Vampire-Chic

So here we are, with yet another American Horror Story post. This post comes after a high demand for more tips fashion tips from the latest season, Hotel. American Horror Story Hotel, brought fashion to new limits as pop icon Lady Gaga was thrown into the mix. Lady Gaga, as we all know is most known for her over-dramatic looks, and she certainly did not hold back in her first major on-screen role as The Countess. In fact, Gaga played a large part in the styling of her character. Gaga’s fashion represents her vampiric immortality, as she is always dressed with a timeless elegance. The Countess is what most of us would call goals. She is independent, strong willed, and is dressed impeccably for every occasion. From evening gloves and silk robes, to ball gowns and feathers, Gaga’s character was always dressed to the nines. As a vampire, it is only natural that her favorite color is that of what she thirsts for most, blood red. From long red coats, to extravagant red ball gowns,

The Countess shows us what it means to stand out in any occasion. Though many of us dream of being the woman whose elegance radiates throughout the room, we often fall short. Now, before you get all down and depressed about life, I have some good news for you. With a few tips from The Countess, you too can turn heads and become the elegant, fierce individual you have always dreamed of becoming.

As I have stated before, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. By taking from these styling tips below, you will surely become the most elegant-dressed woman in the room. Not to mention, the most fierce.

Look #1

One of the reasons why The Countess’ fashion always stood out was because she had a statement piece for just about every outfit.  To get this look for your next wedding or cocktail party, look no further. Although The Countess was dressed in Versace, you can find a similar look here! Simply add a pair of silver evening gloves and you will have achieved this look!

 

 

 

 

Look #2

There is no reason that you should feel the need to hold back on just a normal day. This look will making you truly understand what it means to slay. To get this look, you can find a similar black halter dress here and the coat here! The outfit can easily be turned into a dinner look with the simple removal of the coat, making it the perfect travel look!

 

 

 

 

Look #3

If you have been dying for the perfect evening look, its just this. The nude color is extremely in right now and the fitted style is perfect for shaping your figure. The exact look is from the Armani Privé Fall/Winter 2010-2011 collection. And finally, to finish off the look, the Kate Spade earnings can be found here!

And with that, you will be slaying just about every occasion. Whether daytime, evening, or special occasion, you will have the perfect elegant look for each one. These are just a few of the many looks seen by Lady Gaga from this season so please do not hesitate to contact me for more. Now go out there and turn some heads ladies!

The Material Girl

Not only has Madonna pushed the boundaries of the  music industry with her unique lyrical choices, but also has established a reputation in the fashion industry. Over the 30 years (and counting) as a performer, her fashion has evolved due along with her career. She has mainly been affiliated with reputable fashion designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier and Dolce & Gabbana. Since her career commenced, Madonna has had the ability to look like a different icon each year. Starting from the 80’s, Madonna took on a thrift shop
image that she sported in the beginning of her career. She was later seen a few years later in a jaw dropping bridal dress with her “Boy Toy” belt at the MTV Music Video Awards where she debut performed “Like A Virgin”. Her strict Catholic household also had an impression on both Madonna’s music and fashion image, and she has been seen wearing a Cross as an accessory for many of her outfits.

Some her most distinct looks were introduced at award shows, as well as featured in her iconic music videos. She replicated other superstars such as Marilyn Monroe for her “Material Girl” shoot, which included Madonna in a pink strapless gown wearing diamonds that was inspired by the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  She then took on an androgynous look inspired by Marlene Dietrich, where she wore a mens suit in her video “Express Yourself”. Lastly in 1990, she mimicked the famous 1939 Horst photo of a woman in a loosely laced corset. These looks began to represent Madonna, almost just as their inspirations.

Madonna in ‘Material girl’ video, January 1986. 3/07/01*scanned by photo-cd* copyright:pictorial press ltd dept:femail caption:

It was no secret that Madonna and Jean-Paul Gaultier had a close friendship, which was exemplified by his many designs fabricated for her in particular. He has been creating bespoke outfits for her for 30 years. He was also the mastermind behind Madonna’s iconic conical corset worn on  1990 Blonde Ambition Tour. The look is now exhibited in London. Madonna has not only been branded as The Queen of Pop, but also will always exist as an evolving fashion icon.

