After an all-star punk festival fell apart, the bands involved found themselves with some spare scratch and a landscape ripe for shootouts and standoffs.  The plot revolves around three hitmen/bank robbers who happen upon a small town populated by wild and wacky weirdos who they have to commingle with while they wait for the heat to die down.  Things, of course, go awry.  Honestly the plot is secondary though to the rollicking nature of the film, the setpieces, and total absurdity.

The film’s cast reads like a who’s who of the era’s punk and new wave scene.  There’s Joe Strummer, The Pogues, The Circle Jerks, Grace Jones, Elvis Costello, and even soon-to-be indie film god Jim Jarmusch.  And as an extra added bonus they’re all playing dress up.  Oh and Courtney Love‘s there too.

And she’s dressed well, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise if you follow her new Tumblr.  Pink dress with white polka dots not unlike this offering from Leifsdottir.  She might want to close those legs though.  But the matching watermelon‘s a nice touch.

Concerning the guys, check out Dick Rude‘s pants.  They’re very reminiscent of pairs shown off by Vivienne Westwood on a regular basis, which only seems fitting considering her place as the godmother of punk fashion.  Joe Strummer’s got on a ho-hum slim black suit but such a suit is almost always a recipe for looking good.

The gorgeous Jennifer Balgobin is, throughout the movie, basically a walking ad for American Apparel.  Look at the top picture for an example.  Spandex top?  Check.  High waisted bottoms?  Check.  That’s not to say she doesn’t class it up a little, though.  A simple, strapless blue dress which looks perfect for the weather…and also strikingly like this Jason Wu.

It’s almost frightening how much the women’s wardrobe in this movie matches up with pieces you’d find in today’s boutiques trending towards the younger gal.  Despite the film’s being over two decades old, the dress pictured above is here, here, and here.  And the boyfriend shirt?  Too many links to think about.

Similarly, this little white number on Michele Winstanley (I think) who, throughout the film, makes you wonder if Karen O got her whole schtick from this one character.  But back to the dress.  Ta-da!  And while the mariachi dressed men behind her probably aren’t exactly in style, they still look pretty awesome.

But before you think there’s only things for the ladies, say hello to Jeeves/Whitey and his killer pink summer suit.  Once again, very similar to something Westwood-ian, it also brings to mind pieces from Junya Watanabe and Filippa K.

The best ensemble in the entire movie, though, is definitely what Jim Jarmusch has got on.  It’s as if the director of such weirdo movies as Mystery Train, Dead Man, and Night On Earth decided to go as Karl Lagerfeld for Halloween.  And it is awesome.

Be warned: Straight to Hell is by no means a cinematic masterpiece, nor will it be in most people’s eyes ‘competent filmmaking’, what with a 5.5 rating on IMDB.  But if you go in with the right attitude, it’s as fun as Robocop and as splendorous as any period piece without being dry and/or expected.  Do yourself a favor and watch it.  (HINT: It’s on YouTube for free).

Some more looks at noteworthy, inexplicable get-ups in the gallery below.

VIDEO: Interview Magazine
LINK LOVE: Smoke & Mirrors

Chrissie miller brings 70’s back to the future with her line SOPHOMORE. Based in NYC, NY. Chrissie first caught the public eye with one shirt design in 2003 and now has her line located in stores all across North America.

The best thing about this line is that she gives it a simple but not so simple touch to it that is really hard to pull off. Coming from me, i like to wear anything but simple, but with Chrissie’s line i can actually find something i would be more than happy to wear. What I’m trying to say is that SOPHOMORE is definitely a line to watch as well as the girl behind it all Chrissie Miller.

Check out my talk with Chrissie Miller:

LL: You obviously dig the New York style, but is there another city style you love as well?

CM: Paris wound be my next choice for sure, so chic! I love to visit LA as well, the vintage is amazing there!

LL: I really like the leather involved in your fall collection, a little more edgy then your previous collections wouldn’t you say?

CM: Every seacon we add a new fabric group, last Fall it was leather, Spring 10 we did Oxford. We like to add something special each season.The leather was awesome!

LL: What made you want to skip a grade and call your line SOPHOMORE? Do you have a problem with FRESHMEN?

