Marlon Brando: Black is black

It is known and thought by many that black is the color of elegance, I personally agree with this, yet I admit to be someone who likes color and I like to mantain a certain balance. Marlon Brando back in the 50s opted for the all black look, black fitted polo and trousers; but to add some contrast he added a white/light colored leather belt.

Sometimes a touch of color, not too flashy, can add a different and positive twist to an all black or monocromatic ensemble. Although this outfit is something that would be worn in Spring/Summer, for Fall/Winter one can wear it too just by adding a jacket, black or colored, and a matching scarf.

Photo: Flickr

Dance, dance, dance

What do you get when you have Grace Jones, Blondie, Diana Ross, Sylvester, Dan Hartman, Candi Staton, Brainstorm, Ashford & Simpson, Chic, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Silver Convention, Destination, France Joli, and Silver Convention (to mention some) in a soundtrack? The answer is the 2 Vol. CD "54" soundtrack.

Based on the iconic Studio 54, this 1998 film starring Salma Hayek, Mike Myers, Ryan Philippe, and Neve Campbell tries to recreate the club's nights and its history. The plot is a good one, but what makes this film worth watching too is its soundtrack.

It's one of those CDs that you could survive in a deserted island with and not need any other music. One of the best 70s disco music compilations ever done in history.

Photos: Filmmusicsite.com & Amazon.com

Dandy Don Johnson

When one thinks of Don Johnson in the 80s, the image that I'm sure appears in everyone's mind is that of him as Sony Crockett wearing a white suit, a pastel colored t-shirt, and tortoise Wayfarers in "Miami Vice"; a great look for the Summer in my opinion.

Yet this time we have a more "formal"/dandy look worn by Johnson in the 80s, an Oxford Grey jacket, with matching skinny tie, tie bar, black trousers, and crisp white shirt. Definetly a great option to wear during Fall/Winter. You can complete the look with a pair of black Wayfarers.

Photo: Allocine

The 2 John's

Two musical icons of the 20th Century, John Lennon & Elton John, were photographed at what appears to be a music studio in the early 70s. Both are wearing the same style of eyeglasses (round eyeglasses & sunglasses will be the trend this year), yet different shirts, Lennon is wearing a denim shirt while Elton is wearing a psychedelic print shirt.

Photo: Taringa

Michael Bastian FW 10-11

A couple of days ago at New York Fashion Week, Michael Bastian showed his Fall Winter 10/11 collection. It was a collection that once more showed his classic, preppy, and elegant vision of American Style. Below three ensembles that were my favorite for this season.


It is recommended by many to only wear 2 or 3 colors on an outfit, yet Michael Bastian is groundbreaking and shows us that one can mix and match as many colors and textures as you please, and still have visual harmony. The above outfit has a velvet jacket, which is a must for Fall/Winter, yet the way it is worn is not very F/W like but rather with a French Riviera Summer twist. The jacket is paired with a white shirt, a red "checkered" scarf, an oxford trouser, what appears to be a "python" belt and some slippers with "Navajo" motiffs.

A modern and "funky" version of the 60s mod and English gentlemen look comes with this outfit, just because it's Fall/Winter it doesn't mean you have to dress all in dark colors...add some color with orange socks, and spice it up with some python gloves.

The comeback of the double breasted jacket is evident in this season, just like in Milan and Paris, Michael Bastian brought it to New York with this ensemble which is a combination of American school uniform with Saville Row.

Photos: GQ.com

The shadow of Paul Newman's smile

I recently read a quote that said that one's not fully dressed without a smile, and Paul Newman is an example of this. Although his smile is a gentle one in this photo, it somehow adds the finishing touch to his ensemble. An elegant and classic combination, a white jacket with a black turtleneck, a look often sported also by Halston in the 70s.

