On a random weekend in Taipei, my English boyfriend introduced me to La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini. This was his introduction (and warning) to the film… ‘This “little movie” we are about to watch, has one event following another, but not in the traditional narrative method.’ ‘Okay,’ I thought. ‘And the word “dolce”,’ he continued, ‘It translated as “sweet”, but it is more than that.’ That was his second message before our viewing. At age 25, little did I know then that this “little film” would open a whole new world of Italian style for me.
While Marcello and Anita’s moonlight scene in the Trevi Fountain remains one of the most iconic cinema moments, I was drawn to Maddalena, the wealthy playgirl played by Anouk Aimée. I will never forget that drop-dead cool woman when she appeared at a nightclub in her cat-eye sunglasses and a stylish little black dress!
Talking about the little black dress, one thing I do notice from my recent rewatch is that most of the female main characters wore the little black dress. From Sylvia’s arrival at Rome’s Ciampino Airport (worn under her cape!), Maddalena’s nightclub scene, Fanny the cabaret dancer, Nadia’s striptease, and Emma, who wore mostly a little black dress (at times under her light coat or a tartan shirt!). This legendary film certainly celebrates the influence of the little black dress!
To me, the little black dress is a woman’s ultimate wardrobe staple. It is elegant, sexy and timeless. When in Italy, I was inspired by Italian films that enriched me and decided to create a fashion story with Kent. Our backdrop was Monterosso at dawn. Yes… don’t they all party till the break of dawn? What better fashion choice than the little black dress to pay homage to La Dolce Vita and the Italian cinema I adore?!
Photography by Kent Johnson. Fashion styling by Vivienne She.
What a great morning that was!
It’s good to be the early bird sometimes! 🙂