It's the 21st September. That means two things: one, Broken Down Doll is happening in just five days and two, it's the official last day of summer. So you'd better get your Autumn/Winter act together; of course the Doll is more than happy to help. We'll be previewing some of the fabulous pieces you'll find in the shop here over the next few days... Today we're feeling elegantly waisted:
The Doll is only SIX DAYS away! But if you need something pretty to look at in the meantime, don't fret. We're back with a second installment of our favourite silver screen fashion icons.
Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep (1946). Yes, she is wearing a fierce metallic jacket in 1946. So many good looks in this film; Bacall shows us how to rock a jacket (not to mention a killer stare). I wouldn't want to mess with those shoulders.
Just hanging around the house, you know, looking fabulous.
Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) If only she'd planned that murder as carefully as she planned her outfits...
No, I will not stand up. I'm afraid this diamond encrusted dress is too heavy...
Causing severe earring envy.
Greta Garbo in Romance (1930) Looking thoroughly bored with looking so fabulous.
Jean Harlow in Dinner Eight (1933) Please note the second, backstage shot: Now, shouldn't we all be working in an upright position like this, keeping our floor length gowns and sashes completely crease-free throughout the day?
The Doll is enjoying a weekend of research and development by the end of which our Classic Cocktail bar menu should be complete.
This is what research and development looks like, right?
We're on a gin soaked tip and we'll definitely be serving up French 75s, Negronis, Gimlets and (an all time favourite of the Doll) Aviations.
We've made a few improvements to our signature Broken Down Doll cocktail so that it is more fabulous than ever. Here's our not-so-secret recipe, knock yourself (and your friends) out!*
Broken Down Doll
50 ml Gin
20 ml fresh lemon juice
10 ml sugar syrup
5 ml Maraschino
dash Absinthe
Shake all of the above together with ice. Strain and top with Prosecco.
We had to get the absinthe in there somewhere...Apologies to those we got hooked on the absinthe pipe the last few times around. (You know who you are, you who lost three days on the Absinthe Diet...) We can still manage to rustle up a Green Beast for you to help ease your withdrawal.
*Alternatively, we can make one for you when you join us for our Preview Night on Wednesday 26th September from 7pm! By our calculations that's only 10 DAYS away. We'd better get off this gin and get back to work. Tomorrow...
We launch on Wednesday 26th September, and the shop will be full of beyond-fabulous new (old) pieces, so get out the indelible ink and get the Doll in your diary.
P.P.S. And while we're at it, why not follow us on twitter? We'll be posting lots of preview photos so that you can see what's in store! @brokendowndolls.
Our favourite man of cocktails must have had the Doll in mind when he mixed this one up.
Not only that, but the man himself, Mr Ben Reed, will be mixing up some classic cocktails in our Broken Down Doll bar only TWO SHORT WEEKS from now. That's right, you can start counting down now because there is only ONE FORTNIGHT to go. On the eve of the 26th September you'll find the Doll in her very own bar sipping on a Gin Gimlet--a drink that always makes us feel as glamorous as old Hollywood. You can preview a few of the classic cocktail recipes from the book here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2012/sep/12/gatsby-cocktail-recipes?newsfeed=true#/?picture=394988284&index=1 Or if you're more fond of drinking than reading it's only a matter of 14 DAYS until you can drink with the Doll. Time and location details to be posted imminently...
With predictions pointing to a gloriously sunny weekend in and around London, the Doll wants to make sure that no one goes thirsty. So, here's a cocktail that tastes just like summer and should make the perfect accompaniment to your weekend.
How pretty is that?
The Muse*
25 ml Gin
15 ml Elderflower syrup/cordial
10 ml fresh lemon juice
125 ml apple juice (clear not cloudy)
1 strawberry, thinly sliced
1 mint sprig
Build over ice and stir. Or, stop kidding yourself by making just one drink and mass produce the stuff. We suggest multiplying the measures and making a pitcher or make a big batch and pour into jam jars with ice. A very handy picnic punch.
(If you're somewhere non-sunny, close your eyes and pretend...)
* so named because this is the cocktail Mr Reed designed for the recent wedding of our Broken Down Doll Muse, Molly. Congratulations to Molly and Callum our favourite model and photographer duo and general favourite people!
The cinematic mood of our recent shoot set us to thinking about our favourite fashion moments on the silver screen. We've gathered a few here and even as we type, more are gathering in our heads (hence the 'Part I'):
Elizabeth Taylor's in A Place in the Sun (1951) You can't ignore this dress because a) Elizabeth Taylor is wearing it, b) it does take up quite a bit of space-roughly half that of a billiards table, and c) it's just dreamy...and makes this Doll wish that there were more frequent occasions that required one to wear this many metres of tulle. I didn't go to prom in the 1950s, but if I had done I would have begged for this dress.
Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1954) Ahem, Jimmy, why are you so busy looking out the window? Have you seen this dress?
Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby (1974)
Okay, so it may seem an obvious vintage choice, but here it is. To leave it out would be just plain wrong. She is the poster girl for ethereal extravagance. And those two things look hot together.
Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina (1954)
...and pretty much everything else she's been in, ever.
Looking over these inspirations so far, we seem to be revealing a taste for a show stopping gown... Definitely channelling our inner debutantes. Here's one more (for now)...
Ginger Rogers in Top Hat (1935)
Feathers! Why does she look so serious in feathers? Why do I not own a full-length dress made of (what I'm assuming are ostrich) feathers? This is a problem that needs solving.
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