Anne Keenan Higgins - Fictionally Fabulous: The Characters Who Created the Looks We Love

Page 1: Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City , 19982004
Page 2: Cher Horowitz, Clueless, 1995
Page 3: Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffanys , 1961
Page 4: Lulu, Pandoras Box , 1929

2017 Anne Keenan Higgins

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ISBN 978-0-7624-6142-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016955165

E-book ISBN 978-0-7624-6143-1

Designed by Anne Keenan Higgins and Amanda Richmond

Edited by Cindy De La Hoz

Typography: Adobe Caslon and Neutra Text

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OPEN PANDORAS BOX AND YOULL FIND THE FREE-SPIRITED Lulu happily dancing in a white breezy chiffon dress with long, flowing sleeves. Her legendary black bob, perfect bangs, and beguiling smile captivates everyone she meets. Over the course of the story, Lulu goes from a V-neck white satin wedding dress to a dramatic long-sleeve black high-neck silk dress with veil as she stands trial for murder. While on the run, she wears a sexy, sheer, low-cut lace tank dress adorned with a small brooch at the hip. Trouble hits yet again and only Lulu can pull off a mens black-and-white striped T-shirt with sailor pants. And even when Lulu has hit rock bottom and is about to meet her demise, her style prevails as she wears a silk Peter Pan collared tied blouse accented with small studs on the cuffs and waist.

Louise Brooks as Lulu

Costume Designers: Jean Patou
and Gottlieb Hesch

AS A DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER FORCED BACK INTO performing, Helen Faraday (aka Helen Jones) emerges from a gorilla suit and dons a wicked platinum-blonde curly wig with sparkly arrows sticking every which way. Singing the infamous song, Hot Voodoo, she immediately catches the eye of millionaire Nick Townsend. On and off the stage, Helen dazzles with fur-trimmed dresses and coats, a tailored riding jacket topped off with a derby hat, and gowns adorned with shimmering beading. The most iconic and memorable ensemble is the androgynous white tuxedo accented with rhinestones and matching top hat. Townsend tells her a little of you is worth a lifetime with any other woman. That statement couldnt be truer when it comes to the sultry style of Blonde Venus.

Marlene Dietrich as Helen Faraday

Costume Designer: Travis Banton

AS PRIVILEGED SOCIALITE TRACY LORD PREPARES FOR her second wedding, shes seen at turns wearing perfectly tailored pantsuits, an art deco gold sequin beaded silk gown with fitted buttoned cuffs, and an over-the-top gingham three-tiered skirt. Costume designer Adrian successfully portrayed her image as a Greek goddess, untouchable in a belted long swimming gown covering a sleek and simple striped one-piece swimsuit. Red, as shes referred to by her first husband, continues to dazzle in a flowing organza-layered, collared wedding gown accented with an obi-styled belt and topped off with an oversize wide-brim hat featuring long ribbons. With three men infatuated with her independence, smarts, and beauty, the stylish Miss Lord finally gets the man she wants and a dreaded full-page spread in the gossip magazine, Spy, for all the world to see.

Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord

Costume Designer: Adrian

IN THIS COMPLEX MYSTERY THRILLER, HEIRESS VIVIAN Rutledge has the confidence and smoldering style that allows her to wrap any man around her finger. In her first encounter with Detective Marlowe, whos been hired to get her little sister out of a jam, shes wearing a buttoned, brushed velvet coat, sweater, trousers, and loafers. From there, the sparks fly between the two and so do her ensembles, from a silk charmeuse robe as she strides down the hallway of her fathers mansion to a lam evening jacket when she meets Marlowe again for some sexy banter at a nightclub. But the most memorable outfit is Vivians black-and-white houndstooth wool suit, worn with a crew neck and a black beret. Even with all the thugs, gamblers, and blackmailers in Vivians complicated life, she eventually escapes trouble all the while maintaining her effortless glamour.

Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge

Costume Designer: Leah Rhodes

ME? YES, YOU GILDA. WITH A FLIP OF HER HAIR AND a suspiciously innocent off-the-shoulder chiffon dressing gown, Gilda captivates the audience the moment she appears on-screen. Running from Buenos Aires to Montevideo to escape her controlling husband, she sparkles while performing in a two-piece midriff baring, backless white-and-gold beaded gown. Desperate to be the good girl in her Grecian-inspired dresses, shes forced to be the bad girl as she goes from one strapless stunner to the next. The showstopper, of course, is the iconic black satin strapless side-slit gown with side bow, matching elbow black gloves, and diamond chokeran ensemble that became responsible for one of the absolute best fashion moments in film.