On November 22, Miu Miu re-staged their Resort 2019 show in Shanghai, China.
Everything I love in a good summer outfit- light, sheer pants, sunny colors and chic shades. (Photo: Vogue.com)
It seems like the fashion industry has been all about courting the Chinese market lately, with some good and not so good results. While Dolce and Gabbana decided to cancel their show due to public outrage over Stefano Gabbana’s racist comments, the Miu Miu show went on without a hitch and reminded us of how much we loved the collection when it first premiered back in June. While the winter is just gearing up, let’s revisit the sunny collection and remind ourselves how warm and pleasant life can be.
Like all good resort collections, the Miu Miu Resort 2019 collection premiered plenty of soft colors and flowing silhouettes for easy, yet uncompromisingly elegant wearing. And while the clothes were fabulous, they weren’t the stars of the show. Miucci Prada called in a cast of influential celebrities including Game of Thrones’ Gwendolyn Christie, Rowan Blanchard, Uma Thurman, and Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink. Prada made the decision to include them at the last moment in a flash of spontaneity, a move that played perfectly with the fun and spontaneous vibe of the collection.
The collection was whimsical in that it combined the casual coolness of oversized cardigans and sporty jackets with pretty little dresses embellished with sparklies and hemmed with luxurious feathers. Almost all of the floaty, sheer pieces were even layered over playful briefs and bandeau combos for some fun juxtaposition that played into the overall carefree vibe. Plus, the collection brought new life to the shorter than short hot pants, the perfect choice of bottoms for a fun and free vacation.
Check out my favorite looks from the show below:
Cover photo from Marie Claire Australia. All other photos from Vogue.com.
It seems, to society, that there are few things more simultaneously fascinating and terrifying than a witch. As a woman with unmatched power and strength to protect herself and her sisters, the witch has become a powerful symbol of the mysteries of womanhood and female empowerment, a theme that is entangled at the core of Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of the 1977 Dario Argento cult classic, Suspiria.
If you haven’t seen the film, and want to, I would not read any further, as this article will contain spoilers!
In both versions of the film, the story follows a naive American dancer, Susie Bannion, as she joins a prestigious dance school/company (depending on what version you are watching), where there are mysterious forces at work- namely, a coven of covert witches working under the watchful eye of matriarch Helena Markos. This general plot framework, along with a memorable soundtrack, is just about where the shared aspects of the two films stop. While both offer a lush, visceral experience to cause absolute dread, the original accomplishes this through a string of gloriously gory kills, frantic music and garish lighting that transforms the dance academy into a nightmarish rave. Guadagnino’s update, however, is the definition of slow burn.
Dakota Johnson as the innocent, Mennonite runaway, Susie Bannion, that we meet at the beginning of the film, complete with a harmless braid. (Photo: Amazon Studios)
Our hero, Susie (Dakota Johnson), arrives at the dance company as a repressed Mennonite runaway, a virginal beauty with a wicked talent for dance- the perfect formula to fit the archetype of the pure and innocent final girl. While I fully expected our childish Susie, who arrived at the company with a long, wholesome, ginger braid, to be subjected to the horrors that lie within the company, then work to dismantle it with her goodness and charm, this movie delightfully subverts the tropes in exchange for something much more impactful.
As we wind throughout Guadagnino’s generous 2.5 hours of film, we witness a radical transformation in Susie’s identity, as she leaves behind her life as a sweet farm girl and blooms into a fiercely free and indescribably powerful woman. In one scene, she dances maniacally, each move of her body gruesomely crumpling a woman to death in another room of the company. Later, to her director, Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton), she quietly describes the experience of dancing as “what it feels like to f**k”- but not a man, something more primal and animal.
In the end, it seems like she dutifully accepts her submissive role in the coven as the vessel for the ancient, omnipresent and ailing Mother Markos, who claims to be one of the original three mothers, a trio of powerful witches that represent pain, darkness and sadness. But in a subversive twist in the dizzying, and surreal final act, Susie herself claims the ultimate power, revealing herself to be one of the true mothers, while simultaneously killing any member of the coven that stood with Markos. And when I say surreal, I mean insane- like heads exploding while Dakota Johnson rips her own chest open insane- all to the haunting vocals of Thom Yorke. To put it simply, this film sticks with you, crawls under your skin and insists on staying the night.
