Movie Review Monday: Netflix's The Crown

Netflix has started making some seriously great television in the last two years but by far one of the best shows to come from them is The Crown. A chronicle of the young Queen Elizabeth II, played by Claire Foy, this series brings us tons of  40's and 50's clothing. I will say I was quite pleasantly surprised by both John Lithgow's performance as Winston Churchill and by Matt Smith (of Dr. Who fame) as Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh. I am immensely curious about the amount of "drama" added to the stories, and the amount of control Buckingham Palace has over the content of their current tenants.

Heading into its second season in a matter of months I can tell you that US President JFK will be played by Michael C. Hall (Dexter). 

Onto some stills!

Claire Foy on the left with the real Elizabeth II on the right. 

Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret. The sometimes flamboyant and outgoing younger sister of the Queen, I can not wait to see her more swinging styles from the 60's.

Matt Smith smiling for the camera on the left, the real Prince Phillip on the right.

The real big eye catcher in this season was the coronation gown that had to be recreated.

"Although we did not create the coronation dress itself—it had been recently made for an exhibition (by Swarofski) and we were delighted when it actually fitted Claire Foy—we did create all the other many garments worn by Elizabeth and everyone else throughout the coronation."  said Clapton.

A rather stiff looking promotional picture that foreshadows the couples marriage.

The costume designer is quoted as saying,  "It took approximately six to eight weeks for us to re-create the dress, with a team of six embroiderers working on the train throughout this time. Another team worked on the dress skirts, and my key embroiderer worked on the neckline. We had a cutter and two makers, and it required a number of fittings...It’s sometimes strange as a designer when you have to replicate a dress. You must sometimes make choices that you would not necessarily make yourself when it comes to cut."  Michele Clapton

Famously, Elizabeth had to save up ration coupons to pay for her wedding dress. Brides all across the UK sent her coupons which she was forced to return.

Princess Margaret and Group Capt. Peter Townsend. both in tweed, which is par the the course, they are often shown riding off into the country to meet up.

John Lithgow as the indomitable Winston Churchill. 

Another promotional shot.

The second season of Netflix's The Crown is set to premier in December, 2017. You can check out the teaser trailer for it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k15O_eBfUuk

Mad Men Countdown: Betty Draper/Francis

Alright my vintage lovers: So i have begun my sometimes more than annual rewatch of Mad Men. Whatever shall I do when Netflix decides to get rid of it? I have seen the series in its entirety around 11 times now (I know, I have a problem!)

I thought I might start a small series of countdowns for the top looks of certain characters. Up first is the complicated if not fussy (and sometimes down right cold) Betty Draper/Francis. Her look, to us, comes off as elegant and chic though in the series she has had some series fashion faux pas. Onto the countdown:

Country Club Chic:

Betty working her "Main Line" look at a country club. This is the height of preppy fashion and will remain so well in the 1990's. Love the little beaded racket and ball detail on her shoulder.

 Derby Day with the Sterlings:

Maternity wear in the 1960's was geared to infantilize women, so details like ribbons and bows were common. Again she is in white, but this has a more "bridal" feel to it. Love the shear sleeves (you know those itched like crazy)

 Polka-Dot Wonder:

Betty hosts an 'around the world' themed dinner for Don and his coworkers. Betty of course puts on this fabulous cupcake style dress, which though a little more modernized because of the spaghetti straps and graphic print. She then proceeds to wear it for the next 24 hours as she hunts for clues about Don's cheating.

Seen Here.

 Italian Bombshell:

Betty wows on their trip to Italy in this stunning and super mod look. She makes her appointment in the salon in fluent Italian and her husband proceeds to pretend to pick her up for the night. Love LOVE those large dangle earrings and the graphic two toned eye shadow which will dominate the mid to late sixties.

 Water Tower Meeting:

Betty wears this "dressed up housewife" look to meet Henry Francis to discuss his helping save a community from building a huge water tower. Everything about this look is perfect.

 Mrs. Robinson:

After deciding to go back to school Betty takes a nasty spill. Some boys manage to get her to the hospital where they tell the nurse her name is "Mrs. Robinson"(like from The Graduate). This is exactly how a mature, political wife is supposed to dress. She is still a beautiful woman but dressing respectably is a must.

Betty goes through a hard time of weight gain (which she is unhappy about) but eventually gets back into her amazing wardrobe. This is pure 60's awesomeness...from the beading, to the chiffon, to that hair. Betty was back.