         

Fashion Is Forever: 007 Edition

What goes hand in hand with a handsome secret service agent who drives Aston Martins? You guessed it… Fashion. I think we can all agree that James Bond would not be the 007 that we know and love without his garments. Of course, he wouldn’t be 007 without his guns, gadgets and women too.
The James Bond series is rather meaningful to me. The movies were my father’s favorite when I was younger and he used to make me watch them hoping I would like them too. I have to admit, when I watched the movies with him I didn’t really know what was going. All I knew was that Bond was a “super cool guy” who went on “super cool adventures” with cars that went on water, cigarettes that became guns, and pens that became poisonous. What I never noticed was Bond’s fashionable attire. Today, though, especially after watching Spectre, the fashion in the Bond movies is something I cannot stop noticing. If any of you had the same realization as me, keep reading to discover what helps make Bond, James Bond.

Jany Temime was the costume designer for Spectre. If her name rings a bell that’s because she was also the costume designer for Skyfall, Harry Potter, and Gravity (just to name a few). So Temime has quite a bit of experience, which is why the costumes in Spectre were so brilliant.

The costumes in Spectre were mostly a collaboration between Temime and Tom Ford. Personally, I think that Tom Ford was a perfect match for a man like James Bond. Tom Ford’s garments always seem to be of an impeccable elegance, which fits 007’s character. Luckily for Temime, Ford was a very easy to collaborate with. Temime would simply design what she wanted, choose the fabric from Ford’s own collection, and then Ford would manufacture what Temime wanted. Ford truly respected Temime’s work and never attempted to impose his own thoughts or ideas.

Since the James Bond movies are action movies, there are numerous stunt doubles for Daniel Craig (who played Bond in Spectre). Evidently, that made matters more difficult for Temime and Ford because they had to make suits in different sizes depending on which stunt double would be used in which scene. Moreover, the suits had to be made differently for the stunt doubles than for Craig because of all of the movements the stunt doubles had to do. So for instance, if a stunt double had to run, Temime had to make the hem of the trousers longer and put fabric between the legs so that he could run faster. On the other hand, when Craig would take over, the trousers needed to be of a perfect size and there couldn’t be fabric between the legs. I know what you’re wondering now… If so many stunt doubles were used and each suit had to be made differently depending on the actor or stunt double wearing the garment, how many suits were made for one, single action scene? Well, sometimes there were up to 30 suits for one scene. For example, for the white tuxedo, there were 20 white tuxedos in five different sizes for Craig and all of the stunt men. And that’s just for one fight scene! Here’s the best part, though… The jacket (just the tuxedo jacket) cost $5,200. I mean, it is a beautiful, luxurious, silk-blend jacket with padded shoulders and faille peak lapels, lined in sleek satin, but still. That is pretty darn pricey.

Now here’s a little bit more about the actual outfits in the movie. All of Bond’s outfits are always elegant, classic and traditional. First let’s talk about the tuxedoes and suits (because Bond wears a lot of them). There is the classic white Windsor silk-blend tuxedo that I mentioned earlier. Bond wore this when he was in Morocco. When Bond was in London, he wore a gray pin-stripe suit, white shirt a gray necktie and a navy coat. In Mexico, Bond wore the O’Connor suit and in Rome he wore the Windsor three-piece suit. Of course, all of these clothing items are by Tom Ford. Those four garments put together cost about $18,000. Crazy, right?

Actor Daniel Craig performs during the shooting of the latest James Bond movie ‘Spectre’, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/ANgelo Carconi, Ansa)

There is of course all of the other garments that aren’t suits or tuxedos. While in the Alps, Bond wore a Tom Ford Bomber jacket, Danner Boots, Vuarnet aviator sunglasses, with trousers based on vintage military models. The trousers were specially made for the film. Bond also wears a double-breasted jacket in the film along with leather gloves. I find this jacket to be absolutely gorgeous. It is masculine, elegant, yet discrete at the same time. Another important clothing item is the blue cashmere sweater by N. Peal. Although it is a simple sweater, Bond wore this sweater in several scenes in Spectre as well as in Skyfall. So it’s a pretty meaningful garment.