A new, more powerful and free Susie dances the lead in the company’s show, Volk, which doubles as an occult ritual. (Photo: Amazon Studios)
When I returned from my 10:20pm viewing of the film, I crawled into bed and thought endlessly about it- the intoxicating dance scenes, the overwhelming themes of guilt and shame and motherhood, the impeccable costuming and rich setting. It all culminated into a work that tasks us with considering what it all means together. The film ends with a surprisingly tender scene in which the newly-revealed Mother Suspiriorum in the form of Susie visits an ailing, old psychiatrist plagued by the guilt of losing his wife to the holocaust- that the coven had been tormenting throughout the film- to rid him of all of the memories of any woman that had caused him pain, including his missing wife. I couldn’t help but think this scene showed the magical quality of female power- a power that can be vicious but is ultimately, at its core, maternal and empathetic.
Although the film is long and slow at times, and although I struggled to grasp the meaning of it in the end, it is a story so entirely female that even the one important male character (the old psychiatrist) is played by Tilda Swinton in a crazy amount of prosthetics. And in a media landscape entirely tailored to men and the male perspective, it was refreshing, to say the least.
The White Blouse is one of the most classic wardrobe staple. It’s been around forever, and shows no sign of disappearing anytime soon. To put it simply, it is versatile. The perfect base to build an outfit around. It never offends, matches nearly anything and never fails to elevate an outfit from casual to “they care about how they look.” And it happens to be something I have a bit of an addiction to.
Looking in my current wardrobe, I have 16 white blouses (five of which are thrifted) and I have another one on its way in the mail. I might have a bit of a problem. But honestly, who can blame me? You can never go wrong with a white blouse, so I get a ton of use out of them. Plus, vintage white blouses are any fashion-lover’s dream, so I pick them up anytime I come across a good one.
Below are eight (!) of my favorite white blouses to encourage you to invest in this timeless wardrobe essential:
Pearls & Pastels
This thrifted, vintage blouse features pale, pastel floral embroidery on the chest and a lacy collar embellished with pearls and more gorgeous embroidery. I got this one at Savers for probably $5 or $6- THRIFT YOU GUYS. YOU WILL FIND SO MUCH GOOD STUFF.
Whimsical Collar
One of the newest additions to my white blouse obsession- I mean collection, I fell in love with the ornate, frilly collar. It’s so whimsical and fun! Any outfit that would have looked drab with a regular white blouse is instantly made a ton more memorable and even though it’s a statement piece, it still goes with everything!
Fun Floral Details
Another thrifted gem, I had to repair this vintage beauty by replacing a missing button (seriously- don’t let the fear of a little needed repair stop you from getting that dream thrifted piece!). The addition of the floral, cutout panels around the collar and over the shoulders just adds so much style to an otherwise-boring white blouse!
Frills and Chills
You might recognize this top from my “Dreamy Dolly” Halloween look that I recently posted- and what can I say? This sheer, frilly Forever 21 top makes an excellent layering piece and adds so much drama because of its high collar and bleated, bell sleeves. Wearing this shirt under a dress instantly adds so much interest, I will probably hold onto it forever!
Girly Gingham
While this blouse isn’t exclusively white, I thoought it still deserved a spot on the list because LOOK AT HOW DARN CUTE IT IS! I first picked this up in the thrift store to have a good laugh at how old-ladyish it was, but then it smacked me in the head with all of its adorable charm. Gingham hearts and all-over looping embroidery? Come on, you can’t get more innocent and playful than that!
Layers of Drama
When I ordered this shirt from Nastygal, I honestly didn’t think I would like it as much as I do, but I DO. The pleated layers make for such a fun, textured look and are so voluminous, so this shirt is definitely a statement piece that dresses up any outfit. I even pair it with slacks for a fun workday look!
A Schoolgirl Fantasy
This incredible blous is YET ANOTHER vintage, thrifted piece. And these types of finds are why I thrift in the first place! I love the bib-like, square collar with lacy, embroidered edges. It gives me major schoolgirl vibes and feels so dreamy and sailor-esque! Plus the sleeves are loose around the arm for a little flow!
Elegant Eyelet
Trying to escape the wrath of the sun on blue eyes.
