TV Ate My Wardrobe

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving—yeah I know it was yesterday—to all celebrating! Even with the four-day weekend, there are still plenty of red carpet moments and award season antics. The AMAs delivered some sartorial highs, the Independent Spirit Award nominations have been announced, Call Me By Your Name is out today and there’s a reunion that makes my heart swell.

I realized last week that “Out of the Box” has turned into something a little more than just the best looks; it has become a weekly newsletter of sorts with a mix of outfits and other things that excite me including trailers and performances. The level of activity on TV Ate My Wardrobe is less than it used to be (because I am writing for other outlets) and this is all very much a work in progress (as is life), but I am thankful I have this outlet to share these weekly observations. Viola Davis is a vision in white caped-sleeve crystal-embroidered Michael Kors Collection at the AMAs and she never disappoints on the red carpet.As the host of the AMAs, Tracee Ellis Ross had numerous outfit changes throughout the night and she made a dramatic impact on her arrival in a stunning custom Stella McCartney sequin gown.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbxPO2Kj1tG/?taken-by=traceeellisross

Regular readers will know how much I love Tracee Ellis Ross’ Instagram feed and it showcases the many looks she wore while hosting. I’ve gone for another sparkly number and this video really captures this aspect of the Paco Rabanne matching skirt and top. Another highlight is this tribute to both her mother and Michael Jackson.A Clueless reboot, but now Cher is a spy and played by Yara Shahidi. Sign me up. Going against the jewel tone palette she wears as Veronica Lodge on Riverdale is Camila Mendes in a romantic J. Mendel gown.

And for all things Riverdale season 2 style check out my Observer column here.
I’ve been listening to Kelly Clarkson’s new album “Meaning of Life” nonstop and holy hell is this Christian Siriano feathered gown serving up super diva feelings.

I love her.They’re not actually sisters, but Claire Foy and Vanessa Kirby very much look like siblings as they both opt for seasonal sparkles of varying lengths—Christian Dior for Foy, Prada for Kirby—at the premiere of The Crown. Foy’s Lisbeth Salander hair looks great and I am super excited for the second season of this show. The full Ava DuVernay/Ryan Coogler panel transcript is going to be made available soon, but for now enjoy this snippet and DuVernay’s patterned frock.

And the new Wrinkle in Time trailer.Also at VultureFest is Sofia Coppola in an outfit that looks straight from my closet. So of course I am here for it.Jennifer Garner’s giving great slip dress at a screening of her new film The Tribes of Palos Verdes and this week I watched the episode of Felicity where she first makes an appearance.

And as a big Alias fan, I would love to see her reunite with J.J. Abrams in a professional capacity. Maybe Star Wars, maybe something else. Or just get Garner a great TV project. At the Film Independent 2018 Spirit Awards press conference, Tessa Thompson goes for pattern clashing Jason Wu and some amazing orange pumps. This is one of my favorite award shows of the season and I am so happy that Nick Kroll and John Mulaney will be back again to host. It is also one of the best red carpets of the entire calendar and Thompson’s look here is very much in line with the kind of thing you can expect from the main event.

For the full list of nominees head here. One movie that has got multiple Spirit Award nominations is the incredible Call Me By Your Name (released today in the US) and the press tour for this movie has included a number appearance delights. It is a movie I watched twice at the cinema within the space of one week and it is probably my favorite film of the year. I finished the book at the weekend and the soundtrack has been playing in-between those Kelly Clarkson listens.

Timothée Chalamet is having quite the year and he gets a great plaid suit modeling shot in GQ. Hopefully we will see more of this kind of suit wearing throughout award season.

I fell down a GoldDerby video hole the other day, but I still don’t know where Chalamet got this eagle sweater number from. It is information I would like to have.Armie Hammer covers The Hollywood Reporter this week and he is staring deep into your soul. In the interview he talks about the hypocrisy of Hollywood and the Oscars with how Casey Affleck was lauded while Nate Parker was shutout. There’s also a discussion about his interesting career trajectory and the joyous experience of making Call Me By Your Name. And Hammer in chunky knits. Always appreciated.

Tags: Armie Hammer, Ava DuVernay, Camila Mendes, Claire Foy, Jennifer Garner, JJ Abrams, Kelly Clarkson, Sofia Coppola, Tessa Thompson, The Hollywood Reporter, Timothee Chalamet, Tracee Ellis Ross, Vanessa Kirby, Viola Davis, Yara Shahidi

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Categories Out of the Box: Look of the Week
Author Emma Fraser

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

17 Nov

Award season is truly here and both the Oscars and the Golden Globes hosted pre-nominations fancy shindigs in the last week. The latter was awash with color and pattern; if you want to see Armie Hammer in florals head here.

