MOD Monday!

Since it's 'MOD Monday' thought we'd have a groovy little flash back and rap a bit about Peggy Moffit.  Peggy was a California native born in 1939 who was known best for her unique look when she came on the fashion scene in the 60's, after initially pursuing a career in acting.  She became a fave of the late German designer Rudi Gernreich and as soon as she became one of his models, her personal signature style was born.  The Peggy Moffit look was all about false eyelashes & overly dramatic heavy eye makeup.  Her one of a kind, asymmetrical hairstyle created for her by Vidal Sassoon became known as the 'five point' and at the time, was being duplicated by stylists the world over...

Gernreich and Moffitt became a scandalous duo when Gernreich designed the infamous 'topless bikini' dubbed the 'monokini' and Moffitt was photographed in it shortly thereafter!  This bold fashion statement on Moffit's part pushed her to model star status being that she was pretty ballsy and one of few that would go that far at that time.

Gernreich and Moffitt's relationship as designer and muse evolved to that of business partners as it wasn't soon after the monokini shoot she was collaborating with him on styles.

They maintained their formidable partnership well up until Gernreich passed in 1985 at which time she held the trademark to his label name and designs. In 99' she allowed his vintage designs to be put on display in an art exhibition & within the same year she released a book chornicaling them.

In 2003, Peggy Moffitt released her own line which was a series of tee's with her image on them but hasn't produced much since...nontheless, I give this 'MOD Mama' mad props for maintaining longevity in the unforgiving world of fashion!  On the flip side however, after seeing a recent photo of her with Raquel Welch at the Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills Fashion Show, I think she's traveling in some kind of time warp and in need of a serious 60's addiction intervention because seriously...I cannot believe she's held onto that do, that makeup and those lashes for over forty years!  It totally worked for her then...but um yeah...not so much now!

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Fashion In Film Friday!

It's that time of the week again here at Retro Threadz where we discuss a film that inspired the world of fashion and this weeks movie is..."Valley Girl" circa 1983 starring Deborah Foreman and Nicolas Cage who at the time the movie was made had not yet made his mark in Hollywood as a reputable actor. 

The term Valley Girl was a stereotype given to a group of ditzy, materialistic, self-centered and often promiscuous California girls in the 80's.  They even were characterized as having created their own language called 'valspeak' which coined phrases such as "Ohhh my gawd"..."totally awesome"..."that's so gnarly" and the unforgettable.."whatever!!!"  More than the language became a trendy fad, the fashions choices of the Vals which originated in California spread out to the United States. This style included colorful headbands, leg warmers worn with heels, ra-ra skirts which have been seen making there way back to the racks, mini skirts worn with leggings, sweatshirts with cut collars worn off one shoulder, dresses with thick shoulder pads & polo shirts with the collar poppin'!

Of course the style has made it's way back to current day, as does pretty much every vintage fashion trend once passed as we are seeing more bold, colorful statement pieces both in jewelry and clothing.

The 80's ROCKED and not just because it was the decade I grew up in of course!  The music, the fashion, the vibe..."Yeah..It was all pretty 'bitchin'!" 

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Elizabeth Taylor...The Passing Of A Hollywood Icon

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor...known to the world as Liz Taylor, passed away this morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles California.
In spite of her wealth, fame and star status, she had a lifetime of ill health, failed romances and personal tragedies through which she always remained consistent in maintaining an air of grace and dignity...

Not only was she a two time Academy Award Winner, she was also a devout humanitarian and dedicated AIDS fundraiser who helped start The American Foundation For AIDS Research.

Her 1st major screen role was in the 1950 film 'A Place In The Sun' opposite Montgomery Clift but it wasn't until thirteen years later that her rise to fame began to take off, as her role in the 1963 movie Cleopatra opposite soon to be husband Richard Burton sealed her spot in the ranks of Hollywood movie starlet status.  

As a Fashion Icon, Elizabeth Taylor had the ability to turn simple into sexy with her ability to make mundane clothing seem magnificent with accessories. She quoted "Enough is never enough" in describing her personal style.  She was such a force to be reckoned with, so much so that she made the simple white slip she wore in the 1960's film 'Butterfied 8' seem like a haute couture dress!

In 1989 she said..."I think I'm becoming fantalistic...too much has happened in my life for me not to be fantalistic."   And that she was...completely and utterly fantalistic as she leaves us with her legacy of strength & beauty.




Elizabeth Taylor ~ February 27th 1932 - March 23rd 2011

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