On the Radar -- Dial H for Hitchcock

The Blackbird girls are huge fans of Alfred Hitchcock.  I know, I know -- who isn't?  But we're the type of fans that record every movie onto our DVR when Turner Classic does the special Halloween showings of all of his films. We once kept a Hitchcock film on our DVR for two years, just because we liked it.  Sadly, we moved to a new city and had to switch out the old cable box for a new one.  But not to worry.  It's now back on our new DVR and our Netflix queue! (It's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, by the way -- watch it if you've never seen it.  It's a comedy with Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery.)

Thanks to several projects that are in the works, Alfred Hitchcock is hotter than ever.  Anthony Hopkins is starring in a movie about the filmmaker, out in 2013, and Freddy Highmore just signed on to star as Norman Bates in a Psycho prequel for A&E.  There's a lot of buzz out there about these projects, and it's starting to infiltrate other areas.

Kim Novak in Vertigo

He was known for the "Hitchcock Blonde" -- Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Tippi Hedron, Janet Leigh -- drop dead gorgeous, icy, stylish.  They were the representation of the ideal woman in his films.  Hitchcock was the master of a deceiving appearance -- making them look beautiful as their world falls apart, like in The Birds, or using their beauty to draw the viewer in, as in Psycho.

Jil Sander, Spring 2012

Designers this year, in the spring with Jil Sander, and others this fall, gravitated towards fitted suits and classic mid-century silhouettes.  There's always some representation of 1950s glamor in fashion, but this year seems to highlight the polish and sophistication of the Hitchcock leading ladies.  Look for structured Kelly bags and gloves in accessories this fall.

Kelly bag from Storyland Vintage on Etsy

Glamour UK fashion spread, September 2012

Our find this summer! 1950s taffeta dress.  For sale in our Etsy shop!

Cosmetics are jumping on the trend, too. Chanel launched a three color line of nail polish this fall based on Hitchcock films -- Frenzy, Suspicious and Vertigo.







And for your viewing pleasure...the fantastic dream sequence from Vertigo: