Tag: inspiration

5 films with extraordinary fashion NSFW

If you follow me online, then you know I love anything and everything Victorian- 1930’s. i thrive on a antique bohemian look, and naturally I love any films from this time period and set in this time period. But what are some of my favorite modern films set in this time period? Here’s a few:

 

1.Pretty Baby, 1978- A rather racy and controversial film set in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century. Inspired by real life photographer, E.J. Belloc’s photographs of actresses and prostitutes from that same time and place. The story centers around a very young child who is forced to live the same lifestyle she was born into by her sex worker mother. Despite it’s disturbing plot, the decor and fashion is incredible and very true to the time it represents. One of the most beautiful fashion in any film in my opinion.

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2. L’Appollonide, Souvenirs De La Maison Close, 2011- In the same style as Pretty Baby, it focuses on the life of the women working in a turn of the century brothel. The film is quite realistic and in that sense, very sad at to what life must have been life. Regardless, it stands as an incredible and beautiful film in my eyes. The decor and fashion really pay a true homage to the era.

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3. Daughters of the Dust, 1991- An incredible film written, directed and produced by Julie Dash. This story follows a family in turn of the century living in the Gullah community of coastal South Carolina. It deals with the trials and tribulations of modern vs. old traditions. Some seeking a new life on the mainland, others wanting to stay and honor their traditions.

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4. The Last Mistress, 2007- Sad and beautiful film directed by Catherine Breillat. It stars Asia Argento as mistress, Vellini who is enthralled in a decade long affair with a man who is meant to marry the most “marriageable young woman in all of French aristocracy.” It follows the story of their sad and passionate love affair, which has to come to end to please his new bride. In time you find out that he cannot stay away from his mistress, to the dismay of his wife. Asia Argento’s clothing in this film is a great break from the typical Victorian era style clothing.

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5. Barry Lyndon, 1975. Last but certainly not least on this list, the Kubrick classic, Barry Lyndon. The film is set a bit farther back then Victorian era, but it definitely stands as one of the most beautifully aesthetic films I have ever seen. Barry Lyndon is a young man who would do anything to climb up the social and financial ladder, except be a good husband to his incredibly wealthy wife, Countess of Lyndon. One of the most beautiful shot films ever, lit by actual candle light and inspired by William Hogarth paintings. Marisa Berenson’s character, the Countess of Lyndon is both melancholy and beautiful in quite an extravagant way.

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The Danish Girl

I know it’s been a few years since this film was first released, but it is definitely one of those films that you keep with you forever. When this film first came out, I was venturing more not the victorian/turn of the century aesthetic. I was more than enthralled by the films inspiration, the life of Lili Elbe and her wife, Gerda Wegener. Lili Elbe was the first transgender person to receive sex reassignment surgery. It’s been said the film is loosely based on Lili’s life, but its still an undeniably great film. For me personally, it also served as eternal eye candy and inspiration. The sets were so beautiful and authentic, to this day, I still use it as decor inspiration.

 

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Vintage Bebe babes

I remember as a child, we would drive by a billboard which just happened to always include a Bebe ad, it was right across the street from our home, and it was one of those things that made me excited to see. What beautiful woman would I see today? My life wasn’t very glamorous then, at least not on the outside yet, and these women, on this ad space gave me hope and inspiration that would day I would be that beautiful, confident and exciting. Who else remembers the late 90’s ads? They were everywhere, and I would beg my mother to buy me anything at the Bebe stores so that I could somehow resemble these femme fatales and hold some of their magic inside of me.

I remember I owned only one Bebe item, and it was a silk black jacket that had been on clearance, and I held on to that for so long. When it was destroyed in the wash, I was distraught, and even as an adult, before the stores shut down, I loved walking through the store, touching furs and glittery coats, as it was some sort of retail Disneyland. To this day, I still remember the feeling a Bebe ad gave me. They were brilliant, a sort of modern pin up with a dark sex kitten twist. And although none of these are credited, they are giving me an Ellen Von Unwerth vibe. There aren’t too many of these ads floating around the internet, but the ones I did find sure reminded me how much I used to love them.

Look at this brilliant editorial, with one of my favorite actresses, Rose McGowan. IMG_2555

Continue reading Vintage Bebe babes

E.J. Bellocq(NSFW)

A view at some of my favorite E.J. Bellocq photographs, which were taken around 1912 in Storyville, Louisiana. The subjects of these photographs are known to be prostitutes and out of work actresses around this time. My favorite part of these images is that some have been scratched off, unknown by who, adding a mystery aspect to the entire thing. I am so lucky to have found this book because it is a giant source of inspiration to me, in my personal life, my artwork and my own photography. Although I don’t shoot film, I do love the look and feel of it.

 

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