Botanics also make an appearance here and if these red carpets are anything to go by then we’re in for a treat come January. The second week in a row where I have kicked things off with Zoe Kazan and another stunning ensemble. At the Governors Awards, Kazan wore an ethereal Prada gown. This is something I have noted on a number of occasions, but one thing I love about Zoe Kazan is that she always mentions and credits her stylist Leith Clark when posting about these events on social media. The team effort that goes into the red carpet part of this business has really been made visible thanks to platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

Also I appreciate Kazan answering my lipstick related query and putting me in touch with her makeup artist Kirin Bhatty on Twitter. Because I am still preoccupied with a question from the early days of this blog.Ditching Dior for Alexander McQueen and this is my favorite Jennifer Lawrence look in an age. This is telling with regards to that Dior deal. Although I do find myself drawn to the print ads Lawrence does for the brand. It just doesn’t translate on the red carpet.Sarah Paulson is serving up witchy glam in Miu Miu and a berry lip. Reader, I am here for it.Tessa Thompson’s rainbow pleated dream from the Emmys is definitely one of 2017’s best gowns and while this Altuzarra doesn’t hit that mark, it is a beautiful gown and looks like a tapestry that would normally hang in a fancy manor house/castle/palace.

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Michelle Williams was at the Governors Awards while Busy Philipps attended the Baby2Baby fundraiser on Saturday night. Later they found each other and news that will not shock you, I yelped with delight when this photo popped up on my Insta feed. See also when Michelle made an appearance in Busy’s Saturday night Stories. Serena Williams has had a very busy week; she attended Glamour’s 2017 Women of The Year Awards and looked stunning in a Versace mini-dress. Then she got married yesterday to Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans. And I cannot wait to see the photos. The party favors alone are incredible. Congratulations! Zazie Beetz puts a really fun spin on the ladysuit trend. I now want to see her starring in a 1920s-set vehicle. Mr. Robot has got really good again and while season 2 was hit and miss, the women were super compelling. Portia Doubleday’s ability to switch from super steely to eyeliner smudged shakiness has been a pleasure to watch. On the show I am enamored with her high-neck white blouses, but it good to see an injection of color IRL. And I am a sucker for all things pleated skirts.This Dolce & Gabbana dress feels like the embodiment of the design aesthetic from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and Anne Hathaway looks great in it.Dior sponsored the Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party and Rebecca Hall escapes all things sheer that this brand has been indulging in recently. I do appreciate a tuxedo inspired frock and the star ankle boots are a strong contender for the covet list.

I saw Professor Marston and the Wonder Woman at the weekend and Hall gave a blistering performance (as she always does) in a film that I thoroughly enjoyed. There was a high level of drooling over Donna Maloney’s costume design—especially the jackets—and that both Wonder Woman featuring movies (not including Justice League in this) were directed by women, warms my soul.

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The Get Out cast is working the pre-nominations circuit and it would please me no end if this movie was to get recognized. Allison Williams notes that there was some accidental outfit coordinating with co-star Daniel Kaluuya. Both are crushing it on the stripes front. GRETA! This Bust cover is every heart emoji.

❤ ❤ ❤

Feeling all the things.
It does look like the #OscarsSoWhite tag will sadly not be retired if this Hollywood Reporter cover is anything to go by and Mary J. Blige gets put to the side of all the group shots. Optics wise it is hard not to notice.

The interview itself gets to the heart of the topic that has dominated entertainment news for the last six weeks and they don’t back away from the conversation. It is important and a topic that will surely be the first question on any of these roundtables going forward.

As a headline, this one is striking and the extract below gets to the heart of the ‘difficult actress’ label:

LAWRENCE Sometimes — I’ve had this happen: I finally made the decision to stand up for myself, and then I went to go to the bathroom at work and one of the producers stopped me and was like, “You know, we can hear you on the microphone, you’ve been really unruly.” Which was not true, but basically my job was threatened because the director said something fucked up to me and I said, “That’s sick, you can’t talk to me like that,” and then I was punished, and I got afraid that I wasn’t going to be hired again.

STONE Yeah, you were “difficult.”

LAWRENCE Yeah, I was called difficult and a nightmare. I think a lot of people aren’t coming forward because they’re afraid they’re not going to work again. You need to be able to say, “This is wrong” and have somebody do something about it instead of saying, “Oh, it’s wrong? Well, you’re fired.”

Read the whole thing at The Hollywood Reporter.

Tags: Allison Janney, Allison Williams, Anne Hathaway, Bust, Busy Philipps, Daniel Kaluuya, Emma Stone, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Mary J. Blige, Michelle Williams, Portia Doubleday, Rebecca Hall, Roundtable, Saoirse Ronan, Sarah Paulson, Tessa Thompson, The Hollywood Reporter, Zoe Kazan

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Categories Out of the Box: Look of the Week
Author Emma Fraser

Celebrating the 75th Golden Globes with Bold Print and Color

16 Nov

It is mid-November and Golden Globe nominations are just around the corner—they will be announced Monday, 11 December—and as it is the 75th anniversary of these awards, there is of course a party.

