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Feb. 27th, 2013 11:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thegirlwiththemouseyhair1) So, instead of marathoning TV shows, my new obsession seems to be marathoning the Dan Savage archives. This is actually a kind of bad obsession as it's getting awfully time consuming - but so interesting, and he's just so funny and flippant...
2) I haven't done one of those "outfits inspired by" posts in a while, so, in keeping with my last post here, I'm paying tribute to Velvet Goldmine with some Polyvore creations.
I think everybody should be (deserves to be) familiar with Velvet Goldmine, a gorgeous 1998 indie film about the glam rock movement of the early 70s. The film, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale and Toni Collette, cannot be recced highly enough, imo. On a concrete level, it tells the story of glam-fan-turned-journalist Arthur Stuart researching what happened to his former idol, revolutionary singer Brian Slade. More importantly, the film explores themes of sexuality and identity, celebrity and its dark sides, and freedom, all with a gorgeous story, aesthetic and soundtrack. Since this movie literally changed my life (as I've noted before), here is one little tribute to it and its characters.
Mandy Slade
Mandy Slade is the party girl wife of bisexual pop star Brian Slade. We first see Mandy as a liberated American thriving on the British music scene of the late sixties and early seventies, where she is tremendously supportive of Brian's ambition to become a rock star. We also see Mandy in a number of later scenes during the 1980s, after being at the epicentre of the various crises in Brian's life and career has taken its toll on her.
"Do you jive?"
This piece nods to Mandy's New Year's Eve 1969 outfit, which we see her wearing when she first meets Brian Slade. There's really not much to say except that I chose to err on the side of keeping the rest of the outfit toned down when working with a standout dress like that - and be proud of your subtle referencing skills!
"Telling it like it is"
This look is primarily based on the outfit Mandy wears during a 1972 interview which represents the turning point in Brian's rise to stardom; it's also extremely similar to the equally flamboyant and androgynous outfit Brian wears in the same scene. Vivid greens, blacks and leopard prints recall the scene in question but in a more everyday-usable way. As well, the lightning bolt earrings and geometric, vaguely spacey-wacey* necklace recalls the alien motifs in Brian's musical career and in the film (and, heck, in actual glam rock, too).
Brian Slade
Brian Slade, loosely (or not-so-loosely) based on David Bowie, is first introduced to the audience as the biggest thing in the British rock scene of the early 70s. Brian's open bisexuality, alien stage persona and outrageous makeup and costumes have ushered in a new era of musical, cultural and social experimentation. The film then explores, in anachronic order, Brian's rise to fame and the impact he has on the world and people around him.
"Somebody called me Sebastian"
This was one of the hardest parts of the project for me to do; I try to nod to Brian's (drag) costume from one of his early gigs in 1970 (itself a nod to
David Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World-era printed dress and long flowing hair look). I ended up including a couple of different options ranging from work- to music festival-appropriate. The braided purse and fringed ankle boots have a late 60s/early 70s feel, while a gold guitar bracelet references this scene and stage in Brian's career - though it might be a pain to actually play guitar with a charm bracelet on.
Maxwell Demon
'Maxwell Demon' is the spacey-wacey* alien persona Brian adopts in his music, much as David Bowie had Ziggy Stardust. Sequin jumpsuits and bright blue hair are probably a bit too Maxwell Demon for, well, anyone else, but a sequin skirt and bold colour top (in relatively ordinary fabrics) are much more useful - especially with eyeliner and at least a subtle platform shoe. The silver disc necklace alludes to "Maxwell Demon's silver disc", while a green cocktail ring recalls the symbolically significant pin which belonged to Oscar Wilde before it comes into Brian's hands.
Curt Wild
(Word of warning: I will probably get even more fangirl-y from here on in.) Curt Wild is a troubled American proto-punk rocker and founder of the influential garage band the Rats. When Brian first sees Curt perform, he is extremely jealous of his revolutionary and very sexually provocative on stage antics. When they meet again, they become absolutely infatuated with one another.
