We’re Back! Plus, Our Top 6 Most Fashionable Movies Ever
Wow, today is my first day blogging about fashion for Latina.com. How thrilling! I’ve come to know and love this beat because I’ve been covering the Fashion and Beauty Channel on the main site for the past few months. If you’re a regular reader (and you better be!) you might recognize some of my regular columns, like Street Life. I’ve also written a good number of Latina cover stories on lovely ladies like Dania Ramirez and Alice Braga for the actual magazine.
Yesterday I had an amazing adventure: exploring Western Costume, a huge costume wardrobing warehouse deep in the hot and dusty San Fernando Valley. They had aisles of prairie dresses, Japanese armor and pirate costumes. It’s pretty much the go-to place for many of the big film productions. It smelled like a musty old vintage shop, and we wondered if they ever even washed these costumes.
Anyway, this little field trip had me thinking about how much of a huge impact film has on fashion. Of course, readers look to celebrities for their style cues and inspiration (so many of the Street Life readers say that Sex in the City is their most inspiring fashion film), but more hardcore fashionistas go farther than that, digging into the archives of old movies for new ideas that nobody else is up on yet, the next trends. I’ve rounded up a small list of movies that have inspired whole collections by fashion designers:
1. Love Story (1970)
Ali McGraw’s bone straight, hip-length hair, fuzzy sweaters, crisp oxfords and preppy East Coast style. A classic. I am still looking for that perfect brown saddlebag she carries in the film.
2. El Cantante (2006)
Captures the romance and glamour of the salsa world, and the sizzling chemistry of Marc and J.Lo too? Forget about it! Designers/stylists will be studying this one for a while.
3. Scarface (1983)
The rappers love it but so do the fashionistas, especially for the sultry cocktail dresses and ice cold style of Michelle Pfeiffer.
4. Dreamgirls (2006)
R&B diva chic at its best, whether it is sheathing the svelte physique of Beyoncé or the womanly curves of Jennifer Hudson.
5. Star Wars (1977)
Han Solo and Princess Leia pranced around in utilitarian uniforms in neutral colors that could have come straight from a Prada catwalk.
6. A View To a Kill (1985)
All James Bond films are great for style inspiration, but the ’80s feel of this one reminds you of the futuristic modernism of a Kanye West video.
What’s your favorite stylish movie and why? I wanna hear from you!
–Serena
my favorites, in no particular order:
Blade Runner - love the retro-futuristic style, made to look that much cooler by the noir-ish lighting.
Dirty Dancing - Penny looked so amazing in that red dress in the opening number. Also, the leotards are priceless!
Frida - Her vibrant sense of style was an art form in and of itself. One of the most gorgeous movies to look at.
Gilda - Rita Hayworth is smoking hot in those strapless gowns. I wanted to be her!
Don’t forget about Mahogany! Best clothes in a film, period.
I forgot another good one: Virgin Suicides. Preppy 70s. Total Marc Jacobs.
“Evita” for the period piece clothing”. “Pret a Porter”, need I say more, it is all about fashion! Almost any Federico Fellini Film.
My all time favorite movies for inspiring and eye catching designs are “All about Eve” this movie eptimizes Betty Davis at her best and “Elephant Walk” with Elizabeth Taylor every out fit compliments her gorgeous figure and memorable eyes.