Something that I love almost as much as I love fashion is old movies that contain great fashion of course. I believe that my love for fashion started from an old movie (when I talk about 60s films, I’ll tell you all about it). While there are countless old films that have created fashion moments, but also inspired the future of fashion, I decided to write about the ones that I truly love.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
While I may not agree with the title, I absolutely love the fashion that this movie brought to the world. If you don’t know the movie by its title, you would know a scene from it if I were to say “Marilyn Monroe in the pink dress.” The famous photos of Monroe in a pink dress singing are from a scene in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. But that is only one amazing fashion moment from this film.
The opening scene begins with Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe coming off stage after performing in fabulous red sequined gowns. They both have slits all the way up to the thigh, and a long V. The showgirls look stunning and we see dresses just like these everywhere today, in department stores, or red carpets. William Billy Travilla was the costume designer for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and several other iconic movies. He created the infamous Marilyn Monroe white dress from the movie “The Seven Year Itch.” The red dresses can even be called the most famous red dresses of all time.
Showing up to get on a ship that will take the duo to Paris, Jane Russell’s character shows up casually in a fabulous red coat with black fur, gold hoops, a matching red hat, and silk white gloves. Why don't we all dress so chic to travel? Why do we all put comfort over looking fabulous fashion, and I’m guilty of it? If only I could look as chic for just a day, I’d be happy.
Making their entrance for a “casual” dinner both characters show up looking picture perfect. Marilyn Monroe in a long orange dress, crystalized only at the top of the breasts and a streak down the center of the dress with a light orange shawl to match. To this day you usually don’t see a woman in an orange dress. Why, because it's hard to pull off. Jane Russell stuns in a long black dress with an opening at the chest, a sensible slit, and draped with fur. Dresses that we see today are inspired from these dresses, the shape, the fabric, etc. These classy dresses embody the 50’s.
The polka dot trend always seems to come and go. But, Jane Russell’s character keeps the trend classy. Wearing a blue one-piece swimsuit, with a coat not even to the knee, that seems to be interchangeable with an off white color on the outside, and blue and white polka dots, the blue matching the swimsuit. Polka dots are usually strictly worn in the spring and summer. I love a dark blue or black and white polka dot, I prefer it over the lighter shades. Polka dots also never need to be over-accessorized just as Jane Russell’s character only accessories with earrings.
Now in France, Marilyn and Jane return back from a shopping trip to their hotel. Marilyn stuns in a grey suit, with white gloves, a beret, with of course fur. While it may not be the classic pant suit that women are seen wearing today, it was the beginning of “suits” for women embracing masculine fashion into female fashion. It’s not really a trend as more so just another way women dress today, especially when it comes to sportswear and suits. But it all started back in the 50s.
Has a simple royal blue dress ever looked so good. Marilyn wears a strapless blue dress but of course they did cover her shoulders which are attached to the dress (if you’ve never seen the movie you'll get it once you see the photos). Form fitted dresses have been around for decades, but when someone as symbolic as Marilyn Monroe wears one, you know inspiration has streamed from then to today through numerous designers.
The most iconic dress from Gentleman Prefers Blondes is of course the infamous pink dress that Marilyn Monroe wears as she performs “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.” Besides the white dress that Monroe wears in the Seven Year Itch, this is probably one of Monroe's most famous looks ever worn. Many have tried to recreate the famous look whether it be in Gossip Girl or Kylie Jenner recreating the look. But no one can quite do it like Marilyn. The pink dress has been recreated by millions, just going to show how fashion from the 50s still inspires the world of fashion today.
And God Created Women
You simply can not speak of the 50s or 60s without discussing Brigitte Bardot, one of the most famous sex symbols from this time period. Most famous for being in, And God Created Women, and Contempt. She turned from actress to animal rights activist. But she certainly has left a lasting impression. While the fashion in And God Created Women may be simple it’s completely chic, and embodies Parisian style. The fashion Bardot exhibits is all done by the infamous Pierre Balmain, the founder of the House of Balmain.
A vision in her purple button shirt dress which is worn several times throughout the film. For a french girl on the rural side, coming to a new town, meeting a new man, and getting a new job, it’s the perfect simple look. It is worn all over the world today, but especially in France a dress like this is a go to piece to throw on. The simple clothes created for Bardot’s character are so chic, it makes the expression, “less is more” so true.
Messy hair, pumps, and a trench coat never looked so good. A trench coat is a staple item for many. Burberry is one of the most famous brands known especially for their trench coat. Juliete, Bardot's character, makes her trench coat look as if she’s shooting for the french cover of Vogue.
