Film Fashions - The Imitation Game

At the first mention of a film about Alan Turing, I was as keen as mustard to see it, once I learnt that Benedict Cumberbatch was going to be playing Alan I was chomping at the bit - am I the only one who watches Sherlock on a loop? So the very week it hit the big screen, I booked my ticket, grabbed some popcorn and headed off to my local cinema.

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The Hepburn Project - The Audrey Hepburn Story

It was after seeing all the wonderful projects shared over the web for this year's Me-Made May  (I was overwhelmed with just how many people wore homemade all month, you guys are amazing!) that I realised that there was a real lack of practical clothing in my wardrobe, especially separates. I have a lot of dresses which I love and wear, but there are far more dressy 'going out' dresses than I will ever need in my wardrobe.

So when I spotted that Sarah from The Creative Perfectionist was updating her Hepburn Project I was as keen as mustard to join in, I figured it would help to motivate me to create some practical yet pretty separates which could be mixed and matched!

I knew instantly which of the two lovely Hepburn ladies I wanted to emulate, my favorite actress of all time, Audrey Hepburn.

1954 La Vigna, Italy {Image Source}

I have already made myself some Audrey inspired items (this black dress and this eye mask) But when contemplating a wardrobe full of Audrey 'inspired' clothes where do you start?

Well, obviously you go wild on Pinterest, pin everything Audrey related...

{Image Source}

Done.

Then you go back over her films to oggle/research her style a bit more. So today's post is actually a sneaky way of me introducing another Film Fashion Post, remember those! I am actually going to start somewhere you might not expect, with made for TV movie, The Audrey Hepburn Story.

The Audrey Hepburn Story is a biopic from 2000, it stars Emmy Rossum as young Audrey and Jennifer Love Hewitt as the older, as you would expect from a biopic it charts her life from her early days growing up in Belgium and Holland during the war, barely surviving by all accounts, through her early ballet and acting career and leading up to her filming of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

So let's have a quick look at the fashions, shall we ...

Brown Circle calf length skirt, with a white lacy blouse with cute little slit sleeves and round collar, pulled together with a brown leather belt and ribbon neck tie.

I can't be sure if this is a dress or a blouse and skirt as we don't get much of a look at it, but its still lovely! It has a button through front, trimmed pointy black and white polka dot collar and matching sleeve cuffs.

White, head scarf, cream oversized knitted jumper, embellished with red scalloped (looks crocheted) edging around the neck hem and cuffs above which is a red band which has been woven through the neckline and finished in a bow/ Paired with capri pants and red wooden clog shoes.

This outfit is the costume departments attempt to capture the essence of the iconic scene where Audrey sings 'Moon River', in reality, the outfit in the film is much less interesting Audrey's hair is wrapped in a white towel she is wearing grey jersey sweater, with denim capris and ballet pumps.

When Audrey meets Hubert Givenchy for the first time she is wearing a silk button backed blouse embellished with beads around the collar and yoke and a simple grey pencil skirt.

Well, I know this is a dress but it's rather lovely, especially the colour, again more polka dots a full circle skirt topped with a sleeveless bodice and v-shaped neckline which has a slim collar and is gathered by a bow.

I am rather smitten with this little red cap, it looks like it's crochet, but could quite as easily have been woven straw.

The same brown skirt as above, this time, it's worn with a simple yet lovely short sleeve black blouse with buttons down the front and cute little necktie style collar.

A Mid blue V-necked jersey with embellished neckline and a little stand-up collar teamed with a pair of 'classic' Audrey Capri pants.

I honestly set about watching this expecting to hate it, but I really didn't, I actually really rather enjoyed it! The reason I started here rather than with one of her classic films, was I thought it would give me a better idea of what Audrey's most iconic pieces were when distilled through the eyes of the costume department. If someone had to find the essence of Audrey's style what would they pick? what colours would they use and would it be believable?

And I think it certainly is, they have obviously changed a few things but nothing major and it's given me a good starting place for isolating what would make a 1950's Audrey inspired wardrobe.

Bold Colours - Browns, Pinks, Blues, Black & White.

Patterns - Essentially very little in the way of patterns mainly a little embellishment here and there and a few polka dots!

Separates - Obviously!  Full Circle skirts are always worn with a belt; capri pants and short sleeve blouses, with some neck embellishment, tie or brooch.

