Style Icon: Debbie Harry

I have been a long time lover of Debbie Harry.  It started when they used to advertise those Greatest Hits of (insert genre of music or time period here) on television to me when I was in junior high.  I was first introduced to the song "Heart of Glass," here, and my long time love affair with Blondie began then.  Later, it caused me to have my hair short and blond, and in college, my workout playlist was full of Blondie. 

But what I really love about Blondie is Debbie Harry's no-nonsense style.  Whether in just a t-shirt, or in a fabulously glam dress, Debbie Harry always looks amazing.  She utilizes geometric patterns and bright colors in a way I only wish I could, and I've always wanted her short, messy, platinum blond bob (but let's be honest, it would not look good with my skin tone).  And her smokey eye and glossy red lip combo is a long-time standard of rock and roll, and one I've never been quite able to perfect the way that she does  Even now, after this many years, she still looks amazing, and she still can rock. 

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Hipster Must-See: A Must-Watch List of Ridiculous Movies

I once dated this lovely boy.  He was nice, fun, had a great job, and then, one night, we were at the bar and Tommy was on.  And he had no idea what it was, not just that he had never seen it, he didn't know that it existed.  Well, I let that one slide, but when I later found out that he had never seen The Labyrinth, I decided that it was unacceptable, and we broke up.*

So in honour of that, I've decided to list my "Top 10 Must-Watch" list of movies.  Most of these are absolutely ridiculous, but they are fun, memorable, and I quote them all the time.



10..Tommy- I love this rock-opera.  I've blogged about it before.  I'm obsessed with Ann-Margaret, Roger Daltrey's hair, and, of course, the soundtrack.

9.  Purple Rain.  Prince has his own movie, I love Prince, therefore, his movie must make the list.

8.  The Legend of Billie Jean.  My parents kept trying to convince me to watch this movie, but being their child, I kept resisting.  When I finally watched it I understood the awesomeness, and bonus points, it also stars a young Christian Slater.

7.  The Labyrinth.  This is another one of my favourite movies held over from childhood.  Jim Henson is so over the top and ridiculous, and besides, Bowie is just so sexy in it.

6..Rocky Horror Picture Show. I went through a period of time in high-school where me and my girl friends watched this movie on repeat.  I've seen it in theaters, danced on stage to the time warp, and will only ever see Tim Curry as Dr. Frankenfurter (aside from his role in Fern Gully, but that's another story).

5. Willow.  Another one of my favourite topics.  It's fantasy, horrible CGI, and Val Kilmer.  How could it not make the list?

4. Pump Up the Volume.  You can put a young Christian Slater in any movie and I'll probably watch it.  Put him in a movie as a sexy-rebellious high schooler and I'm sold.  Also, the soundtrack to this movie is amazing.

3. The Goonies.  I grew up watching this movie on USA/TBS/ABC/etc. every weekend when I was a kid.  When I went to school in Canada, I met a slew of people that had never even seen it.  That simply won't do, if you haven't seen The Goonies, I'll probably pretend you don't exist.

2. The Warriors.  Walter Hill's gang epic is being remade in 2011.  I'm excited enough to see it, but it won't compare to the original.

1. Streets of Fire.  This movie rounds out the list of must-see ridiculous movies.  It stars Diane Lane and Willem Defoe when they were sprightly young things.  And it's sort of a musical. Bonus!


*We didn't break up because he hadn't seen those movies, I'm just being dramatic.

Style Inspiration: The Exorcist

I think that when someone mentions The Exorcist, fashion is probably the last thing that comes to mind.  But last night I had the opportunity to watch The Exorcist on the big screen for the first time and my entire view of it changed.  Usually I cover my eyes throughout most of the movie, it is the only film that has ever been able to absolutely terrify me.  But this time, as I sat in a dark theater clutching JB's hand, there were certain times I had to keep my eyes uncovered...for the clothes.  At least Ellen Burstyn's clothes.

The 70s were kind of a mess.  I don't always find the wild prints and polyester to be flattering or attractive in the least bit, and home decor? Forget it, but something about the way Burstyn managed to pull together the iconic 70s style really got me.  Playing the mother of a possessed girl would leave anyone a total wreck, but Burstyn manages to look effortlessly chic the entire time, even when she looks as though she is about to come apart at the seams.  Heavy wool peacoats, chic button up dresses, scarves, oversized sunglasses, wide leg trousers, and heavy platforms are pure perfection for the fall months in DC.

I know that this fall I'll be on the lookout to steal some of the chic style from The Exorcist.*

*Ya know, minus the whole demonic possession thing.

Style Inspiration: The Runaways

Yesterday, I decided to take in a solo movie, so I hiked to the Lower East Side to see The Runaways.  And while I wish I would've saved the money (Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are just not convincing), the one thing I took away from the film was a revamped love of 70s style.  

