Monday Muses: Julie Christie

My father looooves "Doctor Zhivago". When my siblings and I were growing up he would try endlessly (in vein) to get us to sit down and watch the 3 and a half hour epic.  A worthy attempt at bringing some culture to our little lives but perhaps just a tad slow and heavy-handed for a 10 year old to digest? None the less, that was my introduction to today’s muse; Fuzzy flashes of blond hair peeking out of a giant fur hat against a sprawling, frigid backdrop. 

It wasn’t until I attended a special screening of "Darling" at the BFI in London 5 or 6 years ago that my love for Julie Christie solidified. Her Oscar-winning portrayal of the over-the-top social climbing starlet, Diana Scott, coupled with very 1960s costumes and makeup managed to leave a big impression on me.  It even inspired me to cut a fringe for the first time in years. 

Another fun sidetone that endeared me to Ms Christie is the legend that she and Terrence Stamp were the  young couple ('Terry and Julie') immortalized in one of my favorite ever songs, “Waterloo Sunset” by the Kinks (circa 1967).  (ugh...SUCH a good song, you guys.)  She was a bit of a playgirl back in the day and also dated, among others, Warren Beatty and Brian Eno. 

I recently re-watched "Far From the Madding Crowd" which is a gorgeous film (they just remade it with Carey Mulligan but I have yet to see it) as well as "Shampoo" which is 70s-tastic and worth a watch as well (it also stars Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn).

Julie has mostly retired from the spotlight but will pop up occasionally and she's still incredible...

Suggested viewing: "Darling","Doctor Zhivago","Far From the Madding Crowd","Fahrenheit 451","Shampoo" - if you are up for a scare "Don't Look Now"  and if you are up for a cry: "Away from Her" (directed by Sarah Polley who I adore). 

Have a wonderful week! xM

Liner Magazine - Vol. 4

I was so thrilled to take part in this shoot and interview for Liner Magazine last month. It's a beautiful independent magazine started by a really creative and talented gal named Kelly Searle. She also acted as Photog and Hair/Makeup for this particular shoot which was even more of a treat.  Here are a few screenshots but please check out the whole issue below.

We ended up with a lot of great photos - too many to use in one editorial, in fact! so perhaps I'll share a few more in the near future!  Happy Monday!

xM

I've got you babe...

In keeping with a long-standing tradition here on my old blog, I thought I would post my Halloween costume from Friday night....

I was CHER! 

Well... Cher circa early 1970's  The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour to be exact 

*there are many different Cher era's aren't there?!  Sadly, I didn't do the best job at documenting this year's costume. You'll have to put up with my 

selfies, I'm afraid! This costume was a super last minute choice, incidentally - most of the costume I had in my closet,

minus, of course, the long black wig which I found last Thursday! I did not have time nor the will to commit to that killer tan. 

costume details
70s flower halter-top dress 
black glitter platforms - karen elson for nine west
gold hoops, cheap wig, and a whole lot of bronzer! 

Monday Muses: Catherine Deneuve

Time for round three of Monday Muses and another shot at reclaiming our Mondays from the evil life-sucking powers that have made it the least favorite day of the week!  This week why not meet your pals for happy hour and a glass of Rosé? Or give yourself a bright manicure? While you're at it throw on a face mask (I like this one and these).  Make today about you.

This Monday’s Muse, Catherine Deneuve, is probably all about treating herself well - it’s just a hunch. She is one of those people for whom the words 'grace' and 'elegance' were invented.

Denueuve is the quintessential French Movie Star and she has played muse to many a director (including: Luis Buñuel and Polanski). She was also at one time married to photographer David Bailey.  However, she was arguably most famously muse to the one and only, Yves Saint Laurent.  They first worked together on the film Belle de Jour in 1966 and the pair became life-long friends (until YSL's death in 2008). Deneuve even helped launch "Le Smoking" evening trouser-suit, being the first to wear the famed tuxedo designed by YSL. 

Keeping in tune with the glamorous allure, she was also very fittingly the face of Chanel No.5 for several years in the 1970s.

I think I first discovered her in either the Hunger, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg or Les Demoiselles de Rochefort when I was about 10 (I saw them all with in a year or two). Which ever it was I have been a fan ever since.  You may recall this DJRD post about her costumes in the Hunger from waaaay back when (2008 to be exact!)  By the way, she can also carry a tune quite well...

In a world of surgeries, fillers and severe phobia of aging, Catherine has managed to age (seemingly anyway) without much help and with total grace.  She still easliy holds her own next to far younger beauties…

Suggested screenings:   Repulsion and The Hunger (with Bowie AND Susan Sarandon!) or if you're into lighter fair Les Parapluies de Cherbourg or Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.

Monday Muses: Liv Ullmann

Mondays are rough... let's just get that truth out of the way, shall we?  I've been thinking of ways to train myself to feel otherwise but it's pretty difficult.  For me doing little things to make the day more enjoyable is the key, really.  Treating yourself to a nice lunch, finding a new-to-you band or playlist to listen to, taking 10 minutes to catch up on your favorite blogs, better yet, taking yourself out for a Monday night movie -  do these things and you'll soon start to see the potential of Mondays, I promise.

More than most any other day, Mondays are in desperate need of some inspiration. With that in mind, I am starting a series of Monday posts to jumpstart our creative brains and fill our eyeballs with inspiring and beautiful images, clips and people.  To start “Monday Muses”, weekly posts featuring talented women who have acted as muse for their equally talented collaborators.  First up, Scandinavian film star, Liv Ullmann.

I've been watching a lot of Swedish films lately - trying (probably in vein) to get any sort of grasp on my ancestral language.  Most recently I watched the Ingmar Bergman film, "Persona" which stars today's muse.  For those of you unfamiliar, Liv Ullmann is a Norwegian actress / director best known for her work with Bergman. They made 10 films together and, though they were never married, they were involved romantically and had a child together.  I’d seen “Scenes from a Marriage” quite a while back which I liked but her performance in “Persona” is really incredible - especially considering she plays an actress who one day suddenly stops talking.  She has such a mesmerizing face that conveys so much to the audience without the need for words.  In the US you don't hear too much about Liv which is why I wanted to devote a post to her.

 

Suggested screenings: PERSONA & SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE - proceed with caution on that last one as the divorce rate in Sweden reportedly doubled the year it was released! ;) Both are strange but beautiful films and Liv is incredible in them. 

color me vintage

I snapped a few photos this afternoon of my favorite dress as of late.  I unearthed it a the Rose Bowl some months ago and bought it for next to nothing. Not a usual color for me but, again I've been really drawn to color recently.   Meanwhile,  I am still learning how to use my new DSLR which is deceptively different to my old one even though it is the same make.  But I'll get there...  

I've also been working on a little music related video project which I will share with you as soon as it's wrapped up.  Now I'm off to enjoy some sunshine and then on to band practice for my LA show later this month!

outfit details

dress - vintage

shoes - remix 

lips - revlon's just bitten kissable™ in "precious"