This last blouse was a gift from my mom from Loft, which shows how well she knows me! Not only is it sleeveless, which is pretty much my favorite type of sleeve, it also features some eyelet frills over the shoulder, which add so much charm and girlishness to any look! And, if you have a dress with spaghetti straps, it makes an excellent layering piece!
At the end of the day, the white blouse is what you make it. It can be the building block of a good outfit as a simple layering piece, or it can make a statement with its vintage charm, or over-the-top details. There are no rules, and there are no ways to style it wrong. So go nuts and find some that you truly love!
“Bad Times at the El Royale” is a newly-released mystery thriller written and directed by Drew Goddard (who also wrote and directed “Cabin in the Woods,” and wrote the screenplay for “The Martian”). This noir-esque film takes place in the late 1960s at a peculiar and once-bustling hotel, called the El Royale, that is affixed directly on the California-Nevada border. We are introduced immediately to the five protagonists of the film: a priest, a vacuum salesman, a singer, a bellboy (who is simultaneously the head of hospitality, the bartender, and every other job in the hotel), and a young angry woman. After their introduction the story unfolds in a classic “several strangers meet at a mysterious place and their stories slowly intertwine” kind of tale, which some may find trope-y, but I personally almost always find charming.
Perhaps the most interesting part of “Bad Times…” is the way that it transforms every single character. We are introduced to five not-so-interesting people at the beginning, and as the true nature of the El Royale is revealed, so too are the true natures of our main characters until we are left with five completely different people (with the addition of a couple more, but I’m going to avoid spoilers in this review) by the end. Everyone’s backstory is fleshed out just enough so that you think you have a good idea as to what type of people they are, save the singer, which leads me to my first gripe about this film: the singers’ story is criminally underdeveloped, and her evolution as a whole throughout the film is lackluster.
In the beginning, we meet a singer, a priest and a southern vacuum salesman who are all vying for a room at the El Royal.
The theme of the entire film is that of “choosing a side” in the moral landscape. Everyone in the film deals with challenges that push them to one side or the other, with a few landing right in the middle. I urge anyone planning to see this movie to watch for “choose a side or walk the line between good and evil” symbolism that the film is laden with. Even the hotel, evenly split by a literal state border, represents this theme well, just watch how every character interacts with this line drawn on the ground, and you will have an entirely new appreciation for the attention to detail that Goddard has. The way this theme is expressed, to me, is the best thing about this film. Even one character’s means of selecting a song at a jukebox hint at this theme. Goddard’s subtle hints at this throughout are nothing short of genius, and he has created a universe that truly has no mercy on those who choose “good” or “evil” too early on. The viewers’ perception of every character shifts wildly throughout this movie, and it really feeds into the air of mystery surrounding everything.
Overall, “Bad Times at the El Royale” is a fun film that really makes you care about five strangers meeting in a dusty desert hotel, and blows you away with how easily it can manipulate your perception of said strangers. My only complaint, as I’ve previously stated, is the underdevelopment of one of the protagonists. Aside from this, I would recommend this film to anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller/noir/sorryidontknowwhatgenrethisfilmreallyisandneitherwillyou. My numerical rating for the film, as well as my reasoning is provided below.
Dakota Johnson’s character faces some tough times at the seedy El Royal motel.
Setting: 10/10
The setting portrays the theme of the film excellently. And who doesn’t love a good noir set in the dusty 1960/70s American West?
Plot: 8/10
The plot is simple, but not really the point of the movie. It’s more like five plots that become one, and it’s really well done.
Characters: 8/10
Two points for every character, save one singer, who is unfortunately not very well developed.
Theme: 10/10
Read my second-to-last paragraph. The theme is great, one that is very difficult to execute properly, and Goddard nailed it.
Ending: 9/10
I won’t go into detail here to avoid spoilers, but I almost cried when we had to say goodbye to the character I was initially least interested in, so it’s got that going for it.
Soundtrack: 10/10
From the singer’s performances to the music played from the jukebox, the songs really immerse the viewer in the setting, and work perfectly within the film.
Overall: 9/10
Great acting supports some very well-written characters in an intriguing story in Goddard’s newest film. Excellent film, go see it and support original screenplays. Hollywood desperately needs them.
If you’re a logical human being, this is probably already obvious to you, but I wouldn’t have anything to write about if I didn’t think there was a serious issue that needed to be addressed. To put it simply, some people SUCK at taking care of their animals, and that says a lot about the content of their character.