"You could be my main man"
I admit I had a hard time doing these two, as I wanted to make them edgy enough to recall the character but without being costume-y - and I may have erred on the side of caution. However, I just wish I had this Velvet Underground shirt, which nods to the edgy American experimental rock scene of the period and to the fact that VU front man Lou Reed** was one of the influences on the fictional Curt Wild. A simpler bag and wallet balance out edgier pieces like the studded boots and watch.
"We set out to change the world"
I wanted this second outfit to allude to Curt's later glam period, when he becomes a part of Brian's circle - hence the leopard trim top, platform boots and generally somewhat more polished look, with sutbler edgy accessories. The pin, of course, alludes to the Oscar Wilde pin which Brian eventually gives his lover Curt.
Arthur Stuart
Arthur serves as the sort of viewpoint character or audience surrogate in the movie (or maybe that's just my opinion because I love (and identify with) him so much). We see Arthur at several stages in his life - as a repressed gay teen in the early '70s, who lives vicariously through the music he's such a fan of, as a groupie traveling with a glam band a bit later, and, finally, as an adult who is at first deeply uncomfortable when the Brian Slade assignment lands on his desk at work and forces him to think about his own past and identity.
"Someone else's story"
I've tried to merge Arthur's ordinary British schoolboy uniform with some of the glam fanboy-esque pieces he wears in other scenes (when he's out of sight of his family). The cardigan, satchel bag and Mary Jane-type shoes may be a bit uniformish, but they're also really sensible and cute. The cherry t shirt alludes to a significant scene and picks up a repeated motif in the movie. The bag also makes a great canvas for buttons representing whatever tastes in music or personal interests you want. Finally, the record necklace isthe idea I am proudest of in this whole project a nod to Arthur's first great love.
"Ten years, and the world had changed so completely..."
I'm using this as an opportunity to get at least one work/internship appropriate outfit in here. The monochromatic colour scheme reflects the rather drab grey world that is Arthur's life in 1984; the messenger bag and leather jacket nod to some of the pieces we see adult Arthur using/wearing. Most importantly, the green pendant serves as a stand in for the Oscar Wilde pin which Curt gives to Arthur in the movie's very meaningful penultimate scene.
* Yes, "spacey-wacey" comes from Doctor Who...
** Trivia time: David Bowie famously refused the film makers the rights to use any of his music in this movie, so his songs are noticeably absent despite the fact that he might be the best known artist of the glam period in real life. You can, however, hear his voice on the soundtrack because he sings backup during the last part of Lou Reed's song Satellite of Love, from the 1972 album Transformer which Bowie produced.
2) I haven't done one of those "outfits inspired by" posts in a while, so, in keeping with my last post here, I'm paying tribute to Velvet Goldmine with some Polyvore creations.
I think everybody should be (deserves to be) familiar with Velvet Goldmine, a gorgeous 1998 indie film about the glam rock movement of the early 70s. The film, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale and Toni Collette, cannot be recced highly enough, imo. On a concrete level, it tells the story of glam-fan-turned-journalist Arthur Stuart researching what happened to his former idol, revolutionary singer Brian Slade. More importantly, the film explores themes of sexuality and identity, celebrity and its dark sides, and freedom, all with a gorgeous story, aesthetic and soundtrack. Since this movie literally changed my life (as I've noted before), here is one little tribute to it and its characters.
Mandy Slade
Mandy Slade is the party girl wife of bisexual pop star Brian Slade. We first see Mandy as a liberated American thriving on the British music scene of the late sixties and early seventies, where she is tremendously supportive of Brian's ambition to become a rock star. We also see Mandy in a number of later scenes during the 1980s, after being at the epicentre of the various crises in Brian's life and career has taken its toll on her.
"Do you jive?"
Quiz silver sequin dress, 39 CAD / Elie Tahari coat, 140 CAD / High heel pumps, 36 CAD / Zara handbag, 51 CAD / Bracelets bangle, 9.29 CAD / Stila , 20 CAD
This piece nods to Mandy's New Year's Eve 1969 outfit, which we see her wearing when she first meets Brian Slade. There's really not much to say except that I chose to err on the side of keeping the rest of the outfit toned down when working with a standout dress like that - and be proud of your subtle referencing skills!
