Today’s adrenaline-pumped fashion shows are a relatively recent phenomenon. In eras past, designs were presented to clients at chic poolside presentations or at delightful little department store luncheons (Waldorf salad, rather than global outreach, was the order of the day). In this special edition of Let’s Bring Back, I look at the history of the American fashion show.
The death of British designer Alexander McQueen makes me wonder if there simply isn’t a place in contemporary culture for his brand of theatrical creativity anymore—especially in an era in which fashion houses rely on corporate ownership to survive and thrive. My front-page feature from The Huffington Post.
In her new book Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough, journalist Lori Gottlieb perpetuates the stereotype that the American woman is really just a brain stem attached to a ticking womb. It’s been a long time since I wanted to jab my eyes out after reading something, but this book has me reaching for the closest pair of scissors.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also come to realize that the 1950s and 60s New York City portrayed by Salinger—filled with smoky jazz clubs, jumbled classic-eight apartments, Vaudeville veterans, and “Little Shirley Beans” records—epitomizes glamour to me.
Some Hollywood stars seem to shimmer on the horizon forever, and Audrey Hepburn is one of them. Reverence for her style still runs deep, as evidenced by the recent $96,000 auction sale of a black cocktail dress she donned in 1966 film How to Steal a Million. Now a newly-released book showcases rare cover images of the actress, and here are some of the loveliest, most amusing, and insight-giving shots.
Hopefully the recession has immunized us to blowsy marketing, and made us smarter and more thoughtful about the way that we express our holiday appreciation for our loved ones. Last year, we ran a recession-friendly list of holiday gift suggestions. Without further ado, we present the 2009 edition. As usual, it is long on whimsy and easy on the pocketbook.
Christmas goose, ice skating parties, and fur muffs: a Let’s Bring Back list of delightful holiday-season nostalgia.
A special edition of my Let’s Bring Back column, honoring the Obamas’ first state dinner tonight. The Kennedys touted the virtues of aspic, the Franklin Roosevelts scandalized the polite world with an all-American entrée, and George Washington gave new meaning to the phrase “no frills.”
In which Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year”—including Amy Poehler, Katie Couric, Ambassador Susan Rice, Diane von Furstenberg, and other luminaries—tell me about their early female role icons and mentors.
In which we discuss the rage and desire that propelled Chanel to the pinnacle of the fashion world, and how long it took the actress to perfect Coco’s famous cigarette dangle.
The designer at Chanel puts his big, fat, well-clad foot in his mouth when he calls feminists “ugly” in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
Two months ago, we ran a feature titled ‘Six of the World’s Most Beautiful Older Women’. To our amazement, nearly 900 comments poured in and the piece went widely viral. Clearly a nerve had been struck. Today we offer up Part II of that series, this time a list chosen by Huffington Post readers.
I just saw a recent picture of comedienne Joan Rivers that made me want to throw up. With so many ghoulish post-plastic surgery results on display these days, I decided to seek out examples of natural-looking, beautiful women of a certain age. Helen Mirren, Sophia Loren, Gloria Steinem: a shortlist of some of the world’s loveliest older women.
Since moving into the White House, the Obamas have thrown poetry slams, hosted glittering galas, and planted a First Vegetable Garden. Michelle Obama in particular has ushered in new era of style and entertaining - and she’s chosen to include us in the fun. This special edition of Let’s Bring Back celebrates several of the White House’s most inclusive hostesses, including Lucy Hayes, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The media business has always been a deeply competitive bastion of ambition. Yet today’s journalists—including both those sidelined by layoffs and those still clinging desperately their workplace desks—have been left to wonder whether the very idea of ambition makes sense anymore. How do you get ahead in an industry that can’t see its own future?
Americans have always had a tenuous relationship with the idea of eccentricity. With a new Grey Gardens film premiering tonight, will this generation hold Little Edie and Big Edie up as objects of fascination - or ridicule?
