Live24Seven February 2010

reference for her wardrobe. The pink Dior suit is her signature look.

Sex and the City Styling

Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, is the ultimate clothes horse, living for fashion, but writing about sex and relationships. Her development as a character is strongly grounded in her ability to be brave and quirky, who else could get away with wearing a tutu in NY? Miranda Hobbes, played by Cynthia Nixon, has undoubtedly changed her style the most in the series, moving from uptight boardroom suits to fluid sexy jersey dresses. We like it Miranda!

The new movie is a proper “caper” according to SJP, with tons of fun and some great cinematography. I wouldn’t argue with that, my time on-set was exhausting, but punctuated by the odd all night party after filming and sunbathing by the pool in between takes. It was a right “Carrie On!” But hey, don’t get me wrong it was hard work, on average a 14 to 16 hour day, sometimes 18 hours.

This month Vicki Brant, stylist to the stars and media industry, brings us her postcard from Morocco as she reveals the behind the scenes action on the film set of the new Sex and the City movie.

Vicki Brant - Style Solutions

Hi, I’m back from my forbidden journey to a movie set shrouded in secrecy and pursued by paparazzi. Phew…it’s hard work being an extra, heaven knows what it’s like to be a star, smiling all the time and signing autographs.

Recently, I was lucky enough to take part in the filming of the new Sex and the City movie – or should I say SATC2 – due out on 28th May 2010, directed by Michael Patrick King. The story of the beautiful New York foursome has moved on since the last film two years ago with some interesting developments, and although I read the script, it’s a cardinal sin to spoil the movie with plot teasers – shame to ruin it for you!

Not only was I an extra for three days, but I also had the chance to style – with Patricia Field no less! (For those of you who don’t know, she is one of the world’s top fashion stylists.)

Since the first series of SATC in 1998 Patricia has created looks for the four girls, developing their distinctly different characters through their clothes. In fact, I would say that 90% of the fan base is due to fashionistas watching each episode to spot the latest lush looks created

by Patricia.

I took my own clothes on-set and Patricia allowed me to style

myself for the scenes so, true to form, I mashed it up a bit with a High Street dress from Matalan and gold heels from Louboutin, proving that it’s not what you wear but the way that you wear it.

As a lover of colour Patricia was keen to get glitz and colour into the costumes, particularly for the pool scenes. Oops, I’m letting the cat out of the bag. One scene that I helped to style shows lady extras in abayas (head to toe black with a veil). One of the ladies is wearing my round, black blingy ring, so if you don’t spot me in the pool scenes you should clock my ring.

After meeting Patricia Field it became apparent that despite what we the viewers may think, the girls’ clothing isn’t just the latest looks created by the top designers, but a carefully crafted wardrobe to mirror the character of each girl. The narrative of the story dictates what costume Carrie wears and Patricia is very careful to choose clothing that expresses this.

She was, in fact, one of the first TV/film costume designers to pioneer mixing designer with High Street and during the series run from 1998-2004 various labels had exposure with product placement in the show. We have all heard of Jimmy Choo thanks to Sex and the City. Product placement makes millions for companies and it’s a competitive game. The choice of clothing shipped to Marrakech for the filming was massive, and designers hope that one of their pieces will be used. Once seen on the back of Sarah Jessica Parker, designs sell out.

Whilst on-set I was privy to the wardrobe of the girls – wow, what a wardrobe! – from an array of glam footwear to yards of swirling colourful fabrics to swathe their enviably toned bodies in – truly “fabulous”, as Carrie would say.

Patricia does design for the show, but the majority of the costumes selected come from various fashion houses including Dior, Missoni, Issa, Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Louis Vuitton, YSL – the list is endless.

For Samantha Jones, played by Liverpoolborn Kim Cattrall, Patricia references old Hollywood style to create ‘cougar’ looks that leave men gasping in her wake. Hérve Léger is a perennial favourite.

Charlotte York, played by Kristin Davis, is a ‘Park Avenue Princess’ with a waspish style and Jackie Kennedy was a point of

Luckily the food on-set was amazing and after sitting opposite the girls in the crew lunch tent it became clear that SJP is an ectomorph, I hate to tell you ladies, SJP eats like a horse, what an appetite, and she is tiny! The Wardrobe Department regularly had to take in outfits to fit her petite frame, one such outfit is featured here, the yellow and grey floral one shoulder jumpsuit which she wears in a dinner scene, filmed near Marrakech. Same sex, different city!

But all I will say is, don’t be fooled by the location…wait and see.

A new label to look out for, launched late 2009 is Halston Heritage, the diffusion line of Halston. SJP wears a white Halston Heritage dress in the trailer and a little cobalt blue number. The range is available on www.net-a-porter.com. These key pieces will be future classics thanks to the movie.

For those of you fascinated by the clothes, you won’t be disappointed and for those of you enthralled by the girls’ gossip sessions over Cosmopolitans, you will find plenty to laugh about. It’s a formula set to break new box office records and we could well see the girls in their old age, growing old disgracefully of course!!

Check out my SATC2 STYLING SESSIONS – themed styling events for groups or one-to-one sessions, including cocktails and girlie goody-bags. Look under MEDIA STYLING at www.vickistylesolutions.co.uk Or telephone me – Vicki: 07831 853359 Fabulous!!!