FIENDFRIDAY: VIVA LA TAYLOR

BUTTERFIELD 8

I apologize for the long gap in posts. I've been busy balancing several different interests. I've been writing for AND Magazine as a fashion columnist for the past few months and thought I'd share the latest entry with FIEND followers. It's about the anniversary of Butterfield 8 turning fifty in November. It's an iconic movie for many reasons, which you can read by following this link. I've included a preview to give you a taste.

NO SALE: BUTTERFIELD 8 TURNS 50 WITH STYLE

By Seth Leeper

November 4th marks the 50th anniversary of Butterfield 8, a notorious film in Elizabeth Taylor’s career. It was the film she didn’t want to make, but won her first Oscar. It was the film she agreed to do in order to do Cleopatra. It occupies a transitional place in her filmography and public image. Newly married to Eddie Fisher, fresh off a scandalous publicity blitz because of it, (think of the Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston/Angelina Jolie debacle and go back four or five decades), and in the midst of a three-film streak of Oscar nominated roles. She was still arguably the most famous woman in the world at this time, having already occupied countless magazine covers, and was waiting to film the movie she may have thought would make her career...[to read the rest, click here.]

FIENDTHURSDAY: ROCKER CHIC GOES GLAM

GLAMAZONIA 2010

The 80s over-studded, leather-covered aesthetic of the rocker trend we've seen in recent seasons has shifted in favor of a 70s Glam Rock approach for Fall 2010. Signatures of the trend are top hats, vintage blazers, exotic scarves, and sheer metallics in brooding hue tones.


PHOTO CREDITS: Alice and Olivia, Alexander McQueen, Balmain, and John Galliano from style.com.

FIENDWEDNESDAY: RETRO ICON

LINDA RONSTADT

In the 70s Linda Ronstadt was the premier rock chick of her time: a big voice, sex symbol, and fashion icon. Ronstadt always had a reluctant relationship with fame, but her sonic and sartorial influences have transcended fads.

Now that spring is nearing an end and summer is starting to bloom, the sudden navigational change in fashion can be seen in full force. Gone are the 80s power looks and in are the 70s subdued, laid back, billowy silhouettes. We can already see the lasting effects of this in the wide leg pants coming in for fall.

Ronstadt's signatures in the 70s included wide leg pants, bell sleeves, baby doll silhouettes, tiered and maxi dresses.
PHOTO CREDITS: Halston, Isabel Marant, and Vivienne Tam from style.com.

FIENDTUESDAY: EAST OF FASHION

ROMANCING THE EAST

Monique Lhuillier's Fall 2010 borrows heavily from Eastern inspiration. Strengths of the collection were cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and jackets. Behold: dress highlights from the show.










PHOTO CREDITS: Monique Lhuillier from style.com.

FIENDMONDAY: ACCESSORIES

BACK ON THE CHAINGANG

In the meantime, chains are popping up everywhere on accessories from bags to shoes. Lanvin, Derek Lam, and Roberto Cavalli remind us all that glitters is gold.

PHOTO CREDITS: Lanvin (center), Derek Lam (left), and Roberto Cavalli (right) from style.com.

FIENDFRIDAY: ACCESSORIES

CHAINMAIL

While we're saying hello the 70s, we've yet to completely bid adieu to the silver-studded 80s. This time around we bypass plaid and punk and go back to the ultra basic era: The Middle Ages. Medieval chainmail-inspired pieces update the harder-edged 80s party trend that Marc Jacobs has since eschewed shortly after he embraced it. Meanwhile, Balmain seems content to see the trend through to its final crusade.
PHOTO CREDITS: Mawi (top), Eddie Borgo (left), Erickson Beamon (bottom), and Janis by Janis Savitt (right) from style.com.

FIENDTHURSDAY: COMFORT AND JOY III

RETURN OF THE WEDGE, PART III


Wedges ready for the tea garden. Pinkies up!

PHOTO CREDITS: Roger Vivier (top), Tabitha Simmons (left), and Viktor and Rolf (bottom) from style.com.

FIENDWEDNESDAY: COMFORT AND JOY II

RETURN OF THE WEDGE, PART II


For those who prefer the more demure variety, behold the neutral wedges.

PHOTO CREDITS: Bottega Veneta (top), Salvatore Ferragamo (left), Donna Karan (bottom), and Camilla Skovgaard from style.com.