So you’re not a secret agent but you want to look like one. Well, now you can. You can get the Tom Ford knitted sleeve bomber jacket for $2,302.60, the Tom Ford Henry Vintage Wayfarer Sunglasses for $405, the O’Connor Windowpane suit for $4,590 and the Danner boots for $350. Just click on the first row of images below. Of course, these items are rather pricey because they are the exact same outfits that Bond wore. If you want outfits that aren’t an exact match but that are pretty similar (which means they will be more affordable), click on the second row of images below. There is a Hawke & Co jacket for $39.60 that looks like the bomber jacket, Original Penguin sunglasses that look like the vintage Wayfarer sunglasses for $67.21, a Tallia Orange suit for $178.50 similar to the O’Connor suit, Hi-Tech boots that look like the Danner boots for $46.05 and a $29.99 coat that is similar to the double breasted coat.

https://thetake.com/product/98307/daniel-craig-tom-ford-knitted-sleeve-bomber-jacket-spectre

https://thetake.com/product/109434/daniel-craig-tom-ford-henry-vintage-wayfarer-sunglasses-spectre

https://thetake.com/product/85844/daniel-craig-tom-ford-oconnor-windowpane-suit-spectre

https://thetake.com/product/111627/daniel-craig-danner-mountain-light-ii-boot-spectre

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMNXDU2/ref=asc_df_B00CMNXDU23774802?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&linkCode=df0&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B00CMNXDU2&tag=wwwshopstylec-20&ascsubtag=1558506803

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICILZM4/ref=asc_df_B00ICILZM44064224?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&linkCode=df0&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B00ICILZM4&tag=wwwshopstylec-20&ascsubtag=1799260621

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/two-piece-windowpane-suit-0450-varg2sjx0618–1?site_refer=AFF001&mid=40480&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-Uo.tPkYYNv8RXEMxAf_oSA&site_refer=AFF001&mid=40480&siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-tqR3IlaF3s5Nc03POI1R8A

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RUH7ZY/ref=asc_df_B000RUH7ZY3982278?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&linkCode=df0&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000RUH7ZY&tag=wwwshopstylec-20&ascsubtag=1712402811

http://www.amazon.com/Benibos-Trench-Winter-Breasted-Overcoat/dp/B00WD3HLMW/ref=sr_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1437633978&sr=1-3&keywords=double+breasted+trench+coat+black

If you happen to be in Paris right now, there’s an exhibition that just opened a few days ago called “Inside The World of James Bond.” The exhibition is at Grand Halle de la Vilette until September 2016. On display there is more than 500 costumes, cars, sketches and gadgets from the Bond archive including some items from Spectre. For more information, click here. It’s a pretty cool exhibition, especially since most of the props and costumes have only been shown in Mexico.

Friend-ly Fashion

As well all very well know, 90s fashion has made an epic comeback in our current fashion trends. The hottest styles are coming back and we are all doing are very best to keep up with them. So what better way to keep up with the trend than stealing from our favorite 90s show,
Friends. Friends is responsible for influencing numerous 90s trends, so it is only fitting to look back on the greatest looks from the show and discover what’s worth bringing back and what’s not. Now, before you start panicking about having to go back and scan through every episode to find looks worth noting, don’t worry, I have done that for you. Friends influenced numerous trends such as boho-chic, preppy plaid, the slip dress, denim, and so much more. If you are a dedicated Friends fan, you will know that the show is so much more than a simple half hour of comedy. With six very different key characters, new fashion trends can be found for just about everyone on Friends. For me, my main focus was on Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, so naturally that is what I will be discussing. As someone who has binged watched Friends multiple times, I can confidently say that I have found my fashion inspiration in Rachel Green. After all, she was notably the most stylish of the bunch. Rachel, the denim lover, most certainly paved the way for girls of all ages wearing denim. Thanks to Rachel, the denim trend is not limited to just shirts. The denim trend can be seen in jackets, pants, overalls, and even dresses. Of course we also have Monica, the more elegant dresser of the three women. Monica,  as we know all to well, was most known for her crop tops and high wasted pants. And certainly there is Phoebe, the quirky dresser, who really paved the way for mismatched patterns. Although each truly portrayed a unique style, in my opinion, Rachel was the ultimate trend setter that inspired the women of our generation.

Below I have attached  three different Rachel-inspired looks

To get Rachel’s signature  denim look click here!

Topshop: $45

 

To get Rachel’s preppy plaid look, click here and here!

Brandy Melville: $58

Topshop: $38

 

To get Rachel’s casual sweater look, click here!

