Horror month

(each movie is linked to imdb)
(I can't remember where I got these pictures, so let me know if you want me to remove them)

I would really like to celebrate Samhain with someone, but since I ususally work or are occupied in Oslo around that time, I celebrate Halloween in the more commercial way by watching old horror movies. Last October I watched the Innocents (1961) and the Shining (1980), and this month I've already watched the Lake of the Dead (1958) and Rosemary's Baby (1968). Next on my list is the Wicker Man (1973), the Birds (1963), Repulsion (1965), Invasion of the Body Snatcher (1956), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and the Testament of Dr Mabuse (1933)

Have you seen any of these movies?

TV Costumes

Upstairs Downstairs
(2010)
Costume designer: Amy Roberts
I don't know if any of you have seen this series, but I can highly recommend it (especially if you liked Downton Abbey). Preceded by the five seasoned series from the 70s about the large Edwardian townhouse in 165 Eaton Place and the family and servants that lived there from 1903 - 1930, this series starts in 1936, when a young couple buys the old house and hires new (and old) staff. The purpose of this post is to show you the wonderfull costumes of the series. It was designed by Amy Roberts, a designer that I am not very acquainted with (beside seeing her costumes in the tv mini-series The Virgin Queen and the 2009 version of Wuthering Heights). It seems like period design is her forté, and here we have the 30s fashion in perfection: long siluets with slinky evening dresses, expencive material like satin, fur and chiffon. We even get to see horrible (but still beautifully aesthetic) fascist uniforms. I love the constrast between the "upstairs" and "downstairs", and the more exotic and eccentric look of Lady Maud Holland. I would also recommend you to take a closer look at the beautiful set decoration by Julia Castle.
(I will post some stills in another entry)

Inspiration #4

Horst P. Horst
He is one of the most long lasting fashion and portrait photographers in the industry, with a career spanning sixty years. He has been my favorite photographer for a while now. As you can see, I had a hard time choosing only some of my favorite pictures. Most of them are from horstphorst.com, while I can't remember where I found the rest.

Marlene Dietrich, 1942

Lisa with harp, 1939

Joan Crawford, 1938


Natasha Wilson, 1935

Mainbocher corset, 1939

Helen Bennett, 1939



Lisa Vogue, 1940



Ginger Rogers, 1936

Princess Natalie Paley, 1930s

Lisa Fonssagrives, 1939

Dovima 1960

Mrs Henry Middleton, 1949


Jack Holland and June Hart



Round the Clock 1, 1987

Mainbocker for Vogue, 1941

Edith Sitwell, 1948

Mainbocher dress, 1941

Lisa with money plant, 1939

Gene Tierney, 1940

Fur, pearls and diamonds, 1940

Eyes, hands and painting, 1936

Lisa Fonssagrives, 1951

Helen Bennett modeling in Seligmann Gallery, 1938

Gertrude Stein and Horst, 1946

Coco Chanel, Paris, 1937

Cartier's Diamants Mystérieux, 1934