Tag Archives: Cinema

E.O.F. APPROVED, FASHION, FILMS, MENSWEAR, STYLE {WISE}, Video, Vintage, WOMENSWEAR

{STYLE WISE} Baby, It’s Cold Outside . . . “The Ice Storm” Style (1997)

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November 22, 2018 marked the record for the coldest Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade of all time, and all around the U.S.A. record lows were recorded, but it didn’t stop Lady Diana Ross from looking glamorous and fabulous as ever!

When I think of cold Thanksgivings, I can’t help but think of one of our favourite films – “The Ice Storm” (1997) directed by Academy Award winning director Ang Lee. With an all-star cast that includes Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Allison Janney, Christina Ricci, Katie Holmes, Tobey Maguire, and Elijah Wood; this is a must-see film for an cinema aficionado, but most especially any lover of vintage style!

Taking place on a Thanksgiving weekend in 1973 in the upper middle class suburbs of New Canaan, Connecticut – this film is a poignant look at the American Family, and its demise to substance abuse and casual sex.  There are so many iconic moments throughout this film- some include Christina Ricci boldly shoplifting from the local drugstore, Joan Allen being hit on by a bohemian pastor, a strange make out session involved a Nixon mask, a 1970s key party, and of course….the grand finale (which I shall not reveal).

Production designer Mark Friedberg (The Life Aquatic, Far From Heaven, Across the Universe) and costume designer Carol Odit worked closely with director Ang Lee to bring meticulous period detail to the film. Sourcing inspiration from catalogues, magazines, and photographs from the period.

Most notably is the beautiful earthy 70s palette, and the remarkable use of textures and graphics to create looks. The film itself is a feast for the eyes for knitwear, classic american sportswear, and an ice storm just wouldn’t be an ice storm without – incredible 70s outerwear!

We have been wanting to do a post on this film for a while, so very excited to get this up, finally. Here’s some {style-wise} screenshots for some classic vintage inspiration as well as your viewing pleasure.

?? Copyright 1997 – Twentieth Century Fox – All rights reserved. Titles: The Ice Storm Names: Kevin Kline, Joan Allen Characters: Elena Hood, Ben Hood Still of Kevin Kline and Joan Allen in The Ice Storm (1997)

Lets pray to the Gods that we aren’t hit with anything so strange and devastating, but with how the weather has been over the past few years – who knows what we could be in store for!

We couldn’t help but use this meme from another one of the film’s iconic moments!

Please enjoy, and don’t forget to visit our {SHOP} and use XIXIXI for 25% OFF.

Until we meet again,

{theEye}

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Lizzie Borden Lies!!! ‘LIZZIE’ Starring Chloë Sevigny + Kristen Stewart

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What is our fascination with Lizzie Borden? Is it that she possibly got away with the grisly murders of her father and step mother back in 1892? Oh yes, most definitely a major reason, and its this mystery that keeps fascinating new generations everyday.

We may never know, but that’s the beauty in a good mystery! The spaces between not solidified can be filled with many possibilities, and that’s what the new film “Lizzie” starring Kristen Stewart and Chloë Sevigny seems to explore.

If you know us well, and I hope you do, you know that Chloë Sevigny is just one of those people on the top tiers of everything. Goddess of style, art, a muse to many, and obviously one of the coolest women of all time…so needless to say, we are psyched for this film!

Check out the trailer, and you will see why!

Spicy stuff! Looks like a real nail biter, and the period details are absolutely on-point! Have a little bit of a feel where they are going with the story, but excited to see it play out in real life!

Glad to see Kristen Stewart staying dedicated to unique artful films since her return to the screen.

Two modern muses! SIDENOTE: Can huge Edwardian sleeves just take over the scene, already!!! Can’t wait for more inspiration to come…

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Until next time,

{theEye}

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{DIVA WARS} Raquel Welch vs. Mae West

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We’ve been getting thoroughly entertained by these “Diva on Diva” videos by Clippety on YouTube, and this one is a real interesting treat.

Two icons of sex and beauty brought together for 1970s camp classic “Myra Breckinridge” based on the controversial novel by the iconic Gore Vidal.

The film, like the novel, broke many boundaries tackling transexuality and machismo attidues in Hollywood, but was pretty much panned universally, and some consider it the worst film ever made.  But, you have to give Raquel Welch much credit for taking on such a cutting edge role, and it really makes us love her so much more!