Before I took the plunge and adopted my first real pets- a pair of angelic gerbils- I probably did a solid week of research. What do gerbils eat? What are their temperaments like? What kind of habitat best suits them? What issues should I look out for? I read pretty much every article that appeared on the first two pages of Google (does anybody even go to the second page?)- that is to say, I cared deeply about providing the proper care to my soon-to-be furbabies.
Although it seems like a no-brainer to me, many people don’t take the time to properly research an animal before bringing it into their home. In fact, the reason I decided to write this article is because I recently saw a video on Facebook that showed a chinchilla getting its first dust bath in months after being removed from a neglectful household. The kind soul that rescued the poor thing learned about it from an ad asking for the chinchilla to be re-homed because the children no longer played with it… Are you serious?
The first thing a potential pet owner should realize before deciding to get a pet is that they are committing to caring for the creature for the entirety of its life, not just until they get bored of it or stop caring. I have seen so many PSAs telling people not to get their children rabbits and chicks for Easter as a cute gift because, as the title of this article suggests, PETS ARE NOT TOYS. Animals don’t exist solely for our enjoyment in that moment. They are living their own precious lives and they happen to depend on us for their lives to continue. We have a tremendous responsibility to our pets to make sure they are living the best lives they possibly can, because that is the logical and decent thing to do.
Nothing tells me more about the character of a person than the way they treat animals. Since animals are completely innocent and know nothing about the moral implications of their actions, they should be the easiest beings on the planet to feel sympathy and empathy for. If you can’t even feel empathy for an animal, I have serious doubts that you can feel empathy for your fellow human beings. If you can’t properly take care of your pet, or don’t care to, you are a bad person. Sorry, but there are (almost) no exceptions. They have no choice in the life they are given, so you need to step up and make sure they get the proper care and attention they need.
I have six gerbils, and have taken them to the vet on many different occasions. While many might think I’m insane in the brain for wanting to spend so much money on a rodent that only lives a couple of years anyways, I know that it is the right, ethical thing to do. In fact, if you don’t have the capacity to bring your pets to the vet, no matter how small they are, you should not have a pet. Simple as that. A gerbil deserves just as much medical care as a dog or a cat- they depend on it. They depend on you. So don’t screw it up.
I recently adopted a baby gerbil (his name is Cashew!) and quickly realized he was not able to eat seeds like his brother was. A quick trip to the vet revealed the source of the problem- his teeth were broken. I would have never known how to help him if I didn’t take him to the vet, and now his life is better for it!
If I can impart anything on you all about the sanctity of animal life and the importance of responsible pet ownership, it’s these points:
Do your research before owning a pet. You should know that chinchillas need a dust bath every day, or that gerbils like to tunnel, so they require a ton of bedding in their habitats. Uneducated pet ownership is bad pet ownership.
Have enough money to bring your pet to the vet- no matter how small. Just like people, animals sometimes need the help of a medical professional. If you see that there is something wrong with your furry friend, and you choose not to bring them to get help, you are letting them down! Their lives depend on you!
If your life circumstances change, consider giving them up for adoption. Sometimes things happen that make it so you are unable to comfortably support a pet- that’s completely understandable! If you are no longer able to give them what they need to live comfortable, happy lives, consider re-homing them to somebody who can.
PETS AREN’T TOYS. Let me reiterate: Don’t buy animals as gifts for fickle children. No bunnies for Easter, black cats for Halloween, or rodents you purchased on an impulse because your kids wouldn’t stop bothering you about it. It’s fine to get your kids pets to teach them about responsibility, but you better be willing to do the research and take care of the animal throughout its lifespan, even after your kids get bored of them. Their lives are literally in your hands.
At the end of the day, all of this comes down to the value and sanctity of life. Respect animals, they have as much a right to life as we do. End of story.
Pull my string and hear me sing! Just don’t separate me from my cuddly best friend~
You can make an adorable Halloween costume with pieces you already have in your wardrobe. I used an old plaid dress I got at Forever 21, a frilly blouse from H&M, and a pair of shiny oxfords from Aldo. Teddy optional, but highly recommended.
Thighs on fleek!
Should I do more of these? Maybe 😉 October is a month that you can be whatever you want with no judgment, so why not go all out?
