Fashion In Film


Fashion and film are essentially the same. Creativity and passion fuel the creation of each of them and they are both enjoyed in a way that is emotional and intellectual. Therefore, it makes sense that when the two join forces the outcome is larger than life. Below are some of my favorite combinations of fashion in film. Whether it be a documentary or a fiction tale of the fashion industry, each one of them have a distinct specialness to them that have caused them to not only resonate with me over the years but also increase my knowledge of the craziness that is the fashion industry. So grab some snacks and settle in for a long night because believe me, you have a lot of movies to catch up on.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The September Issue

The september issue is Vogue’s largest issue every year and quite possibly the most important publication of any magazine, ever. The film, The September Issue, with the help of fashion A-listers Anna Wintour, Grace Codington, Andre Leon Talley, & more, gives you a behind the scenes look on how this monumental issue is created. From conception to creation, Vogue journalists, editors, and designers encounter every obstacle possible and overcome each one of them confidently and gracefully. From friction in the office to making deadlines, the Vogue office is never dull or lacking in drama. Vogue is in a league all its own and anyone who is interested in journalism or fashion in any capacity needs to watch this and try to learn from their example.

Seamless

Seamless is yet another documentary that involves Vogue. Seamless takes viewers on the journey of three CFDA & Vogue Fashion Fund finalists: Alexandre Plokhov of Cloak, Doo Ri Chung of Doo. Ri, and the infamous duo of Proenza Schouler – Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. The three finalists go through interviews, studio visits, and showings that are worthy of Anna Wintour herself. You get to learn a lot about who the designers are and the struggles they’re going through to make a name and a living in the fashion industry.

Bill Cunningham New York

Bill Cunningham is quite possibly the sweetest man on the face of the Earth. Cunningham is an 83-year-old street style and fashion photographer for The New York Times who has completely dedicated his life to fashion. The film Bill Cunningham New York gives a glimpse into the life of Bill, who is a mystery to even his closest friends. Cunningham genuinely cares about fashion as an art and his drive to deliver his best work and capture a moment in fashion is not only beautiful but inspiring as well.

Unzipped

Issac Mizrahi, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell are all household names now. However, in 1994, when the documentary Unzipped takes places, they were all on the brink of stardom and all involved in Mizrahi’s successful fall collection. Unzipped gives a behind the scenes look on how the idea for the collection was conceived, executed, and brought to life. The documentary is filmed in black and white, and color and captures not only the craziness but the fun and creativity that surrounds fashion shows. With an awesome cast, New York, the 90′s, and Mizrahi’s sharp-witted sense of humor – Unzipped is a film you really need to check out.

L’amour Fou

Yves Saint Laurent is one of the most iconic names in the fashion industry. But what many people don’t know about, is the man who stood behind him, his lover and greatest confidant: Pierre Berge. L’amour Fou is a documentary that tells the story of Saint Laurent’s rise to fame while also following the aftermath of his death and recounting the love story of Saint Laurent and Berge. The film gives a glimpse of not only the joy of success but also the dark side that accompanies it. L’amour Fou is in subtitles but if you can overlook that (which I highly suggest you do) then you should definitely take the time to watch it.

Valentino: The Last Emperor

Valentino Garaveni is over the top, highly stressed, and possibly slightly neurotic. However, he’s also a creative genius. Valentino has been making beautiful women’s clothing for decades and the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor gives a glimpse into his fabulous world. Similar to L’amour Fou in many ways, the film documents the celebration of Valentino’s career while also telling the story of his success and the people who have supported him, which includes his long time lover and business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.

The Devil Wears Prada

Chances are if you like fashion you’ve already seen this. If you haven’t then I advise you to do so… immediately. The Devil Wears Prada is a fictional (but semi accurate) glimpse into the world of fashion magazines. With A-list stars Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway leading the cast, The Devil Wears Prada is quite frankly an awesome movie that is a necessity for any fashionista. Best of all, the film contains a makeover montage! And honestly, who doesn’t love one of those?

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

A little cheesy, seriously relatable, and a lot of cute. Confessions Of A Shopaholic is a lighthearted romantic comedy that focuses on a problem all fashionistas have most likely encountered at one point- shopping addiction. Isla Fisher portrays Rebecca Bloomwood, an aspiring journalist whose life is being taken over by her persistent need to buy anything and everything. With the help of her best friend & incredibly good-looking boss, Bloomwood works on overcoming her addiction and reaching her goals. In regards to substantial plot as far as film making goes don’t expect a whole lot, but if you’re just looking for an easy-going girl’s night in type of film- this is perfect.

Sex And The City The Movie ( 1 & 2 )

Undoubtedly, the best fashion in any film. With Patricia Field behind the styling of the Sex And The City empire, it makes perfect sense that these movies would be extremely stylish. If you’ve watched the series then you know all about the fabulously fashion forward gal pals Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. These films tell the story of what happened after the series came to it’s end in 2004. The first one is probably my favorite but honestly, you can’t really go wrong with either one of them. Fashion references are made left and right. From a photo shoot with Vogue to an encounter with Rent The Runway, Sex And The City covers the entire spectrum of fashion.

