Fashion Blogging/ Fashion Statement

I accepted the challenge given out by Malan Breton for his Glamalan blog to write two pieces concerning fashion and entertainment for a contest that he is having. The first post I shall do will concern the fashions of Barbra Streisand through the decades. Who could have guessed? Barbra has had a penchant for making fashion statements ever since her rise to fame in the early 60s. With her own sense of personal style, she constantly made the international best dressed lists in the mid and late sixties. She has even set her own trends. There was even, at one point, a Barbra Streisand Barbie Doll. We can begin this review of the Streisand style with a look at one of her earliest contributions to fashion, what some have called "the Streisand Look."The Streisand Look Stemming from her days in Greenwich Village performing at supperclubs and other venues, this style is characterized by the intricate Egyptian eyes, darkly colored that accentuate her face. She made use of this technique in her first television special, My Name is Barbra,in Funny Girl, and other shows. During this early period in Greenwich Village, as Barbra was trying to become established as an actress, she defined herself by shopping at thrift shops and she was known for her eccentric tastes in clothing, makeup, and the material she used on stage. She won a talent contest at a gay nightclub, the Lion, wearing an eccentric configuration of orange and black makeup. An extension on this theme is the cover for her first venture onto the pop scene, the album What About Today? This pose and this look are attributed to Barbra's appreciation of the 19th century French actress Sarah Bernhardt,who can be seen in a similar pose.

As a young starlet, Barbra was known for her expensive tastes in clothes, cars, and homes. her recognition as a woman of fashion was cemented as she posed for Cecil Beaton and modeled many of his elegant creations, particularly in the film On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.

She drew criticism for an original outfit she wore to the 1968 Oscar ceremonies to accept her Oscar for Best Actress for Funny Girl. The outfit, designed by Arnold Scaasi, was black and transparent and under the lights, it was see through. Despite all, the outfit became a classic and has been copied by many. Around this same time, Barbra introduced to the world a definitive hairstyle, known as the "Barbra Streisand look." Millions ran out to the hair salons to copy this style.

In the early 70s,as Barbra revved up her career and was establishing herself as a force in the Rock and Roll genre,she adopted the California surfer girl look, a fresh, youthful look defined by long,flowing blonde hair and relaxed, contemporary clothing.

By the mid-70s, Barbra had cut loose with a different style, characterized by her frizzy, red hair.

By the early 90's, her fourth decade in the business, Barbra had adopted the short, blonde look that has become her signature, worn on her 1992 tour as well as in The Prince of Tides.

On her record-setting, box office breaking 1992 concert tour, Barbra wore a dress that was copied and for a time became the hottest item sold in fashion boutiques around the world. The hairstyle worn on this tour was also emulated by millions of women around the globe.

Over the years, Barbra has been noted for her personal sense of style and her exquisite tastes. She has set trends, made international best dressed lists, and been favored by critics and designers. She has modeled for Cecil Beaton and worn original designs by some of the world's top fashion moguls. Her style and her tastes will be scrutinized, analyzed, and copied for years to come.