Hello Zeroh, I haven't seen the 'Laura Mars' film in ages. And you're right, Helmut Newton's work was used as 'props' in the film, I stand corrected. Still...

"In 1977, Rebecca was called in as Special Directorial Consultant to Irv Kershner and Faye Dunaway for the film The Eyes of Laura Mars, in which her photography was prominently featured. Many of the images used for the film were then published in her first book, Forbidden Dreams (Quartet Books Inc.)" - lifted from the biog section of Ms Blake's website.

But then, I was responding to la, who said "I think Helmut Newton was the photographic consultant..."

I don't think I've seen the Todd Haynes film, so thanks for the tip.

thanks for putting me straight on the Newton involvement,I knew he had something to do with the film.On the Fifth Element it was JPG not Galliano who designed the costumes.

I remember doing my thesis, was both the most horrible & interesting time of my student life. Got to meet with some interesting people & actually got me to think critically - mines was based on post-Marxism as a basis for social change. I aided my friend with his, and he examined the issue of class as lifestyle trait over an economic one through photographers such as Mayne, Parr, Wood, Frank etc. I think while a lot of subjects/issues seem tenuously linked to practice, it's more important to actually do something interesting.

Not really related to film & fashion, just my two cents on doing a dissertation. Blah!

Just realised I wrote my dissertation of the importance of fasion in film! Obviously the dissertation meant a lot to me!! I can dig it out and check where my references were from. I do remember there being loads! Someone has already mentioned Blade Runner which is a key fim. But also in the 20's-50's Fashion Designers were the Costume Designers, something which is becoming the norm again. All fashion designers aligning themselves with key actresses and vice versa. In the forties fpre-dominantly films were used for fashion tips, once movies screened they would launch patterns for women to buy and make their own version of what the actress wore. Will have more of a think whilst at work on it!

I was wondering if Gone With The Wind should be included as well as possibly Calamity Jane with Doris Day drest in leather, whow.
Jubilee was mentioned earlier.
A few years ago I wrote to Dereck Jarman, asking him how he managed to get established in Britain creating such controversial work.
He sent me a post card back of his art work, with a message written in black felt tip, saying that if I worked in super 8 film it would open more doors than I could imagine.
How times have moved on since then with 3 chip dv.

La, The Devil Wears Prada is a terrible, terrible book. I am thoroughly ashamed to say, however, that I finished it when I could have been reading improving books instead! You probably know the film's already out in New York and the word on the (very narrow fashion) street is that it's an inaccurate picture of the industry.

I'm sure you've read all the stuff about how fashion PRs are so scared of the redoubtable Editor of American Vogue that they wouldn't lend samples and so Patricia Field, the costumier, had to go buying vintage Karan etc. What fashion writers who have seen it have said to me is that everyone is kitted out how the general public would *expect* fashion editors to look (i.e. eccentric, crazy and dressed to the nines at all times) rather than how they actually do). But surely the point about that is that a film on general release can only hope to please both the paying public and if the narrow slither of subject matter about which the film is focused is pleased then that's a bonus. It's a bit like medics claiming that ER isn't very realistic. Who cares? Meryl's always great to look at and I loved her word to describe Anna Wintour's demeanour at the preview: 'cordial'. A very fine and much underused word. Expect it coming up in the blog...

Far more worrying is that it's another example of light entertainment aimed at women that will inspire people to want to *be* like that; the way people wanted to identify with those vile, unsympathetic consumers-dressed-up-as-'friends' in Sex in the City. 'Which one are you?': SWEET JESUS! None, I hope!

Anyway, it's an unpopular view I know. I must not get drawn into an argument about why Carrie Bradshaw is not actually a cipher for Global Capitalism rather than a person, someone who tolerates her acquaintances so she can perpetuate her lunching rather than a true friend to any of the other women at her Pastis table and the reason that most people want to be her is that she has so little personality as to be entirely uncontroversial...on my last day before I take a fortnight's leave or I won't get anything done.

Have a great holiday Penny

penny how can you say that about carrie? she wanted to be your friend.

Oh Penny- you hit the nail on the head with your capsule review of Sex in the city!
Although i obviously saw tonnes of episodes anyway.
Have a fab holiday-going somewhere nice? C