If memory serves me right Khalym and I first bonded over both being children’s wear designers, black hair products, a shared girl crush on Anna Karina, and one two many tequila gimlets. I probably complimented her on something she was wearing as Khalym has this well curated yet seemingly effortless style and an undeniable presence that just draws you in. She’s parlayed her sharp eye and talent into becoming a children’s fashion analyst at Stylesight, a globally recognized fashion forecasting site. She’s also killer at picking tunes. I dare you to try to be a wallflower when she’s DJing. Here is no particular order is Khalym’s The Perfect Ten.
Harold and Maude (1971)
For who knows how long, Harold and Maude had been staring at me from my instant Netflix queue. One night I finally pressed play and less than five minutes in wondered where this movie had been all my life. It’s the preface for every weird, twisted, meticulously art directed movie I’ve died for over the years.
Belle de Jour (1967)
I could stop at the fact that Yves Saint Laurent designed Catherine Deneuve’s wardrobe, a character itself, in Luis Buñuel’s film, but what catapults Belle de Jour into masterpiece status for me is Pierre Clémenti. His portrayal of Marcel, Séverine’s skinny, slick suit wearing john with a cane strut and gold-tooth snarl kills me.
Pierrot le Fou (1965)
This film solidified my girl crush on Anna Karina. Until I saw Karina in Pierrot le fou I didn’t understand the spell of Jean-Luc Godard’s muse-wife. In Pierrot le Fou Karina’s perfect, part ingénue, part superhero face takes Godard’s well-orchestrated color-laden scenes to the next level for me. *Editor’s note: Pierrot le Fou is one of my favs too! See my review/stills here.
Bay of Angels (1963)
At its core Bay of Angels is about a middle-aged woman with an addiction to gambling in a dysfunctional love affair. But why would I ever ever let those small character details get in the way of enjoying the frivolity of Jeanne Moreau’s insane black-and-white Pierre Cardin ensembles set against the backdrop of the French Riviera.
How to Murder Your Wife (1965)
If you saw How to Murder Your Wife with the volume off you could easily mistake it for a musical. And it probably would be just as good. The plot is absurd, the costumes are grand and Jack Lemmon’s comedic choreography with a sex-obsessed Virni Lisi could definitely be set to music. *Editor’s note: Available now on Netflix Watch Instantly!
Who’s That Knocking at My Door (1967)
Who’s That Knocking at My Door, Martin Scorsese’s first film, makes me want to do bad things period. His signature slow-mo shots laced with 60s soul play out like a chopped and screwed music video. I could also bite a 20-something Harvey Keitel’s face.
Mahogany (1975)
Growing up Mahogany was my jam. I now recognize the good-girl-goes-bad and there-is-no-place-like-home plot as a bit sappy. But Diana Ross’s looks in this film are like a fine wine.
Sparkle (1976)
Sparkle is that classic rise-and-fall story of a girl group set in the late 50s -– all the makings of a good movie, but with an extra bonus of a before they-were-B-stars cast. Irene “Fame” Cara and Lonette McKee are so beautiful it hurts, and Philip Michael “Tibbs” Thomas even spits out a little jive talk. *Editor’s Note: That En Vogue cover of Something He Can Feel is still a jam!
The Girl Can’t Help It (1956)
So you have Little Richard, The Platters, Fats Domino and Eddie Cochran to name a few, the weight of the musical performers appearing in The Girl Can’t Help It is heavier than Jayne Mansfield’s curves. Which are like whoa by the way.
Manhattan (1979)
Manhattan is my top Woody Allen film that is true for many of the New York director, screenwriter’s fans. So most, know this movie in and out. It’s a certified masterpiece. All I can personally add is I would steal Diane Keaton’s characters wardrobe in Manhattan over Annie Hall any day. I also wouldn’t mind having the baby tee Allen wears throughout a few scenes in my closet. *Editor’s Note: I think Judd Apatow owes a lot to Woody Allen’s loveable schlub lands the uber babe archetype used in his films. And Allen is a master of witty dialogue.
Khalym Schell is a trend analyst, stylist, DJ, and writer based in New York. She is the children’s fashion and trend analyst for Stylesight.com, a contributing fashion editor at kid’s wear magazine, and co-hosts a weekly summer Friday party at Le Bain at The Standard.
Check out her site: seeschell.com and follow her on twitter @MissSeeSchell
The Perfect Ten is a weekly series of top ten lists by friends of I Love Hot Dogs.
