Ya'll. "Paris is Burning" is on Netflix.

I do not own a television.  Frankly, it is a waste of time and money.  I have over 100 books on my shelf and over 500 books on my Kindle that need to be read.  Instead of paying for cable, I can go to the consignment shop twice more a month.  I do have a subscription to Netflix though.  Many complain that they have an outdated movie collection, but all my favorite foreign films and BBC dramas are present.  One day I was looking for documentaries about New Orleans when I stumbled across one of my favorite documentaries of all time:  Paris is Burning.

If you have never seen this film, please please watch it.  It will break your heart, inspire you, and help you bring out your inner drag queen while you're brushing your teeth in the mirror.  I think this is where Beyonce got Sasha Fierce from, and you KNOW the Queen of Appropriation, Madonna (as much as I love this woman), stole one of her eras from.  The Vogue era if you don't know what I'm talking about.  Madonna may be Queen of the gays, but she's largely Queen of the Caucasoid gays.  Black gays were hardly visible at this point.  I mean, you've got Langston Hughes and James Baldwin but they weren't out out.  This is a fascinating view of Black, gay, subculture in the late 1980s.  Remember how hip hop started break dancing as a way of non-violent posturing among crews?  Voguing was of a similar vein, non-violent posturing among houses.

And honey, the best part of the whole documentary is this 4-minute clip about "shade."

Do yourself a favor and try not to judge the people in this film.  Take this documentary for what it is:  a peek into the lifestyles of sexually and racially marginalized people.

Fashion in Film: Basic Instinct

MANEATER!!!

If you are a freak, you have already seen this movie.  If you're like me, you have seen this because you love film noir.  Basic Instinct is one of my favorite movies because it's smart and over the top. Remember, she doesn't like hands in general, she likes when Johnny uses his hands.  You can NOT tell me Sharon Stone was not a bad woman in the early 90s.  People forget but Sharon Stone used to be a BEAST!

Her nonchalant, icy attitude coupled with her bursting out of the seams sensuality all enhanced the muted wardrobe, and therefore her man-killer persona.  Other than Casino, this is Sharon Stone at her best.

1.  The White Ensemble

 I love white on white.  Love it.  If you can get the same kind of white, you can look untouchable.  Because I'm naturally tan and therefore beautiful, I often do the white on white thing.  And kids, nobody cares about the whole white after Labor Day bit.  Are Australians not allowed to wear white in December because of our holiday (a holiday corporations don't really observe because we are all drones/worker bees easily replaced)?  Nope!  Go for it.  PS.  If you're going to wear a turtle neck dress, make sure the "sleeve" (there is no sleeve, I know, ok?) ends where your collar bone ends.  You'll look slimmer I promise.

Black Dresses
Pumps

2.  The Club Ensemble  

Did I mention how insane Sharon Stone's body was in this movie?  I love how it's all business in the front and then homegirl turns around and you can see her liver and everythang in that dress.  Remember, any dress can look cheap if it is sloppy.  Stone's dress was tailored within an inch of her life.  I bet they sewed her into the dress right before the scene. Generally, I hate cowl necks; however, because the dress is so short and her hair is up, she makes it work.  Now boat necks I can get down with!

 

 3.  The Casual Scenes

To be honest, this movie is the reason why I bought my fantastic cable knit sweater.  I am someone who hates sweaters; I would rather wear three shirts at one time in the winter rather than a clunky thing.  It's also very difficult to find non-acrylic sweaters for a decent price these days; however, the thrift store is your sweater savior.  I have found hand knit sweaters from Ireland, Italian cashmere, and that nice chunky fisherman sweater that they wear up in New England, all under $5 at the local Goodwill.  PS I like the way riding gear looks outside the equestrian world, but I have yet to purchase anything that makes me like like I walk around with a riding crop in my back pocket.

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks
Belts

Fashion in Film: Overboard

There are many, many films I watch just for the costuming.  Memoirs of a Geisha is one of those terrible movies that I watched simply because I knew there would be a fierce kimono dance later.  I remember attending a New Yorker Magazine event when I interned with Women's Wear Daily where I had the opportunity to listen to a panel of Oscar-winning costume designers.  I was absolutely enthralled.  The workmanship, thought, research, and love that goes into creating film costumes is admirable.  To me, without the costumes, there is no movie.  I believe that costumes help an actor or actress really embody the character.  It's also the easiest change to make. 

Forget Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, or Less Than Zero; Overboard is one of my favorite 80s movies.  Goldie Hawn and Russell Crowe are comedic genius and her outfits pre-amnesia are stellar.  She also gave major 'tude and had the most awesome side bun to ever be caught on film.

The deep v and the giant hibiscus flower with cherries give me so much life.

I think Beyonce got her "Upgrade You" braid idea from Overboard.

I love emerald shoes.

I need those glasses stat.

Thong zebra print bathing suit?  Check!

The high cut, white one piece with the navy admiral sequin coat.  I'm just not going to say anything else.

Side bun.

When I go to Puerto Rico with Danielle, I'm buying a hat similar to this.