Tag Archives: Lena Dunham

Music Monday – Girls Season 3 Playlist

24 Mar

Girls has been a big part of Music Monday and what better way to celebrate a mostly excellent season than with a playlist featuring some of the best tracks of the year. Plus I’m also trying to distract myself from thinking about the devastating events of another show that aired last night (yes, I’m looking at you The Good Wife) and music is that outlet. Beach HouseAs discussed a few weeks back the closing credit music has been one place where the world of Girls is rather optimistic, even if it doesn’t match what we have just seen on screen. The final montage of season 3 uses Michael Penn’s “Good Girl Down” (sadly this isn’t on either Spotify or YouTube at this time, otherwise it would have definitely been part of this playlist) and in his role as Girls composer Penn penned (sorry, couldn’t resist) this track for the finale. Hannah’s smiling due to her grad school acceptance letter and while she has just had a big blowout fight with Adam, she’s still happy; this track does a good job of mirroring this.

This playlist is one to dance to, whether it’s a choreographed routine like in “Beach House” or even if it’s just a desk disco – which mine frequently are – it’s meant to be fun and uplifting. It’s not all dance party as there are some slower, more relaxing songs on here too and it’s generally got a good vibe to it. These are also some of the artists who I have been listening to for the past few weeks on repeat because of Girls, particularly Hannah Georgas and Hannah Cohen. The tracks are in the order they appeared on the episodes, except for Edie Brickell & New Bohemians’ “What I Am” as this song played throughout the season thanks to Marnie’s teeeeeerible YouTube video – why HBO hasn’t put this up on YouTube yet is beyond me – sorry if it gets stuck in your head as it did mine.

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

14 Mar

Mad Men has some competition on the magazine cover front from Game of Thrones this month and while Elisabeth Moss and Jessica Paré have scored one each, GoT’s Emilia Clarke has three solo covers and a group one. There are several other magazines with TV stars on the front this month – which is why this “Out of the Box” is all cover stars – featuring both current and returning faces. The covers are brighter in tone as the season is changing, even if it’s not quite warm enough to wear some of these outfits yet. There’s another show returning in April that we’re really excited for here at TV Ate My Wardrobe that isn’t Mad Men or Game of Thrones and it features on this week’s Entertainment Weekly.

Emilia ClarkeThe first of the Emilia Clarke covers and she looks stunning in a purple Giles dress with Swarovski encrusted lips on UK InStyle.

Emilia Clarke FlareNicely played with adapting the GoT phrase for the new season and Flare has been dipped in pastel pink.

Emilia Clarke French GlamourFrench Glamour has ditched the super feminine look preferred by both InStyle and Flare, opting for an edgier editorial choice. All three covers show just how versatile Clarke look is.

GOT Vanity FairClarke joins fellow GoT cast members in full costume for the April issue Vanity Fair and I’ve got until April 6 to catch up (I know). I’ll be buying this issue regardless and I love this photo taken by VF staple Annie Leibovitz. I’ll just have to save this article and go ahead and read all about Alan Cumming return to Cabaret instead. 

Orphan Black EW coverEveryone’s favorite clones are gracing the cover of Entertainment Weekly as they celebrate the return of Orphan Black. Our anticipation levels are pretty darn high thanks to this feature and the first full length teaser which debuted this week. April is going to be a very good/busy month for TV.

Lena DunhamLena Dunham covered Vogue last month and now she’s getting the Glamour treatment. The dramatic dark makeup works really well and let’s hope no one starts crowing about Photoshop with this issue.

Lena Dunham D&GExtra Lena Dunham from this issue of Glamour as I really like the dramatic nature of this Dolce & Gabbana polka dot frock. I would definitely twirl around in this if I got the chance.

Elle Katie HolmesKatie Holmes is returning to TV nearly 10 years after Dawson’s Creek finished as she will be starring in a yet untitled ABC pilot. In the meantime she’s killing it on the cover of UK Elle in this stunning Prada embellished coat.

