According to a recent article I read in July Vogue, the Film Noir look is in! Fall and Winter 2011 fashions convey a sense of mystery and sophistication evocative of Lauren Bacall. The marvelous photo display Grace Coddlington put together in the point of view section highlighted the “ice-cool, adult panache” that made films like the Big Easy so seductive.
I love the new emphasis on adult sophistication this fall. It is a refreshing departure from the cult of youth in the media that saps the self-confidence of many otherwise contented women I know. When did life experience and accomplishments become divorced from the glow of beauty for us? For once, adult poise is in, and I am loving every minute of it!
Apart from the fabulous glamour of this shot, I am reveling in the use of fur to highlight the shoulders. As I mentioned in my last post, fur and faux fur shoulder accessories are materializing everywhere, accompanied by fanciful hats and muffs:
Perhaps one of the reasons I find this fur trend so exciting is that it is undeniably adult. Inspired by these Vogue images, I decided to find a way to knit something in the same vein. Determined to find an animal friendly solution to this fur fashion, I have stumbled upon Filatura di Crosa’s Cincilla. Although the yarn is composed of wool and synthetics, it is fabulously soft and fluffy, and when knitted up, gives real fur a run for its money:
This yarn has just been discontinued, but I found enough of it to experiment with the film noir look. Inspired by Lauren Bacall, I have embarked on this cowl project:
In the thick of winter, I plan to stalk around in this fur hood, exuding an air of mystery!
For once, Rowan’s design team seems to be ahead of the trend curve, for they have created some fabulous film noir inspired knits in Rowan Magazine 50! My favorite is Love, which seems like it was made expressly for a Myrna Loy.
Myrna Loy I am not, but due to the democratizing power of knitting, I can wear her sweater. I am really in love with this design. Adult panache indeed! I have paired it with a maxi skirt, in keeping with the fall trend of skirts with hemlines below the knee, and the “mermaid” like silhouette mentioned in the Vogue point of view.
Choosing the right yarn for this project was not as easy as you might think. After experimenting with different combinations, I realized it was important to mirror the color gradations of the design, which moves from a darker color at the waist to a lighter, but complimentary color for the cowl. In the end, I decided that pairing neutrals with a similar sheen worked best. I used Rowan felted tweed dk for the ribbed section, and some discontinued Rowan kidsilk night in a pewter grey shot with metallic threads for the cowl. The brown tweed yarn was flecked with grey, harmonizing with the pewter color above. There was also a texture gradation, as the tweed had a subtle fuzz that blended into the must more pronounced halo of the kidsilk yarn. Wearing this top really makes me feel special, as if I have wandered into a film noir world. Now all I need is a leopard-spotted hat, or some fabulous snap-top clutch to complete the illusion.