Lastly, a more casual look. She is a wife and mom on the go, headed to see Bobby at summer camp. When she gets lost a handsome stranger (read her ex husband Don) comes to her rescue. I left this one in here because it is perfectly spot on for the period. She also has a bit of padding in this costume to make her hips and bust just a little fuller. This outfit is also notable because she and Don hook up at this first day of camp.

There you have it my friends. I couldn't include all of her looks, just ones that were truly iconic and important in the series. Who should I do next?

XOXOXOXO

500 VIEWS!!!!

OMG! This blog has finally gotten to 500 views (which for me is pretty exciting)!!! Thank you so very much to anyone and everyone out there; keep being fabulous!

Here's to 500 more and beyond!

Elvis Presley "The King"

He wasn't called "The King of Rock and Roll" for nothing. Elvis Aaron Presley was born Jan. 8th 1935 and died Aug. 16th 1977. His death date happens to be my birthday date (not the year, obviously)

People, regardless if they realize it or not, always tell me the same thing : "Happy birthday! oh, did you know this is also the anniversary of Elvis' death?" To which I laugh and say : "Yeah, I actually did" I never add that they were the 8th person to tell me that...

Either way, love him or hate him Elvis change the social and music scenes in America for good.

You can read more about his life and career here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley

Looks like it is that time of year! 

In the next few months this is what I have going on:

August 20th- Charlotte ComicCon as Valkyrie

Making a short appearance on the Con floor as Marvel's #Valkyrie!

August 24th- Look To The Sky Premier as Hawkgirl

Cosplay event benefiting #PsychologyForAll and the #LookToTheSky Premier, come out and see us!

September 1-5th- DragonCon 2017 

Find this Vintage Glamour Gal at the #PinupsByThePool night, come out and see my in my Star Trek "Trekini" suit!

Man Crush Monday!

Hi there all!

So, yeah....first I have to say that I have been a VERY busy lady these past few months. Real life and all her wonderful, horrible, amazing, terrible complications have kept me from blogging much of late. That doesn't mean that this vintage glamour gal has given up on making this blog spectacular!

So with that being said hold onto your hats Ladies and Gentlemen (and all those in between) because today is our first ever #ManCrushMonday! I pondered long and hard about who I should pick for the ever installment and damn if I wasn't stumped....pausing for a Netflix break I was reminded that it was time for my annual re-watch of Mad Men.....then it hit me.

Jon Hamm...the man who brought us one of TV's greatest anti-heroes of all time Donald Draper. His small screen career is something that most actors only dream of; a popular, drama driven prime time tv show that not only ran for an impressive seven seasons but also spoke of nuance and style.

What can I say about Don Draper that hasn't already been said? I mean he is THE anti-hero. He is a genius, a horrible womanizer, a user, draft dodger, liar, cheater, innovative, stylish, handsome, complex human being who somehow does things all wrong and yet we love to root for him. When he succeeds and he will, we all cheer. When he falls and falls hard, he gets back up and we love him for it. No matter what you think of his constant need to claw his way to the top, Don Draper is man that you want to be friends with. I mean when it really comes down to it he is the American Dream, the self made man.

Since he is the self made man, and they say clothes make the man let's talk about the clothing of Don Draper. Clearly he is a man who knows what works for him. His suits are always impecibly tailored and fitted. He starts out, early in the series (which takes place in 1960), in charcoal grey suits, hats, solid ties...it is all straight out of a film noir series. His suits in the beginning are more "suited" to the mid and late 50's which is perfectly fine. I mean men's fashion wasn't as ever changing and dynamic as women's clothing tends to be. He is established, solid like his grey suit....where as by comparison a younger up and coming character like Peter Cambell starts out in that very blue late 50's style suit that immediately sets the tone for their interactions.

One of my favorite quotes from Tom & Lorenzo's blog is that " Don and Betty Draper don't just look like people of the period, they look like the movie stars of the period." 

Don with Rachel Menken, a client and department store owner. Done in his classic look.

Doesn't this strike you as an ad?

If like me you are bit obsessed with Mad Men and the clothing in it you can read a seriously awesome in depth blog called Mad Style by Tom & Lorenzo. If you want to go read it, and I HIGHLY suggest that you do, go here: http://tomandlorenzo.com/tag/mad-style/page/3/

Don and Betty at the Country Club doing their best "Barbie and Ken"

Playing hookie from the office and getting to see a movie.

Promotional shot of Don and Betty in some formal wear fun.