survival techniques: duck and cover

Duck and cover

This 1951 sci-fi / sci-reality informational film is as iconic as the matchstick women of fashion who have been perfecting its look for decades. Why are we so obsessed with the imagery of things falling from the sky?

Classic Sci Fi has a good analysis of the impact of atomic age angst on science fiction movie making.

The notion of mankind surviving a nuclear war -- even if mutated or diminished, etc. -- shows up in a great many sci-fi plots. From Arch Oboler's Five ('51) to Planet of the Apes ('68) and beyond, there is the background optimism that despite the terrible destruction, somehow, a remnant of mankind would live through it all. Apocalypse Survived is one of the most common sci-fi themes. Yet, a parallel theme is that of imminent danger from the skies. Compare D&C's warnings with that of Scotty's in The Thing from Another World ('51) "Watch the skies. Keep watching the skies!". It's not hard to see the Cold War playing out in sci-fi.

The images are pervasive. Frail looking women shielding their heads from disaster is a fashion classic.



Just pull inside your shell!





 Remember, the flash of an atomic bomb can come at anytime, no matter where you may be.

Bergdorf Goodman resort /holiday 2008

 




Go to the safe place your mom and dad have set up for you. Turks and Caicos?

Vogue Nippon

.


I get it. Long lines, stretching out the body. Every designer is envisioning their latest on a Chicken Little. And certainly no one feels particularly compelled to shy away from images of damage or danger to women. It makes for good photos! Because edgy. Because provocative. Right? See how much more valid our point is when we illustrate it with female bodies? You didn't get it otherwise.

But seriously, it does make your arms look less fat. Like certain annihilation, this is a valid concern.

**

Besos! -Skyler

http://www.theseearthlybodies.com/

classic horror bangs

They're big. They're a little trashy. They really open up the face, allowing more big eyes, wide with terror. Okay, they're a lot trashy.

Making the runway-



Vogue Paris showing Naeem Khan
The trucker walk is not making these ladies look any less trashy.



Imaxtree showing Carolina Hererra

and in the classics-  



Lives; dies. Bangs do not seem to help one way or the other.

Grace Kelly in Rear Window via Sew Indigo "What?!? It's right off of the Paris runway and I don't see any problems either gardening OR breaking and entering in this;" and Lee Remick in The Omen getting a good additional 4" of height on her "Oh no, I'm raising the devil!" face.

 

**

Besos! -Skyler

walking dead like me

Louis Vuitton's $8 million fashion train at Paris Fashion Week A/W 2012



via Harper's Bazaar





via theclotheswhisperer





via fashion breakout



Whatever that was, exactly the opposite.

Magnetic Fields "Born on a Train"

I know that you were never young,
And I know you probably won't get old.
But honey, nobody's gonna hurt you anymore.
And nobody's gonna make you wanna die.

I hope this helps.

**
Besos! -Skyler

sisyphean wedge heels

An eternity of thankless efforts and unending frustrations, totally. Sometimes it feels like your toils are some sort of punishment by the gods for your hubris.

"Sisyphus" by Jankovics Marcell, received a 1974 Oscar nomination for animated short movie

These ladies know what we're talking about.
I mean, how many times are we going to have to carry this evening clutch up this mountain?

from September 2008 Vogue, via earthnocentric

Don't give up. Maybe this time you'll outsmart them.
**
Besos! -Skyler
http://www.theseearthlybodies.com/

ball & chain: 1967 edition

How to get ready for that special day in a way that suggests your total unwillingness to go through with it and lets your friends and family know exactly what you think of them? 1967 spent a lot of time answering exactly that question.




Christo's wedding dress design notes, 1967, via Archives of American Art

 

"No really, this is the happiest day of my life!"

 

Physical Details: Photographic print : 1 item : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm.
Creator: unidentified photographer
Description: Identification on verso (handwritten): Christo, 1967 Wedding Dress [project]- white satin and silk ropes for opening night fashion show, Museum of Merchandise.
Forms part of: Joan Kron papers 1959-1971
Citation: Christo's wedding dress design notes, 1967 / unidentified photographer. Joan Kron papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.



