Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Sequin Tube Tops

Introduced in the late 70’s, Sequin Tube Tops are the single most recognized item in Disco Fashion. This magical part of the “unofficial uniform” was often worn with slim fitting jeans and super sexy high heels as shown in this photo from the book “70’s Style and Design”.  Without a doubt, this outfit was the best choice for many reasons including sparkling madly under flashing lights, “easy access” at the after party and on a practical note-  boob support for all night dancing.

I can’t imagine life without Sequin Tube Tops and thankfully, I don’t have to because this timeless fashion piece is still around today.  Whether you buy a new one, score a fab vintage version or get some elasticized fabric and make your own- it really doesn’t matter.  Just get one!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SUPREME SPARKLE VIDEO DAY

Hold on to your pants ’cause if you don’t, today’s Sparkle Video is gonna knock ’em right off!  The gorgeous Supremes are giving it so hard in this full blown disco meltdown called “Let Yourself Go” that you can’t help but get up and dance.  The pulsating beat combined with the “overtime working” SEQUIN BATWING ARMS has an effect that can only be described as “KABLAM!”.  Wouldn’t it be great to have an alarm clock that played this every morning so you could start each day with SPARKLING FABULOSITY?   The only problem-  the Discos won’t be open for hours.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s07mfr0rlP4

Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Danskin Bodywear

Bodywear in general became a disco fashion sensation in the 70’s, but no other name comes to mind more than Danskin!  Anyone who has ever dabbled in the world of dance knows this brand, but Danskin also broke new bounds in street fashion when they hired designer Bonnie August in 1975.

Being young herself, Ms. August knew that people got down and got serious on the dance floor and that the practicality of bodywear coupled with the writhing sexuality of dancing was a match made in DISCO HEAVEN!  She introduced exciting new colors, shimmering textures and utilized a new fabric called Milliskin so that the leotards could also be worn as swimwear. She just knew that going from the hottest pool party straight to the Disco is the lifestyle we all want to live and she singlehandedly made it happen. The “Freestyle” line for Danskin also included unitards, leggings and the classic wrap skirt so all you needed to add was some cheek contour and a sexy pair of heels!

Yes kids, long before American Apparel revived vintage dance looks-  there was Danskin.  While they no longer make exactly the same sexified styles Bonnie August created for the Boogie Down 70’s, you can still find some great styles to work into your outfits for the Disco and the best part- they are still amazingly affordable!

”I don’t follow fashion. I like to invent it. The styles I design are based on my needs and those of my active friends.”  Bonnie August 1947-2003

photo from “Disco Dressing” by Leonard McGIll

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SPARKLE VIDEO DAY IS “UP”!

Today’s Sparkle Video is one that will get you right up off your feet!  The gorgeous ladies of Stargard are a force to be reckoned with- all them sexy, sassy and fabulously dressed. I love that each of them is wearing a totally different look and all at the height of disco fashion: Metallic shimmer catsuit with batwing sleeves and gold boots, red spandex catsuit with matching cocoon coat, blush pink satin jumpsuit with feather accents.  If only people dressed like that today, the world would be a much nicer place.

Oh wait… they do!  Join The Sparkle Army on September 11 at Monster Ronson’s where the best Spaced-Out-Sparkle Outfit wins a 50 Euro Bar Tab!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AflKZ009Ww

Da General Heroes

Larry LeGaspi

As September 11th approaches and we are busy getting our outfits together for “Join The Sparkle Army” in Berlin- I want to share the inspiration for many of my own outfits: Larry LeGaspi.

Larry LeGaspi was an American clothing designer who was light years ahead of his time- so much so, that his first store in NYC was not a success at all.  It was called Moonstone and back in 1973, people were not ready for his futuristic concept. According to “Disco Chic: All the Styles,Steps and Places to Go”, the store was “decorated like the surface of the moon, with a silvery moonscaped floor and twinkling stars overhead”.  While it sounds like a dream to you and I, at this point in time, Star Wars had not come out yet and people basically didn’t get it.  After the store closed, he had DAZZLING SUCCESS designing costumes for legendaries such as KISS, LaBelle, Divine, Funkadelic and disco lovely Asha Puthli. Thankfully, by 1978, both the disco scene and LeGaspi’s business as a designer took off, as people were finally ready to wear gold lame, winged shoulders and metallic spandex.

Larry LeGaspi: Fashion Visionary and Sparkle Army Hero!