And many of the people vying for nominations attended, because of course. A lot of them also happened to give some of the best performances of the year. Big trends of the night include bold prints and color, much to my delight. There are several late entries into the best profiles of 2017 category and Kyle Buchanan’s Vulture interview with Armie Hammer is so good that it warrants its own outtakes article. I saw Call Me by Your Name twice in the space of a week and I am still thinking about it.

Also incredible is his choice of Paul Smith suit and floral T-shirt; this event is casual enough to eschew a collar and I love this fun red carpet take. Another Ilaria Urbinati winner.Alison Brie’s Instagram is a gift for any GLOW fan right now. There are so many good BTS moments from the set, particularly with her hair. Here she has scraped it back and gone with minimal makeup, which makes sense when you’re wearing a Hugo Boss green leopard print velvet dress. Keeping with the Community cast theme and everything about this Yvette Nicole Brown frock is perfect winter florals.Also going with a botanical print and Tatiana Maslany mixes masculine and feminine styling with aplomb. There is a reason she is a style icon around these parts.Alias Grace is one of the best shows I have seen this year and star Sarah Gadon is a revelation. Gadon is currently doing the talk show circuit (where she is charming as hell) and hopefully she will get some awards love.

And she looks pretty fabulous in Giambattista Valli at this Golden Globes celebration.On and off screen, Yvonne Orji crushes it in the sartorial stakes. An appropriately festive dress by Phuong My and a dramatic bow that doesn’t swamp her.Insecure creator/star Issa Rae goes in a different direction to her co-star and this block color Brandon Maxwell halter neck dress is making me want an afternoon cocktail. Cute without being too saccharine is Saoirse Ronan in a girlish Teresa Helbig frock and I am still desperate to see Lady Bird.13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford in lipstick print Valentino Resort is giving off super fun vibes, but would it have been too on the nose for Langford to wear lipstick as well?I would be thrilled if Tara Lynne Barr got recognized for her performance on Casual (I still think about the stripped down rendition of “Landslide”) and season 3 of this show is probably my favorite so far.

Barr also gives great party frock and colorful pumps; I would like all of this in my own wardrobe.Director Dee Rees continues to wear some of the best jackets on the red carpet and I cannot wait to see Mudbound (which arrives on Netflix tomorrow).Jessica McNamee ticks three of my favorite style boxes; the ladysuit, heritage prints and a bold lip color. More ladysuit treats from Zoe Lister-Jones in Dion Lee and I am also a sucker for the stripe long-sleeve tee with a suit thing, which Adam Scott is doing so well.More Valentino Resort and a very different look for Aubrey Plaza as she dips her two in the Little House on the Prairie pool. It looks pretty damn good.Block color and kooky shoes for another TV Ate My Wardrobe fave. Julia Garner has had a very good year and I am already excited to see what she does in 2018. Namely the Waco miniseries and how much Kimmy will be in the final season of The Americans. I should probably also watch Ozark.Oh, hello. Turtleneck with a suit achievement unlocked and I am now currently casting Sebastian Stan in my as yet unwritten 1970s set movie. It is going to be a doozy.

Tags: Adam Scott, Alison Brie, Armie Hammer, Aubrey Plaza, Dee Rees, Golden Globes, Issa Rae, Jessica McNamee, Julia Garner, Katherine Langford, Saoirse Ronan, Sarah Gadon, Sebastian Stan, Tara Lynne Barr, Tatiana Maslany, Yvette Nicole Brown, Yvonne Orji, Zoe Lister Jones

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Categories Awards, Red Carpet
Author Emma Fraser

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

10 Nov

The trickle of film celebrations has turned into a stream and this is a bumper Look of the Week. Fabulous frocks, ladysuits and stunning December issues celebrating the good things about this year. Yes, there are some good things among the garbage. At the 21st annual Hollywood Awards, Zoe Kazan’s Gucci botanical frock is a delight. I can see Kazan in a lot of the new Gucci pieces and this is right in my style wheelhouse. Also to file under outfits that I adore; the ladysuit! Noomi Rapace mixes a lace cami with menswear inspiration and not only picks a great color suit, but doubles down with her pumps.And for an entirely different take on the ladysuit. Kate Mara’s metallic Burberry number is giving futuristic retro vibes.I can’t see a slip dress and not think about the ’90s. Throw a white baby doll tee under it/cardigan over it with Cons for that season 1 Felicity vibe and then heat things up without one a la Felicity in the season 2 premiere.

