H&M Releases Girl With Dragon Tattoo Fashion Line
In one of the more puzzling collaborations in recent years, H&M has announced a diffusion line based on the goth-punk style of the notorious Lisbeth Salander.
Salander, heroine of the Girl WIth The Dragon Tattoo series of novels, is going to be enshrined in a capsule collection.
However, it’s a pretty interesting choice for various reasons.
The major problem? Lisbeth is described as having a very full-on rebel, androgynous, anti-establishment style, and as having a severe eating disorder.
Not the main candidate for a mass-market series of clothes, you’d imagine.
But you’d be wrong. H&M’s campaign includes leather jackets, punkish T-shirts, and everything in between – though it notably stops short of the radical mohawk and chains sported by Noomi Rapace in the Swedish version of the film.
Lisbeth Salander, fashion icon – it’s a very odd world we live in.
What would Stieg Larsson say?
Will you be buying the range?
Image: Girl With The Dragon Tattoo For H&M.
Halloween Costumes For Fashionistas
Bored of the usual offensive sexy-schoolgirl/traffic warden/god knows what else costumes this Halloween?
Why not dress as your favourite fashion icons instead?
RESCU’s got all the ingredients for a truly head-turning fashion costume – though if you want to go with Marie Antoinette, you may be on your own.
Anna Wintour – The key item is a bob wig. That and a sour expression. Find some oversized sunglasses, an expensive-looking dress and a fake fur coat, and insist on being extremely rude and being afraid of PETA protesters. Bonus points for a bodyguard who carries you up and down stairs.
Grace Coddington – This is a simple costume, but the hair is the main event. A long, frizzy red mane is Grace’s symbol, and you just can’t do it without it. Dress all in black separates and make loud remarks about how Wintour is suppressing your vision.
Andre Leon Talley – A fez and a six-foot long cape are good elements here, as is being 6’6″ and extremely loud.
Karl Lagerfeld – A sharp black tuxedo suit and white gloves, plus a white shirt with a cameo pinned at the collar, make this look. However, you’re not truly Karl unless you include a long white ponytail (powder your hair if necessary) and his signature dark glasses.
Giorgi Armani/Valentino – To pair these masters together seems like an insult, but really they are bound together in costume-land by their signature deep, golden tans. If you’re not orange, you won’t pass muster.
Dita Von Teese – This is only for those ladies who can stand bright-white skin and incredibly tight corseting. Burlesque striptease isn’t necessary – go as a 1940s lady, with a deep, dark wig and bright red lips. Nipple tassels for extra points.
Anna Della Russo – Only true fashionistas will understand this costume, but look expensive and very eccentric and you’ve got it down pat. Add millinery – particularly a large hat made of cherries – to finish the look.
Image: Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour.
Capsule Wardrobe For Summer: What’s Yours?
It’s rolling around to summer, and a wardrobe upgrade might be in store.
RESCU’s compiled the essential, on-trend items for your summer wardrobe – so make sure you’ve got them all.
A maxi-dress: This season’s maxi-dress is less floaty 1970s than last year’s. Ditch the floral for a more fitted silhouette, simple lines, and intricate details – lace overlay, or stones on the bodice. Grecian-style is particularly in, so look for draping that a Roman would love.
A day dress: The 1950s silhouette is always in for summer, so look for something with a light, full skirt – below the knee or above. The bodice should be fitted to the waist. It’s very Brigitte Bardot, and universally flattering.
Ballet flats: The new ballet flat is in odd materials – the biggest seller recently has been a velvet red Mary Jane! Look for something distinctive in bright colours – no muted greys or beiges, but jewel-tones.
A light jacket: Oversized men’s blazers are in, but only if you don’t want to define your waist. Otherwise, look for a cropped, fitted version in an androgynous cut. And shoulder-pads, mercifully, have ended their brief renaissance, so it’s back to natural.
Shorts: Shorts are notoriously hard to pull off, so if you don’t feel comfortable flaunting the top half of your thighs, leave ’em be. Designers are by-passing denim for softer materials, even chiffon – so don’t be afraid to go feminine. Or look for a military green for a menswear-inspired look.
A swimsuit: The one-piece is back with a vengeance. It doesn’t mean you have to be all covered up, though – look for one with elaborate cut-outs and interesting design. If you do want a bikini, mix and match tops and bottoms – one colour all over is very last season.
Image: Frida swimsuit from Tigerlily.
The Ultimate Christmas Gift: Patrick Demarchelier For Dior
Got a fashion fanatic on your Christmas list? Here’s one way to make them happy as a clam.
Patrick Demarchelier – yes, THAT Patrick – is finishing a book called Dior Couture, which illuminates the history of the house from the revolutionary New Look in the 50s to the present day.
Apparently it’s a feast for the eyes, and will send any fashion lover into a swoon.
Among the ladies donning Dior for his camera? Charlize Theron and Giselle Bundchen.
Dior has one of the most illustrious histories in modern fashion – and the most controversial. Fashion insiders have wondered how Demarchelier will treat the Galliano scandal.
However, the two are apparently old friends, so perhaps the book will glorify in Galliano’s beautiful designs and conveniently ignore his profound personal issues, for all the damage they wrought on the company this year.
It’s 248 pages and over $100, so perhaps it’ll be the Christmas present to end all Christmas presents – but what a gift.
Rescu. certainly hopes for one in our stockings (which are, of course, thigh-high Leona Edminstons) this Christmas.
Image: Dior New Look.
