I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, men can’t wear dresses, but we can wear the pants.
Whitney Houston
I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.
+LAUREN BACALL+
{circa. 1940s}
+
Sensuous. Seductive. Strong.
Can’t get enough of these black and white stripes . . .
her cigarette, the stunning jewels, chilling on the floor listening to vinyl…
the photo of herself.
++++ Feel free to share the image ++++
Lets all channel a little bit of this spirit.
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
+
With the 88th Annual Academy Awards just around the corner, we can’t help but indulge in some Oscar nostalgia in this key periods of waiting…
One fantastic find is this clip from Oscar.com of the costume design portion of the 1987 ceremony which celebrated the best films of 1986; a fantastic year which include Roland Joffe’s “The Mission”, Woody Allen’s “Hannah and her Sisters”, Oliver Stone’s “Platoon”, and of course, my boy David Lynch’s iconic modern masterwork “Blue Velvet”*.
*one nomination for David Lynch in the category of Best Director (should have been many more).
Presenting the award is none other than style divinity Lauren Bacall in all her sultry, sophisticated glory….MAN! THEY DON’T MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USED TO!
What began as the most innocent unassuming presentation turned into full-on 80s fashion MADNESS!!!
Basically, the jist was that the costumes of films have always and will always directly influence fashion so with the help of legendary costume designer Theoni V. Aldredge ( 1974’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ ) who used the year’s nominees (“The Mission”, “Otello”, “Peggy Sue Got Married”, “Pirates”, and that year’s winner “A Room With a View”) as inspiration for contemporary fashions a la 1987 through the eyes of one magnificently creative and visionary mind.
They just couldn’t help themselves, and be prepared to be dazzled by some super enthusiastic dancers and some really exciting fashion that probably never actually made it to the streets, but at least opens the eye to the possibilities of inspiration.
In a not very surprising instance of history repeating itself, Jenny Beaven, the winner of the Oscar that year for James Ivory’s stunning, classic film “A Room With a View” (starring young and fresh faces Helena Bonham Carter and Denholm Elliot), is nominated again this year for George Miller’s visionary epic “Mad Max: Fury Road” and is primed to taking home the Golden Boy once again!
What is so fantastic about Jenny Beaven’s contribution to “Mad Max: Fury Road”, personally, is that it is such a different kind of project than her past films which have garnered nominations such as “Gosford Park“, “The King’s Speech“, and “Howards End“, which makes it so cool to see her creating such raw and original and truly contemporary visions for this latest masterwork, and getting much deserved recognition for it.
If you haven’t seen “Mad Max: Fury Road” do so. It is a magnificently conjured film by true veterans of the craft. To be honest, I had my doubts about it, as I am getting so tired of these Hollywood remakes, but with the original director at the helm it truly is a treat to see what could be done with a story like Mad Max if given the treatment it deserves.
And if you wonder how possibly could we see the tattered and extreme costumes of “Fury Road” translate to today’s fashion scene. Look no further than say Kanye West’s label “Yeezy” and his latest collection SEASON 3 . . .apparently dystopia is tres chic these days, and that’s just a single example. Go figure!
We hope to delve a bit more into the Costume Design category in the coming week, so stay tuned!
And don’t forget to watch on the big night (Feb. 28) to see history in the making!
How rich it is to find the threads of our {past}, {present}, and {future}
entangling us so . . .
Until next time,
{theEye}
+
It’s almost that time of year again! Supercrawl is going to take over the streets for three days of music, fashion, art, and FUN. Last year was a blast, and we’re so excited to announce that we will be taking over the Supercrawl Fashion Tent not once, but TWICE this year.
We will be debuting +HOLLYWOOD BABYLON+, our first contemporary collection on Saturday September 12 at 3pm in the Supercrawl Fashion Zone Tent, so mark your calendars and save the day. If you will be around and would like VIP seats to our show give us an email at the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com!
Our collection was inspired by the decadence and decay of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Combining a street chic attitude with the textures and ease of 1930s/40s leisurewear; looks range from a Hollywood starlet enjoying an afternoon cocktail by the pool to dangerous ingenues in metallic evening gowns that put a meaning to “if looks could kill…”
It’s a bit of a departure for us, especially if you have been following our side since the beginning, but we felt this foray into womenswear would be the perfect breath of fresh air for us, as well as a chance to stretch our creative muscles in a totally new ‘fashion’.
Our biggest pull to this collection was in fact Veda Pierce, the sophisticated, driven, and treacherous daughter of Mildred Pierce in the classic neo-noir “Mildred Pierce”. Here is a girl who is striving to be ahead of the norm, worldly and too classy for her own good.
She’s not afraid to do anything to get what she wants in life, and on top of it all she is devastatingly gorgeous and talented to boot. Perhaps a little too dangerous and manipulative for most people’s liking, but she definitely helped spawn our imagination when setting out on this unique opportunity to showcase what we are all about….summoning the {PAST} into the {PRESENT} to help shape the {FUTURE}….
It’s going to be a stellar show, and much blood, sweat, and tears have gone into putting our best foot forward in what can only be described as a bold new chapter in our fashion careers, so don’t miss out! If you’ve noticed that we haven’t been posting too much on our blog this summer- this is why!