Topshop: $75

And there you go! Though these may just be some of Rachel’s signature looks, know that these are just a few of the many trends that were set by her throughout the show. If you have any other trends that you feel Rachel is responsible for, or any of the other characters, please comment them!

 

All Hail Queen B

Although she started as just a member of the R&B girl-group, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce has rose above as one of the most untouchable artists of our time. She is not only a performer but also actor, businesswoman, producer , dancer, mother and fashion icon. She puts the concept “triple-threat” to shame. Her modern-day feminist attitude has shaped her audience as well as her fashion choices, portraying  a strong, confident and beautiful role model.

Aside from her many accomplishments such as her 20 Grammy Awards, involvement with the ONE campaign, and numerous endorsements; Beyonce has also dabbled in the fashion industry. In 2005 she established House of Deron, a contemporary women line, along side her mother. These products were featured in affordable department stores such as Macy’s and Dillard’s to attract the everyday woman. She most recently partnered with Topshop in 2014 to launch an activewear line, Ivy Park, which was finally released this April. They have collaborated to design high performance technical styles with fashion-led casual wear. Watch the promotional VIDEO here!

Not only has Beyonce just launched this new collaboration, but also released her visual album Lemonade earlier this week. The Queen’s stylist, Marni Senofante, was in charge of the creations of outfits for the series of videos. Notable designers and brands are showcased, including a Yeezy two-piece paired with Hood by Air fur in “Don’t Hurt Yourself”. Senofante began working with Beyonce in 2007 and styled the monumental “On the Run Tour”. Other signature looks such as Beyonce in a Gucci yellow motif floral suit, as well as vintage Gaultier and McQueen additionally make an appearance. There is also a Victorian African presence displayed throughout the visual album, encompassing Beyonce’s roots and ancestry. Not only is the fashion in Lemonade iconic, but also allows Bey to tell her story beyond the lyrics.

Beyonce in Gucci Yellow Motif Floral Suit featured in Lemonade

Easy Two-Piece x Hood by Air fur in “Don’t Hurt Yourself”

 

The Fashion Element

Have any of you heard of The Fifth Element? If not… I suggest you look into it. Because it is honestly the most outlandish sci-fi movie I ever saw. That doesn’t mean that the movie is good or bad. It simply means that it’s a really, really goofy movie with cliches and interesting visuals. Personally, I think that goofy movies are sometimes fun to watch. Especially when it is visually intriguing. And the creators of The Fifth Element really went far to ensure that there were incredible special effects, scenery, and costumes. And what better designer than Jean Paul Gaultier to create ostentatious garments that could help with the visuals?

Gaultier put a lot of effort and time into the garments for the film. He did over one thousand costumes! Keep in mind that one thousand costumes is roughly ten collections… And think about the process it takes to simply create one costume. For one costume, Gaultier had to do numerous sketches until he perfected the garment’s look, then decide what fabric the garment should be in, and finally actually create the costume. I cannot even begin to imagine doing that process for over one thousand garments. Of course, a lot of Jean Paul Gaultier’s work in the film was inspired by his actual haute couture collections. So although Gaultier created over a thousand garments, he did not necessarily come up with all of them on the spot. For instance, many garments in The Fifth Element are a direct reference to Gaultier’s 1985 collection “And God Created Man.” Additionally, the most iconic costume from the film, the white bandage-style bodysuit, was inspired from his underwear collection. This iconic garment was worn by the character Leeloo. And guess what… After the film, Gaultier released another version of the garment, and Rihanna wore it at the American Music Awards in 2009! I have to say, though, that the most “Jean Paul Gaultier” look in the film was probably the outfits that the secondary characters wore. At one point in the movie, staff in a spaceship were dressed as futuristic-looking sailors… These outfits directly referenced Gaultier’s trademark.

Gaultier’s role was not simply to create costumes that would go along with the storyline. The garments that he created were also meant to help develop the characters, demonstrate their absurd characteristics, and portray the futuristic time period that the film was set in. So the costumes that Gaultier created set the mood of the film by focusing on the clothes, the characters and the setting as a whole. What is important to realize about the costumes in The Fifth Element is that Gaultier’s ostentatious garments were not simply remembered as weird, showy clothes. On the contrary, they inspired and impacted future movies. For instance, the warrior-chic that we see in The Hunger Games became possible thanks to Gaultier’s costumes in The Fifth Element. So without Gaultier’s designs, perhaps Cinna would have never been able to create the Mockingjay Uniform or the Girl on Fire outfit.