Photo: Flickr

Love Is A Funny Thing

They say Love is blind, crazy, without reason, magical...but in 1969 Claude Lelouch said "Love Is A Funny Thing". Annie Girardot & Jean Paul Belmondo starred in "Un Homme Qui Me Plait" (like this film was called back in France) as Francoise and Henri. Both characters are in the United States at the time, Francoise is an actress and Henri a soundtrack composer; they meet and fall in love, travel around the United States and then back to France where each of them has a family.





Worth of mention is the film's soundtrack composed by Francis Lai, who had composed previously the soundtrack for two of Lelouch's hit films of the late 60s: "Un Homme Et Une Femme" and "Vivre Pour Vivre".

Below a video in which one can see Francoise & Henri flying over the Grand Canyon and listen to the film's theme song. The second video gives us a glimpse at a crucial moment in Francoise's life during the movie.










I would like to wish all of you my readers a Happy Valentine's Day!


And well to end this post, I'd like to say that I send my condolences to the family and friends of British designer Alexander Mc Queen who passed away yesterday at the age of 40. May he rest in peace and I'm sure his legacy will continue living for the upcoming decades.



Photo & Videos: Allocine.fr, Youtube.com

Michael Caine's Oliver Goldsmiths

Michael Caine was famous in the 60s and 70s not only for his acting talent, but also for his taste in eyeglasses, thick black frames mostly from Oliver Goldsmith. Below photographed in the early 70s wearing an interesing pair of these with a cowboy style shirt, a suede jacket, messed up hair and smoking a cigarette.



Photo: Flickr

Breakfast at Yves Saint Laurent's

One day in the late 60s Yves Saint Laurent invited Betty & Francois Catroux over to his house, and this ocassion was captured on the photograph below. A photo that's not only proof of the great friendship and inspiration shared between YSL and Betty Catroux (she was one of his muses), but also a photo that shows 4 different fashion styles.


We can see Yves Saint Laurent wearing a paisley shirt with matching scarf seated over a hindu couch; next to him we have Betty wearing a straight and long jacket with bellbottoms. Behind them we have Pierre Berger wearing a suit, and Francois Catroux with a cardigan and wide neck shirt.


Photo: Flickr

The King of King's Road

Ossie Clark, one London's icons during the 60s, is a fashion designer who was "The King of King's Road" in the late 60s and early 70s. His life was filled with ups and downs, yet regardless of that, two things were evident especially during these years: he was talented and had a great sense of style.

Below Ossie was photographed wearing a python zipper jacket with an interesting neck and lapels, paired with a light jersey and trousers, and aviators.


Photo: Flickr

Bob Dylan's winter moments of reflection

They say an image is worth more than a thousand words, I'd include a video too in this quote. Yet making reference to this, the photograph below illustrates perfectly what is trying to be said by this quote. On it we have Bob Dylan taking a walk around a town's surroundings in the mid 60s. If I'm not mistaken it was taken during winter. Dylan is wearing an all black look, black military jacket, black shirt, black trousers, black shoes, black Wayfarers, and his signature hairstyle during this era.

Looking at this photo we see a thoughtful Bob Dylan, thinking and not wanting to be bothered. Sometimes we all need a few minutes or hours of solitude to think and make great plans for the future.

Photo: Taringa

The Persuaders

What do you get when you combine impressive French Riviera settings, early 70s fashion, Roger Moore & Tony Curtis, fast cars, beautiful girls, a mystery/action plot, and John Barry soundtrack? The answer is "The Persuaders", a British TV series that was broadcasted in late 1971 and early 1972.

This series depicts the mystery solving adventures of Lord Brett Sinclair & Danny Wilde, portrayed by Roger Moore & Tony Curtis respectively. Even though it lasted only one season, "The Persuaders" are remembered by many till this day.

Below a photo of the duo, in which Roger Moore's double breasted jacket brings to my mind what was recently shown in Milan & Paris. On the other hand Tony Curtis opts for a classic and elegant combination of black and light brown.

Words or photos can't fully describe the following video.

Photo & Video: EW.com & Youtube.com