Fashion Thrillers
Taking a page from filmmaking genius Alfred Hitchcock, fashion houses Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada sent models sashaying down the fall catwalks clad in retooled retro looks—think nipped waists, midi skirts, tailored suits, tweeds and textured fabrics. To heighten the drama, icy blonde coifs were part of the mix, as well. —K.D.
Spice is Nice
Society Pages
The debutante is a relic of a not-so-distant past when the cotillion was the event of the season. A glorious excavation of deb style, Debutantes: When Glamour Was Born by Diana Oswald (Rizzoli) examines a convergence of fashion and culture that began in the 1930s. Images by high society and fashion photographers document the evolution of the deb’s look, from the beaded bodices and tulle trains of her white gown to the pearl buttons on her elbow-length gloves. With a forward by Oscar de la Renta and an introduction by David Patrick Columbia, Debutantes serves up confections from designers such as vintage Chanel and Valentina, while chronicling the coming out of high-profile debs of yore, including former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. —K.F.
HAUTE COUTURE
Not only was Isabella Blow a beloved fashion editor who was revered for her demonstrative dress aesthetic, she was also renowned for having nurtured and inspired numerous artists and designers. This month, London’s Somerset House, in partnership with the Isabella Blow Foundation and Central Saint Martins, will unveil Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore! to celebrate the life and wardrobe of the late British patron of fashion and art, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces she owned, including several by two designers she helped discover: Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy. somersethouse.org.uk —K.D.
Period Piece
This month, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations comes to life on the silver screen once again with a new film version directed by Mike Newell and starring Helena Bonham Carter, Holliday Grainger and Jeremy Irvine. Set during the Victorian era, this coming-of-age story includes colorful characters Pip, Miss Havisham and Estella who are captivating, largely in part to their hairstyles by Jenny Shircore. Amongst gorgeous costumes and a classic story, Shircore’s creations were expertly crafted to exhibit the period and the social status of each character—particularly the lavish curls and sophisticated updos of redheaded Grainger, who plays Pip’s love, Estella. —J.T.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Isabella Blow, 1997 © Mario Testino (haute couture); COURTESY OF RIZZOLI (SOCIETY PAGES); imaxtree (fashion thrillers)