So now it's time to seek out some appropriate patterns to fit the job and I'll be back with my findings soon!

Wendy x

Film Fashions - Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

With all the digging and veg talk that I have been doing lately, and all the posts with pictures of muddy allotments I've inflicted upon you recently, I thought I would be rather nice to have a little break from all that mud and wallow, so to speak, in a bit of 1930s glamour.

My remedy comes in the form of another Fabulous Film Fashions post and though it does actually contain scenes of mud and vegetables I can whole heartedly promise, that they are for beautification purposes only!

Romantic comedy based on the novel by Winifred Watson. Frances McDormand stars as Miss Pettigrew, a dowdy governess struggling to find employment in 1930s London after being unfairly dismissed from her previous job. She unexpectedly finds herself fulfilling the role of social secretary for glamorous American actress and singer Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams), whose life is an unending social whirl - the complete opposite of Miss Pettigrew's own drab existence. Despite their differences, Miss Pettigrew becomes Delysia's confidante and personal aide, and is witness to many of the joys and indiscretions that thrive in this heady, high-society climate. Could it be that Miss Pettigrew has finally found her calling? [source]

I first watched 'Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day' a couple of years ago, and it has since become the perfect light-hearted tonic when I am feeling down. Its short, sweet, touching, funny and has such wonderful clothes. There is just so much to love, and all this gushing comes from someone who tends to shy away from Rom-com's (I've been jaded by ex-flatmates forcing me to watch too many bad ones). Generally I would pick a war film over a Rom-com any day, the boyfriends very lucky in that respect (I've even watched his favourite the 5 hour epic Das Boot, with subtitles, twice!), but there are exceptions and this is certainly one I am glad I tried.

Lee Pace [source]

Oh yeah,  it also has the very dishy Lee Pace, the 'Pie Maker' himself, in it which let's face it, certainly helps one maintain an interest!

So today I am going to focus my costume love, on to the outfits of the two main characters, that of Guinevere and Delysia, On to the glamour! 

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Miss Guinevere Pettigrew Played by Frances McDormand

Poor, sweet Miss Pettigrew, she starts off rather out of luck (and dinners) when she meets the shocking and glamorous Delysia, never fear things are set to change for the better. Sadly Miss P only has three outfit changes to Delysia's Six, and all in one day, the opulence!

Brown Mac & Dress

[Source / Source]

The first outfit we see Miss Pettigrew in is rather dull, so much so, it initially didn't cross my mind to screenshot it! Thankfully the good old Internet helped me out with a couple of good images and I have to say other than being a bit bland in colour there is quite a pretty dress lurking underneath that coat!

Blue Chiffon Dress

 This dress has Sunburst pleats, oh my!!!
Such a pretty, royal blue chiffon dress, long bishop sleeves, large cuffs with fabric covered buttons, The bodice is soft fitting with beneath bust pleats to add some shape, bodice and skirt are joined together with a diamond cummerbund style waist band, the skirt has fullness to the front which is created with sunburst pleats, dress is fastened at the back with buttons.

Blue Velvet Evening Gown

Beautiful deep blue silk velvet, bias cut floor length dress, high under bust waist line, with buttons which run down the bust. Front and back neck line run to a modest V shape edged with what looks like a soft pleated white taffeta long sleeves which taper at the wrist and are adorned with matching buttons.

Delysia Lafosse Played by Amy Adams

Delyisa is a ditsy, up-and-coming American entertainer living in 1930s London, who is torn between following her heart or following her career. The film may well be about Miss Pettigrew but Delysia's clothes steal the show. They are all soft, floaty, opulent and very, very dreamy!

Peach Silk Satin Dressing Gown

[source]

Silk satin dressing gown, with ostrich feather elbow cuffs & attached cummerbund style tie sash closure. How wonderful would it be to swan about in this dressing gown, I don't think I would ever want to get dressed!

'Wallis' Blue Dress, Stole & Hat

[Source] 

[source]

"Amy Adams wears a day dress of a colour called “Wallis Blue” named after the Duchess of Windsor. The short dress has a self bow at the neck and a sash with a tortoise shell buckle at the waist. The matching hat gives the whole (ensemble) some added oomph." [Source]

I just love this outfit, can you tell? 