"Telling it like it is"
Oasis metallic top, 16 CAD / Old Navy , 29 CAD / A|Wear grey jacket, 57 CAD / Hollister Co. cuffed jeans, 22 CAD / River Island black bootie, 62 CAD / ASOS envelope clutch, 28 CAD / River Island metal bracelet, 22 CAD / Forever 21 chain jewelry, 13 CAD / Green jewelry, 12 CAD
This look is primarily based on the outfit Mandy wears during a 1972 interview which represents the turning point in Brian's rise to stardom; it's also extremely similar to the equally flamboyant and androgynous outfit Brian wears in the same scene. Vivid greens, blacks and leopard prints recall the scene in question but in a more everyday-usable way. As well, the lightning bolt earrings and geometric, vaguely spacey-wacey* necklace recalls the alien motifs in Brian's musical career and in the film (and, heck, in actual glam rock, too).
Brian Slade
Brian Slade, loosely (or not-so-loosely) based on David Bowie, is first introduced to the audience as the biggest thing in the British rock scene of the early 70s. Brian's open bisexuality, alien stage persona and outrageous makeup and costumes have ushered in a new era of musical, cultural and social experimentation. The film then explores, in anachronic order, Brian's rise to fame and the impact he has on the world and people around him.
"Somebody called me Sebastian"
Sheer top, 31 CAD / Jane Norman tie blouse, 13 CAD / Brown leather jacket, 62 CAD / Dorothy Perkins cotton pants, 40 CAD / A|Wear circle skirt, 12 CAD / Fringe boots, 50 CAD / Made charm jewelry, 15 CAD / River Island , 16 CAD
This was one of the hardest parts of the project for me to do; I try to nod to Brian's (drag) costume from one of his early gigs in 1970 (itself a nod to
David Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World-era printed dress and long flowing hair look). I ended up including a couple of different options ranging from work- to music festival-appropriate. The braided purse and fringed ankle boots have a late 60s/early 70s feel, while a gold guitar bracelet references this scene and stage in Brian's career - though it might be a pain to actually play guitar with a charm bracelet on.
Maxwell Demon
Wallis chiffon top, 36 CAD / BKE shirt, 7.14 CAD / Precis petite, 30 CAD / Gerbe hosiery, 49 CAD / Rare London short skirt, 12 CAD / ALDO shoes, 36 CAD / River Island , 42 CAD / Fantasy Jewelry Box , 29 CAD / John Lewis pendant jewelry, 12 CAD / Estée Lauder thick eyeliner, 22 CAD
'Maxwell Demon' is the spacey-wacey* alien persona Brian adopts in his music, much as David Bowie had Ziggy Stardust. Sequin jumpsuits and bright blue hair are probably a bit too Maxwell Demon for, well, anyone else, but a sequin skirt and bold colour top (in relatively ordinary fabrics) are much more useful - especially with eyeliner and at least a subtle platform shoe. The silver disc necklace alludes to "Maxwell Demon's silver disc", while a green cocktail ring recalls the symbolically significant pin which belonged to Oscar Wilde before it comes into Brian's hands.
Curt Wild
(Word of warning: I will probably get even more fangirl-y from here on in.) Curt Wild is a troubled American proto-punk rocker and founder of the influential garage band the Rats. When Brian first sees Curt perform, he is extremely jealous of his revolutionary and very sexually provocative on stage antics. When they meet again, they become absolutely infatuated with one another.
"You could be my main man"
H&M super skinny jeans, 16 CAD / Charlotte Russe leather slouch boots, 43 CAD / River Island black bag, 47 CAD / Black quilted bag, 23 CAD / Wrap around watch, 25 CAD / Pieces genuine leather belt, 30 CAD / Metal Guitar Pick Necklace Guitar Outline, 13 CAD / Aeropostale Moto Jacket, 26 CAD
I admit I had a hard time doing these two, as I wanted to make them edgy enough to recall the character but without being costume-y - and I may have erred on the side of caution. However, I just wish I had this Velvet Underground shirt, which nods to the edgy American experimental rock scene of the period and to the fact that VU front man Lou Reed** was one of the influences on the fictional Curt Wild. A simpler bag and wallet balance out edgier pieces like the studded boots and watch.