Sketches by Jean Paul Gaultier

Mockingjay Uniform: Google Images

Girl on Fire Costume: Google Images

So that’s a little bit about The Fifth Element and Jean Paul Gaultier’s role in creating the garments. I know what you’re thinking “this is great info, but if the outfits were so ostentatious does that mean that I can’t dress like any of the characters today?” Well, the answer is no! You actually can dress like some of the characters, especially Leeloo. Alright, so maybe you cannot wear the bandage-suit. But you can wear another one of her famous garments: the white crop top with bright orange suspenders, gold leggings and combat boots. This look sounds pretty normal (minus the orange suspenders), doesn’t it? Well, that’s because crop tops, combat boots, and colorful leggings are back in today. And where did this look originate from? You guessed it… The Fifth Element. So yes, you can dress like the characters from The Fifth Element and maybe you already were without even realizing it.

If you want to perfectly recreate Leeloo’s look, all you’ll need is the items below: a $14 crop top from Topshop, $10 gold leggings from Amazon, $95 suspenders from Etsy, $70 combat boots from Hot Topic, and a trip to the hairdresser to dye your hair orange. All of these items are pretty affordable, so that’s definitely a plus. If you don’t want to go all out, don’t worry. Dying your hair orange is definitely not necessary.

http://eu.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?langId=-1&storeId=13058&catalogId=34058&beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=false&pageSize=20&searchTermScope=3&searchTermOperator=LIKE&searchType=ALL&sort_field=Relevance&searchTerm=09M10HWHT&x=25&y=11&geoip=search

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Clubwear-Metallic-Stretch-Leggings/dp/B00CEK9LOK/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1435226499&sr=1-2&keywords=gold+leggings

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/167698647/leeloo-dallas-suspenders?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=leeloo&ref=sr_gallery_5

http://www.hottopic.com/product/demonia-disorder-black-combat-boots/738253.html

 

References: stills from the film “The Fifth Element” and google images. 

Thrones & Fashion

I would be lying if I said I did not spend the last month binge watching Game of Thrones. I just couldn’t help myself as I was becoming more and more captivated with the characters each episode (cough cough… The Dragon Queen). The show would be nothing without its fashion to truly define its characters. And although the show is not about fashion, it is surely driven by it. The show may be known for its epic plot twists, but for those like me who are fashion obsessed, we also take note of its epic style. As the drama goes down on each episode, we are equally as excited to see what our favorite characters are going to come out wearing next. From hooded capes to the most miraculous gowns and jewelry, its no wonder we are so intrigued by the show’s fashion: it’s unlike anything else on television. Part of the reason that Game of Thrones is slaying the fashion game is that it is has fierce high fashion style. High fashion trends such as monochrome, sharp accessories, and low plunging necklines have been widely adopted by the show; only enhancing its impeccable fashion.

Designers have been just as intrigued by the show’s costumes as the rest of us. Most notably, Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are the latest to be influenced by the Game of Thrones Fashion. Although the Valentino Fall 2015 couture show in Rome was technically inspired by ancient Rome, it is blatantly obvious that it was inspired by Game of Thrones. I know that I personally am not falling for it because let’s face it, the resemblance is uncanny.

Other designers have also been heavily influenced by Game of Thrones in their recent collections such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti, and Rick Owens.

Alberta Ferretti

Dolce & Gabbana

Rick Owens

The reason for this influence is most likely due to the fact that we are all trying to figure out just how to mix the GoT style with modern looks. Although we all want to flaunt the best looks from the Seven Kingdoms, its just not possible. What we can do though, is take the dresses straight from the designers and implement your own twist on the GoT fashion.

For Example: Capelet Dress by Tom Ford

   

So whether you are ready to spend thousands on a designer dress to look like your favorite Game of Thrones character or not, at least we can all just sit back and immerse ourselves into the show by simply watching and analyzing our favorite looks. I would absolutely love to hear about your favorite GoT looks so please do not hesitate to comment below!

Jumpman is Up to Something

Our favorite Canadian artist, other than Justin Bieber of course, is not only other than Drizzy Drake. Born as Aubrey Graham in Toronto, Drake has entered the spotlight in Degrassi as Jimmy in 2001. Although acting gained him some fame, he was later discovered as a hot and upcoming rapper and later signed to Lil Wayne’s label “Young Money Entertainment” eight short years later. It’s safe to say, he started from the bottom & now he’s here. At first Drake might of not always been acknowledged as the most fashionable rapper, but as he rose to fame he was branded an icon.