Tatiana Maslany has opted for the latter at the Hollywood Film Awards in Diane von Furstenberg. Throwing all the flame emojis in Viola Davis’ direction because this iridescent Alberta Ferretti gown is smoking hot.Emily V. Gordon continues to impress with her range of floral frocks and this Saloni London number is another hit. As are her shoes. And as a fan of a suit outside of the usual black/grey/brown/navy spectrum, I am very much here for Kumail Nanjiani’s choice here.

Hopefully we will continue to see the Big Sick team getting fêted and it is one of my favorite films of 2017. Wearing vintage Balmain to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Patron of the Artists Awards is Tracee Ellis Ross and once again her love of fashion goes deep and far back. Love the pop of red on her bag and pumps.
The LACMA Art + Film Gala was presented by Gucci so it is ruffles and lace for Kerry Washington, in a distinctive look. I continue to be enamored with everything Gucci is doing right now.

Also a good time to mention that I spoke to Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo last week and you can read that here.

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Karen O spits rainbows and this Yeah Yeah Yeahs reunion is giving me all those undergraduate feelings. *digs out “Pin” poster*Drawing hearts around this photo of Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan at a screening of Lady Bird and Ronan is driving my desire to get some velvet pants.

Autumn in Paris 🍂 (📷: @PatrickDemarchelier) pic.twitter.com/3zKo2MNI26

— Allison Janney (@AllisonBJanney) November 8, 2017

I mentioned on Twitter that when I saw this photo of Allison Janney, my jaw hit the floor. Two days later and it is still having the same effect. Everything I love about a women in a tuxedo is on display here. The Cut continues their run of excellent profiles of women I find very interesting and this Aidy Bryant one is now different. The shoot itself is also fabulous and just because Bryant is not a sample size; it doesn’t mean she shouldn’t look as high fashion as anyone else who appears in these editorials. Something she discusses in the interview and she recalls having to wear her own clothes when she did a shoot with her SNL co-stars:

“It was just humiliating. The other girls had racks of clothes to choose from and were wearing these thousand-dollar dresses, and I had two sacks or like one matronly mother-of-the-bride dress. Those were the first times where I was like, Something is different here and this isn’t fair. This is a fucked-up situation, and it’s purely because of my body. Not because I’m less funny — it’s my body. It’s the only reason that I’m treated differently right now. And it lit a fucking fire in me.”

The original reason behind starting this blog was to discuss costume influence on my own style and Bryant’s costuming in The Big Sick ticks all those boxes. Fuck having to compromise on what you wear just because you’re not a size 6. Teen Vogue will cease to have a print copy next year and while it is the digital platform that has made this magazine one to watch for, I am still sad to see this one depart the print landscape. Over the years there have been some stunning covers (this Amandla Stenberg made a huge impact on me) and this Hillary Clinton cover (HRC is also the guest-editor of this issue) is pure art.
Another case of my jaw hitting the floor this week and Edward Enniful’s first edition of UK Vogue as the new editor-in-chief, is making a huge impression with this stunning shot of Adwoa Aboah. I can’t stop staring and I cannot wait until I get my hands on a copy.

There is a scene in Call My By Your Name that takes place in front of a bunch of magazines and I ended up in a Google image hole of Vogue Italia covers from 1983 and it reminds me of that period. The Samira Wiley Out 100 cover from three years ago is still one I think about. Such a stunning image and again this annual issue delivers. Jonathan Groff has had another really strong year and he gives great casual sweater pose.Also having an incredible year is Emmy award winning Lena Waithe. This cover is fabulous and I love how confident her gaze is here.

Tags: Adwoa Aboah, Aidy Bryant, Allison Janney, Emily V. Gordon, Greta Gerwig, Jonathan Groff, Karen O, Kate Mara, Kerry Washington, Kumail Nanjiani, Lena Waithe, Noomi Rapace, Out, Saoirse Ronan, Tatiana Maslany, Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis, Vogue, Zoe Kazan

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Categories Out of the Box: Look of the Week
Author Emma Fraser

First Trailer for ‘The Post’ aka Spot Your TV Faves

8 Nov

The Post was released today and will likely be a fixture come awards season (which has already tentatively begun).

Staring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, The Post is based on the true story of the Washington Post’s legal battles with the government relating to classified information about the Vietnam War. It might be set 40 plus years ago, but the premise about fighting for freedom of the press is all too timely.

This alone is enough to have me clamoring to see it and then factor in the 1970s setting—fave style decade ahoy—and Ann Roth’s newsroom heavy costume design. SO much beige. But it is the supporting players that have me really excited and it pretty much feels like Spielberg has pulled up a list of TV shows that he/you/I love and picked cast members based off this. Which is a pretty solid idea if you have this many speaking parts. The list is long and most of them don’t make the trailer cut (looking for you Alison Brie, Matthew Rhys and Jesse Plemons).