Myra Breckenridge is the antithesis of sex symbol. She’s revolutionary; she’s a warrior.
-Raquel Welch

The themes and tone the film exhibit would never fly today, so it really is a treat to watch!

So, take a look at what Raquel Welch had to say about working with Mae West, an icon of sex from the 1930s! 40 years between their stardom, you’re only bound for a little drama!

Divas be divas . . . but they have the right, don’t they?

Until next time,

{theEye}

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STYLE {WISE} Romeo, Romeo . . .

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Where for art thou, Romeo?

Ro·me·o
ˈrōmēˌō/
noun
noun: Romeo; plural noun: Romeos

1. an attractive, passionate male seducer or lover.

There’s nothing so timeless as a Romeo . . . its amazing after hundreds of years, a fictional character could still be so prevalent in our culture. I guess, not so surprising, considering he was created by the genius that is William Shakespeare.

He is a wonderful archetypal character of a beautiful boy, young and naive, but full of vigour, and somewhat tragic in the end….so, like many young men, which is what most certainly resonates. We recently acquired a really cool vintage theatre costume with some Shakespearean swag which got us thinking on the topic.

CHECK IT OUT IN THE {SHOP}

I don’t think many men can deny they have a bit of Romeo in them. I know for certain many men cannot deny they wish they were as bad ass as say Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 90s pop culture cult classic “Romeo + Juliet” which brought the tale to the beach and the streets and mansions of Los Angeles for a hyper technicolor MTV version that still resonates today, especially when it comes to style.

Do you remember the first time you watched the “Love at First Sight Scene” in the film with that glorious neon aquarium and that haunting “Kissing You” song playing…shit! I mean, come on!!! Claire Danes is especially gorgeous, and her sensitive acting abilities really shine through.

People would kill me for actually saying this, but they were robbed of Academy Award nominations, truly.

I’m not going to lie, we were pushing the tropical shirts long before every major fashion house started picking up the trend (see: +THE CASE FOR HAWAIIAN SHIRTS+), and we’re not upset about it…in fact, its so wonderful to see more guys take risks with their style because of inspirations like this!

While, Dicaprio’s gang chic Romeo is uber cool, we wanted to look back on some previous Romeos – most especially Leonard Whiting from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 “Romeo & Juliet”, which is hands down our favourite.

Quick shout out to Douglas Booth in the 2013 version – very handsome guy, but the film is redundant AF – so here’s a quick pic should suffice.

Zeffirelli’s film is unique, as it was the first time two unknown teenage actors were cast in the lead of such a massive Shakespeare production, and a world-wide search brought the world the ethereal youthful beauty of Olivia Hussey (she ain’t no hussy, but she did also star in the cult Canadian horror flick “Black Christmas” – you can’t miss those eyes) who was only 15 at the time, and the handsome Leonard Whiting (17) , who lets face it, really does look like Zac Efron.

Certified, he did it first!

 

Their chemistry is unpalpable, and the entire production is lush and dripping sophistication- Roger Ebert even went as far to say it is the best film of Shakespeare ever made. Respectfully it was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, and Director, and won for its gorgeous cinematography, and Danilo Donati’s sumptuous costumes.

It even inspired the fashion scene at the time with the two stars appearing in various fashion magazines rocking mod styles with a medieval flare. The two teens were definitely a big IT couple of the moment. So, if you haven’t seen this classic, do yourself a favour already!

Another Romeo might be the OG of movie star Romeos – Leslie Howard who starred opposite of Norma Shearer in George Cukor’s 1936 film. Neither of them really exude that youthful innocence, seeing as they are grown ass adults!

But, the vibe is full-on Hollywood glamour with a dazzle and flare that is just so fabulously extra, and sadly missed today!!! Also, very inspired by Leslie Howard’s perfectly coiffed hair!

We all know the story, so let’s just take a look at a few snaps to spark and inspire the Romeo vibe.

Pretty wicked! So, if you’re looking to channel your inner Romeo, we have some picks for you from the {SHOP}!

Remember, XIXIXI gets you 25% OFF of these, and all our hand-picked curated vintage finds! FREE SHIPPING in CANADA, also. Don’t be shy to message us for any details.

