To me, Monica Vitti is the epitome of "a real woman". In Michelangelo Antonioni's brilliant films of the 1960s, she is used as the "everywoman" figure. But if only every woman could be as strong and sophisticated as her! She has a voice, body, and attitude that bring to mind the word "womanly." Plus, she had ,in my opinion, the best hair ever. I mean, can hair get better than this?:

However, in Antonioni's 1964 Red Desert she is aptypically fragile as neurotic Guiliana, a woman who cannot adjust to her deadened, industrial, landscape. Yet she is as chic as ever.

As you can see, Vitti's look is subtly sexy (such as the plunge in the back) and never overdone. Especially in Red Desert, Vitti shows how effective simplicity can be. To get her look stick with neutral colors, black/white, high waisted skirts with simple tops, and pick one statement piece such as this great clock-watch that belongs to my floormate Molly:

Behind the Scenes

Here are some photos from our first photoshoot!

By Alia Heintz

By Kelitta Anderson

       By Caroline Mills

      

By Eushavia Bogan