The Perfect Cocktail: The Marriage of The Banana and Mad Men

Coming soon to a mall near you will be the sixties style fashions from AMC's popular hit series Mad Men. Emmy winning costume designer Jane Bryant teamed with the venerable retail chain to design a 65 item collection that includes everything from suits and dresses to men's hats and a leopard coat. I have always loved the tailored classics of the sixties and for those of us who love nostalgia, great lines and retro fashions, it's a closet godsend.

The collection sprung out of a friendship with Banana creative director Simon Keene and Bryant who clearly appreciate the intrinsic value of a good white shirt. And it's all here -- the two button men's suit, trench coats, high waisted skirts and leopard print pumps just to name a few. Items will range from 198.00 for a faux leopard coat to 450.00 for a men's suit. Information on the collection is  available on Facebook  and the AMC website and for those of you on Gilt Groupe, the fashions will also be offered here on Monday, July 25th for 36 hours beginning at noon - a full three weeks before the fashions hit the stores.

This is not the first time Mad Men mania has influenced styles -- Brooks Brothers designed a men's suit last year and Nailtini teamed with Bryant to come up with nail polish colors such as the Garden Party Collection below.

Throw on a cluster of pearls and leather gloves and you too can channel your inner Betty or Joan. Toss on a crisp white shirt and a trilby hat for a Sterling Cooper/Don Draper look when the collection hits stores August 10th.

Thankfully we have the Banana to remind us of all things Madison Avenue sixties as  Season Five series will not resume until 2012. Until then, get your fix with some Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies and Dean Martin television show reruns.

And speaking of Mad Men, stay tuned for my interview/Array Magazine cover story with the show's Bryan Batt (who played Salvatore Romano, closeted art director) and his upcoming design book big, Easy Style (Clarkson Potter, October, 2011). He is thoroughly charming, entertaining and very multi-talented and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend his first book/loving and hilarious tribute to his late mother, She Ain't Heavy, She's My Mother as well as his New Orleans store Hazelnut. I just hope the powers that be at Mad Men (are you listening Matt Weiner?) bring him back on the show next year. As Batt noted, "Well Matt says my character is not dead" which is always a good sign.

Photo Credits: Banana Republic, Clarkson Potter

For the love of Aston Martin

Maybe I have viewed one too many James Bond films, but I have always had a love affair with with an Aston Martin (and throw in Audi, Mercedes and Jag too while you are at it). One of the first films I recall seeing as a child was Goldfinger and images of the sleek, racy and chic James Bond car of choice have stayed with me to this day.

For the l964 film Goldfinger, production designer Ken Adam designed the gadget laden, hand built and customized DB5 as the ultimate dream adventure car complete with everything a member of the British intelligence could want. Sophisticated, elegant and ultra stylish, the automobile with the combo platter of Italian design mixed with British engineering featured all the accoutrements for high level spy games -- a honing device complete with radar style tracking screen, rotating license plates, oil spray, smoke screen, bullet proof shield, front firing machine guns and a tire shredder --reminiscent of the chariot wheels from Ben Hur.

Bullet proof shield

Ben Hur style tire shredders

Ejector seat

Automobiles in the sixties were pure status symbols and none more so than the Aston Martin. And the fact that the venerable car manufacturer only built a thousand  at a cost of $4300 pounds or so during the early sixties made it all the more enviable. Paul McCartney certainly thought so and immediately purchased one after the film's debut. Today Bond alum Pierce Brosnan drives a silver Aston Martin Vanquish (reportedly a gift from his 007 days) while other famous owners have included Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Rowan Atkinson, Jennifer Lopez and Prince Charles who converted his 38 year old classic to run on bioethanol fuel distilled from surplus British wine. (Apparently the car averages ten miles a gallon which is 4.5 bottles of wine). Royal watchers will no doubt recognize the car as the getaway mobile recently used by Prince William and Kate Middleton after their wedding.

Prince Charles and his Aston Martin DB6

The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge's car of choice on their wedding day

Pierce Brosnan in his Aston Martin Silver Vanquish

The 1964 DB5 used in Goldfinger and Thunderball was sold at auction last year to a collector from Ohio for 2.6 million pounds (the original was purchased for $12,000 in l969).  Only four were built for the film and one was stolen at an airport hangar in Boca Raton in l997 with a rumored insurance payout to be in the neighborhood of 4.2 million (note to police, it's not in my garage). While we mere mortals do not need the more expensive tricked out version (although there are days I would love to own an ejector seat), today's Aston Martin will set you back 200,000 with the Vantage V8 (my fantasy vehicle of choice) a bargain at 120-133,000 (note to self, buy lotto ticket).

