Sex and the City
Well, I jeopardised my eternal soul last night and went to see the Sex and the City movie. I actually thought a lot about whether I should see it, but then thought “Well, I’ve seen all six series on DVD, so that horse has pretty much bolted.”
So I saw it, and loved it. I’ve never liked the sex component of the series, and tended to fast-forward the more stomach-churning scenes, but have always been completely hooked on the flat-out visual beauty of every episode. The design of it is just stunning. Everything is as simply perfect as the set designers can make it. The clothes are insanely beautiful (except for a couple of couture disasters), as are the sets, the makeup, the hair, and most of all the portrayal of New York. I came out of there gripped by a manic urge to shop, but luckily it was 9:30pm and I couldn’t. So my friend and I went to Starbucks and dissected the clothes till 10:30. On a school night!
What we talked about, and what inspired me so much about the movie and the series, was the notion of building a personal style. Each of the characters has such a distinct look, and it communicates the idea that you don’t need to slop around in jeans and sweatshirts all the time. For almost the same money you can find something beautiful, that suits you, and that makes you feel wonderful. When I’m dressed well I feel like the world is better, and if I’ve really worked at an outfit, especially if I’ve made it myself, it feels almost like artwork. The accessories, the colour, the shoes, the way I do my makeup and hair, feels like I’m creating a small and transient work of art just for me. It’s not about being sexually attractive, it’s about style, and feeling as if I own the way I look. When you buy everything from Supre or Karen Walker and look just like everyone else, you don’t own your style. I’m glad I don’t have a lot of money for clothes, because it forces me to be creative. I fell in love with a skirt in the movie last night, but got on Vogue.com this morning and have a pattern on hold to make it for myself. I’m so inspired, and that for me is the genius of the series. (And a good thing too, because apparently the clothing bill for the movie was well into the millions.)
So I saw it, and loved it. I’ve never liked the sex component of the series, and tended to fast-forward the more stomach-churning scenes, but have always been completely hooked on the flat-out visual beauty of every episode. The design of it is just stunning. Everything is as simply perfect as the set designers can make it. The clothes are insanely beautiful (except for a couple of couture disasters), as are the sets, the makeup, the hair, and most of all the portrayal of New York. I came out of there gripped by a manic urge to shop, but luckily it was 9:30pm and I couldn’t. So my friend and I went to Starbucks and dissected the clothes till 10:30. On a school night!
What we talked about, and what inspired me so much about the movie and the series, was the notion of building a personal style. Each of the characters has such a distinct look, and it communicates the idea that you don’t need to slop around in jeans and sweatshirts all the time. For almost the same money you can find something beautiful, that suits you, and that makes you feel wonderful. When I’m dressed well I feel like the world is better, and if I’ve really worked at an outfit, especially if I’ve made it myself, it feels almost like artwork. The accessories, the colour, the shoes, the way I do my makeup and hair, feels like I’m creating a small and transient work of art just for me. It’s not about being sexually attractive, it’s about style, and feeling as if I own the way I look. When you buy everything from Supre or Karen Walker and look just like everyone else, you don’t own your style. I’m glad I don’t have a lot of money for clothes, because it forces me to be creative. I fell in love with a skirt in the movie last night, but got on Vogue.com this morning and have a pattern on hold to make it for myself. I’m so inspired, and that for me is the genius of the series. (And a good thing too, because apparently the clothing bill for the movie was well into the millions.)