A Wallis Blue, what looks like crepe, below knee dress with bias cut skirt, button through shirt waist blouse top with pussy bow collar, rouched bracelet sleeves, with shoulder pads and another cummerbund style belt topped off with a matching blue felt hat with tortoise shell red trim!

Ostrich Feather Coat

Sadly we don't get to see this coat in is full glory, as it is only in one scene. But its just too fabulous not to show you!

Pink Tea Dress with Fountain Diamanté Detailing

Just look at the detailing! It makes me want to buy a Bejeweler just so that I can recreate this dress! 

A simple rose pink calf length dress, with a panelled skirt, left side zipper and yet another cummerbund style waist cincher, which this time is incorporated in to the back of the dress and in a darker dusty pink. The bodice has gathers at the shoulder and a deep plunging V-neck, shoulder pads accentuate the sleeve heads which have been decorated with fountain jewelling which leads down to a long tapering close fitting sleeve.

Bath Bow & Dressing Gown

Another satin ensemble, A dusty pink hair bow, to protect your curls whilst bathing elegantly! And another dressing gown, this time in rose pink, with what looks like panels of quilted flowers on the lapels and sleeves. This actually really reminds me of Anne's dressing gown in Glorious 39.

Cream & Beige Pin Stripe Safari Suit

I love the way this safari style suit gives a nod to the intrepid adventures that Delysia life may hold. 

A felt 'pith helmet' styled hat, tops what looks like a beige cotton ticking shirt waist dress, perfectly matched stripes, covered with a cream bolero style long sleeve jacket, with matching lapels and Cuff link style button closure.

Gold Lame Floor Length Evening Gown

[Source] 

What can I say about this dress, its certainly a show stopper! 

Gold Lame floor length bias cut dress, with subtle diagonal gathers on the front and back at hip level, zipper at the back of bodice, which is where the calf length front sash is attached. The bodice is a very clever construction, the shoulder straps cross over at the front making it look like a halter neck but the straps actually run straight down the back and re-join at the lower back of the bodice.

and
because I promised you mud and vegetables, and it would be rude not to deliver...

Miss Pettigrew getting beautified! [Source]

Wendy x

Fabulous Film Fashions - Madonna's W.E.

I've another 'Fabulous Film Fashion' post for you lovely lot, this time, I've had an obsessive ogle at Madonnas latest film release W.E.

To be honest this is a film I never really thought I would end up watching. I'd never really been that interested in Wallis and I had heard such lukewarm reviews of it, that unconsciously I'd discounted it. But as I was standing in Tesco's trying to find a something nice for less than a tenner in their DVD section, I saw that this film was on sale for a reasonable £6 so after a little deliberation, I popped it in my basket and took a risk.

In 1998, lonely New Yorker Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) is obsessed with what she perceives as the ultimate love story: King Edward VIII's abdication of the British throne for the woman he loved, American divorcée Wallis Simpson. But Winthrop's research, including several visits to the Sotheby's auction of the Windsor Estate, reveals that the couple's life together was not as perfect as she thought. Weaving back and forth in time, the film intertwines Wally's journey of discovery in New York with the story of Wallis (Andrea Riseborough) and Edward (James D'Arcy), from the glamorous early days of their romance to the slow unraveling of their lives in the decades that followed. (source)

I am so glad I did, as after watching this film now for the second time I can honestly say I enjoyed it. I'm not going to lie, I would have loved the film to have been purely set in the past, especially as Andrea's portrayal of Wallis is captivating. But let's face it, that's been done many times before (here and here to name just a few) so this was a certainly a unique approach which kept it from being too predictable.

(source)

One negative for me was that at times I found Wally's sections of the film a little slow, I could totally relate to her obsession and fascination with the past as an escape from her real life, but she does do an awful lot of teary gazing at things without saying much and perhaps her story at times seems a bit too coincidentally similar to that of Wallis.

The film has been heavily criticised for its lack of historical accuracy, the line between fact and fiction may well have been blurred, but I don't think (for me at least) it is a problem. As with most films you are viewing one person's interpretation of the story, so this is just Madonna's (or Wally's) take on Wallis & Edward and not necessarily the definitive story. Having known only a little about this infamous woman before watching W.E. my desire to learn more about the 'real' Wallis has certainly increased, which can be no bad thing.

