Fashion Film : Hairspray!

C'mon I had to write about Tracy Turnblad!


I love Hairspray, I've loved it since way back before the musical revamp when it was a John Waters piece de resistance featuring a pre-talk show Ricki Lake and the divine Divine. The original film is just witty, campy and great fun - if you haven't seen it you should Netflix it because its required watching.

One thing I love about Hairspray is how confident the character of Tracy is. Sure she's a little bigger than the other girls (pleasantly plump in her own words) but she's exuberant and feisty and never lets anything stand in her way. She knows she's a great dancer and ultimately its her faith in herself that lets the whole world know it too - by the end of the movie everyone in Baltimore (except the evil Amber Von Tussle of course) is in love with her.


The Many Faces of Tracy
Ok. Enough of my gushing - I think its clear that I enjoy the film. Now as we all know a remake was released a few days ago featuring the lovely Nikki Blonsky (love her - she's been wearing the most amazing outfits on the Hairspray press tour and is a sure candidate for TFFF profile) as Tracey. I have just returned from seeing the film and needless to say I enjoyed every minute. After the singing and dancing what stood out most for me were the incredible candy colored retro costumes. Musicals often have some of the most interesting costumes since the reality they exist in is heightened and the costumes follow suit. In Hairspray everything is almost too cute - even when the characters are supposed to look drab they're still in to die for little shifts and prints. I thought Nicki Blonsky, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfiffer and Amanda Bynes looked especially good in all that 1960s chic.

Fashion is going through a bit of a late 50s / early 60s moment now as well. From Amy Winehouse's beehive of doom to Galliano's recent Barbara Hutton-redux runway - high hair and bold color are back. As such here are a host of Turnblad approved accessories guaranteed to get you moving.



Welcome to the 60s : Hairspray - Frederic Fekkai Sheer, Tinted Lipbalm - Benefit Benetint , Hair Clip - Juko , Flats - Marc Jacobs Mouse Shoes, Purse - J. Crew tartan clutch (in store only), Necklace - Jules Smith Kiss Kiss Necklace
Those mouse shoes might just be worthy of their own film, ditto for the lips necklace. I don't see how anyone can wear either of those and not burst spontaneously into a song and dance number. There is something so kitschy about those shoes. The hair bows as well - though I suppose kistchy is what one looks for in this instance. Personally I'm jonesing for one of those great skirts everyone had in the movie. Every single female character (Travolta included) had amazing skirts. Rita Ryack's costumes were really just incredible.