In our culture obsessed with dieting and weight loss and flat abs and perfect skin and big butts and hairlessness and cellulite and and and….. the pressure to maintain a perfect image that fits society’s impossible expectations is immense. Immense is an understatement. From childhood onward, we are all inundated with images of perfect people that don’t even exist. Although there has been a movement to end the extreme editing of images presented to us in the media, the editing is still there, making the people we look up to into beacons of unattainable beauty.
Society is gravely affected by this. And young, impressionable girls, I think, are hit hardest of all. We’re taught to love ourselves, but then shown a million ways to improve ourselves. Who do we believe? And in the age of social media, where everyone presents only the best aspects of their lives, we believe everyone is more beautiful and more happy than we are.
Where do I fit in? I was not immune to the self-esteem sabotage. Especially since I had an interest in fashion, I was surrounded by images of rail-thin women in elegant clothes and makeup. Naturally, I thought it was possible for my body to look like that. I thought that was the peak of beauty. I thought I could never be taken seriously in the industry with the muscular body type I was given. So, I developed an unhealthy relationship with food.
This was what my body looked like in high school, when my body image issues were at their worst. I really thought I was fat. I would obsessively exercise for hours every night. I would eat one pudding cup for lunch and force myself to take forever to eat it, so it seemed like more food. I really thought I was fat. All I can do now is laugh at how stupid I was.
Before that point, I was a competitive swimmer and spent upwards of four hours every day in the pool. This is hard on the body and requires a lot of fuel. This also builds a lot of muscle. Muscular women are not attractive, according to society. My brother told me that no man would ever love me because I was so muscular and had no curves at all. When I quit swimming, my curves came in hard and fast and I was left feeling like a stretch mark-marred whale. I had nobody to tell me that it was okay to gain weight. In fact, the girls I was surrounded by were just as obsessed as I was with obtaining that desirable body.
I’m happy to say that I am not like that anymore. I have gained an appreciation and a respect for my body and all that it does every day. If my body isn’t strong, I’m not strong. But it isn’t easy to believe these things. It’s especially hard for me to accept the fact that I’ve gained 10-12 pounds since high school. I always think it’s because I’m not taking care of myself, or that I’m eating in excess. But that’s not always true. Our bodies change. Our metabolisms slow. They really make us believe these things are completely in our control, when that’s not always the case.
I do think that the fashion industry has some responsibility to change the way bodies are portrayed in the media. Cast women with realistic bodies. Avoid enforcing industry-wide standards that encourage models to engage in unhealthy eating and exercise behaviors. Stop treating models as hangers for the clothes, which not only creates an unrealistic expectation of what bodies should look like in clothes, but also objectifies and dehumanizes the women wearing them.
What have you experienced in terms of body image and self-esteem? I am optimistic that things are changing. Slowly, but they are.
Society is obsessed with witches, and has been since the beginning of time. There is so much mystique and sex appeal about a witch- she’s a woman of tremendous and terrifying power. You never know what lies beneath the often tranquil and gorgeous exterior.
This is what makes the witch such an attractive Halloween costume option for fashion lovers everywhere. You can craft an incredibly unique, couture-inspired outfit and some dramatic makeup and you’ll be the most intriguing person in the room at your Halloween gig. Plus, a slew of visually striking movies and television shows, like The Love Witch and American Horror Story: Coven have awakened a witchy renaissance in the fashion world. It’s all about black and dramatic accessories.
I’ve chosen some of my favorite couture looks from Fall 2018 that are definitely fit for the most fashionable witch that are sure to give you a few ideas for your own bewitchingly stylish Halloween costumes- you’ll have everyone under your spell!
The Velveteen Witch
There is no material more luxe and perfect for Fall than velvet, and in a rich black with some dramatic accessories (um, hello over-the-shoulder gloves!) it certainly feels witchy to me!
From left to right: Ronald Van Der Kemp Couture Fall 2018, Valentino Couture Fall 2018, Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2018, Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2018.
Hoods and Capes and Robes, Oh My!
Some of the most classic accessories utilized by witches of lore is the hood, cape, or robe (or a combination of all three!). Not only is this accessory going to totally elevate your Halloween ‘fit, it will also serve as a great, glamorous layering piece to keep you warm and fashionable.
