Ten Favorite 90’s Movies Every Fashion Girl Should Watch
Harper’s Bazaar just released their list of THE ’90S FILMS THAT EVERY FASHION GIRL SHOULD WATCH.
Now, I’ll admit that I’m not a “fashion person” per se, most of my free time is devoted to creating on-line training workshops for the spa industry. But as a beauty professional I’ve been influenced for my entire life by the cinema . Also because American cinema is not as readily available to me in Asia, I find that I now appreciate it more.
Since I took time from my regular work schedule pondering the omission of the Eddie Murphy/Reginald Hudlin’s sartorial extravaganza, Boomerang, from Harper’s list, I thought what could be better than for me to create my own. The clothes from these 1990 movies inspired a host of wonderful shopping expeditions to create the look for less. Even if I wasn’t totally successful, I certainly had fun.
If music can define the soundtrack of our lives, most certainly our clothes provide the storyboard.
Take a look at these movies and see if you agree. What other films inspired your wardrobe choices. Let me know, I can’t wait to find out.
1. Boomerang (1992) Robin Givens’ entrance in that greige coat would give Olivia Pope a run for her money. Her rust colored power suit with cutouts had women shopping hard. Lela Rochon’s white outfit accessorized with a matching Afghan hound was off the chain. The brilliance of designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck was her phenomenal ability and range to create for a variety of artists, from Eartha Kitt to Grace Jones to Geoffrey Holder.
2. Indecent Proposal (1993) The black Thierry Mugler cutout dress! The white dress with sheer bolero. The logoed leather bomber jacket with shorts and boots. The backpack….I had to have it all.
3. Poetic Justice (1993) Major hoop earrings, round shades, box braids, crop tops and deconstructed jeans with rolled hems. Everyone including Beyonce and her sister have taken inspiration from this classic look. The basis for “street wear”…
4. Matrix (1999) Black sleek and glossy. Long coats began to make a comeback. Didn’t we crave those sunglasses?
5. Eve’s Bayou (1997) sent us to second hand stores scouring for gloves, broach pins and pearls. Southern belle was the look, complete with straw handbags and high buns. A generation of women learned just how beautifully their grandmothers had dressed.
Mad Men fashion with a southern twist.
6. Basic Instinct (1992) Actually we were checking for the other dress. You know,the gold one from the club scene? Sharon Stone’s fashion formula of clean, crisp monotone clothing with a red lip set the tone for a lot of women.
7. How Stella Got Her Groove Back(1998) Lets begin with the braids. How many career women beat a path to their stylist, (not to mention the Air Jamaica counter). But I digress; the beach hats, smokey eye and lip, power suits, beach party lingerie, maxi trench and ripped jeans. Angela Bassett rocked it all and inspired a generation of women to hit the running track as well.
8. The Women (2008) This moderately amusing remake of the great 1939 classic becomes worth watching in the last 20 minutes when the fashion show begins. Color-blocked drool worthy creations sashay down the runway. Designer, Narciso Rodriguez finally took pity on us and released a recreation of his line for Kohl’s 3 years ago.
9. Unzipped (1995) Isaac Mizrahi’s classic masterpiece. Anything Isaac. I remember running around trying to find cotton candy colors like that in Philadelphia. Fuggetaboutit!
10. Disclosure (1994) Demi’s beautifully tailored power suits with equally gorgeous lingerie underneath. The cutaway halter dress. became an instant office to evening classic for many women. Had to have it.
Linda Harding-Bond
