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Posts Archived Under Fashion
If you were an awkward teen in the late '70s or '80s, chances are you've been to at least one midnight showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The queen mother of camp classics became a cult phenomenon shortly after its premiere in late 1975, but long before Tim Curry kicked his fishnet-clad legs across the silver screen, he (along with many of his co-stars) was doing the "Time Warp" on the London stage. In fact, it was on this day in 1973 that the original production of "The Rocky Horror Show" enjoyed its opening night at London's Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. That production became a huge hit and ended up clocking in around 2,960 performances before finally closing in September of 1980.
Audiences were enthralled and "The Rocky Horror Show" jumped the pond to play to enthusiastic crowds in Los Angeles, New York, and Australia -- but nothing could match the rabid enthusiasm engendered by 20th Century Fox's filmed version. On April Fools' Day in 1976, the Waverly Theater in NYC (now the IFC Center) decided to offer a midnight showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," and, unbeknownst to those early attendees, a global craze was born. Within a few months, fans began showing up in elaborate costumes and started yelling witty cues and responses to the characters on screen. Acolytes arrived toting props like toast, toilet paper, water guns, and confetti, and emboldened fans would act out a floor show beneath the screen. The phenomenon swiftly spread and by the end of 1979, over 230 theaters across the U.S. were offering midnight screenings on Fridays and Saturdays -- and they still continue today.
When out-of-work actor Richard O'Brien sat down to write a rock musical in the early '70s, he couldn't possibly have conceived that he would be creating a 30-year strong (and counting) bastion for self-proclaimed freaks and dorks and geeks and goths. It took the concept of audience partici...pation to an entirely new level and no other film has surpassed its staying power. Whatever its allure, the world of "Rocky Horror" has been a welcoming and deliriously happy home for all those who, in the words of Richard O'Brien himself, "swear, often and loudly, to strike a blow for glamour and frivolity, for rock-n-roll, for six-inch heels, for interplanetary intercourse, and for the Transylvanian Way."
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Directory categories:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Cult Movies |
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Archived under: 1970s, 1980s, Actors, Anniversaries, Broadway, Counterculture, Cultures, Entertainment, Fanatics, Fashion, Horror, Horror Films, Lingerie, London, Make-Up, Movies, Musicals, Performing Arts, Rock and Roll, Society and Culture, United Kingdom |
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President Obama |
Since Election Day, people across the United States and around the world have been hailing today, January 20, 2009, as a "Day of Change." They're waiting to see what Barack Obama does when he takes over the presidency of the United States from George W. Bush. They're wondering what policies will change, how Washington will change, and how the world will change. Other Americans, however, are preoccupied with one really important question: What will Obama wear?
This is not a trivial preoccupation. President William Henry Harrison, the nation's ninth chief executive, died after only 31 days in office, probably as the result of what he didn't wear -- an overcoat. After delivering a two hour inaugural address in inclement weather, the jacketless Harrison proceeded to the White House, where he later developed a cold and succumbed to pneumonia and septicemia.
At least one journalist wishes that Obama would bring back the top hat, an elegant accessory sported by presidents assuming office right up through John F. Kennedy in 1961. Franklin Roosevelt wore one and, of course, Lincoln was famous for his own stovepipe hat. For Obama to be properly compared with these great men, the argument goes, he needs to be seen sporting formal head attire.
A good suit is also a must. Women's Wear Daily solicited looks for Obama and received a slew of submissions, though the results sparked some controversy. These outfits go along with Obama's previously announced Inauguration eve celebratory duds: a black single-button, notch lapel tuxedo from Illinois-based designer Hart Schaffner Marx. WWD's sketched suggestions from designers like Paul Smith, DSquared2, and Salvatore Ferragamo include bow ties, brollys, waving flags, and very strong, square shoulders.
After all, a lot is riding on those shoulders, and the whole world is watching.
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Directory categories:
Barack Obama, Men's Apparel, The United States Presidency, Hats and Caps |
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Archived under: American History, Apparel, Barack Obama, Celebrations, Clothing and Accessories, Events, Fashion, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Government, Inaugurations, Presidents |
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The shears are oiled and sharpened. The curlers are warmed. A sticky fog of Aquanet hangs heavily in the air like a wet shag. The mood grows tense as hopeful contestants from around the globe converge on Chicago to snip, set, and style their way to victory in the ultimate battle of the coiffures, the "Olympics of Hair."
Downtown Chicago's McCormick Place is currently playing host to the 2008 OMC HairWorld Championships of Beauty, a thrilling 3-day event pitting hairdresser against hairdresser in a battle to decide whose 'do reigns supreme. Sponsored by Organisation Mondiale Coiffure and the National Cosmetology Association, and presented in conjunction with America's Beauty Show (which is another can of hairspray altogether), HairWorld is the premiere contest of styling skill. Individuals and teams compete in hair-raising categories from fantasy hairstyle to bridal style to the provocatively-named "hair by night."
These competitors treat hair as a religion. And, as any drag queen worth her glitter will tell you, the higher the hair, the closer to God.
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Directory categories:
Hair, Hair Care Products and Services, Hair Salons, Hairstyles, Hair Humor |
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Archived under: Arts, Beauty, Chicago, Design, Events, Fashion, Hair |
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If we could only wear 'staches
as elegantly as these Edwardian gents
(Courtesy of freeparking) |
Hardly a male alive today hasn't looked in a mirror and thought, "Y'know, I oughta grow a mustache." If you're one of those looking to join the Legion of the Hirsute, you're in luck, for February is International Mustache Month.
Should you accept this assignment, you'll have numerous styles from which to choose. The "toothbrush" was popular with comic actors like Oliver Hardy and Charlie Chaplin (even if the latter's was a fake). Its popularity understandably went south, though, after Hitler decided that it was the ne plus ultra of soup strainers.
Older fellas might want to adopt the walrus look, exemplified by Wilford Brimley and football coaches. For the heroic, there's the pencil style -- Clark Gable, Ronald Colman, and John Waters have pulled it off, but one slip of the razor, and it's goodbye lip hair!
If all else fails, there's always the handlebar, favored by baseball pitchers, barbershop quartets, and melodrama villains (after all, a guy has to twirl something when tying a damsel to a railroad track). But beware, those mustache wax bills can add up quickly!
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Directory categories:
Mustaches, Facial Hair, Fashion and Beauty, Beards, Hair |
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Archived under: Barbershop Quartets, Facial Hair, Fashion, Hair, Mustaches, Society and Culture |
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Do you drink Pabst Blue Ribbon in Tiki bars while wearing horn-rimmed glasses? Listen to Elvis in your vintage Caddy? Have an ironic mustache? Well, fading hipster, you'd better hit the Goodwill pronto for your newest required item: the holiday sweater. Ugly sweater parties have been the thing for a while, but even hardcore, no-nonsense rockers are sartorially sardonic these days (Rivers Cuomo was so ahead of his time). If the pre-worn or re-gifted variety grosses you out, buy a few new to match your tree -- batteries are included. Sure, you might get lumped in with erstwhile fans of The OC, with their zeal for reindeer and Chrismukkah. Sure, you might have to find a hip knitting friend to lend their needles to your ultra-cool cause. Sure, you might not even believe in Christmas! Not to worry -- we've still got you covered.
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Directory categories:
Christmas Humor, Knitting and Crocheting, Sweaters, Norwegian Sweaters |
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Archived under: Apparel, Christmas, Fanatics, Fashion, Hanukkah, Holidays, Sweaters |
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