From left to right: Sonia Rykiel Couture Fall 2018, Giambattista Valli Couture Fall 2018, Givenchy Couture Fall 2018.
The Devil Is In the Details
Sometimes all you need to elevate your whole look is some well-placed embroidery. There is always something intriguing, witch-like and generally creepy about eyes. They evoke the image of psychics and tarot cards, which is a bit of everyday magic that people invite into their lives.
Schiaparelli Couture Fall 2018.
Bewitching Drama
If you want to enchant your audience with a look cranked to 11 (after all, isn’t that what Halloween is all about?) than these looks definitely bring something to the table. From all-over fur dresses that will bring out the feral in you, to delicate, sheer ballgowns and unforgettable feathers, just adding a familiar companion, a pointy hat, and some over-the-top makeup will bring any of these witchy looks to life!
From left to right: Guo Pei Couture Fall 2018, Giambattista Valli Couture Fall 2018, Alexandre Vauthier Couture Fall 2018, Armani Prive Couture Fall 2018,
The Witch Next Door
Sometimes even your everyday, unassuming looks can become your witchy masterpiece with some strategic accessorizing. I like to think of it as re-imagining the classic witch for the modern age. A dramatic collar or harness-like straps give the looks some edge, and some out-of-this world makeup and hair styling can make you into the witch you’ve always dreamed you’d be.
Left, Chanel Couture Fall 2018. Right, Azzaro Couture Fall 2018.
I was an “A Star Is Born” virgin, meaning I had never seen any of the previous three versions of the film that have been circulating through our culture since the 1930s. While this means I got to experience the film with fresh perspective, it also means I was entirely unprepared for the emotional warfare that this movie thrusts you right into the middle of. It was fantastic. It was ugly. It was incredible. It was despicable. And the music was pretty good, too. This is a review of the Bradly Cooper-directed “A Star Is Born.”
If you live under a rock, and have no idea what this movie is about, it is essentially the story of how a famous musician, whose career is on the outs, meets and falls in love with a nobody that was gifted vocal cords from the gods. He takes her on tour and her talent gets her noticed, launching her into a music career of her own. As she gains popularity, his continues to wane and he spirals into destructive habits, putting a lot of strain on their budding relationship. Now that you know what it’s all about, let me tell you what I think.
Lady Gaga lends her incredible musical talent to the film, contributing to a dynamite soundtrack.
To start off this review, let me give you all a little context for my opinions. I am a HUGE Lady Gaga fan- and that’s an understatement. I recently dropped $330 on a ticket to see her at her upcoming residency in Las Vegas, and that doesn’t even include the cost of travel and living accommodations. So, in short, I was really excited to see this movie, if not to see Lady Gaga star in a major motion picture, then to at least hear her sing. I was impressed on both fronts.
Without spoiling any of the details of the plot, here is my brief review:
Wow! I was honestly blown away by how effective the storytelling was. Going into it, I thought it was going to be a super cliche storyline, one we’ve all seen before. Famous guy meets not famous girl, pulls him into his famous lifestyle and it turns out fame isn’t as great as everyone thinks and the couple ends up going their separate ways after drinking a lot and doing a lot of drugs. THAT IS NOT THIS STORY. I know I’m late to the party for this, so many of you probably already know how it goes, but I thought the story went somewhere totally unexpected. I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it for the rest of the day, which I think is one of the true marks of a compelling story.
To speak on the acting: I was pleasantly surprised by Gaga. I know she can sing, and her soaring vocals were a pleasure to listen to, but I wasn’t sure how good she would be, despite the fact that she previously won a Golden Globe for her performance in American Horror Story. That being said, her acting paled in comparison to Bradley Cooper’s excellent performance, and there were a few scenes where I thought her performance lacked authenticity. Bradley Cooper was incredible. If he didn’t look like Bradley Cooper, I wouldn’t have even known it was him. His voice and mannerisms were completely transformed, which was refreshing, because I feel like he is often cast in similar roles. He also directed this film, which is a true testament to his passion and talent because it was a tumultuous journey that made an emotional impact. I really cared about Ally and Jackson, so much that they almost felt real.
The moment Jackson meets (and falls for) the movie’s ingenue, Ally, as she sings “La Vie En Rose” at a drag bar.
