The idea for the shape of the bodice on this costume came from an Edith Head bathing suit design which Shirley MacLaine wore in the film What a Way to Go.
Here’s a fun blog entry with pics of vintage Head costumes assembled for a retro fashion show.
What a Way to Go is a charming, wacky romantic musical comedy, starring Shirley MacLaine at her uber-glam best. This film gives new meaning to the word LUSH, and it is worth a look just for the costume design. Astonishing eye candy, bizarre fun with Paul Newman, Gene Kelly (doing a self-parody that MUST be seen to be believed,) Dean Martin, Dick van Dyke and Robert Mitchum – what’s not to love?
Quoted from the film:
“It’s like one of those big budget movies, all about love and what will she wear next.”
Yes. That’s it, exactly.
For added wonder, imagine Marilyn Monroe in the lead role: it was written with her in mind. She passed away before production.
This underrated, kooky classic is one of my favorites, and I don’t know a single person who has ever seen it. Give yourself a treat:
Ok, I admit it.. I’m a guy and I dont understand a single word of what you just wrote here, but it’s a beautiful page. It’s really amazing how pleasing it is to my eyes to look at, and it sounds like a cool flick too, and I will see it if it ever comes my way. (Any explosions and/or gunfights by any chance?)
WOW. Edith Head fashion show, live and in person… wowa wowa wow wow. Don’t worry, Amikael, you don’t really have to know anything about fashion, you can still just wink your roving eye at the pretty girls, it’s totally allowed.
As long as they’re not Machiavellian psychic tyrants, anyway– but I expect Niniri herself wouldn’t bother to harm any of us for leering, she has Weighty Matters Of State to distract her.
this dress always bothered me, because I always thought of her as being the most restrained (haha) of the bunch insofar as wardrobe. The one who didn’t wear things requiring pasties and bra tape. This outfit when I saw it just didn’t jar with my understanding of the character.
Come to realize, it wasn’t the outfit that was the problem. It was my understanding of the character XD well there ya go…
oh and yes I finally caved and got a Gravatar. Kinda tiny but this picture just cracks me up.
LOL!
I think you are right, though. I bet she would wear this in private, but not in public.
She just flips those scarves over and that changes the whole outfit.
I’m not sure if it’s good or bad that I spend this much time thinking about clothes.
Those Japanese tone sheets are perfect for pages like this.
Can’t we have one of those J M Linsner/Dawn-style competitions where female fans send in photos of themselves in this costume?
No..?
Don’t know how many takers you will get for that, bu I recall a very handsome couple who dressed as Rieken and Liana in costumes from the back cover of an issue of ADS. They looked pretty fabulous. Wish I had a photo.