FIENDTUESDAY: COMFORT AND JOY

RETURN OF THE WEDGE, PT. I


Rejoice, comfort-lovers. Those who scorn the sky-high platforms of the past few seasons will be pleased to know that the new emphasis on utilitarian styles has ushered in the return of the wedge. Behold the tall, bold, foot-loving wedge!

PHOTO CREDITS: Pierre Hardy (top), Christian Dior (left), Givenchy (center), and Ralph Lauren (right) from style.com.

FIENDMONDAY: NEWHOTNOW

NEWHOTNOW:

MARTIN GRANT

Loose silhouettes, asymmetry, one-shoulder details, volume. Sounds like a recitation of the key trends directing fashion forward through the Spring and Fall 2010 season, but it's Martin Grant's Spring collection.









PHOTO CREDITS: Martin Grant from style.com.

FIENDFRIDAY: FASHION FLASHBACK

ABBY CUNNINGHAM

With the 70s making a strong comeback this season, it seems topical to remember the roots of the trend. Perhaps the most overt of the trends is the tailoring of suits and relaxing of the hemlines. Loose, but polished silhouettes are the vogue of the moment, a la Abby Cunningham from Knots Landing (famously played by Donna Mills). Clean, relaxed lines, and a modern sophistication in both attitude and personal style are so 2010 (and Abby Cunningham, though she could be a bit catty at times, to say the least).

Looks from ADAM (by Adam Lippes), Chloe, and Yves Saint Laurent harken back to the late 70s/early 80s lackadaisical ease and update it for the modern woman.

PHOTO CREDITS: ADAM (left), Chloe (center), and Yves Saint Laurent (right) from style.com.

FIENDTHURSDAY: NEWHOTNOW

NEWHOTNOW:
Elise Overland

Elise Overland's debut runway collection serves as a bridge between seasons. Overland, who made her name designing for rockers, juxtaposes the haughty toughness of her leather creations with softer nude hues.

The result is a striking aesthetic of demure coquetry that is right on trend with the utilitarian vibe of the Spring 2010 season, while staying rooted in the 80's party-scene appeal of past seasons. The 80's haven't completely left us. Fall 2010 will see a revisitation of certain 80's staples, but the trick is to know when and how much is just right.

Overland's runway debut is a brilliant segue between the two sensibilities.


PHOTO CREDITS: Elise Overland from style.com.

FIENDWEDNESDAY: DENIM DAYS

RAGS TO RICHES

Denim is back. It's spread from the legs to the full body like a cancer. The textile has been put to utilitarian use in ensembles that capitalize on the casual ease of the fabric. Moschino managed to mine an elegance out of the material in dressy looks from skirt to dress looks.

Head to toe denim looks are tricky and hard to pull off in everyday use. Instead of going full throttle and giving Cool Hand Luke a run for his money, try layering a denim jacket over an evening or cocktail dress. This works well with velvet, in particular.

If you don't have one already, or you threw your old one out, a denim jacket is actually a smart investment. It's a key piece you'll be able to recycle season to season.PHOTO CREDITS: Moschino [top, bottom], D&G [left], and Jean Paul Gaultier from style.com.

FIENDTUESDAY: BACK TO BASICS

KHAKI IS KOOL AGAIN

Are the 90s back? Or is it the 70s? It's a moot point. What is clear is that opulence is dated, consumers are yearning for timeless pieces they can live in, and designers are delivering in turn.

Among the many trends that will be shaping fashion in the next six months are denim, menswear, and neutrals. Forget the signature colour of the season. At the end of the day, it always seems to be the same one, just one or two hues deeper or lighter. It's neutrals and accents that will serve as our palette.

Rich creams, browns, greys, and camels are the new rage, which we'll talk about in future posts.

For now, feast your eyes on the designers' updates to khaki. Khaki gets a face lift via Christoper Bailey, Phoebe Philo, and Elie Saab.




PHOTO CREDITS: Burberry Prorsum [top], Celine [left], and Elie Saab [right] from style.com.

FIENDMONDAY: FASHION EDITORIAL OUTTAKES

TAKE TWO, THREE, FOUR...

In case you couldn't get enough the first time, some outtakes from the session.

Click the thumbnails for full-sized images.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Megan Bayley
MODEL: Shelby Rothwell
STYLIST: Seth Leeper