Free Film Screening this Thursday at Drexel Exploring The Evolution of The Runway
Whether you’ve got a passion for fashion or just an unhealthy obsession with America’s Next Top Model, this Thursday, Drexel is inviting you and the rest of the general public to a free screening of the new critically acclaimed documentary “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution,” which explores a moment that forever changed the fashion industry.
More specifically, the film recounts the 1973 fashion face-off between American and French designers at the Versailles Fashion Ball in Paris that skyrocketed American designers to international acclaim and more importantly, marked the first time black models were hired to walk the runway.
Following the screening, the film’s award-winning writer and producer Deborah Riley Draper will be joined by model Pat Cleveland for a Q&A session. Cleveland, who is featured in the film, actually walked the Versailles runway on that historic night in 1973, helping pave the way for the likes of Iman, Tyra and Naomi.
Over the course of her career, she’s modeled for every major designer in the world—Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, etc.—and was a actually in the American fashion icon Halston’s regular troupe of models, nicknamed “the Halstonettes.” While you’re there, be sure to stop into The URBN Annex’s Pearlstein Gallery where a stunning Halston-designed gown will be on display just for the occasion.
Hosted by the Design & Merchandising Program in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, the screening starts at 6 p.m. in the URBN Annex Screening Room (34th & Filbert Sts.).
2013 SAG Awards: Best & Worst Dressed
Generally a less publicized award show like the SAG Awards is an opportunity for Hollywood’s elite to be a bit bolder in their clothing choices and overall, I think they rose to the challenge.
BEST
3rd Place: Ellie Kemper
If you ignore her unflattering grandma-esque quaff and caked on makeup, you might be able to appreciate how gorgeous this dress really is. If Sofia Vergara wore it, everyone would be shitting their pants.
2nd Place: Kiernan Shipka
I’m a sucker for a vintage-inspired tea length dress, and when that dress happens to be an Oscar de la Renta number worn by an adorable 13-year-old starlet, that’s just pure, Hollywood magic.
1st Place: Anne Hathaway
In the sea of black, a bit of haute couture went a long way. It looks even better when she’s walking and not slouching. Also, I’m in love with her hair.
WORST
Julianne Moore
I can’t get past the boob issue to absorb the rest of the dress. It’s such a simple, yet important alteration! When she walked up to the stage to accept her award, all I could think is “Omg, her boob is gonna pop out.” Granted, her boobs are no surprise at this point.
Lea Michele
There’s just no way around it—she’s looks like a trashy prom queen.
A One-Day-Only Vintage Designer Pop-Up Shop Coming To Rittenhouse This Wednesday
While my email inbox is routinely bombarded with invites to various style-related events, I can’t say I’ve ever received one in which the words “Philadelphia,” “Chanel” and “80% less” appeared in the same sentence.
Or, at least that was until a few weeks ago.
I kid you not ladies: this Wednesday, up on the 23rd floor of Hotel Palomar in Center City (Presidential Suite 2308), Fashionaires Vintage Boutique will unveiling a jaw-dropping selection of vintage, ready-to-wear clothing, handbags, accessories and shoes from designers like Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Prada and Christian Louboutin.
Perhaps you’ve heard of them?
Oh, and not only are these items that you’re not going to find anywhere else, but they’re priced about 80 percent less than they would be at a designer or department store. So, in other words, you could hypothetically go home with a pair of $800 vintage Louboutins for just $160.
Shoppers who bring a new/nearly-new piece of professional attire, handbag or accessory to donate to Dress For Success will also receive a special gift bag.
The fashion fairy godmother making this all happen: NJ native, Drexel alum and former buyer for Bergdorf Goodman, Tara Destribats who founded Fashionaires seven years ago with her fashion PR maven sister-in-law, Tracey. Having hosted similar pop-up boutiques in New York and New Jersey, this will be their first event here in Philly. Also joining them for the sale is New York celebrity stylist, Jo Slate who has dressed the likes of Iman, Anna Paquin and Kyra Sedgewick.
The pop-up shop will only be open for six hours (noon-7 p.m.) and to ensure that you don’t miss out on the best stuff, you may want to consider stopping by on your lunch break.
Or, hell, take the whole day off—this is a once-in-a-lifetime shopping opportunity.
Vintage Loves at Free People
Though I’m a typical broke college student, I still can’t help but gawk at the clothes and accessories from Free People. Recently, while scouring their website, I came across a tab at the top of the page titled Vintage Loves, and now I’m beating myself up for not discovering this sooner.