Cool Looks For Summer


I don’t know about you but I do NOT handle heat well and nothing can annoy me quite like humidity. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful summer day just like everyone else, but I can not stand the feeling of sweat dripping down my back, clothing clinging to me, or having to constantly re-adjust due to the uncomfortableness heat forces on me. Clothing should allow you to express yourself and sometimes the high temperatures can make it seem almost impossible to do so. Luckily, there are many different stylish options to combat the heat all at very reasonable prices.

Just like maxi dresses but cooler…literally. The high-low silhouette is super on trend this season and a great way to beat summer heat. Long flowy fabrics create a breeze within the garment and pairing them with a shorter hem just enhances this. High-low dresses can be found at every extreme, from long trains to super short front and everything in between. Also, because of their versatility, these dresses can easily be dressed up, for a date night, or dressed down, for a music or art festival. What’s not to love?

Shorts, and bottoms in general, are really taking center stage this season. Shorts can be found in many different styles this summer. From different prints, prints, colors, materials– shorts leave you with endless options for a cool summer look. With the right length, shorts can remain classy while still giving your legs room to breathe.

There are many different styles of tops this season to beat the summer heat. Crop tops are making a huge come back and are a fantastic way to stay chic and cool. These type of tops also provide an opportunity for a fun DIY project. Try taking some of your old tees and cutting them up to make your very own crop/cut-out top!

Whether worn alone or under tops, like the ones described above, bandeaus are the perfect solution to tastefully show some skin. Because bandeaus can be worn alone, they give you the ability to not have to deal with the inconvenience of wearing camisoles or tanks under your tops, which can really add on heat in the summer. A bandeau does suffice as an undergarment but it should not be regarded in the same way. Unlike a bra, It’s ok, and actually kind of encouraged, to have your bandeau show through your top.

Rompers, like dresses, are a super easy way to stay comfortably cool in the summer. However, unlike dresses, rompers give you the freedom to move around anyway you want, which can make all the difference when it’s hot out. Rompers are a  whole outfit in one and are effortlessly cool. With the right styling, they can be appropriate for a number of occasions.

Wide brim hats are not only super stylish but they’re also practical. The wide brim of the hat will give you the protection and shade that you need from the hot summer sun. Although these hats are definitely a statement piece, they’re extremely easy to integrate into your everyday look. For a feminine vibe, try a light-colored hat in white, tan, or a pastel, and pin a hair flower around the band. For an edgier look, try tying a scarf in a bold color or print, around a hat in a contrasting color.

You can beat the heat and stay cool this summer without sacrificing style or putting a strain on your wallet. Which way is your favorite to dress for this scorching weather?

How To Shop A Sale


Summer means a lot of things: Hot weather, beach parties, time off of school, road trips, and sales. Lots and lots of sales. Now is the time of year when stores give some of their biggest discounts. You may have noticed some of the summer sales popping up already. As many have come to find, sales can be frustrating. However, they can also be extremely rewarding if you know how to shop them. Below are a few things to keep in mind while shopping a sale:

1. Get to a sale as early in the day as possible. Obviously, a sale will be easiest to navigate early in the morning when no one else has had the opportunity to shop it. Sales associates will have had closing time and opening time to make sure that the sale section is in tip top shape for your convenience. There’s nothing more irritating while shopping than the time you have to spend endlessly sifting through a mess of clothes to even find if there’s anything, well, worth finding. Attempting to shop a sale when it’s messy is just a waste of time and effort. Avoid the hassle, and go early. You’ll be doing yourself a HUGE favor, promise.

2. Ask yourself a few crucial questions: The rules and questions you ask yourself while shopping normally shouldn’t go out the door when shopping a sale. When doubting your decision to buy something ask yourself: Do I need this? Do I already have something similar to this in my closet? Will I really wear this? and most importantly, Would I still want this even if it wasn’t on sale? No, this doesn’t mean would you buy this item for it’s original price but do you even like it at all? Often times, an attractively low price tag can convince you to buy something that you otherwise would never even take a second glance at. A sale can be a great time to purchase something you wouldn’t normally go for, however, don’t let all of your shopping standards go out the door.

3. Check store policy on sale items: The return policy on sale items, specifically items that are on sale because they are damaged, can sometimes be really strict. This may mean you have less time than normal to return something, can only exchange your item, or possibly not even able to return what you bought at all. You’ll never know what the case may be unless you ASK, so make sure you do so. The possibility of there being a strict return policy, leads me to my next point which is…

4. Try on sale items before you buy them: This is absolutely crucial if you can not return the item. Things are on sale because they couldn’t sell at the rate the store wanted them to. This may due to a number of reasons, one of which may be, the fit. Therefore, it’s important to try it on rather than assume it’ll fit you. Although trying on something may seem time consuming in the moment, it’ll actually save time in the long run. When you try something on you, unless you just happen to change your mind, you completely avoid the shock of getting home, finding out what you bought won’t work for you, and having to return it.

5. Patience is key; prepare yourself mentally & physically: Shopping a sale takes the phrase “shop til’ you drop” to a whole new level. Sales are chaotic and going to one after another can be overwhelming to say the least. Therefore, it’s important that you prepare yourself accordingly. You should begin your day with a good breakfast, wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and carry a lighter purse. Give yourself a break if you need one and remind yourself that it’s just a sale; if you can’t find what you’re looking for, it’s not the end of the world.