"We set out to change the world"
Vero Moda pattern shirt, 23 CAD / H&M skinny jeans, 31 CAD / ALDO high heels, 61 CAD / Wet Seal , 16 CAD / ASOS gemstone jewelry, 9.37 CAD / Spike earrings, 10 CAD / Sephora Collection , 3.06 CAD
I wanted this second outfit to allude to Curt's later glam period, when he becomes a part of Brian's circle - hence the leopard trim top, platform boots and generally somewhat more polished look, with sutbler edgy accessories. The pin, of course, alludes to the Oscar Wilde pin which Brian eventually gives his lover Curt.
Arthur Stuart
Arthur serves as the sort of viewpoint character or audience surrogate in the movie (or maybe that's just my opinion because I love (and identify with) him so much). We see Arthur at several stages in his life - as a repressed gay teen in the early '70s, who lives vicariously through the music he's such a fan of, as a groupie traveling with a glam band a bit later, and, finally, as an adult who is at first deeply uncomfortable when the Brian Slade assignment lands on his desk at work and forces him to think about his own past and identity.
"Someone else's story"
Hollister Co. cotton v neck sweater, 16 CAD / E.vil burnout t shirt, 78 CAD / Plaid coat, 110 CAD / Isabella Oliver , 49 CAD / Mary jane wedge shoes, 16 CAD / Designer red canvas backpack, 50 CAD / Vinyl LP Record Background Custom Necklace, 38 CAD
I've tried to merge Arthur's ordinary British schoolboy uniform with some of the glam fanboy-esque pieces he wears in other scenes (when he's out of sight of his family). The cardigan, satchel bag and Mary Jane-type shoes may be a bit uniformish, but they're also really sensible and cute. The cherry t shirt alludes to a significant scene and picks up a repeated motif in the movie. The bag also makes a great canvas for buttons representing whatever tastes in music or personal interests you want. Finally, the record necklace is
"Ten years, and the world had changed so completely..."
Mango long sleeve top, 36 CAD / H&M chiffon shirt, 31 CAD / Fake leather jacket, 30 CAD / Uniqlo boot cut pants, 13 CAD / Vintage oxford, 28 CAD / H&M handbag, 23 CAD / American Apparel LTP-1094Q-7B2RDF Casio Ladies Wristwatch Inspired..., 41 CAD
I'm using this as an opportunity to get at least one work/internship appropriate outfit in here. The monochromatic colour scheme reflects the rather drab grey world that is Arthur's life in 1984; the messenger bag and leather jacket nod to some of the pieces we see adult Arthur using/wearing. Most importantly, the green pendant serves as a stand in for the Oscar Wilde pin which Curt gives to Arthur in the movie's very meaningful penultimate scene.
* Yes, "spacey-wacey" comes from Doctor Who...
** Trivia time: David Bowie famously refused the film makers the rights to use any of his music in this movie, so his songs are noticeably absent despite the fact that he might be the best known artist of the glam period in real life. You can, however, hear his voice on the soundtrack because he sings backup during the last part of Lou Reed's song Satellite of Love, from the 1972 album Transformer which Bowie produced.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-03-11 03:01 am (UTC)I just wanted to say that, while I've read several of these kinds of fashion posts from various bloggers out of some vague notion that one day it'll help me dress better, this feels like the first one that really gets the inspiration across for me in such a usable way. All the possible stand-ins for the pin! So great!
(no subject)
Date: 2013-03-13 12:50 am (UTC)By the way, I went through your Dreamwidth a bit and we seem to have a fair few things in common. Would it be ok if I added you/we add each other?
(no subject)
Date: 2013-03-13 03:27 am (UTC)