Vintage Beyonce Part 1

Alternately titled: In which b.vikki vintage descends into Beyonce fan-zine territory.

I certainly didn't start b.vikki vintage with the intent of it becoming a Beyonce exegesis blog, but for at least 2 more posts, it will be. Her "Why Don't You Love Me?" video prompted my investigation into her vintage looks throughout the years ... and surprisingly, she's had a plethora. In this series, I'll be posting and dissecting Beyonce's forays into vintage fashion.

These occurrence are infrequent enough for me to be hesitant in declaring Beyonce a conscious fan of mid century clothing, but prevalent enough for me to have noticed what may be a latent tendency toward vintage influences. I'm probably fishing in a lot of cases, counting a hairstyle or hat as proof of Bey's vintage leanings, but I'll take what I can get.

Let's start at the very beginning... a very good place to start.

Above is a screencap from No, No, No Part 1, Destiny's Child's first music video. I spy loosely marcelled hair.

In Lose My Breath, Beyonce's alter ego sports a modernized victory roll.

Beyonce never did the 70s better than when she channeled Farrah Fawcett in Destiny's Child's video for Independent Women. The geometric, graphic print tops, wide legged pants, and arm cuff are spot on.

Can't pin down an exact era here, but the film noir menswear inspiration is evident.

Foxy Cleopatra, whether homage or parody, is unmistakably a nod to characters in 1970s exploitation films. And that curly 'fro is perfection.

I'm not the biggest fan of 1970s fashion trends, but never have a compact and afro pick looked so menacing. What I do love about Beyonce's look here is all of the gold - the lip, the eye shadow, what I imagine to be dangerous amounts of bronzer, the earrings, the chunky ring. It just works.

The soundtrack to Austin Powers in Goldmember provided Beyonce's first taste of a solo career and chance to fully embrace a style sovereign of Destiny's Child. Here, she modernizes her character Foxy Cleopatra's look.

The headband, the big hair, the sweater. Beyonce is 100% pin up girl in Check On It.

'03 Bonnie and Clyde, featuring Jay-Z, was directly influenced and inspired by Faye Dunaways 1967 film of the same name.

There are two more parts to this most likely ill-advised Beyonce series. I'll be posting them over the next week.

Thanks for reading!

Beyonce - Why Don't You Love Me

Aren't I being a thoroughly modern Millie these days? Don't worry. Things will be back in vintage order soon enough.

Until then, it bears mentioning that Beyonce seems to be sticking to her vintage aesthetic. In her new video for Why Don't You Love me, she's a harried homemaker, some bizarro incarnation of Rosie the Riveter, has returned to her Bettie Page bangs, channels Motown girl groups, is wearing vintage lingerie, and portrays a pretty convincing pin up girl.

In candids I've seen recently, it doesn't seem as if the mid-century look has carried over into her real life, but I like what I'm seeing from her videos... even if the vintage inspiration is tarted up to within an inch of recognition.

The cigarette and the floral print here evokes images of Betty Draper... or it could just be that I'm soooo excited Mad Men will be back for Season 4 in a month!

I also may have a bit of an affinity for aqua colored home adornments. I spy a telephone I wouldn't mind owning. I appreciate the matching fingernails as well. Reminds me of January Jones' SNL sketch, A Ladies' Guide To Party Planning.

The cinematography is also beautiful. Looks like home movies. The makeup (especially the eyebrows!) is spot on, and the hair is immaculate. Kudos to the set production and prop manager as well. The details are great. Keep your eyes peeled for Easter eggs for the super fans! (hint: look at the kitchen counter!)

Take a gander at the video below:

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.