To learn more about these pieces, browse our {SHOP}

We’re also huge fans of HBO’s ‘WESTWORLD’ so what a delight to find one of our favorite quotes originated from this fine inspiration…

“These violent delights, have violent ends”

– Shakespeare, “Romeo & Juliet”: Act 2 , Scene 6
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We can’t wait to see what the next incarnation of this idol of style will be in the {FUTURE} . . .

Until next time,

{theEye}
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BEAUTY, E.O.F. APPROVED, FASHION, FILMS, MENSWEAR, MUSIC, Music Minute, STYLE {WISE}, Video, Vintage, WOMENSWEAR

{MUSIC MINUTE} “Sunset Boulevard / Main Titles” by Franz Waxman

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{circa. 1950}

It has come to my attention that there may be people out there who have no idea about Sunset Boulevard – only one of the best films of all time by iconic director Billy Wilder. This disturbs me slightly, so here’s a glimmer of that inspiration in guise of one of our classic {MUSIC MINUTE}s.

Scored by legendary Hollywood composer Franz Waxman, the moody jazzy score provides the perfect sultry and mysterious backdrop for this strange tale. If I had a dime for every time I said “they don’t make them like they used to” . . . but this film is the epitome of that sentiment.

The film opens as a murder investigation, but delves into the twisted depths of an aging silent movie starlet who coerced a handsome screenwriter to be her live-in gigolo. When he decides its time to leave, things get very . . . dramatic.

Gloria Swanson who was an aging silent movie star herself brings such complexity, vulnerability, and diva strength – you are sure to be shook. On top of that, the film is a gorgeous display of midcentury Hollywood style and glamour; from the grandeur of the mansion (which was also used in Rebel Without a Cause) littered with gold leaf, exotic mouldings, tapestries, and furs to some seriously chic loungewear – there really is inspiration at every turn.

So watch these Main Titles, take in that awesome score, and get yourself a copy of Sunset Boulevard! 

You wont regret it.

Just doing our duty of bring the {past} to the {present} to shape the {future}.

Until next time,

{theEye}

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+ FAVOURITE FIND + VIVA MAGAZINE {circa. January 1976}

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VIVA MAGAINE: The International Woman’s Magazine {circa. January 1977}

Cover Photograph by the iconic HELMUT NEWTON (hence, the undoubtable chic-ness of this image).  Published by icons Bob Guccione and Kathy Keeton of PENTHOUSE fame, this is a prime piece of classic porn chic.

First coined in a highly influential New York Times article in 1973, porno chic describes a distinct period between 1969 and 1984 where American pornos were hitting the mainstream consciousness and pocketbooks hardcore. Andy Warhol kicked it off in 69 with Blue Movie, and films like Deep Throat, Behind the Green Door, Caligula, The Opening of Misty Beehtoven, A Night at the Adonis, and Flesh Gordon are among the films that encapsulate the Golden Age of Porn.

But it wasn’t just about the films. This period also saw a surge of amazing publishing prowess seen by magazines like PLAYBOY, HUSTLER, OUI, and of course PENTHOUSE dominated the scene, but for the first time publishers turned their attention to the female gaze, and offered pleasures like PLAYGIRL and VIVA with the male form objectified freely and openly to ease the tensions of the day.

I know it seems cliche to say, but its about the articles, too! Especially adult magazines of this period, you will find some powerful political, cultural, and historical content that just can’t be beat! Some of the articles included in this VIVA Magazine include:

The Blue Angel: Inside New York’s Naughtiest Night Club
Minnie Riperton Raps About Fashion
The Real Brenda Vaccaro
The Naked Cowboy
Dustin Hoffman & Robert Redford on set of “All the President’s Men”
Do You Have What It Takes to Be Happy?

Not going to lie; what really stood out to us was the top story on the cover: HOW TO MAKE LOVE LIKE A WITCH!

 

The things they targeted their demographics with back in these times is fantastic! Imagine if they had published topics like this today?? People would have a fit! But, seriously we need more of this!

That’s just what makes this piece so god damn amusing. Keep pieces like this for entertaining treats for your guests- some pop culture, history, and a little eye candy.

They don’t make them like they used to …

And I always get a kick with cigarette ads from this period. They are always so special and great. Like this one:

Just out in the park picking flowers and placing them in my pretty flower basket and smoking a cigarette. . .  

+LADY BE COOL+

I don’t know how things have taken such a drastic turn. It’s rather sad, really…but luckily, we do have pieces like this to remind us of these lost times.