Emily VanCampEmily VanCamp is in the new Captain America and while it’s unlikely that I will go back to watching Revenge, I am looking forward to seeing VanCamp in a film of this size – even though she hasn’t appeared in any of the promotional material. The styling on the cover of Elle Canada evokes a hint of a pilot (it’s mostly the patches) and I’m always a sucker for stripes.

The Wish List: Hannah’s Payday Dress on Girls

25 Feb

In this week’s Girls Hannah got her first paycheck from her advertorial job at GQ and much to Hannah’s surprise the taxes have been taken out and it is correct. What she earns in a week is more than her rent so like any rational person Hannah goes out and buys a dress that looks terrific on her – this might be the best attire Hannah has ever worn on the show – and struts down the street relaxed and happy. This is the kind of outfit where yes, you do go into the store and leave wearing it (see also Broad City last week). When the end of season 2 went full rom-com there were cries of derision and this is probably the most rom-comy Girls has been since that moment and it feels just right.

Girls payday dressThe dress is part of the MCQ Alexander McQueen range and it’s the perfect kind of statement for a first payday. Hannah is no longer wallowing in misery because her writing job isn’t what she thought it would be and this is a huge relief. Hannah’s bratty reaction to having a paid writing job that isn’t memoir related is one aspect of “Free Snacks” I found disheartening and I’m glad she’s moved on from this moment. This is the Hannah Horvath that I want to see; the one who rolls her eyes at folksy guitar singing (which sorry Hannah, I echo Elijah’s “I hate myself for loving him”), lets her friend cry on her even though they won’t say why they’re upset and gets excited about her boyfriend’s new acting gig on Broadway. The Hannah who walks down the street looking as relaxed as this.

Hannah GirlsYes there are still two four more episodes for everything to get fucked up again (12 episodes instead of the previous 10) and Jessa falling off the wagon is surely going to play a big part. After the big argument in “Beach House” a weight has been lifted off this friendship group, or they’re just pretending it didn’t happen and things are going to be even worse than before. Regardless this second half of the season has been funnier and more enjoyable on the whole and this new dress moment feels earned. It is worth noting the Hannah shopping high moves to a montage of an increasingly bored Jessa (accompanied by Lily Allen’s “L8 CMMR“) followed by the return of Richard E. Grant as Jasper. Jasper releases Jessa from the monotony of her day with one of the many substances she hasn’t taken all season.

Is this moment for Hannah going to be temporary or have we reached a point where she has got her shit together?

Wear a TV Logo on Your Bag

30 Jan

Anna Gunn featured on the TV Ate My Wardrobe SAG Awards red carpet best dressed and she also carried our favorite accessory at this event – a custom Edie Parker Breaking Bad emblazoned clutch.

Anna Gunn Breaking Bad clutchThe trend has continued as Lena Dunham posted a picture to her Instagram showing off a Girls clutch from Charlotte Olympia. This is part of Olympia’s pre-Fall 2014 collection and will be available from April – there are also some pretty cool looking Archie clutches currently on sale.

Lena Dunham Girls ClutchThis opens up a whole new avenue of TV inspired clothing and there’s an endless list of TV show logos, past and present that would work just as well as these Girls and Breaking Bad offerings. I mean I have a Dunder Mifflin tote bag, but it’s not really the same thing.

Carrie BagThe first season of The Carrie Diaries starts with a nail polish disaster resulting in a one of a kind purse that lands Carrie Bradshaw an internship at Interview and while that bag is long gone on the show now; it’s still one of the defining images in the intro.

The Bell Jar Clutch

TV shows aren’t the only ones to get the clutch bag treatment as Parisian designer Olympia Le-Tan has been using classic book covers as clutch bag designs since the S/S 2010 ‘Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover‘ collection and I’ve been coveting one ever since. The Bell Jar is part of the ‘Still Ill‘ 2012 series and as it is my favorite book, it’s also top of my wish list.