Our second show will be on Sunday September 13 in the Supercrawl Fashion Zone Tent from 3p-5p and will be an epic spectacle of vintage fashion aptly named The Eye of Faith Presents A Vintage Showcase!!! That’s right folks, we will be curating a two hour long fashion show featuring nothing but vintage head to toe, and will be taking audiences on a ride through time and into the +BEYOND+!!!
We will definitely be posting updates as they come so make sure to FOLLOW US on INSTAGRAM and TWITTER (@theeyeoffaith) or LIKE US on FACEBOOOK (/theeyeoffaithvintage) to stay informed on all the exciting things we’re up to these days.
I’m pleased to announce that we will be partnering up with Vintage Soul Geek to create this epic showcase of vintage glory, and will also start carrying some select pieces of our collection in their shop come September so watch out!!! More on that soon…but in the meantime, check out our inspiration mood boards for The Eye of Faith Presents a Vintage Showcase!!!!
Got any looks to share, or must-have inspirations?
Let us know in the comments below!
Can’t wait to start getting back in the swing of things.
Much to talk about. But another time…
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
+
++++DON’T FORGET XIXIXI GETS YOU 25% OFF IN THE {SHOP}++++
Vanity Fair does as they do with their latest list of Style’s Greatest Icons. Picking from all of Hollywood history, writer Amy Fine Collins makes a jab at finding those identities who fascinate, inspire, and continually resonate with lovers of style and fashion.
For a list of 21 of the ultimate icons of style, we’re a little let down. The list is GOOD – pretty much your usual list including Marilyn, Audrey, Lauren, and Bette, and more current stars like George Clooney and Penelope Cruz making the cut. While Marlon Brando and Jean-Paul Belmundo made the cut, I was shocked not to find James Dean pop up on the list! I mean, George Clooney and NOT James Dean??! WTF?
I could go into more wishes and wants, but I won’t. Instead, take a look for yourself at the list, and let us know what YOU think! Who would you add to the list?
Fred Astaire
Grace Kelly
Marlon Brando
Lauren Bacall
Audrey Hepburn
Marlene Dietrich
Bette Davis
Marilyn Monroe
Leonardo Dicaprio
Joan Crawford
Penelope Cruz
Carole Lombard
Charlotte Rampling
Nicole Kidman
Jean Harlow
Clark Gable
Harry Belafonte
Johnny Depp
Cate Blanchett
+
I do sincerely appreciate having Carole Lombard and Charlotte Rampling make the cut, but or me the biggest surprise was Leonardo Dicaprio. He’s the youngest name on the list, and although I’ve been musing over pictures of him in the 90s, I very often forget to credit the man for his continually classic and easy way about him. While the clothes are great, it’s the devil may care approach he takes to wearing them that really make his looks sing.
That for me is the biggest sign of true deep down in the heart style. For it’s not about what you wear, it’s who’s wearing it, and more often than not, that person is you!
The thing that makes each of these people a star is their ability to project a sense of self, and be fully committed to it. In the same respect, it is their ability to lose this self at the snap of a finger that makes being a star a true craft.
The films they are in are just the backdrop. The clothes a part of the scenery. It is all inspiration, and as Amy Fine Collins notes, designers today are continuously reinventing and re imagining films of the past to realize their vision for today.
That’s why we are continually looking to the past to inspire and tell us stories. Moments of magic to reinvent. For there is a beautiful mystery to the idea of being a star, especially the leading men and starlets of Hollywood Golden Years. A certain spirit seems to take over these mere mortals the second the lights are on and the camera is rolling. In the blink of an eye, that person is made immortal through the magical alchemy of light and silver.
“Everything…was an exaggeration of history, fiction and the whole wide extraordinary world.” states legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a little exaggeration to get us through the day…
So as I was saying, the list is good, but our own E.O.F. Style Idols and Divinities are pretty damn special in their own right.
What’s the use of having a million lists online that tell me Audrey Hepburn is the best dressed woman there ever lived. Same goes with Grace Kelly, and Nicole Kidman (?? I mean, really??)…its 2012, after all, can’t things start to get a bit more interesting especially when it comes to our style icons…
The fashion world right now is ever changing, and in our post modern bubble, there is infinite possibility out there. There are also literally hundreds of styles being represented out there, so to always have lists of Style Icons that are the same really makes for not very much progress…
Seeing as it is 2012, I foresee great changes in the midst, especially in accord to perceptions of style. There is a younger generation of style aficionados out there, more equipped than we were ever to analyze and take on new ideas in dressing.
While the classics will also stay as such, style enthusiasts should definitely make room for finding new influences our predecessors, blinded by the flickering of celluloid, were not able to pick up on and bring these lost ideals to the forefront…
This goes for all areas of life. Don’t just blindly live your life being told what is what. Make it so by your own actions and doing. Dress the part! Be the star! Change the world! That’s the message…and for that, Vanity Fair, we must thank!
So remember, stay wise, and don’t get caught floating in the status quo.
Yours truly,
{theEye}
+
Similar Stories:
