Chic at 60ish!

One of the best parts of being a fashion writer—besides sharing the latest trends with my dear readers—is being invited to meet designers & attend wonderful shows. Last week I was invited to the opening of the newest exhibit at The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, “Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me,” running through May 19^th. The art director for Harper’s Bazaar for 25 years, Brodovitch put his stamp not only on fashion, but the way fashion magazines are still laid out & designed, many years after his death.

FOREVER FABULOUS: One of Alexey Brodovitch’s first art deco covers for Harper’s Bazaar, still completely of-the-moment; the iconic Richard Avedon photo of the model Dovima with elephants, her Dior gown also completely of-the-moment, then & now

Long before we idolized editors like Anna Wintour & Diana Vreeland, the character played by Fred Astaire in the 50’s movie “Funny Face” was based on Brodovitch, propelling names on magazine mastheads to stardom. Brodovitch also catapulted the careers of models & photographers; the famous photo of model Dovima with elephants, shot by Richard Avedon is in the show at the Barnes, an eternal favorite of every student of fashion history.

TAKE A BOW: So “Babe Paley,” from a Brodovitch lay-out in Harper’s Bazaar, bows are huge for spring–you could wear this dress tonight; from “Feud:Capote vs The Swans,” Babe Paley/Naomi Watts & C.Z. Guest/Chloe Sevigny, having lunch at La Cote Basque before going to Bonwit’s to buy gloves

No question, the 60’s are having a fashion moment! As you know, I am obsessed with the TV series “Feud: Capote vs the Swans,” on FX & Hulu. (By coincidence, photographer Richard Avedon was in last week’s episode.) The story is intriguing & addictive—a more elegant “Real Housewives of NY”—the clothes, jewelry, parties & homes are beyond spectacular. Didn’t you adore last week’s scene where Babe Paley/Naomi Watts & C.Z. Guest/Chloe Sevigny are shopping for gloves in Bonwit Teller? (How much did you love that store, both on Fifth Avenue in NY & at 17^th & Chestnut in Philadelphia?)

LOVING LOOKS FROM ANOTHER ERA: My mom, Cis Golder, in the 60’s, wearing a navy boucle suit & hot pink & white striped blouse with a bow–notice the white kid gloves & matching band on her hat–other than the hat & gloves, like the dress in the picture above, you could wear this today; a more modern version, spring’s 60’s-throwback gold bold-shouldered jacket (very James Bond in the 60’s) from ralphlauren.com & scarlet sling-backs from gucci.com

My mother wore a hat & gloves for every occasion—the band of her hat would often match the fabric of her suit. Just like in “The Swans,” she had a woman who made her hats! I have a box of my mom’s kid gloves at the top of my closet—to the wrist & full-length—softest white leather trimmed in navy, black trimmed in white. Just too special to give away.

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: My mom in Halston in the 60’s; Cindy Crawford in a modern version–black sequin gown from Donna Karan’s new “Powerful Women” line at donnakaran.com

LOOKING SO 60’S–ISH, COOL & CLASSIC AT ONCE: Red Sivia Tcherassi dress at saks.com; ivory Tamara vest & Komi pant at veronicabeard.com; ivory Autumn Cashmere tunic & silk pants at bergdorfgoodman.com—so something Babe would wear!

Think of the “Swans,” Alexey Brodovitch, the fashion era they lived in & the aura they created as you shop for spring. Elegance with attitude. Powerful. Confident. Classy. How I wish I could wear those clothes today! Here’s to reminiscing & to a beautiful spring to come—enjoy every gorgeous moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft

ps. When I was a little girl in the 60’s, my parents entertained often & my dad would always make a big pitcher of whiskey sours–so good, why did we stop drinking them? If you’re feeling nostalgic, here’s a great recipe:

3/4 cup bourbon
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 limes)
2/3 cup sugar syrup (see below)
Maraschino cherries

Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice and syrup. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and fill two-thirds full with the cocktail mixture. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into glasses. Add a maraschino cherry and serve ice cold.

Sugar syrup: Put 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Chill thoroughly before using. Cheers!!