What I've been up too this week

My weekly round-up of what I've watched and finished reading, hope you enjoy! x

The Party by Elizabeth Day 2017

Publisher: 4th Estate

Elizabeth Day's book The Party follows the twists and turns of one night where old friends get together, years of secrets surround them. The book trails Martin Gilmour, slight outcast and his friendship with the glamorous popular rich boy Ben. From their childhood through to university the mens lives interweave through sudden turns of events. I loved the format of the book, different chapters under different authors and winding through different decades making you question the turn of events and the validity of the characters accounts. I gobbled this book up in a couple of evenings it was so gripping! The story was so multi-facetted discussing wealth, privilege and obsession. Not what I was expecting from the beginning I couldn't work it out at all, such a fun but emotional read.

.

Visuals of the week

Ladies in Black Director Bruce Beresford 2018

Based on the 2008 book by Madeline St John set in 1959 at a prestigious department store named Goodes in Sydney Australia. The story centres around a young girl in between high school and university, who joins as a shop hand in the ladies department to earn money over summer leading to Christmas. The story follows her and the three key women she encounters, two young women in their mid/late twenties navigating marriage (Patty) and love (Fay) whilst the third is the head of the haute couture section of the department, and older sophisticated Slovenian Madga (Julia Osmond). It’s quite a soft-hearted film, with some light comedy.

The look of the film generally is a real reason to watch it, you get beautiful scenes of Sydney & general Australia landscape but also the costumes really stand out even through the natural glamour backdrop of the shop floor setting. I think they followed each characters arc really well, Lisa generally growing up and seeking acceptance into the adult world Magda now exposes her too, but without complete fashion film fantasy as often happens in commercial period drama.

The Dressmaker (2015)

It reminds me of the film The Dressmaker (2015) with Kate Winslet by written and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, this tale shows a small town go through a fashionable transformation when a dressmaker returns from Paris after years away. Both stories are lighthearted but with small plot gems weaving it all together. However sometimes these films drag in the middle simply because there isn’t enough plot and both reveal secrets which on reflection don’t stand up as greatly shocking or dramatic. Never the less very worth watching for the clothes and photography as both were really inspiring to watch. The Dressmaker is probably better though if you’re interested in Australia in this era, though inaccurate in places it’d an exciting fashion fantasy to watch.

Eleven Madison Park

.

7 Days Out: Eleven Madison Park Director Michael John Warren 2018

7 Days Out follows the final seven days before any major world event in 2018, sadly only one series but so interesting. Some events include NASA’s incredible Cassini mission to Saturn ending after decades of work and research, to the Chanel couture show with final camera interviews of the legendary fashion mogul Karl Lagerfeld before his death later in the year.

My favourite episode is Eleven Madison Park, following the refurbishment and final week before the grand opening of the restaurant. Having won title of best restaurant in the world in 2017 restaurant partners Chef Daniel Humm and restauranteur Will Guidara decide to purchase the restaurant and re do it and the menu to make it more their own vision. The documentary is only 45 minutes per episode but I think watching they way chefs operate within the kitchen and front of house, we see the completely intense work ethnic and hierarchy.

Head chef Daniel Humm begins his early career as a professional cyclist before moving to American from his native Switzerland. At 24 he received his first Michelin start in San Francisco before moving to New York City and working for Eleven. The pair now own the company Make it Nice which now sees three further restaurants and a cook book across the world, most recently in Claridges Hotel London.

The series is more than the tense final moments of rush and will they finish in time, it showed me the drive that both men and the team have and their strive to be the best and except no less. Small moments like Will Guidara explaining that the plates have the logo placed exactly facing the customer printed on the base of the plate. He says “will anyone notice this? No, but it’s about doing everything with intention”. I’ve watched this episode so many times purely as I find them so inspiring, the idea that the team means more than any individual.

Moments when they discuss being in the “human connection business” not the food business, it could not be put more accurately. They see their role as a small element to help celebrate key moments in a persons life. I think the series shows the drive in life you need to make those human connections and why having that drive ultimately gives you and others around you so much joy and peace.

.

An American in Paris Director Vincente Minnelli 1951

Written but Alan Jay Lerner, key writer of Camelot, Gigi My Fair Lady and Royal Wedding. Died young at 67 but has over 231 soundtrack credits. Mostly posthumously, which shows how many films and television shows have been influenced by Camelot and My Fair Lady, but also his early music and lyrics from these films.

The bombastic erratic musical stylings of this film were revolutionary in breaking the mould of traditional musicals on film. With cinema scope coming in and expensive technicolour grading we see one of the largest, richest longest sequences in cinema thus far.

A dreamscape alongside the narrative of the artist Kelly, gives you a love triangle but mostly the romance and dialogue is transferred through dance. The costumes are fabulous, some dramatic party scenes are insane but creatively so rich, it’s worth watching for the inspiration of the mise en scene and the photography.

Elements of costume show clear influence on wider modern culture, scenes of dance where the ensemble wear striped classic new look a line skirted dresses, has translated into the Dior collections of 2017 RAF Simons crimped tulle and satin rainbow skirts. It really shows film influence on wider fashion culture today.

Some elements of the music are so poetic and balletic, the principal actress being a dancer first and discovered by Gene Kelly for this role, she shines as a dancer, her body communicates more than her acting parts. Some amazing scenes describing characters showing off the technicolour and set design, it’s so worth watching.

.

The Hustler (1961) Director Robert Rossen / based on the Walter Tevis Novel 1959

From the writer of The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976, Major film starring David Bowie) Walter Tevis wrote The Hustler & the sequel Colour of Money (1986) which are also films. The Hustler staring Paul Newman follows a pool player known as "fast Eddie" and his assistant travelling around America's pool rooms hustling amateur players. They hit a bump when he ups the stakes attempting to beat the best pool player in the country "Minnesota Fats", throwing his ambition and talent into question. Eddie encounters the personal cost of winning and getting involved with "fats" manager to break into the big leagues.

I had watched the sequel Colour of Money (1986) where Newman reprises his role and Tom Cruise becoming his protege, before this one, and I really liked watching it this way around. It was almost more mysterious not knowing the past Newman had as "fast Eddie". Both stories discuss relationships, ambition and what it really means to be the best - and at what cost?

They Drive By Night (1940) Director Raoul Walsh

The film follows truck-driving brothers who join a transport company, which soon after leads to one (Raft) being falsely accused of murder.

So Ann Sheridan looks like the love child of Judy Garland and Joan Crawford. Thats the first impression I wrote down about this film, secondly, is that you can't understand why Walsh has George Raft as the central male lead instead of Humphrey Bogart who plays his brother. Interestingly, only a year later after this John Huston took Bogart on as the lead in The Maltese Falcon (1941) which lead to a lifelong partnership of film-making and catapulted Bogart into a Hollywood megastar.

I found this lesser acknowledged film noir an interesting take on the mad woman striving for economic independence and sexual power. Lupino then actress turned director portrays Lana Carlsen, wife to truck company owner, gives an incredible portrayal of a woman on the edge. For 1940 these central female characters usually are one or the other Mad or Passive it appears, but I enjoyed the subtle challenges the film poses, Sheridan plays Raft's central love interest and often between Lupino dominate screen time.

The film has interesting twists and turns with beautiful visuals in Ida Lupino's character adding glamorous costumes, designed by Miles Anderson. This crime-of-passion noir is well worth watching even just for Lupino's costumes.

What I am reading next:

A Brief History of: The Normans The Conquests that changed the face of Europe By Francois Neveux

Lockdown fashion & getting dressy at home, the how-to

I know the high-street is suffering, because we can't afford it, we cant get outside. However summer is fast approaching and I feel so deflated having no-where to wear anything nice. It might be considered a first world problem, but with feelings of isolation and loneliness at the forefront of our lives these days, I've been thinking about how our body image has been affected. Call it capitalism but buying myself a new shirt or even a dress can make you feel good.

But, back to the small issue of money, we're either furloughed, stuck on an endless wheel of zoom meetings or pub quizzes, and then some of us are downright unemployed. So, if I was buying stuff, what would I buy? With this little virtual shopping trip, and countless hours looking at clothes I can’t afford (a regular task even when employed), I was inspired to look at my own wardrobe properly. This then lead me down the path of thinking: why am I living in my joggers? I love being comfy, and luxe comfort-wear is very chic and can look fab. But get out of the daily pyjamas, and plan your outfits, even the night before. It might seem pointless, but I think it works and definitely made me feel motivated to do something with the day. I actually have longed in recent weeks, for the days of working 8-8, planning my outfits the night before, and then having no time to clean my room.

So... I intend to sit outside and wear my largest, most sparkly earrings and a very impractical dress.

The 30's are a' calling

I’m taking inspiration from the golden age of Hollywood, I’ve been watching some old classic movies of late, so I wanted to draw on this, and our 30’s fashion revival I’m seeing on the high-street. I know we cant all be Carole Lombard or Bette Davis, and dying my hair isn't an option right now sadly, but, I’m dressing up to go no-where. Apart from slip-dresses and bias cut wedding dresses which are very on-trend, the thirties really are making a silhouetted come-back, I’ve seen some fab pieces on Arket, (a satin skirt is £70, the kind of price that means because it’s a fabulous green colour, you naturally ignore the fact its made of polyester - that kind of price) some impractically coloured but a breath of fresh air in this climate. Arket is exactly what we need right now, boxy, bright, and feminine, but also, like COS, does loungewear in a very versatile way. They have some excellent bias skirts, emulating the 1930’s, a trend that’s very hot right now. We’re talking hot pink, grass green, lavenders & hot corals for spring, but it’s all very clean and chic.

I’m here for it, but I don’t know how wearable hot pink really is? The shapes are great however and I want every piece, the sale even has tie dye scarves which are gorgeous for our every changing weather. And we’re all cooped up inside! Perfect right.

Another beautiful discovery is the slip dresses that are doing the rounds, I saw a gorgeous one in Primark, an off grey slip dress with cream lace at the neck for £13. Secondary to this, Primark (before lockdown in London) were selling some very wearable fine knitted, ribbed dresses, sleeveless with belts, mostly cream and greys. There were a few styles and these were so grey as transitional pieces for the season.

Lets talk oversized shirts, I wasn’t sure if they suited me, but of late I’ve found a new love for the oversized boxy look and Uniqlo do an incredible Linen blend shirt. It’s pretty long and an XS size goes a long way, but the shape is so flattering! I’ve dressed this shirt up with a pair of wide leg Armani silk trousers (I've found lots of these wide leg trousers in charity shops.

This little outfit planning and decisions over what to wear, alone, just for me has really been lifting my mood. Now I’m not saying it’s all got to be dressy dressy, but wear some stuff that makes you feel good. I know we can’t all be Bette Davis or Carol Lombard flocking around a mansion in full glam, (I mean maybe if you're a Kardashian) however, the aesthetic lives on.

I’ve read a lot about mental health in this current era of Covid-19 lockdown, and it can be really hard to focus on a positive future when all seems so uncertain. But control the smaller things that bring you joy. Personally mine is a good outfit and a short morning walk or jog to set the tone of the day right, and maybe run off the wine and pizza.

I would focus on the positive things that you have now, bring it right down to the base level of your happiness and purpose. We have all lost a little of this, worry about our employment, money & housing be that mortgages or rent, it can feel so overwhelming.

I wrote this in the hopes you’ll take a minute of self care and light day-dreaming like I did, at all the clothes and £100 shoes I don’t need but might bring me joy to print a picture of for me room. Maybe even watch one of these films, there’s a few great ones on Sky, Netflix & Amazon that will help you get in the glam, carefree mood and maybe take you somewhere else for an hour or so. Match your outfit to the mood, and get your self care vibe going.

Some brands to check out in lockdown for summer essentials: Sezane & Charles & Keith

Sezane

Sezane

Some other brands I looked at for this piece were Sezane - beautiful minimal French brand, they had small court shoes in a gorgeous dusty rose, parti-coloured and quite 30’s in shape. I think their shirts & spring cotton jackets are where they excel in both print and quality. Particularly the Nila Jacket in suede, and the blue print Wila Jacket, which has a classic shape and gorgeous french inspired print .

Charles and Keith are such a great, minimalist accessories brand, their shoes and bag collections are fresh and modern with class silhouettes, they've done some fabulous sling back sandals and cool toned boots. I loved the textures and clean prints, they do a lot of colour blocking and layered textures, often playing with leather and PVC. It's also brilliantly priced, you pay for the quality but its not extortionate.