In a front-page piece from the Huffington Post, overnight sensation designer Jason Wu talks about America’s new first lady, his favorite Old Hollywood stars, and the item of clothing that no woman should go without.
For fifteen years, rival pianists Cassie Yukawa and Rosey Chan competed against each other but never exchanged a single word. But then they shocked the classical musical world by becoming its most astonishing new piano duo.
In which Bushnell orders a hamburger and coke, dodges the Sarah Palin bullet, and tells women to make their own damn money. Let’s face it: she’s not giving advice that she hasn’t followed herself.
On why American men hate fashion. Simon Doonan, designer John Varvatos, and Men’s Vogue editor Jay Fielden weigh in on the thorny psychology behind male adornment.
Conquer Fat Days, Bad-Hair Days, and Airport-Counter traumas in one fell swoop.
The dollar’s down, the Euro is king. An article about the pain of watching foreigners buy up Manhattan—should we feel bitter or grateful?
If the television series was label-heavy, Sex and the City the movie is positively heaving. But the zeitgeist has moved on, taking consumers with it.
Many Americans are in a palpable frenzy to revive Camelot and cast Obama as a JFK reincarnate. But substance—not charisma—should determine how we vote in the upcoming election.
It’s been a long time since I wanted to jab my eyes out after reading an article, but Lori Gottlieb’s creepy feature “Marry Him! The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough” had me reaching for the closest pair of scissors.
American women shouldn’t be hang those navy blue power-suits just yet. We’ve made many advances, but let’s not delude ourselves: the world still has very masculine associations with success and leadership.
Who wouldn’t rather wash New Year’s resolutions down with a glass of champagne rather instead of a spoonful of castor oil? A list of ten painless, luxurious, yet self-improving New Year’s resolutions.
As people from completely different chapters of my life crowd onto my Facebook friends list, it’s starting to feel like, well ... a huge wedding guest list. And everyone knows that a wedding can be one of the most socially awkward experiences on the planet.
Gossip Girl is the antithesis of youthful rebellion. The forgettable Nate and the lumpen Blair have assassinated the joyous, restless example set by James Dean and Natalie Wood decades ago in films like Rebel Without a Cause and West Side Story. And that’s supposed to be a voyeuristic guilty pleasure? Count me out.
Marc Jacobs shocks and appalls at Fashion Week. Is his collection an example of Emperor’s New Clothes, or the start of a new style revolution? An article detailing unlikely watershed moments in fashion history.
Our physical appearances are our outermost frontiers of identity. And anything on this level of importance deserves to be intellectualized and strategically used to our advantage. An article about style as persona.
You are one in a million, and not in a good way. What follows is a whimsical list of ways to do away with mass consumerist values—both high and low—and distinguish yourself from the crowd.
These days, American women greedily reap the benefits of first and second generation feminism, but are far less inclined toward solidarity and sharing the spoils. This means that we all lose in the end.
Where is my generation’s collective counter-culture? Hmm, let’s see. Is it in our iPods? Nope, no counter-culture there. Let’s turn on MTV. I don’t see a lot of counter-culture there, either—but ooo, goody! Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back!! This writer is disenchanted by the shameful lack of counter-culture during the Bush administration.
Smelters, rabbit-skinners, and taxi drivers: On the ignoble roots of America’s elite families, and the country’s love-hate relationship with ‘society.’
There’s nothing like an enemy to keep you lean, mean, and at the top of your game.
March 03, 2010
Vogue documents Ms. Blume’s latest fashion statement
January 20, 2010
New book deal with Knopf!
December 04, 2009
Curiously attired, Ms. Blume turns up in Vanity Fair
September 21, 2009
Elle magazine spotlights Ms. Blume
August 25, 2009
Today: Tennyson released in paperback!
Lesley M.M. Blume is an author, journalist, columnist, cultural observer, and bon vivant based in New York City, where she was born. Learn more about her after the leap.
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