Little did I know at the time, but Free People’s Vintage Loves has become one of the biggest vintage businesses out there, each piece getting as many as 1,000 clicks. Intrigued, I got in touch with Vintage Loves Buyer, Ali to learn more about the business and where exactly the pieces came from.
When Vintage Loves started, it featured mostly simple vintage slips and hippie-inspired looks. Today, the business expanded its horizons to include other pieces that appeal to a much bigger audience – from those who dress like a tomboy or super feminine and flirty, and everyone in between.
Several pieces from Vintage Loves' Missoni collection
Not only does Vintage Loves sell vintage clothing, but it’s begun to integrate objects as well. Ali recalls a vignette with old records that literally sold out in minutes, and at one point, they even sold a bike. Right now, there’s even a Vintage English Cast Iron Bed Frame up for sale.
Some pieces have been from high-end designers, such as Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, and Mary McFadden, among many others. The website is currently featuring a collection of vintage Missoni pieces.
Ali literally travels the globe, handpicking clothing and items for each collection, as well as attending auctions and flea markets. She also works with a network of individuals who buy, sell, and trade vintage clothing.
During her search, Ali makes sure to buy pieces that are easily integrated with Free People’s clothing line.
For now, Vintage Loves are only available on Free People’s website. Some of the pieces are a little bit on the expensive side, but they’re priced reasonably considering how special they are, and the extent that Free People’s buyer had to go through to obtain them.
New vignettes are added to the website every two weeks, and according to Ali, the items fly out the door faster than you can imagine. The vignettes are completely interactive, every specific comment or inquiry on an item is addressed directly by a Free People representative, and each item’s condition is evaluated on a scale ranging from “fair” to “mint.”
Though these pieces may be out of your price range for the most part, as they are for me, I still love pondering who used to wear this pretty lace party dress in the 50s or who used to rock this cut off, zebra print denim vest.
–Lauren Arute
Remnants 1/21
via telegraph.uk
—Lady Gaga’s stylist has a penchant for the unusual, shocker! He showed his first collection as creative director of Mugler at Paris Fashion Week and yes, that model is really tattooed from head to toe to look like a skeleton. Telegraph
—Continuing the European Fashion Week madness, check out these photos from Berlin’s fledgling week of fashion. The Local
—The latest H&M collaboration is clogged. Traditional clogger company Swedish Hasbeens is teaming up with the budget-friendly store to bring these much saught-after shoes to the masses. Fashionista
—Registration for the Philly staple craft extravaganza that is the Art Star Craft Bazaar is open. Get you spot now! Art Star
—Obama’s McQueen gown choice for the state dinner with Chinese president Hu Jintao has Oscar de la Renta’s feathers all ruffled. Also, the coining of “MObama” in this article made me nearly fall over laughing. Grazia Fashion
Trending
I’ve been following New York Fashion Week and taking notes. A few designers have given us some silhouettes, accessories and combinations from their fall 2010 ready to wear collections that could definitely become the newest trends. Some have also presented looks that have been done and redone or that I wish would have never been brought to the runway. Below you’ll find a few of the looks that I predict will catch on this fall.
The long, knit tulip skirt as presented by Michael Kors: This skirt brings a bit of interest to the silhouette with its tulip shape without being unaccessible to the masses.
Cast System
Yesterday I was in love with basically everything that Glamour put up on it’s Twitter feed. There was the write up on whether or not men are drawn to women that are hurt, as in wrapped in casts. It sort of makes sense, the trip to the ER does make you look like the ultimate damsel in distress. I guess it’s the same idea as when you carry a lot of things and sometimes men offer to help…but mostly just stare. Wait, maybe that’s just me?
Another thing that Glamour put up is the commentary from the Reporter that got to talk to Rachel Zoe for Glamour’s September issue.
Lastly, Glamour wants to know if Toddler Beauty Pageants make you upset. They make me really sad, actually. Apparently 96% of those that took the poll feel the same way as I write this entry. I’m glad that others see things that way, because the Beauty Pageants to me seem forced and more of what the mother wants to do than the little girl involved. When I’d kick and scream at ballet, my mom let me quit. Sometimes I do wish I was a prima ballerina, but I’m glad I was never forced to do anything like the Toddler Beauty Pageants.
Courtesy of Harper's Bazzar
Vera Wang and Oscar De La Renta will be making stops on Sesame Street in honor of Sesame Street’s 40th anniversary. A couple other designers found their way to Sesame Street, including Diane VonFurstenberg. The pictures can be found in Harper’s Bazzar.
Lastly, the blog Clumps of Mascara is worth a look. It features videos on how to apply makeup as well as product reviews.