American Road Trip

I love Americana/Western-style fashion. Cowboy boots, denim mini skirt, cowboy hat. As a kid growing up in a big rural-type town, I used to watch movies about road trips across Route 66 and dream of going to the States. The cactus-strewn landscapes, desert roads, greasy gas stations & truck stops, convertible Cadillacs, roadside diners with shiny red vinyl seats & Cherry Colas, and cheap motels right by the highway, with their blinking neon lights, dilapidated swimming pools & 70's decor. It all seemed so exotic and exciting! This fantastic editorial by David Mushegain for Vogue Italia last year totally encapsulates that vibe, starring the ever-cool Texan model and & designer Erin Wasson.

Erin Wasson in Texas Story for ELLE Italia

In the early 90's a glut of movies came which featured adventures in the American heartland and sassy heroines who wore rock chick, eclectic outfits that inspired me. True Romance, Wild at Heart, Natural Born Killers, Thelma and Louise, Leaving Las Vegas and Gas, Food, Lodging. My style inspiration came from and was forever molded by these characters.

Alabama Worley from True Romance (1993)
Key quote: "I had to come all the way from the highway and byways of Tallahassee, Florida to MotorCity, Detroit to find my true love."
Key looks: Red lipstick, mini skirts, turquoise ensembles with matching bra, Chuck Taylors, pony-skin, aviators and leopard print.

Lula Fortune from Wild at Heart (1990)
Key quote: "This whole world's wild at heart and weird on top"
Key looks: Red lipstick, blonde perm, leather jacket, lingerie as outer-wear, lace stocking, red stilettos, spandex tube dresses & black sunglasses.

Mallory Knox from Natural Born Killers (1994)
Key Quote: "I see angels, Mickey. They're comin' down for us from heaven...and I see the future and there's no death 'cause you and I, we're angels."
Key looks: Tight crop tops, skin tight pants, studded belts & collars, bandanas, scorpion, assortment of wigs & perpetual pout.
Shade & Trudi, Gas, Food Lodging (1992)

Key looks: Brunette perms & red tints, Western-style shirts, Levis 501s, leather jackets, floral 90's style mini dresses with Doc Martens
Thelma and Louise (1091)
Key quote: "Well, we're not in the middle of nowhere, but we can see it from here."
Key looks: Rock tee, Ray Bans, bandanas, cowboy hats, tight jeans and cowboy boots.

I ove with that Americana style cross between cowgirl & rock chick, with a dash of trailer trash - Pink lace bras, battered leather jackets, plaid shirts, stars & stripes print, vintage rock tees, leopard print, Ray Ban wayfarers. The Americana Truck-stop/Road-trip/Road-side diner/Service station/Cheap motel vibe has inspired 100s of glossy editorials and photographers over the years. Interestingly, I stumbled across the cool editorial below from Fashion Gone Rogue by a vintage store called...Wild at Heart. Checked out their Facebook Page and their interests include Gas,Food, Lodging and... True Romance - kindred spirits!

Kalifornia for Fashion Gone Rogue by Graham Dunn

Fab clothes from 'Wild at Heart Vintage'

Below is a collection of more recent editorials inspired by this look.

Coco Rocha fro ELLE Italia, January 2011

Nice girls finish first for Foam Magazine Thomas Whiteside

McQueen Spring/Summer Campaign 11/12

Vogue Russia, February 2011


Wildfox Campaign 2010

Bambi Northwood-Blyth for 10 Magazine, Spring/Summer by Tierney Gearon

You aint got nothin to lose by Jason Lee Parry