CM: We had been looking for a name that was collegiate sounding. And when we looked up the word Sophomore in the dictionary, the Etymology of the word is “wise fool”. It was a perfect fit.

LL: If you could collaborate with any other designer to put together the ultimate line, who would it be?

CM: I would love to do some denim someday, maybe Levis or Cheep Mondays?

LL: What type of clothing is in the future for SOPHOMORE?

CM: We are a fashion basic’s line so I want to continue making styles that work in different colors and fabrics. Dont you hate when you find  that perfect t-shirt and the company only makes it for one season!?

Pictures 2,3,5, and 6 are video stills of SOPHOMORE’s new spring video.

Check out Chrissie Miller on twitter!

The Who: Save Fashion – Men’s Week

LINKAGE: wearethemarket

I don’t know many people who don’t love Sophomore, and the latest Spring collection only adds to my love for them. Why might you ask? Because they never try to be anything they aren’t. Chrissie Miller should be an inspiration to the many out there looking to get into designing. Design what you know, and Chrissie knows Lower East Side fashion. Her casual, comfy, “basics with an added touch” looks are perfect for anyone. I’m a fan, how about you? Check out the Sophomore website for more.

Gallery: Sophomore: Spring 2009 Collection

Sophomore has released images of their upcoming Spring 2009 collection, and they have more or less sparked a longing for Spring/Summer in me already. The collection is exactly what I think about when I think of Spring. The photoshoot seems less of something planned out and coordinated, and more like friends just hanging out having a good time. Oh, and is that Cory Kennedy I see in there? Of course it is! Loves it! Chrissie Miller impresses me yet again. Excited to see the collection come Spring! Check out the slideshow for more pictures, and the Sophomore website for more details on the collection.

We might be, but designers and photographers certainly aren’t sick of the “It” girls just yet. Sophomore, brainchild of Chrissy Miller, launched it’s most recent look-book for Spring/Summer 2009. Forget the stunning underground models, Miller wanted more familiar faces to wear her line. The spread, shot by photographer Cass Bird, captures Cory Kennedy, Harley Viera Newton, Alexandra Richards, and Lizzy Trullie hanging about a Manhattan swimming pool. The look-book itself is rather youthful and candid, a bit more natural than the average photo-shoot. 

Sophomore’s new collection may not be available for a while…but why not check out the S/S collection and some additional photos from the 2008 look-book! 

Thanks NYLON!

Back in 2003, Chrissie Miller started her now infamous NYC brand Sophomore. Since then the company has sky rocketed, and has become the object of many fashionistas and fashionistos across the city. The lucky folks over at Happy People Don’t Complain recently got a chance to sit down and chat with Miss. Miller. Here is a little sample of what Chrissie had to say.

HPDC: Tell us a little bit about the early days of Sophomore - how did you get things started?

Chrissie: I made some shirts for some friends and my friend Charlotte Ronson sold them at her store. A friend of mine wrote about them and we got lots of store orders, so it became a job. Last year I wanted to expand the line in to a full sportswear collection. I metMadeleine von Froomer, who was designing at Proenza Schooler at the time. She was a perfect fit.

HPDC: How did you get your label off the ground?

Chrissie: It was very organic, we expanded as we grew. We stared with one t-shirt and as we sold them we made more and more and so on…

HPDC: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?

Chrissie: I’ve always had a passion for fashion! It was something I was always doing but not really realizing i was doing it, sewing clothes remixing vintage dresses, making t-shirts. I think it found me.

The interview is definitely one to check out if you’re a Sophomore fan. For the rest of the interview head over to Happy People Don’t Complain, or just click here!

The lovelies at WeAreTheMarket.com decided to give us a little taste of Sophomore, one of their hot new favorite brands. Check out the images and let us know what ya think.

Chrissie Miller of Sophomore offers comfy basics in breathable fabrics, the line imbues the laid back vibe of LES with items that are so simple, they are timeless. Teaming up with Madeleine von Froomer (whose last stint was at Proenza Schouler) the collective churns out effortlessly cool items with a 70s flare. And with a look book featuring everyone’s favorite underage scene girl, Cory Kennedy (oh, and Bijou Phillips,) they’ve definitely got their target market all figured out. Look out C&C, there’s a new sheriff in town!

-Virginia Jackson-Reed