FASHION DILEMMA
Which TV shows have a future in fashion?
It's been a while since we had a spurious excuse to talk about Mad Men in Fashion Statement Towers. And, given that it's written into all Guardian contracts that we must, by law, reference both that series and The Wire at least 5,601 times a year, it's been a fallow old time.
Instead we've been left playing dress-up with our Joan Barbie doll and scouring the pages of TV Guide, where this week we had the rather amusing tale of January Jones being slated by her 11-year-old on-screen son to entertain us. "Be careful around January Jones," young Jared Gilmore (aka Bobby) told the magazine. "... Everyone else is so nice." Eek. Will he ever work in that town again?
Hooray, then, for for Banana Republic, who is launching a 65-item capsule collection (is that really a capsule collection? Does even Betty Draper have that many outfit changes?) bearing the Mad Men logo. Now we can play dress-up, full-size version! The collection - for both men and women - has been designed in collaboration with costumer designer Janie Bryant and is the same price as the main range. Prepare yourself for wasp waists, full and pencil skirts, slick suits, skinny ties, fedoras, cigarette holders and little black books for all your conquests' phone numbers.
In fact, this natural marriage of fashion and TV has made Fashion Statement wonder why other shows don't launch their own ranges. Amazingly enough, we have some suggestions of our own ...
1. Game of Thrones
Looking back to the 50s and 60s for fashion inspiration? FAR too modern. Let's go for a quasi-medieval look à la HBO's recent hit. Bring on the bling with statement necklaces, cowl-neck robe-style dresses and lots of freshly killed animal leather ... you can imagine the designers conference right now. "Darlings, we just have to source organic burlap for this coat." Admittedly the ad campaign might want to steer clear of the whole incest thing, but FS can totally see the multiple leather strap/faux sword-holder thing catching on.
2. The Killing
Never can more column inches have been devoted to one piece of knitwear than that sported by the heroine of the Danish TV thriller. The original, made by Faroese company Gudrun & Gudrun, is still on sale for €280 (insert your own "they are making a killing on that" joke here), but clearly this is beyond the reach of most purses. FS suggests a range of traditionally patterned knitwear, with an advertising campaign showing in forensic detail the blood-splatter-proof nature of the fine knits.
3. Fringe
London fashion week already has Fashion Fringe. Up-and-coming designers? Whatever. Let's relaunch it as a slick workwear collection based on Olivia Dunham's FBI wardrobe of sharp suits, starched collars and black boots. But never mind a hard day in the office, this range would need to be resistant to alien slime, mutant spider attack and capable of withstanding the atmospheric pressure of crossing between universes. Also, can we have Joshua Jackson in the ad campaign please? Yes, OK, FS is a sci-fi nerd. Want to make something of it?
4. The Hour
Essential to replicating the spirit of the show, this range would need to be massively overhyped, take out ad campaigns in every major fashion magazine, and then ultimately prove to be totally lame.
More suggestions below, please.
FASHIONISTA OF THE WEEK
Take that look off your face - FS is actually in awe of Zoe Saldana for going for a half Las Vegas showgirl, half robot, half curtain rail look. Not least because that's actually one and a half Zoe Saldanas. Impressive.
FASHION GRAVEYARD
One Day: didn't like the book, don't like the dress, blah blah grump blah. To be honest though, FS just likes an excuse to trot out its favourite Anne Hathaway anecdote. Her ex-boyfriend, Raffaello Follieri, currently incarcerated for fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, told her he was the chief financial officer of the Vatican, and even had some monsignor robes hanging in their joint wardrobe, presumably to add authenticity to his claim. Apparently this did not raise any alarm bells.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Drum roll please ... this week's award for utterly insane over-the-top attention to detail:
As the story is so much about Emma's reflection on life, set director Dominic Capon wanted her to have the same mirror throughout. He turned down 150 mirrors before finding "The One" on eBay.
From 10 things you never wanted to know about One Day, but Grazia forced you to find out.
SHOPPING NEWS
Chic French brand Comptoir des Cotonniers has a new line for teen girls (it's aimed at ages 11-15). FS is feeling rather envious of said teens, as it loves the check shirts and bobble knit cardigans. Can we pass for ...? Oh, why are we even asking, of course we can't. Anyway the new line, made up of a dozen pieces starting at £35, will be in store from this month.
comptoirdescotonniers.com
Underwear drawer in need of a revamp? Head to Chantelle's pop-up shop in Selfridges, London. You can browse the new shapewear line, get some top tips from their fitting expert and maybe even win the entire range in their in-store competition.
Saturday 27 August, 2pm – 6pm, 3rd floor, lingerie department.
chantelle.com
OUT AND ABOUT
Heading out and about on 22 September? Then wear a tea cosy on your head. No, really. It's National Wear a Tea Cosy on Your Head Day (NWATCOYHD). This fundraising event is organised by White Stuff, and last year raised £26,000 for charity, so this year they are aiming to make NWATCOYHD even bigger and better. Knit your own with a pattern from Grannies Inc or sponsor your local shop - there are lots of other ways to get involved too.
More info at whitestuff.com/teacosy
In the mood for a spot of music? Clarks Originals is putting on a series of free gigs at Rough Trade East, London, in September, including popular beat combos Louise and the Pins, Trojan Sound System and Bo Ningen. They are also giving fans the chance to download the new dancehall mix of Trojan Sound System's forthcoming single My God - click here to listen and download.
More info at clarksoriginals.com
More music, this time with added ethical fashion. Mayamiko Trust in collaboration with Slaves of the Extraordinary is putting on a night of fashion, music and performance. Designers include Lauren Solomon for Slaves of the Extraordinary, MIA by Mia Nisbet and Fair+TRUE.
Saturday 15 October at 7pm, The Kensington Roof Garden, 99 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA.
Tickets cost £25
OFFCUTS
Exciting news: we launched our first dedicated fashion blog this week, with Simon Chilvers on man-trends, Rosie Swash on Vogue Italia's controversial "slave" earrings and Imogen Fox on boozy colours. Go to guardian.co.uk/fashion/fashion-blog for more.
As part of a new series on the blog, we want to fix your fashion problems. Who needs a spot of group therapy?
Test the Trend is another forthcoming new feature. If you want to wear a new trend for a week and report back on how you got on, email fashion.desk@guardian.co.uk.
In other news, jeans are about to get fancy. Imogen Fox has the lowdown.
For all the latest fashion news, visit guardian.co.uk/fashion.
News to tell us? Email kate.carter@guardian.co.uk.
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