To celebrate the release of Skyfall and 50 years of the Bond franchise, fashion has gone all Bond-mad. Read on for the best fashion at the premieres, an exclusive Swarovski Bond collection, how to be a Bond Girl and more…
When you think James Bond, you think gadgets, martinis and, perhaps, romps with Bond girls.
However, Swarovski Crystal is ensuring that their name is also in the mix.
They’ve been partnering with the Bond films for 35 years, and now, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the franchise and the release of the new Bond film Skyfall, they’ve released a limited edition set of Bond-inspired goodies.
The retro pieces are inspired by every Bond film ever made – and there’s something for every film buff.
Casino Royale’s offering is ruby-red encrusted pendants and earrings in the shape of playing cards, while Die Another Day is immortalised in an ice-inspired bracelet.
Further back in Bond’s history, The Man With The Golden Gun is given a crystal twist with – what else? – a 1960s pistol.
However, our favourite is a nod to a big moment in fashion history: the part in Dr No when Ursula Andress emerges from the sea in a scene-stealing white bikini, holding a shell with a knife strapped to her hip.
The scene was responsible for one of the biggest surges in bikini wearing ever – and Swarovski have immortalised the moment with a coy shell-themed collection.
Will you be getting some ice-cool pieces to celebrate?
Image: Swarovski for James Bond.
James Bond film premieres have come a long way.
For instance, can you imagine anybody showing up to meet Sean Connery on the red carpet wearing what new Bond Girl Naomie Harris wore? Her sparkly one-piece swimsuit, overlaid with two layers of sheer black chiffon, was supremely daring – and, some fashion commentators said, in bad taste.
However, Bond Girls have to fight for attention with the star of the show, so we praise Harris for going avant-garde. The other Bond Girl (yes, there are two), Berenice Marlohe, who plays a woman in the grip of Bond’s nemesis, went far more traditional red-carpet chic.
In fact, she went red all over, with a strapless scarlet gown in show-stopping floor-length layers. The silhouette was on-trend – tight structured bodice with 18th-century inspired skirts.
The main man, Daniel Craig, went retro and impeccable in Tom Ford, though his wife Rachel Weisz wasn’t in attendance to make an entrance.
And Dame Judi Dench herself wore one of the Swarovski gems Rescu. loves, in the shape of the 007 logo.
What do you think of the fashion of the night?
Image: The Bond premiere in London.
With every new Bond film, film buffs like to look back on the fashion of the previous ones to see how far we’ve come.
In the new edition, everybody is impeccably dressed – with the exception of villain Javier Bardem, who swans around in pale Havana shirts and a truly hideous blonde dye job.
Yet the Bond brand hasn’t always been so spot-on about its fashion cred. Total Film, the movie magazine, compiled a list of the ultimate fashion faux pas in Bond films – and we have to say, the results are brilliant.
In their top ten moments, the terrycloth oneside playsuit worn by Sean Connery in Goldfinger earns a thorough thumbs down, though it does show young Connery’s shapely legs.
The kilt of Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the poncho in Moonraker and the clown outfit in Octopussy are also subject to the ravages of time.
However, other hated favourites are less offensive. The morning suit in License To Kill is only guilty of not fitting exactly right. And the inclusion of Pierce Brosnan’s post-torture soaked pajamas in Die Another Day seems unfair, given that Brosnan is mostly resplendently naked.
However, we do agree with one of their choices – the wetsuit with the fake seagull glued on top from Goldfinger.
Thank heavens Tom Ford took over – though we do think dressing Daniel Craig as a clown might increase revenue slightly.
Image: Total Film.
Bond girls haven’t exactly had the most fashionable reputation. They’re either intensely gorgeous nuclear scientists who trudge around in oddly flattering tank tops, or seductive henchmen who only keep on their gowns for ten minutes.
However, if you’re out to seduce an agent – or become one – we have the guide for you.
Bond’s girls are all about excess, and about being a distraction. This isn’t a time for minimalism – it’s a time for evening glamour from a retro time, harkening back to the 60s and 70s.
Luckily formalwear is currently having a Bond-inspired moment. Halston Heritage and Gucci are both all about the retro looks this season, putting out evening gowns in delicious colours with splits up to there and dipping necklines.
Showing a little skin is key to the Bond-girl look, although not enough to allow villains to see your concealed knife or gun.
Play up femininity with stiletto heels – Valentino and Christian Louboutin are both channeling ladylike silhouettes in footwear this season, complete with pointed toe for a well-placed kick to a shin.
And make sure you pile on the jewels. After all, they may be a priceless plot point you can defend from megalomaniacs.
Go for something show-stopping, like Roberto Cavalli’s gold alligator cuff or a Cartier drop necklace, making sure that the jewels are big and bold.
Top off with gloves, a stole and the ability to kick any security guard halfway across town, and you’ve got it made.
Image: Bond girls throughout history.