B/W photos from “Disco Dressing” by Leonard McGill

color photos & quote from “Disco Chic: All the Styles,Steps and Places to Go” by Brian Sherratt and Nalani M. Leong

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRDTBNVWKOw

Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Satin Pantsuits

How much fun is this Shulton cologne ad?  The sleek look of Satin is something we’ve forgotton about in modern times, but it was everywhere in 1978 and this couple is at the height of Disco Fashion! There is nothing the Advertising Creatives didn’t include in this image- flashing lights, roller skates, billowing smoke… oh except that the fragrance is called “Blue Jeans” and no ones wearing any- but hey- it was the 70’s. You certainly can’t expect people to stay up all night SPARKLING AT THE DISCO and then write things that make sense.  How do I know this?  Printed in the lower left hand corner is “Photographed at New York, New York Discotheque”… you do the math.

By the way- New York, New York is one of the lesser talked about clubs from NYC’s disco heyday and during my research, I located this FAB photo of the club in real action- SUPERB!  This discovery has inspired me to include a new blog category in the future, so now you can look forward to more posts about historic clubs along with other random things I find fascinating. KABLAM!

(photocredit : I currently do not know the source of this photo, but once I locate it, will credit it properly- apologies for now!)

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SILVER SEQUIN SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video features the sequin catsuit to end all sequin catsuits because this SPACED OUT SILVER number is totally OFF THE CHAIN! What’s amazing is how current the shape is- those shoulders are right on trend in 2010.  I’m also tripping on the right sleeve that includes a fabulous, “hinting at a SPACE CUFF” detail!  Notice when Emily Woods is moving, she knows how to work that body to show off this genius design?

Truthfully, I do find this outfit an odd choice for a classic song like Proud Mary and I wonder why didn’t she go for covering a hot track by Patrick Cowley, but who really cares?  She looks stunning amidst all those disco balls and laser beams, and isn’t that what we all want out of life?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZQO1qWm_wA

Da General Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: SPACE CUFFS!

Because I cannot stop pointing them out every time I see them, I thought it time to pay them homage. Not for the shy or timid, SPACE CUFFS are the most glorious and daring accessories one can wear.

From a book published in 1983 called “Fashion 2001”, this outfit is single-handedly responsible for my obsession and was created by France Andrevie, a Belgian designer who specialized in avant garde clothing. This cherished book is filled with images from various designers who shared their SPACED OUT FASHION PREDICTIONS for the future, but this one is by far my favorite!  Wouldn’t the world be a more fabulous place if people dressed in this DISCO-TASTIC ensemble all the time?

Sadly, Mlle. Andrevie never got to see how her predictions for the future turned out, as she passed away in 1984 at the age of 39.  Today, I declare that the Sparkle Army is devoted to keeping her dream alive and I encourage all of you to go out, find some fabulous materials and start making yours today!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… SPACE CUFFS: GET SOME!

Da General Beauty, Fashion

Great Moments in Disco Fashion History: Disco Beauty

Because it’s Saturday and you are all headed out to the Disco tonight, here’s some inspiration for you! “Disco Beauty: Nighttime Makeup by Sandy Linter” was published in 1979 and features full color photos and instructions for high drama beauty for the Disco.  Sandy Linter is LEGENDARY in the fashion and makeup world and this book was her collaboration with other great artists including top hair stylists Harry King and John Sahag. I love to look at all the GLITTERING, SHIMMERING MODELS who were the most gorgeous icons of the era such as Patti Hansen, Esme and Gia!

Shooting this book must have been fun fun FUN and leads me to wonder- did they go to Studio 54 before or after each shoot day? Maybe both.. it was 1979 after all!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

A VERY BRADY SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

To celebrate the long 4th of July weekend, today’s Sparkle Video is a slice of Americana on DAZZLE OVERLOAD! Back in the 70’s, variety shows exploding with sequins were the norm and everyone in showbiz had one.  Our favorite blended family, The Brady Bunch, was no exception and in this clip, are working SPARKLE OVERTIME in a medley of disco classics!

There is so much to see in this video- a bevy of dancers in sherbet colored GLITTER AFROS, “fake” Jan belting out “Turn the Beat Around”  and my personal fave, Greg Brady’s stiff whitewashed version of the Jacksons’ “Enjoy Yourself”.  There’s even cameo from the “What’s Happening” gang featuring top notch dance moves from Fred “Rerun” Berry!  All of this in a flurry of RHINESTONE MADNESS!

With the set, the costumes, the STARFILTERS– all so fabulous, it really makes me believe those Brady “behind the scenes” rumors must be true!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR9u9efiNvg