(source)

 Anyway, a film reviewer I am not. Obsessive costume watcher I certainly am and Madonna has certainly excelled herself in this department. Working alongside Arianne Phillips they have created sumptuous wardrobes for all of the characters, but my hat has to well and truly come off to them for their recreation of Wallis' Wardrobe. Which is stunning and must have cost a flipping fortune!

"Phillips forged relationships with Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels to replicate the cross bracelet and 10 other iconic pieces. For the gowns, undergarments, and dresses needed for the 60 costume changes in the film, Phillips scoured the Vionnet and Schiaparelli archives and then, with the cooperation of both houses, redesigned and (often re-imagined) Simpson’s clothing. “Some of the pieces that the duchess actually ordered I thought were hideous,” Phillips said. “Those wouldn’t work for the movie, so we modified and invented. Wallis wasn’t pretty; she was handsome, at best. In England, it was noted over and over how unattractive she was. But Wallis was a lot of fun—very entertaining.” [source]

I'll be honest I know very little about designers so I've just chosen some of my favorites, captured them as best I could with copious screenshots and a brief description of the outfits as I see them (I could be wrong). I've also added in a few quotes from Arianne where I could find them, so I hope you enjoy!

 Warning screenshot heavy post !!

(click all pictures to make bigger)

Brown Suit & Green Tea Dress

Screen Shots from W.E.

A brown suit Jacket with matching brown wool toque hat (it does make her look a bit like a Crayola, but a fabulous one!) Underneath is a green floral calf length tea dress with pleating towards a high neckline, rear fastening with self-covered buttons which run down the back of neck to waist, finished with a pair of brown suede shoes.

“Initially, when we see her when she’s sick, in the car, and she and Ernest Simpson, her husband, are going to Fort Belvedere for the weekend—it’s the first time they’re meeting Edward, [so] I tried to keep her clothes more naïve,” Phillips explains. “She always had impeccable style, but as her means changed and her milieu changed, her clothes changed as well.”  (Source)

Blue Velvet & Gold Lame Gown - Schiaparelli Inspired

Screen Shots from W.E. capture by me Additional images from Here

This is a dress little girls dreams are made of, well mine at least! Wallis is wearing a rich blue velvet gown with floor-length velvet skirt, gold lame bodice and with velvet under ruched/gathered (along inside seam) three-quarter length sleeves, trimmed with what looks like a lighter blue velvet chain brocade. Cinched in with a wide belt with a lighter blue embellishment, topped off with what looks like a fabric tiara headband.

“It’s actually a replication of a Schiaparelli gown,” Though the dress is not one that Wallis actually wore, to Phillips’s knowledge, “Wallis Simpson was a client of Elsa Schiaparelli and did wear a lot of her clothes in that particular period.”(Quote Source)

Blue & White Pinstripe  - Arianne Phillips 

Screen Shots from W.E. capture by me Additional images from Here

Floor length full paneled (bias cut) skirt, with each panel joining the bodice to form a V, button through bodice, interesting v-shaped yoke which is repeated on the back, mid length slightly puffed sleeves. This dress is a testament to the skills of the couturier, look at the way that all the stripes match up, just look at the bodice and sleeves!

" To host a luncheon, Wallis wears a crisp sundress. “Wallis wore a lot of graphic patterns. I wanted this dress to feel as formal as it could for an outfit in the South of France, so I loved the idea of the striped pale blue and white,” (source)

“I wanted a really striking day dress. This one was inspired by a lot of the photographs we had of her. It had this beautiful organza petticoat that just made it waft and float when she walked.”(source)

 Blue & White Peasant Blouse & White Skirt

Screen Shots from W.E. captured by me Additional image from here

This outfit is so simple yet so striking! Slightly cream cotton peasant blouse with pale and dark blue embroidered panels around the collar, cuffs and down front on either side of the button band. Teamed with a simple white linen skirt.

 Beige & Black Zigzag Suit With A Winged Vail Hat - Arianne Phillips

Screen Shots from W.E. captured by me. Additional images from here & here

B&W image from here / Colour image from here

This suit was designed by Arianne for the film it features a black and beige zigzag pattern a cowl neck mid-calf length dress, sits under a hip-length jacket . Accessorised with black crossover sued shoes and a fabulous winged hat which you can see the inspiration for here.