You will spy Bradley Whitford sporting clear rimmed specs and bow tie looking pensive, a beehived Carrie Coon also looking pensive, a supportive Sarah Paulson and a jittery Bob Odenkirk.

The Post will be released in the US on 22 December and in the UK on 19 January.

Tags: 1970s, Ann Roth, Bob Odenkirk, Bradley Whitford, Carrie Coon, Meryl Streep, Sarah Paulson, Steven Spielberg, The Post, Tom Hanks

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Categories Preview
Author Emma Fraser

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

3 Nov

Some of the big trends dominating the latter half of the year are showcased in this week’s “Out of the Box” and a fun mix of fancy/casual events delivers sartorially. Plus talking the Stranger Things publicity tour, movie premieres and striking magazines editorials.We are so lucky that Michelle Pfeiffer has been having a huge 2017, culminating in Murder on the Orient Express. I am a big Poirot/Agatha Christie adaptation fan so I am cautiously excited about this movie—I really love David Suchet’s Poirot.

But something that does not need to be debated or cautiously excited about is Pfeiffer at the London premiere in a stunning silver Prada gown.
Daisy Ridley is going to be wearing a lot of fancy frocks over the next couple of months and she is kicking things off in glamorous style in jade-green Vivienne Westwood Couture. For more from Ridley scroll to the bottom of this post.Thor: Ragnarok is great and it is the rare Marvel film where you can hear the director’s voice—both literally and figuratively. Here is Taika Waititi hamming it up at a screening of his new movie and this is another case where he’s giving great style. And white denim jackets are not the easiest thing to pull off.It is that time of year when awards start coming thick and fast; the start of a very long season for those actors that might get an Oscar nomination. Allison Janney is one such person and here she is at the third annual Carney Awards starting things low-key, but jazzing it up enough with her choice of jewelry.
Cold-shoulders and deconstructed shirts were the two (terrible) trends of 2017. Now it seems that every sweater, top and dress is finding it necessary to have some kind of lace/tie/ribbon on it. I am not mad about all of it, but I think I might be in a few months time.

Kathryn Hahn at the A Bad Moms Christmas premiere gets the good end of the ribbon deal in Alberta Ferretti.

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Jessica Williams mixes two of my fave thing—preppy and twee—in Creatures of Comfort at the opening of The Wing in Soho. The Stranger Things teens are still everywhere promoting the second season and the boys continue to do the casual thing with aplomb. There has been concern about Millie Bobby Brown’s schedule and any regular reader of Lainey Gossip will be very aware of this. There have been so many child/teen stars that have burned out far too young and hopefully Brown will not be another cautionary tale.

In terms of styling before this promo tour Brown’s look was pretty age appropriate and as the Fug Girls point out it is now veering into the other end of this scale. Here, I think her Giamba outfit is a good mix of high fashion/fun and Sadie Sink’s ensemble is doing it, but without doing the most. Dressing when you are a regular teen is hard enough and I can’t imagine going through this awkward stage with this many eyes on you. Frances Ha was my favorite film of 2013 and suffice to say I couldn’t be more excited about Lady Bird. There are a lot of Greta Gerwig profiles out this week and I couldn’t be more thrilled; both the New York Magazine and New York Times ones are excellent. The above photo is courtesy of Interview and regular readers will know how much I adore their editorial style.

Gerwig is interviewed by Francis Ford Coppola and it is an insightful conversation about Gerwig’s childhood, influences and process including this gem about the rehearsal process. I also love 20th Century Women so this anecdote really speaks to me. And this gif is a necessary accompaniment to her tale.

[source]

“It wasn’t just working with the lines; it was also a lot of talking and investigation. I would have them all dance together, because when I worked with Mike Mills, he had us do that. I found it useful because it makes you less embarrassed of your body and less embarrassed in front of other people, so I stole that from him.”

The below sentiment also applies to how I pitch. I am so bad at explaining an idea in its initial stage.

“I’ve found that if I can explain it to someone early, it’s going to be terrible. You have to give the hunch time to grow in the dark, because otherwise—let’s say you pitch it to a friend really early—it dies.”Solange shines bright for Glamour as one of their Women of the Year in matching sequined Gucci top/pants and Stuart Weitzman boots. Perfect level of sparkle for this time of year.

The whole essay is super inspiring, but this really resonates:

“There’s such a dated, tired narrative that women are taking a risk by standing up for themselves, writing their own narratives, and having control over their bodies. But I felt so much freedom in speaking my truth. I no longer wanted to stay silent. I didn’t care what I had to lose. I started to weigh what the risks of not telling my truth were versus burning bridges that needed to be burned.”The best cover Entertainment Weekly has done in an age; the colors/clothes/everything about it. Constance Wu and Henry Golding look fabulous. I really need to read this book before the movie comes out. As I mentioned near the top of this week’s “Out of the Box,” Daisy Ridley is going to be everywhere for the next two months—much to my delight—with both Murder on the Orient Express and The Last Jedi. I really love this V cover and the whole ’80s direction of this editorial. Also, the interview is conducted by none other than Adam Driver and it is delightful.

