In 1964 I went to see the first James Bond movie with my Grandmother, her sister (my great Aunt Mary), and my two brothers and sister. I am not sure what my Grandmother was thinking, taking four kids under twelve to see Goldfinger, but at the conclusion of the show we were told not to tell our mother about what we had just seen. For the time, Goldfinger was a highly stylized movie, with the introduction of gadgets, high-powered industrial lasers, exotic locations, martinis (shaken, not stirred) and the double entendre. It certainly wasn't the Disney genre I was used to
Dr. No, the first of the twenty Bond movies, debuted in 1962 starring Sean Connery. For five decades the series has been an inspiration to fashion. Bond’s wardrobe has evolved through the six actors who portrayed 007, who with Connery include . They each brought their own signature look to the role that has had more costume changes than any other character in film history
The tuxedo has come to represent the "Bond Look," with each actor wearing formalwear differently. The deep V, one-button jacket was the favored style, though lapels increased and then decreased in width, along with the size of the bow ties through the years. Variations included shawl collars, white dinner jackets, double breasted suits and even ruffled shirts, making each of the secret agent’s apparel distinctive for its time
Goldfinger used a reoccurring golden theme to parallel the gold's symbolic treatment in the Ian Fleming novel. Most of the women in the movie are strawberry or platinum blonde, including Pussy Galore and her Flying Circus crew; a yellow Rolls-Royce and yellow or golden items of clothing in every film scene, including a golden pistol. The most memorable scene is actress Shirley Eaton's gold-painted nude body, which made the cover of Life Magazine
The Bond women have been portrayed as beautiful and strong-willed, but easily seduced by Bond. Their wardrobes were designed to be tastefully alluring and timeless in design. Bond bathing suits have made a big impact: think Ursula Andress in a white bikini in Dr. No, Halle Berry's orange bikini in Die another Day and Daniel Craig in snug powder blue trunks in Casino Royal
A luncheon and fashion show with the theme "The Spy Who Loved Fashion: 50 years of 007 Style” will be held on Wednesday, April 25 from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Benicia Clock Tower. This is the third annual event benefitting the Benicia Community Action Council, and a show not to be missed. Models include local celebrities who will walk the runway, paying homage to the fashion impact of “Bond—James Bond.”
