Dressing Marilyn

Coffee table books are something I love to collect, despite the fact I don't own a coffee table I like having piles of interesting & ascetically pleasing books on the shelves in my bedroom. My mum, knowing me as well as she does, has been a key contributor to my collection over the years. The most recent was a birthday present - the book is 'Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood icon was styled' by William Travilla' by Andrew Hansford.



The book goes through a number of famous dresses worn by Monroe & styled by Travilla including the showgirl outfit from the beginning of 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', the infamous white dress & the Diamonds are a girls best friend dress as well as including a number of Marilyn's personal dresses.

It is a stunning book that makes for an interesting read if you are interested in film fashion & the dresses of Marilyn Monroe. Featuring beautiful and most of the time original illustrations alongside shots of how the dresses are constructed make it an enjoyable read.

 This book makes me wonder if it must feel to have a dress designed with you and only you in mind ... oh the glamour of it all! A must if you are interested in this area.

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Funny Girl

*Images all from Google Images

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Bewitching

 Hallowe'en - and my birthday - are not far off making for a rather excitable Emma so in the spirit of all thing spooky I thought a post on some witched themed film & television production would be fitting, if not a little early.

 I have always had a love for all thing bewitching; I Married a Witch, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie - not witch based but she has magical powers. Valid. Veronica Lake in I Married a Witch has to be one of my favourites. Veronica Lakes long sweeping gowns mixed with her sleek hair & sweet voice make the film total perfection.

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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' - A classic movie. One of my favourites if you ever ponder the crucial question that is 'What films are in her favourites?' Now you have one of the many!  Growing up my mum introduced me to the world of "old movies" & the romance was born. I always wanted to be Jane Russell as a child gallivanting on a boat or a steam train getting myself into trouble & falling in love without knowing it - who doesn't want this?! Growing up watching the likes of Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe with their beautiful figures has resulted in - after many teenage years spent longing to be flat chested, hip-less & bottom-less - a deep appreciation for curves & the beauty that they possess. 


The lines & the general put together look of the times is beautiful. It exudes glamour & class, I would love to dress in day time as they do in films of this period. Marilyn in the blue shift dress with gloves & a fur stole is just so perfect!  

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Fashion in 'Charade'

'Charade' is one of my favourite Audrey Hepburn movies. It is in the good company of  'Roman Holiday', the classic that is 'Breakfast at Tiffanys' and the fabulously styled 'How to steal a million' - everything from Audrey's clothes to her eye make up are simply perfect in 'How to steal a million.'

The fashion in 'Charade' is all Givenchy, oh to be Audrey Hepburn - & is simply stunning, in particular the three outfits pictured; the fascinator worn at her late husbands funeral complete with the veil, the red coat with leopard print hat & the black dress with bead detail on the waist. All simply stunning. 

She has such grace & elegance added with the amazing clothes, the Parisian background & Cary Grant it is just perfect. Watch it! It will not disappoint! I found my copy today in a charity shop for £3, such a find along with Factory Girl. 

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Reading Material

Reading material for a day of chilling in bed watching old films. I've started with 'How to marry a millionaire' followed with 'Gentlemen prefer blondes', 'Some like it hot',  'Breakfast at Tiffanys' probably finishing with not so old but Hugh Jackman is a stud in it - 'Australia' <3 Happy Tuesday.

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