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This afternoon, James and I headed to the Met to check out the fantastic “Model As Muse” exhibit. Among the photography of Twiggy and Turlington by the likes of Bailey, Avedon, and Meisel were the portraits of Marisa Berenson, supposedly a sixties counterpoint to the leggy waifish doe-eyed likes of models like Penelope Tree. She looked so familiar and I couldn’t place her until… I realized she’s the girl from Kubric’s 1975 costume drama Barry Lyndon. Let’s get acquainted, shall we?

I would wear this and pretend it doesn’t look like a shower cap.

Very “I Dream of Jeanie” although it should be Kenneth Anger’s “Lucifer Rising.”

Please note this insane hairdo. It’s like Rapunzel meets Cousin It. Or a personal head-broom.


This seems more Cabaret-era

I think I have this dress

I need these eyelashes. How long would that take….

Oh, yeah, sorry. Back to the task at hand. Screen shots of Barry Lyndon.
Fans of Marie Antoinette, if they are prepared to sit through a longggg film will love the costume design, cinematography (in particular the wide angle shots, the natural lighting) and the epic rags to riches to rags narrative. Gotta say though, love Ryan O’Neil a lot more in Paper Moon. But that just might be me.

She looks a little weary here, but it’s tiring wearing all those hats.

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Nancy Kwan was a fox.

I don’t know why, but I didn’t realize until today that Kwan is the girl from “The World of Suzy Wong,” and the model from Terence Donovan’s photo of Vidal Sassoon’s famous bob. This image became, basically, the mod icon of the era. ANDDDD she’s the woman from the PEARL CREAM video. My mind just exploded.

I first encountered Suzy Wong in a “Sex Race and Representation” class years ago; it’s a film that inspires discussion about Orientalism, the exotic, the “Other.” Kwan plays the “classic” role of the hooker with a heart of gold and there are a lot of cringe worthy scenes ripe with Asian stereotypes. The film is definitely a product of its time, but also pushed some boundaries because I think she was the first famous (half) Asian actor in an American film out of America–before Asian roles were filled with white men and women playing dress up.

I’d like to find more photos and information on non-white sixties ladies. Time to do some research.

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The Sundance Channel recently aired “Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton,” a documentary I finally watched tonight rather than brave our first snow of the season. The film is awesome, with an upbeat and free spirited tone and, thankfully, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Jump cuts, whimsical camera editing, and silly video effects infuse a doc I found both inspiring and informative; especially since I worked alongside a fashion designer for several years.

The director, Loïc Prigent, clearly enjoys exploring Jacob’s creative process, both house’s production challenges, and the insane pandemonium in the months, days, and finally minutes counting down to two fantastic Spring 2007 collections. The film showcases Jacobs’ numerous references and highlights how they are ultimately interpreted and remixed as well as featuring interviews with artistic collaborators and inspiring friends like Elizabeth Peyton, Sophia Coppola, Murakami and Yayoi Kusama.

Order the doc on Amazon

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A couple of months ago I was contacted by Astral Media, a Canadian television company. They asked for temporary rights to my “Psych Out” image for some VRAK.tv on-air spots. (VRAK is akin to MTV in Montreal / French speaking parts of Canada).

Low and behold, there are several spots and more to come showing teens (with braces!) break dancing in front of my graphic. Shame they altered the lemon yellow to this dull asparagus color. Hmph.

click to see one of the spots (this one is 15 seconds)


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I’m pulling reference for my new apartment from “The Boy Friend” and  “The Great Gatsby.” Twiggy and Mia Farrow star in each, but the films are more noteworthy for their deco costume and set design. They occupy that point in the late sixties and early seventies where fashion (drop waisted dresses, Biba, et al) was channeling the jazz age decadence.

I think Lyell’s last collection may be responsible for my current obsession which now includes intricate lace, white wainscoting, chesterfield couches, pale pink silks, and mirrored furniture.

photos of the boyfriend originally from borisday on flickr

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Watched
William Klein’s “Who Are You, Polly Magoo” last night. There are plenty of scenes with interesting shots, memorable fashion moments inspired by Paco Rabane, and lots of cute girls in mini dresses. But all and all the film is a bit of a bore.


Some scenes, in particular the one involving “chimney sweeps,” plenty of ripped newspaper, and a mussed up Diana Vreeland inspired character, reminded me of the finale of Chytilova’s “Daisies.” And the whole premise and I suppose point of the film (a satricial and negative view of the “empty” fashion industry) reminded me of Chytilova’s first film about the modeling world entitled “Ceiling.”

Polly, our Brooklyn-born French expat channeling Twiggy, is cute, yes. But it’s hard to sit still for anything this long with all the bad dialog and boring subplots even with Peggy Moffit cameos and epic eyeliner. BUT! I’m posting some stills nonetheless.

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My youngest sister, Julie, and I recently collaborated on a short film inspired by Namuth’s film “Jackson Pollock ‘51.” Of course, ours is far more childlike. Especially because it features whimsical imagery informing my work and my awkward hand drawing and painting to the tune of St. Vincent and Vampire Weekend.

You may also notice that the finished painting recently became the basis for my first Vans sneaker.

(click the stills to see the quicktime file)

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