Trends Presaged in the “American Girl” Video
From’s 2007 video for “American Girl” has a very simple concept: one girl, lots of inflatable toys. What’s remarkable is how many current trends were presaged by the looks in the clip. This is a super indie video, and it’s unlikely that top stylists and designers were inspired by it. But perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pay attention to From’s goings on for glimpses into the future…
No Pants
Lady GaGa’s signature pant-free look has gotten her both props and ridicule as well as recognition as a style individualist. Britney’s Circus tour wardrobe features the silhouette in pieces by Dsquared. For From, the look was inspired by the Prada and Chanel SS07 collections. The gray outfit mixed standard, proper layers on top with a matching boy short for a sort of edgy twin set. The blue and white outfit took bikini bottoms and de-sexed them with an airy architectural top.
Shown: From, a look from the Chanel SS07 show, Lady GaGa (top), Britney Spears.
Shown: From, Lady GaGa
Futurism Meets 80s
A recent New York Times piece chronicles the futurism trend seen on FW09 runways: it’s mostly body conscious, geometric, and moody. From’s version was more quirky and mod.
Shown: From, 2 looks from the Nina Ricci FW09 show
Gold Nail Polish
Chanel’s limited edition Gold Fiction nail polish now fetches about $40 a bottle on eBay. It was launched for FW08, about 18 months after “American Girl” came out. I mixed the gold polish seen in the video.
Shown: From’s home made gold nail polish, Chanel Gold Friction bottle, Chanel Gold Friction ad
Platform Shoe Boot
The sub-ankle height boot from the video is now one of the standard shoe shapes. Notable features are the hidden platform, the lacing, the blunt, straight heel, and the ankle-grazing height. Shoes with laces were actually very rare in 2007. The shoes in the video are Chloe’s Silverado.
Shown: Chloe Silverado shoe from the video; top left to right: FW09 runway looks by Acne and Alexander Wang; bottom, left to right: FW09 runway shoes by Nina Ricci, Fendi, and Bottega Veneta.
High Waisted Mini with Loose Top
Perhaps the most easy-to-wear look in the video was a high waisted black mini paired with a loose top. This combination is now making the rounds: Lady GaGa was spotted with the silhouette, and the tough 80s trend is sure to bring out lots more examples, including these looks from Balmain’s FW09 show. The skirt in the video was by Catherine Malandrino, and the top was Vivienne Westwood.
Shown: From, two FW09 runway looks from Nina Ricci, Lady GaGa
Not bad for 3 minutes and a tiny budget!
These looks came together thanks to a collaboration with the video’s stylist, Marnika Weiss.
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