The much hyped Sex and the City movie opened this weekend. Yes it was amazing! Yes I loved it! Yes it was about friendship! And shoes! And designer gowns! And fashion as a statement. And fashion as an art form. Yes the men play second fiddle to dresses, shoes, gowns, hair and girl friends...as it should be. I absolutely loved it. I saw Sex and the City at the last minute. I was rescued by another fan of the shoe-loving, fashion adoring movie the invitation coming from none other than my son’s best friend’s mother!
I was beside myself with excitement as we proceeded to meet up with two of her closest friends and head to the theatre. All of us in different stages of disarray or new chapters in our lives or what ever you want to call it – plenty of material to relate to the lives of the SATC girls on screen. It was so fabulous to see this movie with a group of fantastic women. And, to all you naysayers out there - we want to hear none of it. The movie was a hit and moving a couple of the ladies to tears a different parts. And, while I wasn’t quite moved to tears the movie was worth it for the fashion alone! And, four woman, from four walks of life mirroring our CATC sisters as we navigate our different stages of life - we agreed on one thing -- this movie is for the girls and it perfectly encapsulates the type of friendship no amount of testosterone will ever help you understand.
Friendship notwithstanding the fashion was absolutely DIVINE darling. I will watch it again and again for the wardrobe alone. Its eye candy, fashion commentary, clothing as metaphor and more. The bridal gown montage is worth the trip to the big screen as homage is paid to Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Christian Dior and Oscar De La Renta. And although I felt the Dior was a tad prim for my tastes I thought the Vivienne Westwood gown matched Carrie’s personality perfectly. The fabric, attention to detail, plenty of flounce – perfectly flitting for a professional career girl in her 40’s. More like “queen for the day”. Elegance personified. The Vogue layout in the movie also captured the essence of the movie. The girls have all grown up. They are successful, they have learned their lessons and their clothes reflect, as the French would say, la certaine age when a woman, well, is a real woman. And it is a fashion feast with perfectly staged outfits put together by the gifted Patricia Field showcasing such designers as Chanel, Prada, Alexander Mcqueen, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna, and Fendi. I was delighted by the use of Burberry on Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie and Jennifer Hudson’s Louise.
And the shoes! The blue Manolo Blahnik shoes will be the focus of many a cocktail discussion to come. Designed by the gifted Mr. Blahnik himself specifically for the movie I have been obsessing over them ever since. And apparently I am not alone as tourists flock to stores merely to hold the divine foot wear. Perhaps to make their own NYC dreams come true, a sort of Cinderella story for big girls aka the infamous proposal from Mr. Big that made me “almost” like the guy.
The trends in the movie I am sure will permeate the fashion scene for the next entire year and its all very bold and exciting. Lots of color, studded belts, excellent fabrics and over sized hats. And, its summer, so I am already racing out to purchase the long, flowing print sun dresses (I TOLD you they would make a come back) – a sort of late 60’s retro with contemporary fabrics and more flattering cuts that the girls wear to comfort the heart-broken Carrie. Depression on the beach never looked so glamorous.
I was also thrilled with the Samantha story line – she is as strong, independent and sexually charged as ever. More importantly I loved the metaphor of the diamond flower ring. If you read my previous blog you know how much importance I have placed on the ability of a girl to purchase her own right hand ring. I thought the story line extremely loyal to Samantha’s character.
It makes me miss NYC and our easy access to the city before we packed a uhaul and moved my Man to the suburb’s, it makes me long for a closet with soft lighting the size of a guest bedroom but mostly it just made me miss more time with my best friend and drinking the requisite Cosmos or martini du jour and those “money-can’t-ever-buy-it” therapy sessions that only come with having quality time – with the girls.
Favorite fashion moments in the movie
Purses
Hmmm - so hard to chose but I have to say its a toss up between the over-the-top vibrant colour of the Louis Vuitton so elegantly gifted to Louise by Carrie or the Fendi du Jour - a stunning oversized red tote which is my "must have" for the season! I adored the rental theme in the movie and for those interested check out the SATC bags at
Bag, Borrow or Steal. I have to say that the Timmy Woods Eiffel Tower Purse was cheeky enough for Carrie's character. But next to the Fendi and my next Louis Vuitton I am thinking Prada is in store for me!
Favorite Shoe Moment
My previous comment still holds hence I adore the blue Manolo Blahniks. I have to say although the extreme Dior's have grown on me I truly love the Sigerson Morrison booties adorned by Carrie during fashion week.
The rose print vintage dress with the Zebra print Manolo Blahnik shoes Carrie wore to fashion week is up there and lest anyone doubts its vintage heritage I have a pic of one adorned by My Mother. The fact that the bridesmaids were all elegantly swathed in Zac Posen.
And for those of you who can't get enough of the Sex in the City Fashion you can follow their looks at Fabsugar who promises to po st every detail of each of the outfits showcased in the movie!
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