Posted by Chris Laverty on May 5, 2009 Grace Kelly (as Lisa Fremont) wears five separate outfits in Rear Window (1954) including one negligee. Three of these are exceptional standouts, each neatly representing a different sector of 1950s women’s fashion: dress, casual and tailored. More…

Posted by Chris Laverty on May 5, 2009 Grace Kelly (as Lisa Fremont) wears five separate outfits in Rear Window (1954) including one negligee. Three of these are exceptional standouts, each neatly representing a different sector of 1950s women’s fashion: dress, casual and tailored. All will be covered in time, but for now let’s start with the ‘fresh from the Paris plane’ dress, as designed by Edith Head, unquestionably the most famous movie costumer of all time; known for her clean and elegant ‘taste maker’ style: Fitted black bodice with deep V cut down to the bust and rear to the small of the back, off the shoulder neckline, cap…

Posted by Chris Laverty on May 5, 2009 Based on the real life theft of £12,000 of gold bullion from a moving railway train in 1855 (though in the movie the amount had swelled to £25,000), The First Great Train Robbery (1979) features a hefty slew of period costumes for its modest $6,000,000 budget. It is also Michael Crichton’s best film as a director, adapted from his own novel published in 1975. 1855, London: most definitely a time of gentlemanly excellence. Before the lounge suit took hold in the late nineteenth century, the frock coat and trousers, whether single or double breasted for formality, was considered the only way for…

Posted by Chris Laverty on May 5, 2009 Starring: Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell Directed by: Lloyd Bacon This is a deliciously funny musical. It’s racy and light years ahead of its time; a power play of sexual politics set in the heightened blood, sweat and tears world of professional theatre. Shot during America’s Great Depression, 42nd Street (1933) follows the culmination of tired Broadway director Julian Marsh’s (Warner Baxter) production of ‘Pretty Lady’. The machinations of the chorus girls and randy male dancers form a background to Peggy Sawyer’s (Ruby Keeler) story; her ascent from newbie performer to replacing Pretty Lady’s injured lead Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) on…

Posted by Chris Laverty on June 1, 2009 While still alluring, as practically anything is on Grace Kelly, this is perhaps her least successful outfit overall from Rear Window (1954, as Lisa Fremont). The jacket seems slightly too long and loose for the slenderness of the skirt; it doesn’t fit Kelly’s figure as comfortably as it might. However even with its faults the suit still reflects a vital side of Lisa’s complex personality: her professional, tailored femininity. More…

Posted by Chris Laverty on June 1, 2009 While still alluring, as practically anything is on Grace Kelly, this is perhaps her least successful outfit overall from Rear Window (1954, as Lisa Fremont). The jacket seems slightly too long and loose for the slenderness of the skirt; it doesn’t fit Kelly’s figure as comfortably as it might. However even with its faults the suit still reflects a vital side of Lisa’s complex personality: her professional, tailored femininity. More…

Posted by Chris Laverty on June 1, 2009 While still alluring, as practically anything is on Grace Kelly, this is perhaps her least successful outfit overall from Rear Window (1954, as Lisa Fremont). The jacket seems slightly too long and loose for the slenderness of the skirt; it doesn’t fit Kelly’s figure as comfortably as it might. However even with its faults the suit still reflects a vital side of Lisa’s complex personality: her professional, tailored femininity. Celadon green midi-length jacket with stand up collar, no buttons, white contrast lining, ¾ Length sleeves and sloping round shoulders. Influences for shape and style can be attributed to Cristóbal Balenciaga (soft round…

Posted by Chris Laverty on June 1, 2009 While still alluring, as practically anything is on Grace Kelly, this is perhaps her least successful outfit overall from Rear Window (1954, as Lisa Fremont). The jacket seems slightly too long and loose for the slenderness of the skirt; it doesn’t fit Kelly’s figure as comfortably as it might. However even with its faults the suit still reflects a vital side of Lisa’s complex personality: her professional, tailored femininity. More…

Posted by Chris Laverty on July 8, 2009 This is the last outfit Grace Kelly wore for Rear Window (1954), during the very last shot in fact. This is complex as opposed to absolute Kelly womanliness, though no less appealing for it: Red casual men’s shirt with button-down collar and pushed up sleeves. Tails are held together with a scarf ring to form a decorative side sash on the waist. More…

Posted by Chris Laverty on July 8, 2009 This is the last outfit Grace Kelly wore for Rear Window (1954), during the very last shot in fact. This is complex as opposed to absolute Kelly womanliness, though no less appealing for it: Red casual men’s shirt with button-down collar and pushed up sleeves. Tails are held together with a scarf ring to form a decorative side sash on the waist. More…