Over Champagne Papi’s stardom, he has been able to successfully not only market himself as an artist, but also his Octobers Very Own Label.  OVO Sound was started in 2012 by Drake, Noah “40” Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib. Together they have signed new and notable artists on the rise including my personal favorite, Majid Jordan, as well as PartyNextDoor and OB O’Brien. Drake has been seen sporting his OVO merchandise since 2011. Mainly distributing sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweats and hats with the signature OVO Owl and “6” emblems. There have been many OVO merchandise collaborations including with  the Toronto Raptors as well as with Canada Goose and Air Jordans. The OVO x Canada Goose Chilliwack Parka is worn by OVO crew and have increased the brand’s sales due to the endorsement. Their flagship store is located in Toronto, with occasional pop-up shops across North America.

While the 6 God has triumphed selling his brand, he has also been the face of other endorsements and signature looks. Over the years and through his greatest hits including HYFR, Worst Behavior, and Practice to his more recent hits including Summer Sixteen and One Dance; Drake has unintentionally produced a variety of trends. Some include his football glove look, pinky rings, his signature haircut as well as Tuscan Leather cologne by Tom Ford. Drake’s iconic  Hotline Bling looks have also been especially noted and monitored since the release of his music video. If You’re Reading This It’s NOT Too Late!! You too can get these unforgettable Drizzy looks, by looking below.

 

1. Moncler Puffer Jacket, $1,500,farfetch.com.

2. Jordan 23/7 T-Shirt, $25, champssports.com.

3. Nike ACG Manoa Boots, $90, footlocker.com.

4. Robert Geller jeans, $295, rsvpgallery.com.

 

 

 

1. OVO Original Owl Hooded Sweatshirt, $152, octobersveryown.com.

2. Owl Tracksuit Pants, $128, octobersveryown.com.

3. Nike Air Max 90 Premium, $120, nike.com.

 

 

 

1. Acne Studios turtleneck, $400, lanecrawford.com.

2. Alexander McQueen Sweatpants, $250, rsvpgallery.com.

3. Timberland Boots, $190, timberland.com.

(http://www.elle.com/fashion/celebrity-style/news/a31317/drake-hotline-bling-looks/)

Fashion Coming Straight Outta Compton

I have watched Straight Outta Compton four times, and it was released less than a year ago. Okay… I know what you’re thinking: “does this girl not have anything better to do than watch movies all the time?!” Well, what can I say. I love movies. But I promise, I don’t always watch movies. Just 4 times a week! Is that bad?

Anyway, back to the most interesting film about the rise and fall of N.W.A, the hip hop group that dominated the charts in California in the 90s.

When you think of movies that have influenced the fashion world your mind probably doesn’t go to Straight Outta Compton. I mean, at first glance it seems like all the characters are dressed in the same 80s and 90s hip hop style that we now know to be corny. But that is not at all the case. Let’s analyze Eazy-E’s outfits from back in the day. Eazy most often wore very baggy jeans (baggier than the other members of N.W.A) and the Charlie Brown polos. According to Kelli Jones, the costume designer for the film, Eazy-E would dress more costume-like than the other members of the group. He had a very different flair than the others, and because this film is a biographical drama, Jones had to make sure that she nailed Eazy’s look (especially since he is deceased and could not give his own input).

Contrarily to Eazy, Dre was more into sweatshirts. This is very evident when you watch the movie. To be honest, I was really into his crewneck sweaters. His sweaters were the perfect “I’m wearing my boyfriends sweater but I know it looks cute on me” type. Luckily for Jones, Dre was able to give his own input, old photographs, and research to help her create costumes for his character on screen.

So you probably think creating and finding the costumes for Straight Outta Compton was easy. All you had to do was look at a few pictures of N.W.A from the 80s and 90s, and then find clothing that matched their style (which sounds easy enough, since hip hop clothes aren’t that hard to find in California). Well, think again, my friends. Because Jones had to go through a lot to ensure that the characters in the film looked like the real members from the group. Because this movie was somewhat of a biography of Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Dre, and because Universal was determined to make the fashion in the movie as perfect as it could be, Jones actually had to do a Powerpoint for Universal Studio. A Powerpoint that showed the group members actual photos from the 90s next to her fitting photos. And these images had to match up.