Tags: Allison Janney, Constance Wu, Crazy Rich Asians, Daisy Ridley, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Greta Gerwig, Henry Golding, Interview Magazine, Jessica Williams, Kathryn Hahan, Michelle Pfeiffer, Solange, Stranger Things, Taika Waititi, V Magazine

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Categories Out of the Box: Look of the Week
Author Emma Fraser

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

27 Oct

Bold pattern and color dominate this week’s “Out of the Box” rundown with stripes, florals and a variety of other fun prints. We’re in the pre movie award season gauntlet and magazines continue to celebrate the best of the year (even though it is only October).

Oh, and Stranger Things is back today, but I am sure you are probably already aware of this.

For all things Halloween TV from teen shows in the ’90s check out my round-up here. And I also interviewed 1922 costume designer Claudia Da Ponte about dressing for horror.“Women like looking sexy, but it doesn’t mean we want to fuck you.” Stitch Cate Blanchett’s words onto a cushion and I will visit your Etsy store. At the InStyle Awards, Cate Blanchett gave a blistering speech and as with last week’s Elle celebration, this is exactly the kind of thing I need to hear right now.

Blanchett was given the Style Icon Award and her striped Givenchy frock shows exactly why this was the right choice; she looks cool af posing next to Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi and he is also showing off his trademark sartorial prowess. One of my favorite designers is Mary Katrantzou as her looks are never boring; this is once again the case at the InStyle Awards and this mixed textured frock on Lauren Cohan is serving up a heap of dramatic flair. Great lip color from the Walking Dead star too.Happy Stranger Things Day! At the premiere last night the younger teens show how to do the whole red carpet thing as they continue to embrace the fun side of fashion. From colorful pants to all the flashy accouterments; they have this thing down. Caleb McLaughlin has the perfect answer to the LA heatwave in shorts and Finn Wolfhard is giving off super ’70s vibes in a Prada turtleneck and suit.

Joined by season 2 newcomer Sadie Sink dressed in a very cute Chanel. Millie Bobby Brown’s leather Calvin Klein frock is maybe not the best idea considering the weather and it is a slightly more edgy look than her usual offerings, but it still feels age appropriate. Of course they all have stylists, but their individual personalities are still shining through. Combining two of my favorite trends—florals and ladysuits—is Kerry Washington at the 2017 GLSEN Respect Awards in Roberto Cavalli Resort 2018. This is a lot of suit to pull of and Washington does just that.

My only quibble is I wish it was hemmed slightly higher as we’re probably missing out on some fabulous shoes. Issa Rae joined CoverGirl senior vice president Ukonwa Ojo at the Fast Company Innovation Festival and both women went super colorful with their outfit choices; bold tones are not just for summer.

Ojo paired her canary yellow with leopard print pumps and Rae has gone full sequin trend in Diane von Furstenberg. It reminds me of another Issa Rae stunning outfit from 2017.Wearing all Kate Spade New York at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund show is a very fun spin on the whole preppy look and this is a sartorial path Laverne Cox doesn’t often take. It is a super cute look on her and I am definitely coveting this dress.Jenna Coleman could step right into the 1960s scenes of Outlander in this head-to-toe Burberry ensemble at the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits reception. It is also part Audrey Horne school uniform chic with a dash of ’90s with those red laced boots. A very fun segment on Late Night with Seth Meyers is “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell” and the latest edition is no different.

I would also very much like to know where Amber Ruffin’s shirt is from because it is an astronomical delight. In other excellent Amber Ruffin news; she is looking to making the switch from late night to prime time and I am thrilled.Bookending this week’s “Out of the Box” with Cate Blanchett. Here she shares the cover of Australian Vogue with Thor: Ragnarok co-star Chris Hemsworth. A shot that is both moody in focus but fun in fashion and set-up. Also this new Thor is ridiculously enjoyable and had me laughing throughout. Some really fabulous costuming from Mayes C. Rubeo.

Tags: Amber Ruffin, Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth, Issa Rae, Jenna Coleman, Kerry Washington, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Lauren Cohan, Laverne Cox, Stranger Things, Taika Waititi, Ukonwa Ojo

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Categories Out of the Box: Look of the Week
Author Emma Fraser

Teen TV Halloween Episode Round-Up

26 Oct

Halloween is fast approaching and whether you have parties to attend over the weekend, I’m sure you can slip in a few old TV episode faves to celebrate this creepy time of year.

Sitcoms have long delivered on the Halloween theme hits with Brooklyn Nine-Nine upping the game every year; culminating in a very funny and heartwarming 2017 entry. Yes, I was crying by the end of it. But the genre that I keep returning to AND rewatching is teen TV from the ’90s. Because of course. Last year I wrote about nostalgia and looking back at these episodes.

