MPB Exclusive! SEPTEMBER VOGUE -- First Impressions

Friends, what can you get for $6 these days?  An iced latte and a muffin at Starbucks?  A tube of CVS-brand sunscreen, SPF 25? 

This morning I spent that much for the big, fat September Vogue (916 pages, mainly ads), and the first time I have ever purchased a contemporary women's fashion magazine in my life.  I rarely participate in big cultural moments -- parades, Super Bowls, Olympics, Oscars etc. -- but it does feel nice to do what everyone else is doing once in a while.  Well, maybe not everyone.

Alexander McQueen show at the Met

Friends, I have neither the skill nor the familiarity with the subject to write a valid critique of Savage Beauty, the Alexander McQueen show at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, which I was fortunate enough to see yesterday.

If Lanvin calls it fashion...

 

This would not look good on me.  I'm not tall, skinny, and Scandinavian.

What's that...?  Oh, yeah.  Or young.

It looks like he got his arms stuck while trying to take off his sweater and just decided to go with it.

Forties Fashion: "I'm Patricia Powwww-derrrr...."

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING FILM CLIP HAS BEEN KNOWN TO INDUCE NAUSEA AND VOMITING.  DO NOT WATCH IMMEDIATELY AFTER EATING.

From "The Dolly Sisters," starring Betty Grable.  Costumes by Orry-Kelly.

1915 has never looked more 1945.  

Movie fashion show for a frigid Sunday

And speaking of frigid...

From "That Touch of Mink," the movie that forever cemented Doris Day's (career-wrecking) image as the original 40-year-old virgin.  Gowns by Jean Louis.

TRIVIA QUIZ: Who's Doris's roommate's famous sister?

If John Galliano calls it fashion...

I'll hold out for the Simplicity pattern.

Forties Fashion: It doesn't get better than this, kids!

The supreme combination of 40s fashion show and musical extravaganza, the title number of "Cover Girl," starring Rita Hayworth. Gowns by Travis Banton. I'll take the gold dress.

Wow.

When movie fashion shows go TERRIBLY TERRIBLY WRONG

From the incomparable "Back Street," starring Susan Hayward. Gowns by Jean Louis. TRIVIA QUIZ: Can you name the seated dowager in the lavender cocktail ensemble?

BEST LINES:

HE: "Get out of that car or there'll be a scene you'll never forget -- right here!"

SHE: "Sounds fascinating! Give me a raincheck."

I love a movie fashion show...

..and this one is immediately followed by a glorious dance by Astaire and Rogers, from the film "Roberta."

Gowns designed by Bernard Newman, head costume designer at RKO Pictures.

TRIVIA QUIZ - Can you name the tall blonde in the feathered cape?