Thursday, June 21, 2007

Fashion in the Movies: Q&A with Jan Wahl

Jan Wahl is the film critic for KRON-4 and an entertainment reporter for KCBS Radio. Vancouver Magazine once called Wahl, “San Francisco’s sharp-witted solo answer to Siskel and Ebert.” She is a favorite community figure and easily recognized by her famous hats and personal flair. Wahl is a great movie enthusiast, and she won an Emmy Award in 1977 for producing and writing “They Still Say I Do.” On Friday, June 22, she will present a lecture entitled, “Fashion in the Movies,” at 7:00 pm in the de Young’s Koret Auditorium, as part of the museum’s Friday Night Programs.

What will people learn in your seminar?

I will be talking about the influence of fashion in the movies. I have arranged the talk chronologically by decade, and I will be showing several film clips.

Some highlights include:

• The silent film stars of the 1920s and their carefully chosen fabrics that were extremely influential in the fashion world.

• The 1930s, the ultimate time for fashion in the movies with stars Jean Harlow, Mae West, and Greta Garbo. Several stars sparked fashion revolutions, including Katharine Hepburn with her slacks and Mae West with her shoulder pads.

In the 1950s, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe were the major fashion icons. Each was unique, and a comparison of these three stars reveals a lot about the evolution of fashion during this period.

I will include film clips from such films as: Annie Hall, Bonnie and Clyde, The Sting (to discuss men’s fashion)

What is the role of fashion in film?

Movies present both realism and fantasy when it comes to fashion, and Hollywood encourages us to use our imaginations to develop our own personal style... [more]

Posted by: | June 21 at 10:35:04 AM
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Listed under: de Young News | Public Programs and Events | Exhibitions

Monday, June 4, 2007

Memories of Nan Kempner

Nan Kempner, wearing a Christian Lacroix top, a vintage Yves Saint Laurent skirt, and earrings by JAR, 2004. Photograph © Bruce Weber

In anticipation of the opening of the exhibition Nan Kempner: American Chic, at the de Young Museum, we've asked friends and family of native San Franciscan Nan Kempner to share their memories of her with us. If you knew or were acquainted with Nan and would like to share your reminiscences with us, please leave them as a comment for this blog post.

Gail Glasser, Nan’s mother-in-law and friend:

“The first time I saw Nan was in 1971. She had just flown to San Francisco from New York City. It was a long flight, but she looked completely fresh and put together. She had on a beautifully cut, belted dress. No matter what, Nan always looked fresh as a daisy. Her hair was always done, her skin was always tan… she was a beautiful creature.”

“Shopping with Nan was interesting. Although she loved couture, she would occasionally shop at stores. For example, she loved the Gap. She would stand at the escalator, take it all in, and immediately know what she wanted.”

“Nan’s style was very basic and very classic, but always with a flair. She went for clean lines and well-fitted clothes. There was always something unique about what she was wearing, but simplicity was always top of mind for her. During the day, she was conservative, but at night, it was all glamour.”

“The most beautiful dress I ever saw her in was a creamy satin dress with a low scoop back... [more]

Posted by: | June 4 at 5:00:55 PM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions