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