Fashion and Film: Betsey Johnson versus Streets of Fire

While I was home in Montana last week I spent a day on the couch catching up on movies I had never seen or heard of that my dad loves. Now, what you have to understand about my family is that my parents are young, and therefore, their tastes are not your typical familial tastes. My parents live for the late seventies (hard rock, not disco), and the 80s (and all the gloriously large hair that goes with it, though they haven't went so far as to implement this into their lives, thank god).

Anyway, so my parents have always loved Walter Hill's film, Streets of Fire. When I was younger, I could not have cared less, but now, appreciating Diane Lane for the fine actress she is, I have started to go back and watch her films, so lucky for me, Streets of Fire was on the DVR. Lane's character, Ellen Aim is this hard-rockin' sexpot songstress who gets herself into a bit of trouble. Throughout most of the film she is running around in this black leather and red spandex get-up that is completely unexplainable. And nearly impossible to find a picture of.

Well, I think my beloved Betsey Johnson watched Streets of Fire while designing her fall collection, because this is rather reminiscent of Ms. Ellen Aim:



Or maybe BJ went through a Diane Lane phase, and stole this idea from Ladies and Gentleman, The Fabulous Stains, another Diane Lane film from the 80s. Ahhhh, the 80s, we should have never let you go.

Fashion Week: Betsey Johnson

Oh Betsey Johnson, how I love thee. Recently I was watching a re-run of the Clueless TV show from the early 90's in which Betsey Johnson guest appeared on. It made me love her even more. Last season, I didn't love Betsey Johnson as much as I could have, and that made me a sad panda. And then, BAM!



Betsey designs this. I can't even use words to describe it's joy. I know that in all reality I should be completely joking about this. I should find something to hate about the feathers, crinoline, and *gulp* leopard print tights. But I can't. I'm a fashion victim, make something whimsical, over-the-top, German expressionist, or Tim Burtonesque and I'm sold. I'm such a sucker. Well played, BJ.

Fashion Week: Elie Tahari

Anyone who knows me well, knows that not only is my style highly influenced by music, but is largely influenced by literature. In January, I tackled The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. As I tore through the pages of Rand's philosophy of objectivism, all I could think was "I want to be Dominique Francon." Luckily, I had a close friend who had also read the book, and could relate to my need to be a powerful, savvy, smart, manipulative, sexy, and fierce women in the early 20th century.

So what does this have to do with Elie Tahari? Tahari is one of my to-die-for brands, and I usually wish I could afford every piece. The strange thing, is that Tahari is so beautiful and mature and professional, very unlike my personal style. However, I still find myself coveting every piece in the collection, and Fall 09 is no different. Tahari's pieces somehow bridge eras, generations, and manage to blend architecture, floral, and clean lines. I must have them all. I swear, if Dominique Francon were a character today, she would live in all of Tahari's clothes. In fact, I think this is everything I envisioned her in as I was reading the book. I'm in lust. Sigh.

Fashion Week

I am currently living in New York City for my first fashion week. Although the fall shows are not as important as the Spring shows, everywhere I go, fashion week seems to be on everyone's mind. So, with my usual love of style.com's daily updates, I'll be posting a few opinions of the current shows over the next week. Enjoy!

Hipster Must-Read: Female Chauvinist Pigs

A male friend of mine had a copy of the book Female Chauvinist Pigs by Ariel Levy in his room recently. Me being me, I picked it up and started to read and next thing I know, I was swiping this book from his place with promises to return it the next week. Less the two days later, I'm bypassing the returning of this book with hopes to share it with everyone I know, male and female.

Now, I am not a hard-core feminist. But every once and a while, a good, strong feminist piece of literature speaks to me. Levy's book focuses on the rise of raunch culture, meaning Playboy, Girls Gone Wild, and the like. She believes that due to the increase participation of women in these raunch culture arenas, we as women are no longer allowing just men to objectify us, but we are no objectifying each other and ourselves.

Well, I'm not going to go in detail about the entire book, it's far too short and a quick read for me to do that. But I am suggesting you read it. Now. Go.

It may not change your life, but it will definitely cause a greater sense of awareness at all the young, female stupidity around you. It's worth a shot, right?

Where to Eat: KIF

A couple weeks ago, I met a guy. Nothing particularly special, just a guy I met at work, and he asked me one of the best questions I've ever been asked: Good Sex or Good Food? Well, most people will initially react with the answer, good sex. However, I found myself pondering this question for a few minutes before answering, a good meal beats good sex any day of the week.

Shortly thereafter, I headed down to Fort Greene to have dinner with my best friend, Paige. She suggested we try a restaurant in her neighborhood that she had yet to try called Kif. Kif doesn't look too fancy, moderately priced, and dimly lit. It was also Moroccan food, which due to my sheltered small-town Western life, I had yet to try.

I decided on Tagine, a traditional Moroccan stew made with meat, veggies, and a side of couscous. I went with lamb, seeing as I never buy lamb myself, and had decided to spoil myself on this given night. The meat was tender, falling off the bone everytime I tried to take a bite. The veggies were hot and juicy and moist, and the couscous collected all the extra sauce at the end of my meal. Top it off with a Casa (the only Moroccan beer they had on the menu), and I was in heaven.

I don't know what it is. The fact that my taste buds have been completely satiated, the pleasant company of my best friend, or the cozy atmosphere, but I have not been able to stop thinking about that meal at Kif. It has only inspired me to try more exotic cuisines and be more brave with my restaurant choices, it's also made me make an entire batch of couscous to have in my fridge at my disposal.

Hipster Must-See: The Wackness

I have a tendency to joyfully watch horrible movies. If it has zombies, violence, young girls being bitchy, etc., I usually enjoy rather thoroughly. I find myself needing to be in a certain mood in order to sit through a serious movie. Last night, I happened to put myself in that mood and Netflix had sent me The Wackness, so I geared up to be depressed. Boy was I pleasantly surprised.

Set in New York City in 1994, The Wackness has a great plot, great acting, and a great soundtrack. Josh Peck, best known for his role in Nickolodeon's Drake and Josh pleasantly surprised me with his serious acting ability. Starring opposite Ben Kingsley, Famke Jansen, and Mary-Kate Olsen, Peck delivered a thoroughly impressive performance as a young, in-love, and genetically fucked up drug-dealer. It is safe to say that I now have a crush on him. His love interest, Olivia Thirlby, who is somewhat recognizable for her various other roles, did an amazing job as well. Rounding out the younger cast was Mary-Kate Olsen, who I seem to remember doing press across the country for this film. While she was great for the fifteen minutes she was in the film, I seemed to feel as though with all the hype of her being in the film, she really should have had a larger role, or just less publicity. Okay, I love Mary-Kate Olsen, so I really don't care either way, but it makes me hate society a little bit more.

Growing up in the late 1990s, I was too young to really take full advantage of everything a movie in 1994 could bring. I feel as though if I would've been in high-school at that time I could have appreciated the movie so much more then I did. Either way, I really enjoyed the film and would highly recommend it to any of my friends. I feel as though it is easily a film that can transcend various generations, being able to reach out to everyone.