I’m looking at you My So-Called Life, Freaks and Geeks, Felicity and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Below is a collection of articles I have written and team-up conversations about this particular topic and these shows. This is the ideal time for teen characters to experiment and most of adolescence is trying to figure out who you are. On Halloween you can explore that in a more explicit and overt manner. Ghosts come in many forms and it is also fun to look back at what was big in pop culture during this time. Costumes choices can be from a very specific window of time and there are some looks that never go out of style during this spooky season.

But if you need costume inspiration that is more 2017 than 1998, I also have you covered in this department.

My So-Called LifeMy So-Called Life uses the holidays to indulge in the supernatural from dead students that are very similar to Angela’s crush—Jordan Catalano—to angels at Christmas. I have written about MSCL a lot and the impact this show had on me when I was a teen cannot be measured in words (even though I have tried). It is surprising that I haven’t gone as Angela for any Halloweens so far and right now with all the ’90s inspired clothes in stores would be the perfect time. But alas, this year I have other plans.

For Halloween costume tips from the MSCL Halloween episode head here and for a discussion of everything about this episode go back in time to This Was TV.

Freaks and GeeksCapturing the awkward transition between childhood and adulthood is something Freaks and Geeks does better than many and in its third episode “Tricks and Treats,” Halloween is the perfect example of this. Whether it is finding out that there is a cut-off age for trick-or-treating or succumbing to peer pressure; this episode has it all. Plus Bill dresses up as the Bionic Woman and he is so pure. We must protect Bill Haverchuck.

I wrote about Freaks and Geeks using this holiday as a way to portray the push and pull that is indicative of being a teenager here. And for This Was TV, I did a deep dive of this episode with regular teen TV team-up partner, Julie Hammerle. Come for the Freaks and Geeks chat and all things pop culture references from 2013 (I see you Red era Taylor Swift).

Update!

https://instagram.com/p/Bat6fnqhc_l/

I couldn’t not include this A+ TBT from Busy Philipps.

Felicity Also early in Felicity’s run they give us a Halloween episode—it helps that October is near the start of the school year—and this one is fraught for a number of reasons; Felicity and Ben are robbed at gunpoint, which brings them closer together before pushing them apart. Felicity gets wasted and ends up throwing up in Noel’s lap, thus providing my go to Twitter cover photo for this time of year. There are also a good range of costumes and this brings me to my second Halloween costume tips post via teen TV from the ’90s.

Once again you can head to This Was TV for an in-depth chat about this episode and this isn’t Felicity’s only foray into Halloween shindigs. They head back to that well in season 4 and while it isn’t as noteworthy, there is a pre-Americans wig moment for Keri Russell and the episode is called “Boooz.” And for some reason, I still find that hilarious. You can read our thoughts about this episode on this very site.Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The first Buffy the Vampire Slayer Halloween episode is in my Top 10 (maybe even Top 5) for this show. It is pivotal for a number of reasons and gets called back to on numerous occasions (like whenever they need anything military training related). And it also captures those awkward teen feelings as well as any of the other shows mentioned above. These are no After School Specials; instead pointing to insecurities and how this holiday can help put those feelings aside. Or magnify them.

Willow’s costume—or the one that Buffy wants her to wear—is the most ’90s, ticking all those nostalgia boxes and I wrote about that here. But don’t head to This Was TV for a team-up chat as we never did get to doing one for Buffy.

I keep returning to these episodes for a number of reasons; part nostalgia and part because they stand the test of time.

Happy Halloween, everyone! And if anyone dresses as any of the above characters please send me pics.

Tags: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, Freaks and Geeks, Halloween, My So-Called Life, Teen TV

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Categories Halloween
Author Emma Fraser

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

20 Oct

The last couple of weeks have been exhausting and each new day a different person tells a harrowing story about their experiences working in Hollywood. It is important that these stories are finally getting told and I’m sure this is just the beginning. My hope is that it will have a positive impact on industries that stretch far beyond just the entertainment one.

Some of these accounts of sexual harassment and assault were shared at Elle’s annual ‘Women in Hollywood’ event and the unveiling of these covers last week was a bright moment. It is worth your time to read the speeches by Reese Witherspoon, Ava DuVernay, Kristin Stewart and Jennifer Lawrence.

Hot steaming angry tears have fallen down my face a lot this week and it feels weird in a way to flip this back to a fashion post, but honestly it is what I need right now. And seeing women celebrating other women brings me so much joy in this garbage fire week/month/year.

