TV Show

If there’s one thing I noticed about the season 6 premiere of AMC’s Mad Men, it had to be the abundance of facial hair. Particularly, the variety of rumpled beards and ultra long sideburns, even on otherwise clean-cut characters such as Pete Campbell.

But I digress. I’m not here to talk about the abounding “manscapes” that are sure to become even more prevalent as the season progresses; I’m hear to discuss the clothes and accessories of the first episode. Naturally.

I will say that the slow migration toward the ’70s was ultra apparent in this season’s premiere, and not just because of the scruff and all those “dope” and “reefer” references.

Don and Megan’s Resort Wear

I’ll start at the beginning (though I will skip the weird CPR flashback…). We find Don and Megan lounging it up along the tropical beaches of Hawaii and both look fab in their resort wear digs. For the most part, Don adheres to his sort of stringent, stiff apparel, but we do catch him in a pair of seashell-laden red swim shorts. We also see him stray from his standard suit to wear a pale, avocado green number at the impromptu wedding he becomes a key player in.

It’s Megan’s fashion choices that made me swoon though. I’m just going to say it: the best look of the entire episode was worn by Megan on the beach as she snapped a picture of Don at the wedding. The bold purple and orange breezy number, her floppy lavender sunhat, carefree hair and those round, oversized sunglasses came together perfectly. And I may or may not be buying a pair of those sunglasses in the near future. I need them, okay?

Picture Perfect Joan

If I’m going in order of the show, the next outfit to highlight is the form-fitting, frilly purple frock worn by fiery-haired Joan. (Note – ruffles are so hot for SS2013.)

Though we only saw a few minutes of our favorite voluptuous character in this episode, Joan definitely made a statement while standing on the staircase waiting to have her photo taken. Even Roger, who’s forever dapper, muttered something about not wanting to follow “that act.”

Funeral Duds

This whole episode was rife with underlying, mysterious messages and nods toward death. Roger’s mother’s funeral was a more blatant moment in the recurring motif. And while somewhat dark, I couldn’t help but fall in love with another outfit, my second favorite of the episode: Jane’s black and white ensemble.

Roger’s second ex-wife made a brief appearance and, my heavens, she looked divine. Her raven hair was swept up tightly and hiding underneath a tall, off-center hat. The kind of hat that belongs on the cover of haute couture magazines. It was paired with the perfectly applied makeup, oversized pearl earrings and non-form fitting, funeral-appropriate sheath.

In my opinion, Jane has sort of always fulfilled the “on the cutting edge of fashion” role in this show. This particular outfit only furthers my point.

I must admit that I’m excited to see where this late ’60s fashion goes this season. I have a feeling that, in addition to the dapper apparel worn by the Mad Men, we’ll be seeing more of the gritty and gruff sides of fashion that the era was known for, as well. Can’t wait!

By Wendy Rose Gould

Last night, we ushered in the end of an era. One of luxe opulence, high drama and, of course, really great styling. Gossip Girl was meant to fill the empty Louboutin’s Sex and the City left behind when the HBO show went off the air, but this teen/20-something centered prime time soap opera was in a whole league of its own.

Naturally, the finale was a highly anticipated one. It goes without saying that all finales are, but long-time fans of the show had even more invested in this particular series closer.

From the very beginning, the TV show’s audience had no clue who the main character of the show even was — “she” was an anonymous blogger who somehow knew every juicy detail of gossip on the Upper East Side. Since the show’s inception, we all wanted to know who was responsible for torturing these poor little rich kids. Really — finding out who posted under the moniker of Gossip Girl ranks right up there with finding out who Ted Mosby’s wife is on How I Met Your Mother.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I’m just going to go ahead and say it: Gossip Girl was none other than Lonely Boy Dan Humphrey. In a twist of irony, the outsider — who’d seen his fair share of upturned noses, rolled eyes and plenty of insults — was the one pulling the strings all along. In short, he decided that if he couldn’t get inside the Upper East Side’s world, he’d write himself in. And he did.

Dan put it perfectly as he explained to the audience why he became Gossip Girl:

“The Upper East Side was like something from Fitzgerald or Thackeray – teenagers acting like adults, adults acting like teenagers, guarding secrets, spreading gossip all with the trappings of truly opulent wealth. And membership into this community was so elite you couldn’t even buy your way in. It was a birthright – a birthright that I didn’t have. And my greatest achievements would never earn it.

All I had to compare it to was what I read in books. But that gave me the idea: I wasn’t born into this world … maybe I could write myself into it. I overheard enough conversations to mimic the voice of the Constance girls, but every writer needs his muse and it wasn’t until that photo of Serena in the white dress that I knew I had something strong enough to actually create a legend and launch a website.

Within weeks I was getting dozens of emails with stories about Upper East Siders, so I posted them anonymously. And then I got more. Before long it was a monster. Everyone was sending tips … When Serena came back from boarding school, I wrote my first post about me, Lonely Boy, the outsider, the underdog. I might have been a joke but at least people were talking about me.”

The end was admittedly a little corny, but Gossip Girl is endearing in that way. And to be honest, sometimes those warm and fuzzy endings are nice to have. The show concluded with Gossip Girl (aka Dan Humphrey) marrying his Serena while an already married (with adorable child) Chuck and Blair looked on with other friends and family. We also saw that Nate was thriving at The Spectator and contemplating a role as Mayor and that Lily and William (Serena’s father) were back together while Rufus was with a brunette.

In celebration of Gossip Girl’s long run (and what a fun run it was), I suggest gifting yourself a little something from Natori. After all, the show’s stylists seemed to have quite the obsession with the brand. Try a luxe robe or chemise and saunter around your house a la Blair Waldorf, or perhaps spritz a little of Natori’s soft and sexy signature EDP anytime you’re feeling nostalgic for S and B’s shenanigans.

Gossip Girl lovers can only hope that another NYC-centered TV show comes onto the air. The only catch is finding people as absolutely breathtaking to look at GG’s main characters — and creating the kind of juicy drama and mystery to keep people hooked. New York City certainly serves as a great backdrop for a fashion-forward drama.

Blair Waldorf Wears a Josie Natori Robe
Season 3, Episode 15: “The Sixteen Year Old Virgin”

Blair Waldorf Wears the Josie Natori Glamour Lace Chemise
Season 4, Episode 9: “Witches of Bushwick”

Blair Waldorf Wears the Josie Natori Dyansty Pajama Set
Season 4, Episode 18: “The Kids Stay in The Picture”

Blair Waldorf Wears the Josie Natori Nanami Dress
Season 5, Episode 7: “The Big Sleep No More”

Blair Waldorf Wears the Josie Natori Beguile Chemise
Season 5, Episode 15: “Crazy, Cupid, Love”

Blair Waldorf Wears the Josie Natori Silk Empress Robe
Season 5, Episode 19: “It Girl, Interrupted”

Blair Waldorf Wears the Josie Natori Beguile Tunic
Season 5, Episode 20: “Salon of the Dead”

Blair Waldorf Wears a Vintage Josie Natori Robe
Season 5, Episode 21: “Despicable B”

By Wendy Rose Gould