Haute Style: Flash Backs

It’s the 70’s RETRO (PER)SPECTIVE

By Deittra Wilder

Food, Film and Fashion have always held hands as intertwined creative forces. Today, we’re leaving food behind for the day, and talking Film and Fashion! The two entities are often a merged product of time, space, and inspiration.  So, color-block me verklempt to feel that the hottest designers are as excited as I am to gain fashion inspiration from the era that keeps on keepin’ on!

2013, as was 2010, 2011, and 2012 is back to the future to 1970’s fashion.  The 70’s are timeless.  Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Versace, Gucci, Rachel Roy, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, and one of my all-time favs, the incomparable DVF, Diane von Furstenberg have upgraded the Bohemian Oeuvre to premier levels of sophistication; the Disco Queen personifies Luxe; and the Lady Fox is timelessly Über Chic.  Sub-, Un-, or more often Consciously, designers have drawn inspiration from such fashion character icons of 1970’s cinema as Diane Keaton as Annie Hall, Diana Ross as Mahogany, Faye Dunnaway as Laura Mars, Pam Grier as Foxy Brown, and Jody Foster in Taxi Driver. 

Who knew forty+ years ago that the 70’s were here to stay!  I did!

When you think of Annie Hall.  Wait, you HAVE seen Annie Hall, haven’t you?!  If you haven’t, immediately add it to your Netflix queue.  Know you will be blown away by the confidence of Diane Keaton’s ease in the “boyfriend look”.  Do as Annie does this upcoming season: think layering of blazers, vests, loose trousers, long skirts, brogue wedges, and boots.  Don’t forget Annie’s signature tie, and you’re well on your way. 

Pam Grier?  Exceptional.  What more can I say?!  Forever THE quintessential 70’s IT Girl!  THAT wardrobe with so much talent, body-ody-ody, attitude, and STYLE!  Never a wardrobe malfunction; Sista wore that Fro!  Grier’s versatility of style was uncompromising, confident, and secure.  Casually, Grier’s flared pants, midriff tops, billowy hair, and platform shoes aren’t at all dated.  Not today.

It may be that most women don’t think, “I wanna dress like a 14-year-old prostitute from the ‘70s” – HA!  However, it must be said that Jodie Foster’s look as Iris Steensma in “Taxi Driver” is a true inspiration.  Marc Jacobs has been bringing sexy back through the casual fire of crop tops, high-waist short shorts, platform sandals, and big floppy hat. 

Who doesn’t love a BIG floppy hat?!   Effortless glamour on a hot sultry day is what’s happening TODAY!

Diana Ross will forE-V-A and always be Mahogany! You are not allowed to call yourself a fashionista, or a diva if you have not seen this movie … at least twice.  As a part of the creative costume design team for this movie, Ms. Ross does the Damned thing.  The wardrobe in this movie is electric!  The ‘wider-the-better brimmed hats’, sleek hair, draping for days, juxtaposed color blocking, and fur accents! In the 70’s Ms. Ross was a revelation! In 2013 … You better WERK!!!!!VERSACE!

The Eyes of Laura Mars stars Faye Dunnaway as a New York fashion photographer.  There is intrigue, super natural phenomena, and one hell of a closet.  Faye embodied suspense, a darker side to allure.  In an on camera wardrobe of predominantly camel shades, Faye Dunaway is CHIC CHIC CHIC. Tory Burch brings it home this year with movement!

Right on!

Can you dig it?

We certainly dig it!

It’s all Groovy!

In the know: Accidental Racist?? Papa's Words

There is an old proverb that says “There is no shame in not knowing, the shame lies in not finding out”. I happened to hear the “Accidental Racist” song by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J and after hearing LL’s lyrics I must say that they obviously don’t really know and SERIOUSLY need to find out. Not only is the song misguided, it’s really BAD (not like LL Cool J “Bad” but diarrhea on a ferris wheel bad). 

In a horrid attempt at showing a conversation between a southern white man and a Black “yankee” on race relations through song, LL drops the damn ball with lyrics like "You don't judge my gold chains/I'll forget the iron chains," and “RIP Robert E. Lee”. SAY WHAT??? Brad Paisley wants to be able to rock his Confederate flag without being labeled as a racist. Good luck buddy, considering the sordid history of the Confederacy/American Slavery  and the KKK which all have the same “DNA”.  Go listen to it for yourself, but be warned that you’ll never get those 6 minutes back. 

Beauty From The Inside Out: Ava-Avacados!

     If you haven’t incorporated avocados into your meal plans, except for the guacamole at Mexican restaurants or Super bowl parties, now is the time to take notice!  Avocados are fruits. They grow on trees; though ripen best in a brown paper bag on your counter.  A ripe avocado has just a little give when given the gentlest of test pressure with your thumb.

To assist in your consideration are some facts, and one of my favorites, Avocado Toasts!

Avocados have it all when it comes to being healthy, even fat.  Avocados are of the healthiest fruits that can be incorporated in to your meal plan. They are a good source of vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese. The fruit is also a good source of protein and dietary fiber.   Additionally, Avocados are unique in that as a fruit, they do have a high amount of fat.  Good fat that is! A serving of 170 grams contains 285 calories. Fats account for about 25 grams. Most of these are monounsaturated fats, which are considered as healthy fats. 

A True Beauty from the Inside Out warrior, avocados can easily replace butter or mayonnaise on sandwiches.   Versatile, avocados can be eaten fresh or used to make a dips, smoothies, juices or purees.  I've even tried it with pasta sauce mimicking a rich creamy sauce.  It worked! 

Avocado Keeping It Real Disclosure:   As a Beauty Treatment for Skin and Hair try 1 avocado mashed with a tablespoon or so of honey, applied to clean skin and left on for 10 minutes promotes moisture and has anti-aging properties against wrinkles.  On hair, the same recipe works as a pre-poo conditioning mask, avocados bring the radiance!

Delicious and gives you the all-around glow, Avocados Rule!

 Avocado Toasts

Yield: Serves 2

The Method: The Ingredients

4 slices of rustic pumpernickel and sunflower seed bread (or any bread of your choice)

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

1 avocado (the one happen to be Haas)

zest and juice of ½ lemon

1 - 1 ½ teaspoons of red pepper flakes (depending on your preference for spice)

pinch of kosher salt (to taste)

1 - 2 radishes, sliced

The Madness: The Assembly

Slice and toast a thick, good-quality piece of bread.  This recipe also works well on regular sliced white or wheat bread.  If you’re using thinly sliced bread, toast it plain.  For thicker more rustic pieces of bread, drizzle bread with the olive oil, and toast it either in a heavy skillet, preheated grill pan or preheated 400 degree oven for 4 – 5 minutes.   

While your bread toasts, slice your avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out all of avocado flesh into a small bowl.  Add half of the lemon zest, and one good squeeze of lemon juice.  Start with a 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and adjust the spiciness to your preference.  Sprinkle with salt, and mash mash mash until all ingredients are well incorporated, but your avocado still has some texture.  Taste and adjust seasonings to your flavor.   

Spread the mixture over your toasts, garnish with sliced radishes for crunch, and the remaining lemon zest.  Rejoice in devouring this!