![]() ![]() ![]() Here, I argue that Mildred Pierce should be read as a pointed, informed social critique. But interestingly enough, reviews of the miniseries in the popular press mirror traditional critical responses to the novel, suggesting that the difficulties readers have had knowing what to make of Mildred Pierce in the past continue into the present. (2) While it has often been easy enough to dismiss Cain and to never fully understand this American novel, Haynes's return to it at this particular cultural moment pushes us to reconsider it. These mixed critical reactions to Cain's work-and the more particular difficulty readers have had coming to terms with Mildred Pierce-become again important critical questions with well-regarded filmmaker Todd Haynes drawing popular attention to the novel by adapting it, quite faithfully, into an award-winning 2011 HBO miniseries. Cain's literary fortunes have risen and fallen over the years as literary critics have, at times, seen him as merely a popular writer who capitalized on sensational topics and, at other times, understood him to be an important American novelist. In fact, the desire to fit Cain's work into the mold of his first novels was so strong that the 1945 film Mildred Pierce starring Joan Crawford was revised to better resemble them: the film's murder plot and first-person confession are not part of the novel, and this film, like the adaptations of the two earlier novels, also meets the generic requirements of film noir. Mildred Pierce, the third-person narration of a housewife who gets rich by starting her own restaurant business, seems out of keeping with the thematic and stylistic concerns of these other two works. Cain is best known as the author of crime fiction classics, The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity, both of which-with their gritty, first-person narrators-became films that helped found the genre of film noir. Cain's fourth novel, published in 1941, has created difficulties for critics and readers from the start. While Wall street was dealing with high-profile bankruptcies and mergers, the fashion industry was struck with its own crisis - the devastation of AIDS.James M. And Seattle introduced the world to grunge.Īnd before the Stock Market came crashing down on Black Monday in October 1987, skirts lengths went up with miniskirts taking the country by storm. ![]() Boy George and Annie Lennox broke down sexual stereotypes. Marc Jacobs summed up the zeitgeist, “Sex sells music, and it sells clothes.” While Michael Jackson’s street smart Versace looks were copied by thousands of teenagers, Stevie Nicks’ “Gypsy” flowing dresses and Cyndi Lauper’s flowery “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” styles were also quickly adopted by fans. Fashion also hit the small screen in a big way with the 1981 launch of MTV. The extravagant gown David and Elizabeth Emanuel designed for Princess Di wound up being one of the most copied dresses over the next few years. Eastern influences were also gaining strength, fueled by Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo, who debuted her Commes des Garçons collection in 1981.Įven more momentous was the Royal Wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to Prince Charles. The decade also marked a countercultural moment thanks to Belgians Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester. Azzedine Alaïa unveiled his signature siren-like dressing, and Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana created Dolce & Gabbana. In a few seasons time, Karl Lagerfeld brought Chanel back to the forefront of fashion. Designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Christian Lacroix and Arnold Scaasi delivered that and more with fancy flounces and strapless gowns.Ĭannes Film Festival 2023: Live Updates of All the Looks From Red Carpets, Arrivals and Photocalls LBO king Henry Kravis and his wife at the time Carolyn Roehm, a designer and quintessential hostess in her own right, epitomized what WWD defined as “Nouvelle Society.” Along with Nancy Reagan red, clothes horses favored other bold colors. Strong shoulders and shapes were squared away with proponents like Mugler and Montana. And a newcomer on the scene Tommy Hilfiger did his part to introduce the world to an All American, red, white and blue style. The triumvirate of Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein turned themselves into household names. Entertaining returned to the White House thanks to Hollywood actor-turned-Commander in Chief Ronald Reagan and his Adolfo-loving stylish wife Nancy. Then real estate developer Donald Trump first emerged on the New York scene with the help of his glamour-loving first wife Ivana. Limos were the preferred transportation for Wall Street titans as they sped their way to black tie events. Like just about everything else in the Eighties, fashion was as big as the high-rolling times - wide shoulders, plenty of pouf and “Working Girl”-worthy hair. ![]()
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