After the initial flurry of SATC's arrival in the movie theatre, there was a book published that detailed all of the clothing worn by the ladies and the actual sets. I bought the book for my oldest daughter for Christmas. However, after oogling her copy, I bought my own and I came to love this Alessandro Dell'Acqua dress:
Of course, having limited time, I did a very cursory search on Style.com and the internet for it because I didn't remember seeing it in the movie.
Wonders of wonders...last Saturday night not only did I see it in the movie but I got front:
and back shots of it
I've had the fabrics I wanted to use and a pattern picked out to make an interpretation of this dress since I got the book:
Suffice it to say that this dress has moved somewhere near the top of my spring/summer sewing list! I think it will make an excellent work dress because it has enough individuality in it to be me and enough structure to work in a corporate environment.
So tell me...has a movie inspired you to make or want to make a garment? I know that there were quite a few garments "interpreted" from "The Devil Wears Prada" but have any other movie...old or new...inspired your own version of a garment? And if so, what garment and what movie?
This my question of the day so talk to me!
I am currently planning a fall wardrobe based on Eva Marie Saint's outfits in North by Northwest. (I need some time to get everything together.) I love the dress that you picked out!
ReplyDeleteI love that SATC dress, you should be able to make a great version of it. As far as me, I haven't been making clothes long enough, so I can't say any one movie has inspired me, but I do love those '40 swing dresses and the cool vintage looks.
ReplyDeleteThe color blocking on the dress is very slenderizing. Your fabrics are beautiful and will work up into a gorgeous dress.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever "knocked off" a garment from a movie, but I do copy from magazines, catalogues and stores.
I am currently in love with the fashion on the tv drama Mad Men. I have yet to do some serious planning but am still in dream land.
ReplyDeleteI made that dress -- you will want to make the entire thing as a muslin first because you will probably want to do major work on the shoulders. The next opening is so wide that the shoulders are just too wide. The neck opening in the back is about 6-8 inches too low. I made two muslins of that top and I still ended up not being able to figure out how to fix the back of the neck and have the shoulders work; I know you will have better luck than I did.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you take inspiration from places like movies and rework things to suit your style. I think that you're pretty inspiring yourself, Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I also loved that pattern and made the dress and had the same issue with the neckline. I know if I had continued to work with a muslin it could have been corrected - it's a very simple dress to sew.
ReplyDeleteMy inspiration from the movies is so embarrassing now...Annie Hall (turned up hats, my Dad's shirts, ties and home made vest) Grease (I actually made black vinyl skin tight pants!. I think your inspiration is much more elegant.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see this dress! I love it! I always love the Pride and Prejudice Movie dresses. The low scoop neckline and empire waist.
ReplyDeleteThe Doris Day Film Do Not Disturb has influenced not one, but many of my outfits.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at this scene from the movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHV4oMumQDk
The reveal at the top of the stairs made such an impact on me at an early age and since then every jacket or coat I make has an unexpected lining. For my June Capsule Contest entry I sewed an orange satin brocade dress and lined a plain and otherwise boring jacket with the same fabric. I lined a very staid business suit made from apple green wool with loud purple snoopy print satin. One day I will make a sequin dress with the low cowl back that Doris Day wears.
I have to say that I agree with thornberry; you have been a real inspiration to me and, no doubt, many others.
Wow, fab dress and really stunning fabrics for your interpretation.
ReplyDeleteThis post, more than anything so far has me finally itching to see that movie. But I really can't wait to see your cretion.
No movie has inspired me yet. I'm so impressed with your insight to the fabrics and pattern selection for this almost look alike dress. Anxious to see it done
ReplyDeleteI love that pattern! I can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get inspired by movies, they tend to be movies like "Marie Antoinete". Alas, I don't have much call for extravagant ball gowns in my life.
Hello Carolyn! I'm Daljeet and I've been reading your blog for several months now - although I forget how I found you :)
ReplyDeleteWanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your frequent installments and how awed I am by your productivity (both in blogging and sewing!). I look forward always to your updates and for that, have tagged you and nominated you for an award - which you apparently already have but no less still deserve.
Congratulations on the new grandson! He's gorgeous :)
I can't say I get inspired to sew clothing from movies or tv. I do with home decor though.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I want to thank you for what you do to all of us. Your followers have grown so much in the past few month. You are such an inspiration to so many people. Your a beautiful person with a good soul and a wonderful smile. The energy you give to all of us in the sewing "internets" is very well appreciated. I'm very thankful I found you and I love reading all the comments people leave. I've actually talked about you several times in my sewing classes. And I love you kept the picture of our President on your blog. I'm so proud to call myself an American again.
Keep up the good work! And...thank you! (big hugs)
You have a great eye for patterns! I'm sure this dress will be outstanding!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to make a dress like the one Audrey Hepburn wears in Sabrina. Alas, I am 5"7 and too many pounds to look good in that dress. Maybe I can recreate it for one of my daughters when they are older!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your Sex and the City knock off!
I tend to be most inspired by costume dramas and have made many Halloween costume copies, but few every day garments based on movie inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is going to be fantastic on you!
Just yesterday I was watching Gwenyth Paltrow in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" She wore a coat that I have been thinking about all night. But I have not been consistantly sewing enough to give me the confidence to try it. BTW your garments are all FAB!
ReplyDeleteNope, not I, but I love this dress and I think that it will work beautifully for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteLauren Bacalls wardrobe in "How to marry a Millionaire" is one of my favourites. But I am not sure if I could wear such things with her grand air. Thanks for letting us partake in your sewing adventures! Cheers from overseas, Anke
Oh, I love that dress and the fabric you picked for it. There are a number of outfits from SATC that I'd like to knock off. The other movie that has inspired me is "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Unfortunately, I don't have a Aubrey Hepburn figure. I'm still new to sewing now, but one of these days I'm going to adopt those styles to suit me! Meanwhile, I'll just keep sewing and learning from inspirational blogs like yours.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty dress, I'm sure your interpretation of it will be just as beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lory
I have always wanted to make the black dress Demi Moore wears in Indecent Proposal. Actually, I would stand in front of Robert Redford in a burlap bag.
ReplyDeleteFor my daughter's prom she asked me to knock off the dress the Baroness wore in the Sound of Music. It was an off the shoulder affair and I must admit, came out rather nicely. What impressed me the most is that she seemed to know this style would flatter her and it sure did.
Carolyn, that is going to be gorgeous! I love the geometric print! As for what inspires me, I rarely find things that speak to me the way you do, but once I find a pattern I like, I will look for something similar in stores...and sometimes that helps me decide what kind of fabric I would like to use, and what sorts of details I might add.
ReplyDeleteI've been inspired by movies to make costumes, but not modern garments.
ReplyDeleteHowever, after recently buying The Duchess on DVD and watching it again I have been feeling inspired to try and adapt some of the jacket styles for modern-wear.
Whether this ever becomes materialized (no pun intended.....ok, maybe a little bit) is another question!
I've been inspired by movies but cannot tell you that they are the key inspiration. I think I get mine more from magazines, TV news woman, and other blogs.
ReplyDeleteDo like this dress though and I have the same pattern. May need to dig it out and see if it inspires me. I have so many other projects going on in my head that I plan to do up soon.