Sequins, jumpsuits, platforms, and a little bit of Bowie, everything glam and rocker that I cannot get enough of.  However, since I can't show up at my corporate financial firm wearing sequin platform boots (I wish), I'm going to need to find ways to sample their style without going over the top.  


First stop- Invest in some patterned neutral colored shirts.  Paired with black pants or a black pencil skirt I think I could almost get away with it.  


Second stop- As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, it's time for me to bring back the silk scarf trend.  Back to eBay hunting it is for me.  


And then maybe, just maybe I can invest in some super tall platform boots/sandals and sneak them in on a casual Friday.  Hey, I work in the back of the office, am already known for the sheer amount of color I wear, why not mix it up and throw in some height too?  Maybe they'll never notice :)

Style Inspiration: Network

I love Turner Classic Movies 31 Days of Oscar.  It has given me the opportunity to fill my DVR with all those pesky movies that fill my "Must-See Film" Excel spreadsheet (yes, it exists).  Currently, I'm watching Network, and while i can appreciate the message, the acting, the directing, etc., what I can't stop admiring is Faye Dunaway's super 70s wardrobe.  

Seeing as tomorrow is my first day in a business-casual environment, I am stressing over how I will turn my primarerly vintage wardrobe into any semblance of corporate cool.  Enter: Faye Dunaway.  As Diana Christensen, Dunaway spends the entire movie rocking mid-70s pantsuits, silk blouses, and amazing skirt and turtleneck combos that make me seethe with envy.

Dunaway, who is usually seen as a fashion icon for Bonnie and Clyde, or Chinatown, rocks the 70s penis-envying male styles that I have come to admire and seek.  Sticking mainly in the same neutrals I have always sought-out when outfitting myself for a day in the city, she manages to bridge the gap between being totally badass, and completely sexy, another ideal I can only hope to one day achieve.

Granted, my body may not be the slim, tall 70s ideal, but that doesn't mean I can't try.  So after my rent and utilities come out of my first paycheck, I think the rest of it will be spent on some wide-leg trousers, a button up silk blouse, and maybe a patterned scarf for good measure.  Super corporate bad-ass chic, here I come.  

Hipster Must-See: The Who's Tommy

Over the weekend, I quit my paying job (whoops), and therefore had scads of free time to catch up on all sorts of movies. One such movie, was The Who's epic Tommy, which I recorded off Ovation on Saturday night to prevent me from having to watch the hours worth of commercials.

Growing up, my dad was at home with me during the day (self-employeed), and according to him, I often complained whenever he would put Tommy on the TV. Well, I was an asshole of a child.

Being older, and much wiser, I have grown a fondness and appreciation for such a film. Actually, it goes deeper then that, I have fallen in love with it.

Not being extremely well-versed in The Who, I beyond appreciated the Rock Opera feel combined with songs I know well from popular culture. I adored Roger Daltry and Ann-Margaret as the leads, and cameos by Jack Nicholson, Elton John, and Tina Turner really got me going. I finished the film desperately wanting Daltry's soft curls, Ann-Margaret's wardrobe, and a new guitar.

Pinball wizard I am not, Tommy afficianado I am.

Hipster Must-See: Warriors

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In my previous post, I discussed Walter Hill's Streets of Fire and the epic-ness that is the costuming of that film. Well, after my foray into Hill's box-office bomb, I picked up another Hill film, this time with a bit more press, The Warriors.

First off, let me just say that I can only fully appreciate this film because I live in New York. If I didn't, I just could not have even understood how epic this is. Second, if anyone knows where I can get a Warrior's vest please let me know, I think that is a necessity for my life.

So, the gangs of New York are sick of being at war, and Cyrus (leader of all that is good and righteous in the gans) calls for a cease fire between the gangs, so that they may focus their attention on much more important things, such as getting the fuzz. During the big meeting in the Bronx, Cyrus is killed, and everyone blames the Warriors. Now, the Warriors must make it from the Bronx to Coney Island via subway, with every other gang in New York after them. Joined by the Bronx Harlot, Mercy, the Warriors are up for the battle of a lifetime, only to make it to.....Coney Island. Really? That's where they want to get? Huh. Wow....I guess that's cool, that you'll battle that hard for....Coney...Island. Okay, wait, really?

So the plot is less then believable, but who cares? All the gangs where matching outfits and you're surprised when they don't break out into song and dance. Oh! And there is a gang of solely girls who use against the Warriors. Baseball bats, police battles, knife fights, undercover cops, this movie's got it all. That must be why Tony Scott is planning on remaking it in 2010.

Oh man, I gotta stop talking about this movie, it's making me want to beat people up again....and wear leather vests. Rent it, or own it, now.