Style on Film // Valley of the Dolls.

It’s no secret that I’m an older lady trapped in the body of a 22 year old, in fact I was an older lady trapped in the body of a seven year old as well. My entire life I have obsessed over the fifties and sixties, it’s not something that I stumbled upon one day and became obsessed with. I have lived and breathed vintage fashion, movies, music, and beauty since I was a wee lass. I don’t know if it’s because my parents let me spend a little too much time with my grandma while growing up or because I’m some reincarnated 60’s child but it’s something I just can’t shake. We won’t even discuss the lime green polyester pantsuit I wore to sixth grade, the fact that my seventh birthday party was Blue Hawaii themed, or that I thought Patsy Cline and Elvis where the only artists to play on the radio when I was about five.

My obsession with vintage films has definitely been a huge influence on my style and taste. I grew up watching everything from 30’s talkies to Shirley Temple, from old Hollywood films to classic musicals and all of the wonderfully corny 60’s romance movies I could possibly get my hands on. I would just watch film after film, soaking it all up.

Since the beginning of this blog I’ve done a style icon series where I look to the past and some of my favorite icons and talk about their style, evolution in fashion, and how they have influenced my taste and aesthetic when it comes to clothing. I’ve ranted about lovely ladies from Cher to Priscilla but I haven’t had the chance to touch much on the films that have impacted my style so I thought I would change that today.

I figured we would start out a little dark and work our way to the light and fun films. Valley of the Dolls has been called one of the worst films of all time, but I would honestly have to disagree. If you take the almost comedic acting for what it is and just accept it what you have is a visually beautiful and disastrous tale about the rise to stardom. It’s more of a cult hit than a renowned film but it’s not hard to tell why. This movie is jam packed full of controversial topics from drugs, addiction, and sex to homosexuality and suicide. Although the topics are heavy and the acting is downright terrible, the sixties style and glamor of the three main characters is off the charts.

 Sharon Tate looks absolutely stunning in every scene, she may be vapid but at least she can dress (when shes wearing any clothing)! She has such a glamorous vibe through out the movie and her body is bangin’…just saying. You get to see a whole lot of it because she spends her time in France making “art films” also known as soft core porn. It makes me a little sad watching this movie and knowing her death in the movie is foreshadowing to the horrendous fate she suffered a few years later.

 

Barbra Parkins has probably my favorite role in the film because her character’s style is so extreme in some moments and others it is totally accessible, not to mention she’s the most sane lady in the bunch. I love the pale pink number shown below and the orange outfit she wears during her visit with  Patty Duke’s character at the Sanitarium. She carries some of the more artsy moments of the film, especially during her stardom as a fashion and beauty model. 

If you’re into a more casual style then Patty Duke’s character is right up your alley, and I seriously only mean for style purposes because she is an absolute nightmare throughout the entire film. She is a “dolled out”  and boozed up star with a self destructive attitude and a superiority complex, much like her almost co-star the one and only Judy Garland, who was ironically booted from the movie for being too wasted to make it on set.

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 I obviously don’t condone watching this film if you are a young since it’s jammed full of inappropriate moments, but it’s a must see for all you adults who love a good dose of vintage fashion and interiors. Speaking of, I’ll leave you with this stunning interior shot from the film.

Have you seen Valley of the Dolls? What did you think?