A bag can easily become a blank canvas and TV is the latest place to inspire; how about a ’90s line featuring shows that have either just hit or will be reaching the 20 year milestone soon?

Lena Dunham’s Vogue Cover

15 Jan

There’s a reason why Allison Williams represented Girls on the cover of Elle’s Women in TV issue and that’s because creator and star Lena Dunham has scored the February issue of Vogue. And it’s an excellent shot that looks completely different to everything this magazine has produced recently. Some might say that’s because Dunham doesn’t cut a similar figure to the models, actresses and singers that tend to feature on the cover, but it is better this than some awkward posing in a floral dress.

Lena Dunham Vogue CoverIt’s a fun image with the collar tug and polka dot shirt (yes I’m in love)* and both her hair and makeup look splendid. Dunham’s doing the slightly open mouth thing and it works this time, her previous attempt for Marie Claire was less successful. It’s a really great cover image and I hope Vogue mixes it up like this in the future. Somehow I have a feeling that Kanye thinks Kim is more deserving of a cover, but I say whatever as this is a terrific shot.

Adam Driver and Lena Dunham’s dog Lamby are also featured in this editorial.

Lena Dunham Adam Driver

For more photos and the full profile head here.

*Update! The polka dot blouse is from Burberry Prorsum’s Spring 2014 collection which we covered here

Girls Season 3 Premiere Red Carpet

7 Jan

It’s a big week for the cast of Girls as they promote their third season which airs this Sunday and on the same night they will be heading to the Golden Globes as both the show and Lena Dunham have been nominated. There are multiple magazine covers for Allison Williams (including Elle), chat show appearances and the red carpet of their big premiere event. While Jemima Kirke tends to avoid most of the media hoopla she joined castmates Lena Dunham, Allison Williams and Zosia Mamet at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York last night.

Girls Season 3 premiereLet’s break down the looks.

Jemima Kirke’s boho styling has been injected with some old school Hollywood glamour and this satin champagne coloured gown is giving me Courtney Love flashbacks. The tagline for season 3 is “Happily Whatever After” and Lena Dunham’s silver crystal embroidered Rochas Spring 2014 frock is giving off sparkly princess vibes. Dunham’s smoky eyes and slick hairstyle stops it from entering sickly, treacly territory. There is always something slightly awkward about Lena Dunham on the red carpet and while the cut of the dress isn’t perfect, it’s also one of the best outfit choices we’ve seen on her so far.

Moving on from the long to the short dresses and after stepping out of her comfort zone Allison Williams is looking positively Allison Williams in this super cute baby blue Dior; the floral appliqués detail on the bodice is really beautiful touch. As with the Girls poster, there’s a different interpretation of the pretty dress theme and Williams is the most conventional of the group. Shoshanna tends to favor pink, but Zosia Mamet is all about the LBD and who wouldn’t be when it’s Saint Laurent?! While there’s nothing particularly innovative to yell about with this choice, the gold shoes and bracelets are the perfect extras to turn an eh outfit into a winner.

To watch a promo for the new season head here.

Claire Danes Covers Glamour: Talks Cry Face, Feminism and Carrie’s Wardrobe

4 Dec

There’s enough time for one more magazine for Claire Danes to cover before the end of the year and Glamour’s first 2014 issue goes to the Homeland star. For any regular visitors you will know that Danes is a TV Ate My Wardrobe favorite and we’re always pleased with how forthcoming she is in interviews. In Glamour she discusses both personal and work related aspects of her life including her much memed cry face.

Glamour Claire DanesOne question that can produce a lot of umming and ahing from female celebrities is “Are you a feminist?” Is it because they worry about alienating some fans? Or do they simply think that feminism equates to being a man hater? Whatever the reason it is frustrating, so it’s always refreshing to see someone answer this question with clarity and passion:

“I am a feminist. And I’m so glad that Lena Dunham exists, because she is one too, and she’s quite vocal about it. Yes, women have more freedom and more influence than ever, but it’s hardly equal. It’s just not. It’s really f–king crazy. I’m sorry I’m cursing. But it’s wild that women are underrepresented [in Hollywood]. I have real anxiety about directing, and that’s something to question and challenge and correct.”