To get into the nitty gritty (which means if you haven’t seen the movie- STOP READING NOW!), there are a few details of the story that I particularly appreciated that I feel differentiated this movie from a lot of others with similar storylines:
Jackson Maine is an alcoholic. This often means there will be some kind of abuse or emotional neglect on his part, but that never happens in this film. Both of them continue to love each other through the depths of his illness, which is both heartwarming and unexpected.
Ally still loves Jackson through it all. The main crux of this story is that while Ally continues to accumulate more fame and recognition, Jackson’s life falls apart. His drug problems get out of control and he becomes a washed-up nobody in a matter of months (or it seems that way- time progression in this film wasn’t too clear). Yet, despite the fact that Jackson makes a complete fool of Ally while she accepts her Grammy award, he was always her priority. She was even willing to cancel her tour to stay home and help him recover.
Fame isn’t glamorized. The story is told from a perspective that stays very close to the main characters, so we never really see how much fame and recognition Ally or Jackson really have, save for a few fan interactions with Jackson at the start of the film. This makes it so that we can continue to see the main characters in the same light, despite the fact that their fame fluctuates wildly throughout the plot. I even came away with the impression that Ally probably would have been happier if she had never been discovered, as her rise to fame and relationship with Jackson brought her a lot of strife and emotional pain.
Ally’s story mirrors Gaga’s own rise to fame. When we meet Ally, she works as a waitress and performs at bars in her free time. Gaga began her career playing shows in bars all over New York City. We also see Ally abandon her more soulful, meaningful singing and songwriting for a career as a pop star with backup dancers and songs that talk about how good someone’s ass looks in their jeans. A producer even recommends that she bleach her hair for a more distinctive look. These are all things Gaga, too, had to do to begin her successful musical career, and now that she’s made it big, she can actually create the kind of art that she wants (hello Joanne).
Overall, I LOVED this movie because of how unique and emotional the story was, how authentic the characters were, and how much passion everyone had for the project. You could really tell that Gaga and Bradley Cooper put so much love and energy into the film, which definitely translates on screen, and I think it deserves all of the praise that it’s getting. If you haven’t already seen this version of “A Star Is Born,” I would highly recommend it. The music alone makes it all worth it.
My favorite kinds of collections are ones that exist in a world of pure fantasy and that tell a distinct story with each passing look. This season, Bill Gaytten designed the Spring/Summer 2019 John Galliano collection that interpreted the classic Australian thriller-mystery novel “Picnic At Hanging Rock” and translated it to a dreamy, nostalgic collection that brought us back to the year 1900 in the late Victorian age, where women wore corsets, gauzy dresses, and jackets with puffed shoulders. I swoon.
These frilly, light, girlish, Victorian-inspired dresses bring to life the characters of Australian author Joan Lindsay’s classic thriller-mystery novel “Picnic At Hanging Rock.” (Photo: Vogue.com)
In the story of “Picnic At Hanging Rock,” a group of school girls goes missing while on a Valentine’s Day outing to the picturesque Hanging Rock. They disappear under mysterious circumstances that leaves the community reeling and poised for tragic collapse. This compelling story was made into a visually striking, gorgeous film that featured a bevy of beautiful ladies dressed in incredible dresses- which served as the inspiration for Gaytten’s work.
Through the ghosts of these 1900s schoolgirls, his collection managed to evoke a distinctly summery, yet posh and delicate mood with Vicotrian-inspired, translucent dresses and skirts that were rendered in girlish colors like pink, powder blue and white. Each dress also included its fair share of bows, frills, lace and pearlescent beading, perfect for making each girl look like a porcelain doll, while heavy black combat boots modernized each look and gave them some much-needed edge. One of the more charming details of the collection are the oversized, round glasses that scream boarding school, paired with rustic straw hats. I’ve already added both of these accessories to my list of must-haves for next season!
When it comes down to it, I really love collections that strive to pluck something from the past and polish it until it shines anew, so that people can see it with fresh eyes. Vintage looks give me a ton of inspiration in particular because I adore thrifting and finding unique pieces that could never be found in a modern retail store. While these frilly, Victorian getups may not seem practical to the everyday consumer, these types of collections light a fire inside me and really validate my sense of style, while giving me inspiration for what to look for at my next thrift store search.
Fashion, at the end of the day, is about creating a character for others to inhabit, and this collection has done a fine job of bringing a swathe of literary personalities to life.
Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:
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