I'd rather have a V8: The Aston Martin Vantage S Coupe V8

The DB series was named after David Brown, head of Aston Martin from 1947-1972 and the modified version designed by special effects wizard John Stears also appeared in Goldeneye, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Die Another Day, Tomorrow Never Dies and Casino Royale (and for a piece of Bond trivia, the steering wheel appears on the left). Aston Martin made another cinematic appearance recently in the Pixar 2011 film Cars 2 as Finn McMissile and aptly voiced by British actor Michael Caine.

Daniel Craig's Aston Martin for Casino Royale

Brosnan's Aston Martin for Goldeneye

Sean Connery's memorable aerial entrance to his DB5 in 1965's Thunderball

V12 Vanquish as seen in Die Another Day

Cars 2 Finn McMissile

Dubbed as the world's most famous car, I clearly have ride lust for an Aston Martin. And with top speeds that can hit up to 145 mph, my lead feet would be quite happy.

To read more, check out the Aston Martin website.

And a special thanks to my friend and designer Joe Ruggiero who turned me on to the website Paradise Leased, literally a treasure trove of history, architecture and people of historic Hollywood. Wonderful!

Photo Credits: MGM, Aston Martin, Pixar

Southfork Redux

I am headed to Dallas this week for a book event and thought this entertainment news was timely and of interest. TNT has announced a remake (or shall I say retread) of the popular series Dallas set to air this summer. You can see a preview tomorrow during the television shows The Closer and Rizzoli and Isles.

The cast of Dallas now....

and then

The series ran from 1978-1991 and viewers were glued to the weekly primetime soap antics of the Ewing family. Big hair, big money, sordid affairs and over the top portrayals of an oil rich life in Texas were the order of the day and audiences loved it. (I often wonder how Texans felt about it). Many of us recall the infamous "who shot J.R. episode" and the season premiere that answered that question was the highest rated television episode in history.

Set to return are Larry Hagman as now patriarch J.R. Ewing (father Jock is long gone), Linda Gray as long suffering wife Sue Ellen (I can't remember if they divorced or not as there were so many women!), and Patrick Duffy returns as brother Bobby. Actress Jordana Brewster of Fast and Furious co-stars along with Josh Henderson as John Ross Ewing and and Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher, adopted son of Bobby Ewing.

The new generation of Ewings

This go-round will explore familiar plot lines as family rivalry will erupt over the family fortune, oil and of course, a love triangle as the cousins battle over the affections of Brewster.

Southfork makes another appearance and like many an iconic set, the sprawling ranch becomes an additional character on the show. The house was actually a Texas residence owned by Joe R. Duncan (known as J. R.) and eventually sold as it became such a popular tourist destination. Located in Plano, Texas, the ranch is now a museum, event and conference center and even a popular wedding spot. To read more about Southfork, check out the ranch's website and you can read more about the show on TNT's Dallas website.

Larry Hagman at the Southfork Ranch

JR Ewing bedroom at Southfork Ranch

If you are in the Dallas area this week, I will be lecturing on the styles of the film Pillow Talk followed by a screening at the Dallas Museum of Art on Thursday, July 14th. I will be signing my book prior to the lecture at 6:30 PM. You can read more about the event at the museum's website here. Hope to see you there!

Photo Credit: TNT, Lorimar Productions, Southfork Ranch

The Accidental Princess in Monte Carlo

Opening in theaters today is this summer's teen escape movie Monte Carlo. And while it caters to a certain demographic, viewers will no doubt enjoy the scenes of Paris and Monte Carlo --  think of it as a two hour time transport without packing a single bag.

Part Roman Holiday and part How to Marry a Millionaire, Selena Gomez becomes an "accidental princess" when she travels to Paris with her family and a case of assuming another girl's identity turns into the trip of a lifetime. There are lots of great yacht parties, polo matches, eye candy, charity balls and luxurious hotels. And even though the reviews have been somewhat tepid, it's the ultimate two hour great escape.

The film also stars Leighton Meester of Gossip Girls and Katie Cassidy of Melrose Place and Nightmare on Elm Street. I love that the director wanted a "Neapolitan ice cream" effect with the casting as the women have three very distinct looks and personalities. Andie MacDowell plays Selena's mom.