This is a rare item especially considering the super sensual and chic Helmut Newton cover, and VIVA being of lesser popularity as PLAYBOY or even PLAYGIRL. If you have any questions? Send us a message to the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com

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Could Ya KAMA SUTRA ?

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The Kama Sutra is an ancient Hindu text written by Indian philosopher Vātsyāyana between 400 and 200 BCE, and is an in-depth manual on “virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life, and other aspects pertaining to pleasure-oriented faculties of human life” – however, today in popular culture it is probably most well-known for its comprehensive list of sexual positions.

From mild to wild and everything in between, the Kama Sutra is definitely an amazing resource to spice up your sex-life, and no one knew this better than the Victorians! Privately published by popular orientalist writer Sir. Richard Francis Burton in 1883, the erotic world of the Kama Sutra coupled with the discovery of the Khajuraho Group of Temples in the 1830s brought a special spice to the otherwise bland and well-mannered world of the Victorians.

Imagine the shock! Although, I’m sure we’re all aware of Queen Victoria’s kinks – having forced her husband Prince Albert to pierce his penis to help restrain it to ensure a flat front seam in his trousers….is this a myth? We might never know. But, we know that they were curious!

+CHECK OUT ACTOR RUPERT EVERETT’S JOURNEY TO DISCOVER THE WORLD OF SIR. RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON’S VICTORIAN EROTIC ESCAPADES+

We’ve covered the film Bram Stoker’s Dracula quite a few times on our blog for its insatiable style inspiration (courtesy of Eiko Ishioka’s special genius), and one of our favourite scenes involves Lucy and Mina giggling over a copy of the Kama Sutra.

[warning: clip in Spanish]

“So long as lips shall kiss,and eyes shall see,so long lives this ,and this gives life to thee.” …

Vātsyāyana

So, with these things in mind, we couldn’t help but take the opportunity to bring you a beautiful treasure from the {past} and invite it to the {present} to help invigorate the {future}!

This is a very rare and unusual piece that we are sure someone out there needs to rock!

Vintage 1970s KAMA SUTRA All-Over Illustrated Graphic Print Long Tunic Shirt

{click here for more details}

Told you this one was special! How wicked is this?! Rare, elegant, chic . . .

The palette is super romantic and cool, and you can’t beat the long shirt vibe. Great worn open or closed with a belt. It’s up to you!

PIT TO PIT: 21″
SHOULDER TO SLEEVE: 31″
LENGTH: 44″

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We might never see or find anything quite like this again, so don’t miss out!

So, could ya Kama Sutra?

I’m sure you could!

QUESTIONS?? MESSAGE US!

Until we next time,

{theEye}

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Fly Me To The Moon! 1967 Cosak by Dormeuil Mens Suit Advertising Campaign

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The competition for mens suiting was fierce throughout the 1960s – an absolute essential piece of every working man’s wardrobe, while also a time that signalled the decline of this timely tradition.

More than ever, ad men and women were looking for new and exciting ways to capture the attention of dapper gentlemen around the world.

This 1967 Ad Campaign for Cosak by classic French textile company Dormeuil displays the fun they had doing just that!

Obviously inspired by James Bond or any of the other number of mens genre media / plus the overall futurist movement of the 60s; the campaign features a well-dressed man in several of the classic suit designs alongside a bombshell blonde, and it appears they are prepping to go to space…or are in space already? Not quite sure all the exact subtleties of the scenario…its all very entertaining and more than that – stylish as ever!

These images appeared in Tailor & Cutter magazine, and were found courtesy of Voices of East Anglia. 

We were drawn to these images while doing some research finding we were lucky enough to have a Dormeuil cloth suit of our own. We recently uploaded it into the {SHOP} so click here to check out the listing, or scroll below for a quick look!

 

Classic 1960s Mens Vintage Graphic Stripe Ivy Style Secret Society Playboy Blazer

PIT TO PIT: 22″
LENGTH: 33″
SHOULDER TO SLEEVE: 33″

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Super rad find, in our eyes! Hope you, or someone deservingly discerning you know, thinks so too!  Share it, or comment below to tell us what you think!

Really cool to find out that this piece comes from a certified lineage of cool!

Remember XIXIXI gets you 25% off in the {SHOP}

So, check it out now!

Until next time,

{theEye}

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{MUSIC MINUTE} Burt Bacharach “Theme from The Blob”

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Indescribable… indestructible…      insatiable…                                 It crawls…                                  It creeps…                                  It eats you alive!

