My front-page article about how style icon Josephine Baker became a post-war savior of the House of Dior, who really invented her deliciously scandalous string of bananas, and how she became a “guest editor” at Vogue (without the in-house editors ever knowing it).
Gazing at the glamorous finery of eras past in the Costume Institute’s new ‘American Woman’ exhibit, as usual I found myself wishing back certain flourishes and trappings, from hand-held fans to white gloves to turbans. So, I decided, why not do a special Let’s Bring Back edition, devoted to the historical fashions showcased in the show?
Tonight Vogue and the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute will co-host their annual gala—this time celebrating their new exhibit “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” In this front-page feature, I celebrate fifteen of my favorite trailblazing ladies, each of whom exudes that quintessentially American sense of strength, resilient spirit, and crossed-frontiers.
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.
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.
In which Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year”—including commedienne Amy Poehler, news anchor Katie Couric, Ambassador Susan Rice, California’s First Lady Maria Shriver, designer Diane von Furstenberg, and other luminaries—tell me about their early female role icons and mentors.
While Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has been making the magazine powerful over the last two decades, Creative Director Grace Coddington has been making it beautiful. Meet the lady with the best job in the fashion industry.
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.
Fashion Week is underway in New York City, and American designers are showcasing their visions of the future. I’m watching the proceedings with great interest, but also thinking about celebrated designers of bygone eras, whose works once shimmered on runways. In this special edition of Let’s Bring Back ..., let’s wind back the clock and spend some time with Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli, Oleg Cassini, and six other colorful designers of yesterday.
The designer at Chanel puts his well-clad foot in his mouth when he calls feminists “ugly” in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar. This “ugly feminist” would expect more from the ambassador of a brand supposedly devoted to elegance.
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.
This special edition of Let’s Bring Back—my recurring column that celebrates personae and rituals from past eras—looks at some of the twentieth century’s most prominent models, from Lisa Fonssagrives to Twiggy to Iman.
The Gilt Groupe, an online designer discount site with daily sales at noon, has a million members and caused an epic shopping craze - even in a recession. Why are women so obsessed? A front page feature from The Daily Beast.
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.
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.
A lovely slideshow: this is the third installment of my series showcasing and celebrating women who embody individualistic style, boldness, and creativity.
Photographed by Stephan Wurth.
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.
Slideshow: The second installment of my series showcasing and celebrating women who embody individualistic style, boldness, and creativity.
Photographed by Stephan Wurth.
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.
Slideshow: The first installment of my series showcasing and celebrating women who embody individualistic style, boldness, and creativity.
Written, produced, and photographed by Lesley M. M. Blume.
The economy’s in the toilet. Suddenly the $250 oxygen facial or that nose job/boob job/knee job doesn’t seem so necessary after all. My present to you: a list of simple recession-proof beauty tips, borrowed from Jackie Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, and other ladies who knew best.
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.
June 03, 2010
Taki magazine profiles Ms. Blume’s Dietrich-inspired style
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
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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There is nothing timeless or fetching about fashioning your vernacular after a bad eighties So-Cal movie. Reee-tarded: an article bemoaning the dreadful speaking manner of today’s young ladies in America.