I mean not everyone will necessarily be happy with the Dunham reference as she is incredibly polarizing, but Danes has been a vehement supporter of the Girls creator – she wrote about Dunham earlier this year for Time magazine and they had this super cute Seacrest interrupting moment together on the Emmy red carpet:

http://youtu.be/njjbdZGE_j8

Claire Danes’ cry face has been mesmerizing since Angela Chase (over at This Was TV we talked about it a lot) and when her chin begins to quiver it pretty much guarantees that I will get the misty eyes. In past interviews Danes has come across as a tad annoyed at the attention this gets, this isn’t so much the case this time as she talks about it in terms of the character she is portraying “I think people are made uncomfortable by uncensored expressions of emotion. But, you know, that’s my job. I don’t have those fears. I really have never been concerned about being beautiful on-screen. That’s just not my jam. I’m concerned about it if I’m playing a beautiful character. But it’s not relevant for Carrie.”

03-claire-danes-glamour-cover-jeans-puppy-w724

Oh hey it’s a super cute dog.

Moving on to Carrie’s wardrobe and the brand they favor for this character “Carrie wears a lot of Theory. That is her brand. She’s a Theory girl. It’s a lot of navy. A lot of navy. I actually forget how to wear my own clothing when I’m filming because I wear basically the same pair of jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt and then change out of it and immediately into my pantsuit.” It makes sense for who Carrie is as a character that her clothes are very functional as her life is chaotic enough; can you imagine if they put her in the pattern clashing costumes of Mindy Lahiri? Or all the polka dots of Jess Day? Now I want to create paper dolls to switch outfits between sitcom and drama characters. Sounds like a job for Kyle Hilton.

For more Claire Danes in Glamour you can pick up an issue of the magazine on newsstands December 10.

Girls Season 3 Poster: Boots and Gowns

2 Dec

The promo wheels keep on spinning for the news season of Girls and hot on the heels of the new promo last week, HBO has now released a poster. Adam and Ray are now part of the poster ensemble, which in the past has only featured the women of Girls. There’s a fairy tale theme with Shoshanna and Marnie rocking the pastel shades and playing princess – both of these characters are very good at faking happiness. Jessa looks bored of course and has paired her gown with a pair of rugged boots and it’s a little disconcerting that Hannah is staring directly out of the poster at you. Hannah has ditched her shoes and this is my go to move when wearing heels. Oh and Adam has lost the facial fuzz and Ray has a perfect expression of disdain.

Girls S3

After the happily ever after knight in shining armor moment (ok knight with amazing Face Time reception in the street) ending of last season, this theme is somewhat appropriate and it’s given the Girls edge with the “Happily Whatever After” tagline. The primary season 2 poster featured only Hannah and this hinted at her isolation and so it’s a welcome relief to see an expanded group shot like this one. I’m also happy they’ve taken it out of the city and gone for a ‘fantasy’ image that plays with the notion of a perfect lifestyle. It’s messy like the show and while the fairy tale idea isn’t an innovative one, it is fun and season 3 looks set to capture this aspect that got lost last year.

Girls Season 3 GIF Preview

21 Nov

The first look at season 3 of Girls was like an Instagram flipbook, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the second glimpse of the new episodes comes courtesy of a selection of 10 GIFs on Buzzfeed. Yep this is an HBO marketing strategy and while it may come across as super gimmicky, it’s also pretty perfect for how Girls has embraced social media as a promotional tool.

So what do these 10 GIFs reveal about the new season? Not a huge amount, but there is some Adam smooching and considering how the last season ended this shouldn’t come as a shock. Whether Adam and Hannah will be able to make it work is another question and even though the rom-com like reunion didn’t exactly thrill me, having Adam back in the main story is definitely a bonus.

