StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

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November 19, 2007

HOT LIPS: STILL HOT

"Lips" iconography is having a resurgence in fashion and home design.

Lips got loudest in mainstream fashion, design and pop-culture in the 1970s.  Gufram of Italy released the mass-produced lip couch -- described by some sources as an homage to Marilyn Monroe, but by most as a reinterpretation of Man Ray's "Mae West" couch -- at the start of the decade. 

Guframmarilynlips

Image from ChildrensMuseum.org


At the same time, Yves Saint Laurent created his often-reinterpreted "Hot Lips" print, which Helmut Newton instantly immortalized in 1971 when he shot a model wearing a lip-print blouse on the cover of British mag Nova.

Also in 1970, Robert Altman introduced us to "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan, the pouty-mouthed nurse played by Sally Kellerman in the film M*A*S*H.  (The character was inspired by real-life head nurse "Hot Lips" Hammerly who served in the Korean War).

Lorettaswit

20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

In 1972, we met "Hot Lips" again, this time on the small screen.  The character was renamed "Hot Lips" Houlihan (sans the "O"), and the role was reprised by Loretta Swit (above) who appeared in 232 episodes over a span of 11 years.


1975 brought The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Rockyhorrorpictureshow


It may be 30-plus years later, but you don't have to scour Ebay and vintage stores (or watch re-runs) to get your kitsch-fix.  There are a slew of new treasures you can get right now. 


Find an updated version of the lips couch -- called the Bocca -- at Retromodern.com.

Boccalipssofa

$900 at Retromodern.com

Or, get off the couch and go glam with this snakeskin clutch from Lulu Guinness (also in metallic silver).

Luluguinessclutch


About $400 at LuluGuinness.com

You can even go crazy and carry your clutch with this dress from Tuleh (now hear this: matchy-matchy is so wrong it's right, particularly when done with irreverent self-awareness)

Tulehlipsdress

Carlo Buscemi/WireImage


Ensure sweet (and sexy) dreams with these pillowcases from Kitson.

Lipspillowcaseskitson



$25 at Kitson.com


Get him in on the action with Fornasetti sterling silver "Kiss" cuff links.

Fornasettilipcufflinks

$485 at Barneys.com

Kisses can by comfy, like this sweatshirt by artist Tara McPherson for Kid Robot.

Kidrobotlips

$150 at KidRobot.com


Goldfinger is sooo 40 years ago.

Julessmithlipsshopbop

Jules Smith Kiss Kiss Necklace, $247 at Shopbop.com

Kiss it and make it better.

Lipbandaids

Adhesive bandages, $8 at FredFlare.com

New Year's Resolution:  Have your feet kissed every day.

Picture_1

KVD sneakers, $40, available January 1st at Vans.com


Now this is lip service.

Hotlipsphone

Hot Lips phone, $26.60 at CircuitCity.com

And now, the bad news:  Christian Louboutin's limited edition lip wedges at Net-A-Porter are already sold out. 

I'm keeping a stiff upper lip.

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i loved this post! i want that necklace

XXX

Posted by: saryn | November 29, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS, STYLE SPY, on your interesting, contemporary review of "LIPS"!

Sadie Lady is adding one more modern-day-artist, influenced by perhaps Dali.

TIMMY WOODS, California designer of magnificent handcrafted wooden handbags, featuring animals, hearts, Christmas icons and much, much more, has as her signature.... you guessed it.....RED LIPS!!!

Posted by: Sadie Lady | November 26, 2007

I always knew the "Lips Sofa" was in fact the Mae West sofa by Dali.

Posted by: Grace | November 23, 2007

I find it interesting the this article completely overlooked the Surrealists', such as Dali and Man Ray, use of lips in their work, which obviously preceded anything noted here.

Posted by: Karol | November 21, 2007

Marilyn Monroe lips at a Children's Museum?!

That would have been unheard of, while Andy Warhol was alive.

How ironic that the last great hit song of the disco era was "Funkytown" -- by a group called Lipps Inc.

Posted by: Superhair | November 21, 2007

Love your lip research. You must be "puckered" out.

Posted by: white fanga | November 19, 2007

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