In other things that brought me joy (but also made me sob) check out the Halt and Catch Fire season finale and the essay I wrote for Collider about the end of this show.
Some of the posed shots at the Elle ‘Women in Hollywood’ celebration took place in front of this semi-futuristic metallic backdrop and Yara Shahidi’s Chanel ensemble was already great, but looks even better here. Plus this dress has pockets and we all know how I feel about this. Those shoes are also divine.We’re going to be seeing a lot more from A Wrinkle in Time teen star Storm Reid and the heart emblazoned Reem Acra frock is a mix of adorable cool. Love that she’s not wearing stacked heels and this is the kind of shoe I should opt for, rather than failing to wear a pair of heels for an entire evening. The Big Sick is one of my favorite movies of 2017 and writer Emily V. Gordon continues to give great pattern at fancy events. This is such a fabulous fall floral look.
Color blocked Calvin Klein is just the thing—even if it errs on the side of too sheer—and Julia Garner’s got an excellent blue bag to match. Top marks for the bold lipstick too.Tracee Ellis Ross at the polo is a match made in fashion fun heaven and as she mentions on Instagram these items are all from her wardrobe; her fave Céline pants (that color!) and an Agnes B button-down from high school. Yep, high school.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaWvjDljXy1/?taken-by=traceeellisross

From the fabulous posing on Insta collection this week; Tracee Ellis Ross shows that her Black-ish character is just as stylish and I would very much love this oversized green Tomorrowland chunky knit in my closet.

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A post shared by Gina Rodriguez-LoCicero (@hereisgina)

Last Sunday, Gina Rodriguez and Eiza González hosted a lunch with other Latina actresses and industry figures including Eva Longoria, Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero, Rosario Dawson and America Ferrera. Also in attendance were a number of Rodriguez’s Jane the Virgin co-stars Yara Martinez, Andrea Navedo, Ivonne Coll and Justina Machado.

It was heartwarming—especially after the last few weeks—to see Rodriguez and González hosting a super positive event like this.

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A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)

We’re Going to Need More Wine is on my book list (and a phrase I say often) and also Gabrielle Union is making me want to invest in velvet pants more than I already did and I’ve been coveting a velvet suit hard.

And while I’m on the subject of velvet; here’s Rami Malek for Shortlist in the perfect Dior velvet.

Also Mr. Robot has got off to a promising start and is featured in my Halloween costume TV inspiration round-up.

Allure has been crushing it this year and the last time Kerry Washington graced this magazine’s cover I commented that it was one of her best (and she has been on many magazine covers). I’m gonna say the same thing again as this image and the accompanying editorial are captivating and disarming in the best possible way.

The interview is also full of gems including what it means to play Olivia Pope; “For her to be three-dimensional and complex and fully human and not anybody’s stereotype or caricature is a big deal.” She also discusses the current political climate and beauty standards. With the latter she mentions how black women are judged by the way they wear their hair saying, “I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.”

She talks about filming Scandal while pregnant (sadly there is no mention of my Fitz’s knee as a bump barrier) and what it means for her now the show is ending. You can read the full interview here.

Tags: Emily V. Gordon, Gabrielle Union, Gina Rodriguez, Julia Garner, Kerry Washington, Storm Reid, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi

Comments 3 Comments
Categories Out of the Box: Look of the Week
Author Emma Fraser

Erdem x H&M Party Highlights aka Give Me All the Florals

19 Oct

The first fast fashion collaboration I remember was when Roland Mouret teamed up with Gap back in 2006 and the designer/high street retailer team-up has been going strong for over a decade now. In fact Karl Lagerfeld did one with H&M in 2004—for some reason I don’t remember this—and H&M has produced collabs with a number of designer brands including Balmain, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Versace. Now is the turn of Erdem.

Uniqlo is my to go to brand for indulging in the high/low collaborations and the only reason why I didn’t end up with about 10 things from the recent J.W. Anderson team-up was because they had sold out of the items I wanted before payday. But I don’t need any more sweaters (I always need more sweaters).

Bringing me back to H&M x Erdem and there are a number of items I am already eyeing up from the collection—namely leopard print coats, ladysuits, sweaters. And at the runway show party there are various celebs on hand sporting new looks that I am very tempted to add to my wardrobe.Pajama adjacent clothing is always going to win me over as is Kirsten Dunst; the two combined is fashion heaven and Erdem’s signature florals is a repeated motif.Perfect for winter botanics and I am coveting Kate Mara’s dress hard. And I can almost afford it. Perfect for one of the weddings I am going to next year. Throw a white tee underneath and hey it’s the ’90s again. I would also like to know what red lipstick Alexa Chung is wearing.On the runway there was plenty of menswear inspired pieces AND menswear; here is Taylor Kitsch sporting some grey pants that look great on him (and can look great on you too).Zendaya shows off one of the super feminine ensembles and leans hard into the retro vibe with her ’50s looking ‘do. I love everything about this and this whole collab is very wearable and pretty timeless. This is exactly what you want from fast fashion.