this guy

fashion fit for a king

 

Eight years before I was born, the King died. My mother, though on the young side to be rapt in the Elvis mayhem, was a conservative good girl and had eyes only for the Beatles – still does – so I was never much exposed to him.

I confess to not knowing much of his music – all the big-time hits of course but nothing else. I’ve not seen any of his films in their entirety nor do I dig the all-white studded suits and quaffed hair which has inspired impersonators, wedding celebrants and excited riots, the likes of which the world had never seen.

His talent and contribution to the music scene are utterly undeniable. When we think of Elvis fashion, we tend to think of the garish, fashion-forward look of his later years. Today, let’s take a look at Elvis, the early years.

Gloriously photographed by 26-year old photographer Alfred Wertheimer – a 21-year old relative unknown, Elvis Presley is at once both distinguished and boyish with his style.

I wish men still dressed like this.

women on film… unforgettable fashion from the silver screen

It started with a tan dress, big white polkadots and a prostitute at the polo.

We all remember that scene from Pretty Woman. Remember? When we get a glimpse of Richard Gere’s open heart just long enough to hold out hope for the rest of the film that a long-legged foul-mouthed prostitute and an impossibly handsome billionaire businessman could find true love in Beverley Hills.

It could happen.

Whatever else that film is about, it’s always been about that dress. An endless parade of wonderful, bold, and even revolutionary outfits have influenced generations of women.

In no particular order, some of the most ‘fashionable films’ include - Pretty Woman, Clueless, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Bonnie and Clyde, Grease, Tank Girl, The King and I, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Working Girl, Designing Woman, High Society (or anything with Grace Kelly really), Cleopatra (hair and make-up thank you very much), Katharine Hepburn in everything, The Thomas Crown Affair (remake), Almost Famous (if you look like Kate Hudson), Annie Hall… watch this space.

  

WHEN SOMEONE SUGGESTS TRIPPY TACOS.

Aight, so I don’t really get tumblr. But this site, WHEN IN MELBOURNE, is chock full of gold nuggets. Frigging hilarious. The author remains a mystery but I want to buy her (I suspect it’s a her) a drink.

Here’s a little sample below. Get on board.

WHEN SOMEONE SUGGESTS TRIPPY TACOS

WHEN PEOPLE DEBATE ABOUT THE CYCLIST/MOTORIST ISSUE IN MELBOURNE.

Why I love ginger (as if you care)

I love it in my juice. I love it in my Spice Girls. I love it in Mad Men and dancing with Fred Astaire in films with titles like The Gay Divorcee. I love it in my dark and stormy on a Friday night with a double shot and twist.

It’s even a brilliant word – it’s a name, a plant and a hair colour. What else can you say that about …  “Oh there you are honey, I’ve been dying to introduce you to Rodney from work, Rodney, this is my partner, Broccoli” or  Monday morning at the biscuit box “Oh I really love that shade of rosemary that June has done her hair. She looks ten years younger!”.

I don’t think so.

So in an ode to ginger, here are the faves in absolutely no logical order:
Ginger in juice – especially in summer. Especially hungover.
Ginger in hot water – only ever for nausea because it tastes like balls.
Ginger Rogers – wondrous.
Ginger Hair – sexy as. To the tune of Joan Harris, Ron Weasley, Ann Margaret, Seth Green, Jessica (of both the rabbit and vampire varieties), Eric Stoltz, Rita Hayworth, Willow Rosenberg, Molly Ringwald and Steve who I used to make out with at uni.
Ginger Spice – viva forever!
Ginger Meggs – mischievous red head of the comic world.
Ginger Bread – houses at Christmas. I can’t remember the last time I ate a gingerbread man.
(Hendricks and) Gingerale – bloody delicious and a smooth as jam from my favourite chic geek, Mayer Hawthorne.
Ginger Beer – at any time of day and especially with rum.
Ginger Ninja – purely for the hilarious visual.

festival siesta

I saw this tent at Golden Plains in March this year. As I walked and wended my way back to the campsite after drinking too much cider and dancing like a thunderbird puppet to Saskwatch – all I could think about was those bastards with the best goddam tent I’d ever seen…

I will have you next year. Oh yes I will.

Excuse me sir, would you mind terribly if I objectified you?

unlikely tv sex symbols we grew to love

A friend of mine has an unwavering crush on an overly neat, uptight, bumbling guy with an obsessive-compulsive disorder and a hopeless romantic. You might know him. His name is Niles Crane, Frasier’s brother?

I thought she was nutso or maybe stoned. But then I started seeing him in a whole new light and the more I watched, the more I jumped on board the Crane Train. Niles is sweet, genuine and completely, devotedly in love with Daphne and does everything a true gentlemen can when loving from afar.

Let me be clear here – I’m not talking about David Hyde Pierce, the actor who plays Niles. I’m talking about Niles the character. And I’m not alone – since sharing this information with friends, colleagues and whoever else will listen, it seems there are many of us who have, acquired taste.

Niles Crane (Frasier)

As if you need to hear any more. I leave you with this, a remark of Niles’ after a date, “I dropped her home with nothing more than a courtly kiss on the wrist. Tonight may proceed to handholding. If all goes well, in two weeks, I shall storm the citadel of her womanhood.”. Bless.

Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)

He killed a man with his shield and entered our lives as a whoremongering booze hound with a brilliantly sinister mind and an appetite for victory, personal and grand. Somewhat of a family outcast – the imp has again and again proven himself to be intelligent, strong, brave and surprisingly moralistic. All in all, it’s a bit of a turn on really.