I used to see this wedding dress all the time all over Instagram, and could not figure out what film it was from. Finally after discovering it was from, And God Created Women, I had to see it. It’s a classic 50s wedding dress, tea length , shoulder length sleeves, and full of lace. It has this delicacy about it, that is not seen in many wedding dresses today.
For Bardot’s last look she dances with her hair in disarray, bare feet while wearing a waist-high buttoned skirt, open creating a slit, and a fitted black bodysuit. Besides not wearing shoes, the final encompasses a new direction of fashion in film. Beforehand women were always covered, as if it was a crime to show a little skin. This last look was shocking and exhilarating in the 50s, It helped embed the concept in women that it is okay to look sexy.
Funny Face
I had to cut down the number of looks I wanted to discuss because I just had so many. If you love fashion, or this post has sparked an interest in movies from the 50s or fashion from the 50s, I highly suggest watching this movie. My favorite actress Audrey Hepburn stars in Funny Face alongside Fred Astaire. It’s because of Audrey Hepburn's movies that I curated such a love for fashion, more on that some other time. Astaire working as a photographer for Kay Thompson's fashion magazine is struck by the beauty of Audrey. They end up in Paris shooting for the magazine, with Audrey as the cover girl. Edith Head was the head of costume design creating outfits that many still worship today.
Before even getting to the character's fashion in the film, I had to include the intro containing the credits. The pictures they chose are immaculate, and debut couture from the 50s in all its glory.
The opening scene begins with Kay Thompson arriving to work, immediately needing to speak to everyone. A line of girls enter the office all looking so fantastically chic. They all appear wearing small circle hats or bonnets, that make you wish you had one (even though I would have nowhere to wear it). They all have on elegant suit jackets and skirts to complete their fabulous looks.
The rest of the looks I decided to discuss are moments that have made fashion history. Throughout Audrey’s whole life her and Hubert de Givenchy had an amazing relationship, and Funny Face allowed for the 2 amazing forces to come together. The first look for Audrey’s character Jo transforming into a high editorial model began with her emerging in a breathtaking, “pink and-champagne colored satin dress, crowned in glory by a slim beaded headdress.” Sophistication in all its glory, this look can never truly be recreated. Inspiration has been drawn from this dress for centuries.
A fashion photo shoot montage emerges during the movie showing an array of looks. For instance, shooting with colorful balloons, as Audrey holds them in a black dress and hat. The black dress is ballerina length accompanied by white gloves. Hepburn makes a simple look look like a million bucks. Many have tried to recreate the look and famous photo but no one quite does it like Hepburn.
If you watched the amusing Emily in Paris then the location from these pictures might look familiar. Appearing on the steps of Palais Garnier, Audrey steps in strides in a dramatic white dress that peeks out from her green cape. Of course she has a matching little green hat. While all these looks are very minimalist, it creates a message that fashion doesn’t need to be campy to be beautiful.
The fishing outfit. One of my all time favorite looks on Audrey, as for film centuries ago it wasn't quite common to see a woman in pants. She wears a crop top, who would have thought. But don't worry she had pink satin wrapped at the waist. On the bottom she wears matching white trousers. And a big hat with a pink bow to finish off the look.
I could discuss this dreamy white and floral dress for hours but instead I’m gonna keep it short, and use the words of another who says it much better than I could. “As a princess at the ball. Wearing a strapless drop-waist and sashes tied around her upper arms as mock sleeves so divinely is Jo that in the film she has the appearance of an animated storybook princess.”
Before there was Julia Roberts in Pretty Women there was Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face wearing an iconic red dress. Givenchy created this iconic red dress, adored by all fashion lovers. It was called the ‘Winged Victory’ dress. Audrey dazzled in red chiffon with a sash to match. Hepburn walking down the steps of the Louvre while posing is one of the most famous moments in movie fashion history.
A full length blue cape has never looked so good. More of an avant-garde look for the film. While the silk cape may be stunning, underneath it is a stunning gown with a chiffon overlay, and small flower print. Capes such as this one have been done many times, pondering the question if the designers drew inspiration from Funny Face? But it truly is the gown, that makes the look spectacular.
I had to end with the exquisite wedding dress that Audrey wears in the film. A tea-length wedding dress which “Audrey and Givenchy popularized.” The tea-length wedding dress also appears in And God Created Women. With a drop waist, and cap sleeves, this wedding look can be done today and still look sophisticated and classy. It’s the last look Audrey wears in the film, and it’s exactly as she was: chic, kind, and elegant.
All these beautiful photos are not mine, and any info I pulled was from, "Audrey and Givenchy a Fashion Love Affair", by Cindy de la Hoz.
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