'Wallis' Blue Crepe Dress - Replica Manbouchier

This dress is only seen briefly in the film so I have had to rely on the web for images of the original. Wallis original wedding dress was designed by Mainboucher, made from blue silk crepe in what was to be her signature colour of 'Wallis Blue', which was said to have been chosen to match her eyes, she had matching blue gloves. Her her blue straw halo hat was designed by Caroline Reboux.

"Most famous was the pale, "Wallis"-blue Mainbocher dress, in which she wed the Duke of Windsor in 1937. The original has not lasted well: "We were lucky enough to see it, but, unfortunately, the colour has faded into a dingy blue-green." So the dress Riseborough wears is a replica hired from Cosprop, a London-based costumery." (Quote Source Telegraph)

Gold & Silver Lame Gown -  Madeleine Vionnet

 Screen Shots from W.E. capture by me Additional image from Here

"She is wearing a dress made by Vionnet, bracelets from Anna Hu, hair jewels from Stephen Jones, and Madonna’s personal necklace. He is wearing a navy tuxedo with tails—his signature.” (Quote Source)

Image on left from here / Image on right from here

A Floor length halter neck silver & gold lame bias cut gown split down the front of silver outer dress reveals gold under dress, held in place with a wide gold metal leaf (?) belt.

Cream Chiffon Leaf Beaded Gown  - Madeleine Vionnet

Screenshots of W.E by me Additional images from here & here

Cream Chiffon floor length gown, with godet inserts in the skirt below hips to add fullness, V-neckline with ribbon tie at back. The dress is covered in cascading heart shaped leaves made from hand sewn gold & silver beads/sequins waist is accentuated with a  matching silver beaded/sequined belt.

"The film W.E. gave Vionnet such a wonderful opportunity to showcase the exquisite craftsmanship and skill of the house," the label's ceo Matteo MarzottoVionnet for Wallis Simpson with precision and accuracy. Extensive research was carried out on fabrics and construction using original pieces from the archives at the Louvre." told Vogue. "We were thrilled to be considered for the project and it was so exciting to be part of such a lavish production that portrayed one of history's most intriguing women. The film, W.E., challenged us to utilise our extensive knowledge and craftsmanship to re-create the original pieces designed by Madeleine" (Quote Source)

White Blouse & Blue Skirt

Black & White Image from here Screenshots by me

White linen blouse with double peter pan style collar, short sleeves, fabric covered buttons and breast pockets, teamed with a blue calf length linen skirt which buttons down the front, and accessorised with a woven white & blue/black belt.

Dark Blue Satin Gown - Dior

Additional Images from here & here Screenshots by me

Very simple and chic! Silk satin in a deep blue, calf length full bias cut skirt short cuffed sleeves, round necked bodice. Worn with two strings of purls. (naturally!)

White Trousers & Blouse with Kimono Jacket

Screenshots from W.E. captured by me Additional images from here

“Wallis looks so glum because this is when she listens to Edward’s abdication on the radio while she’s lying low in the South of France. Everything is vintage—the handpainted kimono-style jacket, the linen trousers—though the black bracelet was custom made for us by Alexis Bittar. On her left hand is her engagement ring—a large square-cut emerald, re-created by Cartier.” (Quote Source)

Grey Wool Suit - Schiaparelli

Screenshots from W.E. captured by me Additional images from here

This suit is just so smart and couldn't be any more 50's in style! Grey wool Jacket with large collar, a natural peplum on a jacket, a mid-calf length skirt with rear slit and a matching hat.

 "Andrea Riseborough is wearing a Schiaparelli "minute" suit with Cariter Pearls and medals. One medal was given to Wallis (by Edward) when her beloved terrior Slipper died—Price Edward liked to give her "memento" jewelry—and the other a is carved Ganesh. Cartier re-created the medals and pearls for us. Once the film comes out, Cartier will destroy all the copies it re-created for the production, so the originals will not be devalued." (Quote Source)

Well If you have made it this far I salute you!

If you enjoyed this you might like:

• Vanity Fair interview with Arianne Phillips about her work on W.E.
• A Grazia Interview with Arianne Phillips & Short Making of Costumes in W.E.
• Interesting YouTube Short about W.E & book 'That Woman'
• W.E. Vogue Promo Pictures

Wendy x