Thank you to everyone who has shown such interest in me and GlamAmor. I thought I would share some of the questions I answer most often. Please feel free to continue to reach out. I love hearing from you!
How long have you been doing GlamAmor?
GlamAmor began at the very end of 2009 after studying film and costume design for 20 years, curating a vintage clothing collection for more than 10 years, and working in marketing and communications even longer.
What is the mission of GlamAmor?
GlamAmor puts a spotlight on the costume designers from the Golden Age of Hollywood whose contributions are too often overlooked in both film and fashion history. I have written about the designs and designers on my site for years and now have a book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. I have also been an Adjunct Professor at Woodbury University teaching a 15-week college course on the HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM. The bulk of my time is spent hosting screening series and doing numerous public presentations - both in person and online - and acting as an expert for companies interested in film history.
What companies have you worked with?
I have been an expert for entities that include Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Sony Pictures Television, the American Cinematheque, National Film Registry/Library of Congress, BBC Worldwide, CNN, Christie's auction house, ARTE European Cultural Television, Elle magazine, New York Post, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles Tourism Board, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), and the International La Jolla Fashion Film Festival.
How would you describe your personal style?
GlamAmor is all about modern classic style - classics that are colorful, sophisticated, and sexy. My own personal style draws from the WASP style of the East Coast and mixes with the Golden Age of Hollywood. I definitely enjoy a lot of color, especially since it's so sunny here in Southern California.
Is your style inherent or learned?
Though creative talent is inherent, I would say that I learned a lot of my style. I'm a huge fan of classic cinema and most of my style came from studying film. The costume design of Edith Head (who established the look of the Hitchcock Heroine), Jean Louis, and Helen Rose were enormously influential. I combined the knowledge I gained from cinema with images of WASP icons like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jacquie Kennedy Onassis, and C. Z. Guest with modern day fashion magazines and studying trends.
Why do you love vintage?
Vintage clothing is art to me. The colors, the design, even just the overall quality of the construction - it's all incredible to me. I love looking at the clothes, even if it's just hanging on the back of my bedroom door. I tell you, it's virtually impossible to have a bad day wearing a vintage dress. Any time I look down or pass by a mirror, I'm inspired all over again. And I'm not the only one - vintage continues to be what inspires today's designers. It's timeless. I believe the most forward fashion today is selling and wearing vintage right alongside the new.
Who are your favorite designers and why?
From the past, I would say Edith Head, Jean Louis, and Helen Rose (Old Hollywood costume designers) as well as Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy. Currently, I enjoy Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and Jason Wu among others. I lean toward classic clean lines, a body conscious fit, and lots of color.
What don't I enjoy? I feel that preserving the HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM is a calling, first and foremost. Many costume designers are under-appreciated or even forgotten for their invaluable contributions to both film and fashion. I love connecting the dots between the two areas of design.
I'm a writer by nature and really enjoy sharing my knowledge, inspirations, and observations, whether from classic cinema, the latest in fashion, or visiting historic Los Angeles locations. I'm thrilled that I now have a book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s - film noir was the way I was introduced to classic cinema and has long been a passion of mine. The genre also features some of the most iconic costume design of all time.
I'm very proud of how much I have taken this education online as well. I did a 7-part webinar series back in 2014 and am currently in the midst of several serieswith at least one event each month. You can view the online events I have done since 2020 on Vimeo. I would love to do more work in front of the camera and on air. And working with other companies who value film history is always a fun and rewarding experience.
Delving into The Style Essentials Now, Voyager and Casablanca (1942) with Monika Henreid
Discussing Cinema Style of Flying Down to Rio (1933) with Cybill Shepherd at 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival
My own uniform is unquestionably a great dress. That's the trademark of GlamAmor, really. It's a statement piece that only needs some simple jewelry and you're out the door. It looks amazing and takes a lot less effort than trying to put together a lot of separates. I also find it more comfortable, and didn't Chanel say that was the mark of true luxury? I also tend to pair my vintage dresses with a sexy pump or strappy stiletto. You look modern, sexy, and ladylike.
Finally, if someone is new to vintage, I would say to avoid wearing it head to toe. You want to look modern, not like you're wearing a costume.
How can I stay in touch with you and GlamAmor?
Website
http://www.GlamAmor.com
YouTube
http://www.GlamAmorTV.com
http://www.facebook.com/GlamAmor
http://www.twitter.com/GlamAmor
http://www.instagram.com/GlamAmor
Tumblr
http://www.GlamAmor.tumblr.com
Contact
Kimberly@GlamAmor.com
GlamAmor
2461 Santa Monica Boulevard #818
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(818) 731-2413
Street style photo (in green dress) courtesy of Larry Brownstein