Selena Gomez

Leighton Meester

The story takes place at the Hotel du Paris (can you tell I have a bad case of wanderlust this summer?) which was only used for a few days of filming due to limited access. Production designer Hugo Lucyzc-Wyhowski recreated the hotel on a soundstage in Budapest,  duplicating a convincing replica of the lobby and the Grimaldi Suite (of Prince Rainer fame). The regal Hotel du Paris was built in 1864 and showcases incredible marble pillars, Louis XVI furnishings, crystal chandeliers and tapestries in its Art Noveau structure.

Hotel du Paris in Monte Carlo

Suite of blue and white toile with view of the casino

Old world charm can be found in the famed lobby

And yes, the Texas scenes were also filmed in Budapest and often the audience is none the wiser. Filming also took place at the Stefania Palace which doubles for Monaco's Da Silva Ballroom and the Hungarian State Opera Palace. The magnificent Villa Eilenroc in Cap d'Antibes also has its moment in the spotlight. Once the property of American philanthropist Louis Beaumont and his opera singer wife, the picturesque home and gardens now belong to the city.

Eilenroc above and below

Stefania Palace

The costumes will not disappoint as couture dresses were custom made or borrowed from archives and include classics from Dior, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and Gucci. The girls are also sporting outfits from  Zara, Theory, Miu Miu and Diane von Furstenberg.

The timing of this film could not be any more perfect with today's Prince Albert nuptials  as Monaco will be in the news all weekend. (I am thinking TBS might consider showing the "The Runaway Bride" this weekend as well but I digress...) In the meantime, you might check out Hitchcock's  To Catch a Thief which also had some memorable scenes in Monaco. Legend has it that Princess Grace died on the very same road that the famous car chase occurred in the film in another twist of timely irony.

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant on the set of To Catch a Thief

Happy July 4th holiday and speaking of holidays, many thanks to the editors of High Gloss magazine who featured Designs on Film and Cinema Style in their July/August this month. They highlighted one of my favorite holiday films....The Holiday. Enjoy!

Photo Credits: Hotel du Paris, Eilenroc, Paramount Pictures and Larry Horricks/Twentieth Century Fox.

Cinema Spotlight: Le Bristol Paris

While the proverbial City of Lights is obviously front and center in Woody Allen's romantic comedy Midnight in Paris, the scenes of Le Bristol Paris were the ones that caught my eye.

Wilson and McAdams contemplate their differences on a toile covered bed

Director Woody Allen with the film's stars at the Cannes Film Festival

Located near the Presidential Elysee Palace on Rue du Fauborg Saint Honore', the hotel has played host to the likes of Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe as well as sharing the screen with Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. Carla Bruni (who also just happens to be the First Lady of France and a co-star in the film) holds court there regularly at the Bristol's brasserie 114 Fauborg. And in a case of " if these walls could talk," songstress Josephine Baker celebrated her career in 1975 with Mick Jagger, Princess Grace and Sofia Loren at the Bristol.

The stately exteriors of Le Bristol Paris above and below

From an interior design perspective, the well appointed rooms are spectacular thanks to a thirty million dollar renovation supervised by the owner, Mrs. Rudolph Oetker. Furnishings and draperies are decorated with the hotel's signature Toile du Jouy and color and patterns abound. The rooms are 18th century elegance (with a contemporary cutting edge) and filled with Gobelin tapestries and old master paintings. If you are lucky enough to stay in the penthouse suite like pop star Prince, expect to fall in love with the elegant yellow Empire sitting room.

History is preserved as well as the revered landmark has a restaurant that dates back to 1829 and the glass and wrought iron elevator was designed by a Jewish architect hiding out from the Nazis during World War Two. The five star hotel touts the city's largest bathrooms and the penthouse pool features a sweeping panoramic view of Paris. "Fashion High Tea" also offers haute couture showings from the latest collections. Let's face it, at eighty years young, the place is still fabulous.

High Tea

And for those of us who are animal lovers, a most unlikely ambassador in the form of a  Birmen kitten named Fa Raon has a commanding presence in the lobby.

And if you can't afford the room's luxury style rates, you can always buy a robe (as worn by McAdams in the film) at the hotel gift shop.

The gardens of Versailles also have their cinematic moment in the spotlight (actually the famed palace and environs have been featured in 165 films to date). A must see anytime you are in France.

Michael Sheen also co-stars as seen here in the gardens of Versailles

First Lady Carla Bruni plays a tour guide in the film

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures, Le Bristol Paris