Hannah was incredibly isolated for most of last year as all of her relationships fell apart and these GIFs suggest that there will be a focus on the friend aspect. For me the reason why Girls resonates is because of how it explores post-college friendships and this got lost in season 2, these GIFs suggest that this aspect will be back.

There is a also a briefest of first looks at my favorite Daily Show correspondent Jessica Williams and an epic spit take, though I’m not entirely sure I agree with the heading of this one “Because you haven’t laughed like this since last season.” Yes there were funny moments, but it was definitely more tragicomedy for the most part. I haven’t put a Q-tip anywhere near my ear since THAT episode.

For more head over to BuzzfeedGirls season 3 premieres Sunday, January 12 on HBO.

Emmys 2013: Red Carpet Highlights

23 Sep

It’s a busy day of fashion and TV thanks to last night’s Emmys (for my brief thoughts on the show head here) and while monochrome was a big trend, bold color and the standard nude tones were also big players on the red carpet. This post is for those dresses that don’t fall into one easy category and this post features a couple of dresses that still has me pondering whether they’re a hit or miss.

Let’s get to it!

Zooey Deschanel Emmys

Zooey Deschanel has a habit of wearing princess type gowns with a 1950s influence so this Barbarella looking icy blue J. Mendel number is a huge surprise. You can’t see it in this photo but the dress had a huge sexy slit up one leg and I’m so glad to see Deschanel opting for something outside of her standard wheelhouse. She looks amazing which almost makes up for the lack of New Girl nominations. Almost.

Kiernan Shipka 2013 emmys

Kiernan Shipka continues to impress with her age appropriate red carpet looks and this floral Delpozo frock is perfect for the 13-year-old; yes at 13 Shipka has already outshone every good fashion moment I have ever had. This dress could come across as too fussy which is why the ponytail/minimal makeup works and I don’t think we’re ready for Shipka to go for the Taylor Momsen raccoon eyes approach – now or ever.

Kerry Washington Emmys 2013

Kerry Washington was top of my red carpet most anticipated list and I’m disappointed with the Marchesa gown. I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it and while I like the floral embellishments, it’s also reading wedding gown. I think if my expectations weren’t so high I would like this fine, but considering all of the other exquisite dresses she has worn this year it doesn’t quite hit the mark. It does fall into the Olivia Pope color scheme though and as always she looks flawless. It’s just not the dress I was hoping for.

Claire Danes emmys

Following closely behind Kerry Washington on that anticipated list, was Claire Danes and this is another dress that had me wrinkling my nose in disappointment, especially after what she wore last year. I’m not a huge fan of blush tone gowns which might be why I’m finding it hard to get excited about either of these dresses and with Danes this Armani Privé number washes her out. I do like the change in hairstyle and her makeup is also a win, more accessorizes would help.

[Source]

Danes does get red carpet legend status for crashing Lena Dunham’s E! interview and chatting about her Scandal obsession with the Girls star. A Romeo and Juliet reference was also thrown in regarding their Showtime/HBO standing; this has me reaching for those angel wings I’ve been holding onto for a Romeo + Juliet revival.

Christina Hendricks Emmys

Christina Hendricks doesn’t always get it right on the red carpet and designers inexplicably seem to have a hard time with her body shape, not so with Christian Siriano who always hits the mark with Hendricks. Hendricks described this gown as looking like a Sargent painting, a reference that was lost on Seacrest (Twitter quickly deduced that Madame X is the painting). Incredible from H to T (yeah I’ve been watching too much Top Model).

65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - ArrivalsMindy Kaling’s eggplant colored Edition by Georges Chakra dress is not the sparkly number that you might expect from Kaling and as with Deschanel I like this change up. Hair and makeup are understated and because of the embellished neckline accessorize beyond a cute clutch aren’t needed.

Carrie Preston Emmy 2013

Carrie Preston won an Emmy last weekend for her guest starring work on The Good Wife and she shone on the red carpet in this pale pink Romona Keveza gown with a touch of black detail. Preston’s incredible auburn locks instantly make her standout and this is another winning look.

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