So Jones couldn’t simply walk into any store that sells hip hop clothes. She had to get things embroidered, create pieces, and find vintage shops that had the exact polos and the exact button downs that the group members wore in the 90s! Jones even had to get the shoelace right. Lucky for Jones, Nike and Adidas really helped her out in terms of shoes and gear. In fact, Nike gave her roughly $20,000 worth of items from the archives.

Alright, so that’s some of the fashion from Straight Outta Compton. In my opinion, the purpose of fashion in this film was to help demonstrate how distinct these musicians were from the general norm. Back then, rap and hip hop were not as popular as they are today. So N.W.A had to differentiate themselves from the norm and show what they were about. And fashion was a way for them to do that. Fashion was a way for them to show how badass they were.

As hip hop and rap became more popular, so did their look. The hip-hop style became rather mainstream in the 90s, and we can still even see some people wearing that look today. So Eazy, Ice Cube and Dre became trendsetters back then, and their trend never fully faded. Of course, you don’t see this look everywhere. But you do see it. Lately I’ve even been seeing girls wear some hip-hop style snapbacks. Just look at Khloe Kardashian wearing a Compton Snapback only 1 week after Straight Outta Compton was released. Coincidence? I think not. Have you guys noticed anything like that?

Below you can find some of the items that were worn by the characters in the film and by the actual members of N.W.A (including the snapback worn by Khloe). If you want to see more clothing items from the movie, click here!

https://thetake.com/product/90901/oshea-jackson-jr-underground-kulture-nwa-snapback-baseball-cap-straight-outta-compton

https://thetake.com/product/90901/oshea-jackson-jr-underground-kulture-nwa-snapback-baseball-cap-straight-outta-compton

https://thetake.com/product/90437/jason-mitchell-af-compton-flat-bill-snapback-black-adjustable-baseball-cap-straight-outta-compton

https://thetake.com/product/90523/corey-hawkins-mlb-los-angeles-dodgers-authentic-home-jersey-straight-outta-compton

References: Universal Pictures Images

It’s Always Better To Be Overdressed Than Underdressed

Empire is upping the fashion game one episode at a time. Since the shows initial airing in 2015, the characters of Empire gave been revolutionizing the fashion game. And by that I mean our favorite outspoken ex-wife and fashionista, Cookie Lyon. I will be honest here for a second and say that the only reason I continue to watch the show is for Cookie, in anticipation for what she’ll wear next. Cookie’s style is a mix between street-savvy and the runway. She has been seen in countless designers such as Balmain, Gucci, and Fendi. Her style is absolutely bold, bolder in fact than any other woman on television at the moment. There is no fur coat too extravagant for Cookie and that really says something about her fashion as a whole. You know the quote that we have all heard one too many times that goes something like “it’s better to be overdressed than under dressed”? Well Cookie embodies everything that overstated quote stands for. She sees know occasion too low key for going all out in her fashion and that is something I know we can all admire. Let’s face it, we all want to be that woman. The one who stands out in a crowd for being more bold and extravagant than the rest.

As many of you avid followers know, I am not one to just settle with watching that woman on television; I do everything in my power to become that woman. With that said, I have carefully provided you all with some advice on where Cookie is getting her looks from and how to shop the look.

 

Fox.com

To shop this look, click the various links below!

Vintage Monkey Fur: $1495 – You can also shop the look for less here! for just $10

Altuzarra Blazer: $345

Similar Christian Louboutin Purse: $1,650

Stuart Weitzman Pumps: $385

Similar Giambattista Valli Pant: $2,395 – You can also shop the look for less here! for just $15

Jenna Fisher Ring: $285

Vauje Necklace: $85

 

To shop this look, click the various links below!

Herve Leger Beaded Jacket – You can also shop the look for less here! for just $20

Vince Camuto Leather Leggings: $69

Over-the-knee Guess Boots: $83

Black Chandelier Earrings: $24

 

Dressing like Cookie can be costly, but the feeling of looking better than anyone else is the room is priceless. I personally believe that when I look good, I feel good. And I hope that by taking some of these tips, you too can dress to impress and feel good. If you have any ideas on how to capture Cookie Lyon’s style feel free to comment below!