The 1958 film “The Blob” might just be the pinnacle of classic 50s B-Movie awesomeness! Check it out for the sci-fi camp, the american nostalgia, and above-all the wicked vintage style inspiration in every moment of the film.

E.O.F. {STYLE IDOL} STEVE MCQUEEN actually made his feature film debut starring in this flick! His brooding blonde badass-ness is still a refreshing sight on the screen. Funny enough, the star was 27 at the time of filming but playing a 17 year old!

We were enraptured recently discovering that Burt Bacharach created the film’s charming happy-go-lucky theme song, and wanted to bring it to the forefront!

B-MOVIE Style is coming to the forefront (GUCCI’s A/W 17 Campaign by Glen Luchford for one thing) so stay on the look-out for more of this essential vintage inspiration!

Until we meet again,

{theEye}

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bonus

Steve Mcqueen was offered $2,500 or 10% of profits for his role in “The Blob”.

Tragically he accepted the $2,500; the film would go on to make over $40 million!

You live and you learn.

oops…

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E.O.F. APPROVED, FASHION, HISTORY {is made at night}, STYLE IDOLS AND DIVINITIES, STYLE {WISE}, Video, Vintage, WOMENSWEAR

+RARE+ JUDY GARLAND’S ‘VALLEY OF THE DOLLS’ WARDROBE SCREEN TEST

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We love Valley of the Dolls…

And we love the myth and legend of Judy Garland, so to discover this rare gem on the interwebs, was to say the least, a huge score!

If you haven’t seen the film, “Valley of the Dolls” was based on Jacqueline Susann’s best selling novel about several young ladies entrapped in the tumultuous world of the entertainment industry.

It is camp, it is glamour, it is a bona fide classic piece of cinema starring the late Patty Duke as the self-sabotaging but talented Neely O’Hara, Barbara Perkins playing a naive small town girl trying to make it in the big city of New York, and Sharon Tate as their gorgeous pal who is forced to do some “shameful” business to make a little cash . . .

One of the antagonists of the film is the character of Helen Lawson, who is a big-shot Broadway star of the ages who Neely goes up to bat against during the production of a play. There are plenty of bitchy moments that incur, which make the film a true joy to behold.


With this in mind, we were shocked the find out that Helen Lawson had originally been given to none other than JUDY GARLAND!!!

This was big news at the time, with the contract being signed February 1967, and a press conference with Judy and Jacqueline Susann at the St. Regis Hotel on March 2, 1967.

“Lets face it; the role calls for an old pro over 40. That’s for me. It’s for sure I am no longer Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz…the part of Helen Lawson is no more me than the part in Judgement at Nuremberg. It doesn’t pertain to me…”

{source}

Work on the film began shortly thereafter with songs being recorded, and scenes being shot. However, many of this footage hasn’t survived, and many claim the scenes that were shot were few and far between and mostly unusable, with Judy refusing to leave her dressing room.

Things reached a head on April 27, 1967.  Judy was fired.

Fox announced that she had resigned for “personal reasons”, which Judy quickly denied citing that she had showed up on set ready to film at 6am and had no idea!!! In the end, she admitted to objecting to certain obscenities in the film, and many fans agree that this film was far beneath her talents….so in the end, everything works out (I guess, minus the fact she died 2 years later from a heavy drug overdose)!!!

Oh, Hollywood….so strange. So weird. So mysterious and odd. And if you’re wondering what I’m talking about, lets get to the point of this all – the wardrobe tests!

You know we love fashion and style, and William Travilla’s glorious designs for Valley of the Dolls are one of the highlights of this film, and Helen Lawson’s costumes are no exception. In these clips, Judy does her thing showing off the designs, as only she could.

If that doesn’t shock you just a little, I’m not sure what will.  The legacy of Judy Garland is so odd and sad. So young and full of talent; thrown into a monstrous machine that only cared to crank out dollars from her…in the end, she lost her vitality, and her mind.

Let her be a lesson to us all to stay true to yourself, and never be a pawn to those in authority. It’s just not worth it. You live one life. Let it be the best life you can imagine!

In the end, the role of Helen Lawson would go to Susan Hayward, who was a legend in her own right, and had even won the coveted Best Actress Academy Award in 1958 playing a death row inmate in I Want to Live! . 

I guess, things happen for a reason..

Until we meet again,

{theEye}

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