 


Balenciaga single seam wedding dress, also 1967, via on pins and needles

 

"Yes, I'll be wearing this at the reception as well."



 



Jean Varon wedding dress photographed by Norman Parkinson for Vogue, 1967, via fashion vulture

  

"It's anti-malarial."


Use caution.

**
Besos! -Skyler
http://www.theseearthlybodies.com/

carrie goes to prom

I saw “Carrie” the musical this weekend at the Lucille Lortel Theater. It starred Mollie Ranson as Carrie and Marin Mazzie as her demented mother. The music was great, the lighting design fantastic, and what can I say about the story? Girl tries to fit in, fails dramatically, and everyone dies horribly. It’s too late to help Carrie, but she can still help us.

Here are some of my favorite Carrie-inspired looks:

#1 The cardigan with everything

I love cardigans; they are demure and speak of your status as an outcast and possibly your crippling social anxiety. Cardigans go great with everything and Carrie thought so too. My mom used to tell me that wearing a cardigan made me look like a hobo. Check these out, and let me know what you think.



Cardigan 1 via thestar





Cardigan 2 via stylespotrun





Cardigan 3 Peter Jensen via lynnandhorst

Okay, so this is not right. Fair enough, mom.

More via Brainy Mademoiselle

#2 The doused gown

Why get doused in pigs blood, have a violent psychotic episode, and murder a room full of people, when you could just look that way? Here are some of my favorites.



Doused 1 Tom Ford via bergdorfgoodman







Doused 2 Michael Kors via lookonline





Doused 3 Marchesa via edressmenow





Doused 4 Oscar de la Renta via Marquis of Fashion





Doused 5 via chic-a-boom

"Carrie" closes April 8. Go see it!

**

Besos! -Skyler

dressing for mortal terror: noir edition



Seriously, who hasn’t found themselves married to the wrong guy, faithlessly pursuing someone else, eventually embroiled in a ridiculously convoluted murder and extortion scheme, dogged at every turn by relentless detectives?

Plane via statelibraryqueensland; Terrance  Rattigan's play, "Man and Boy," via; men's trenchcoats via the Coat and Tie; Gucci pants via; “Angel Face” via Washington Post; and investigator’s suit, £585, and tie, £69, gievesandhawkes.com; shirt,£100,start-london.com; hat, £186, lockhatters.co.uk via



Traveling incognito is a snap with a hat and the right lighting!

morbid & shallow

Hi guys. Sorry it's been a while. Don't want to get into the details of what's been going on lately, but I think it's over for now.

The good news is that I'm on Tumblr now too. You can find me at Morbid & Shallow.

**

Besos! - Skyler

Anh Duong and Marie-Sophie in Emanuel Ungaro, Vogue, Chateau Raray, France; via

fashion nightmare: drowning edition

Today’s post come’s from my friend’s worst recurring nightmare: drowning in sweatpants.

Hey skyler. Keep having this dream where im drowning and I can’t move my arms or legs. The worst part is im wearing sweatpants. help!

I don’t know about you, but when I think of watery death, I think Ophelia, and when I think Ophelia, I immediately go Pre-Raphaelite Ophelia.

My go to Ophelia by John Everett Millais via

Two suggested improvements over the sweatpants scenario:

frothy flowers by Leonard; and something a bit more formal by Vionnet; both from Vogue Paris

O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!

Sweet dreams, Lucy.

**

Besos! - Skyler

http://www.theseearthlybodies.com/



gifts to bury yourself in: dangerous jewelry edition!

Need to give a gift that sends that special somone the right kind of message?

Try these crystal brass knuckles by Debra Baxter

more legal than the other kind

hotel california

Okay, I admit it. I miss home sometimes. In honor of my home state, I’m doing a special tribute to the stylings of Hotel California. You’re welcome!

 

  

Douglas Lyle Thompson; Larent Elie Badessi, prints available here

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air