The L word meets t
Transcription
The L word meets t
Globe Life i•?tyle CLOSET POLITICS The L word meets t BY AMY VERNER with their fashion sense." "It was the first ongoing ot long after its debut five years ago, The L Word went from being a show about L.A. lesbians to a show about chic L.A. lesbians. The fashion focus generated so much buzz that it's fair to say many viewers of the final season, which launched this week on Showcase, are more interested in seeing the characters in their clothes than out of them. The attention also made a celebrity out of show stylist Cynthia Summers, who, like the show's production, is based in Vancouver. For Summers, The L Word was a chance to refine the nolion of lesbian chic. While the show was initially criticized for being too "lipstick," she believes its success is a sign that "gay women have come out show for lesbians and, in particular, the lesbian community in L.A.," Summers says. "By season two ... creator ilene Chaiken said, 'Let's show these women for who they are and what they are and let's put a bit of mystery and fantasy behind it.'" N The fashion-as-empowerment approach worked, judging by the response from L Word fans on blogs and websites. "My wife is a dean at an L.A. university and wore conservative power suits as the job required and was bored to tears," reads one testimonial on www. afterellen.com. "Then BAM, Belie Porter comes along. Power, grace, fern and big fun shopping. Her mantra now is 'Would Belie wear this?'" )}SEE 'FASHION' PAGES Jennifer Beals (immediate left) stars as power lesbian Befle Poe whose wardmbe Is an inspiration to many gay viewers. Beside her Is her partner, Tina (Laurel Hoiloman); at far left Is guest star Elizabeth Berkley. PAUL MICHAUD/SHOW11ME It's not what they're wearing; it's howthey wear it Brtte Porter, played by Jennifer Beals, Is In fact a dean (of art) herself, a power lesbian with a healthy sexual appetite. According to Summers, her look has evolved to represent a woman somewhere between the classic "butch" and "femme" roles. "She'a a modern woman with a high-profile job," Summers says. "We started styling her with a 19405 Kate Hepburn look - slacks and blouses or men's shirts and skirts that are fitted and sexier. Now, she wears a lot more dresses. But she still looks like a woman to be reckoned with." Label spotters will note that Bette favours Ann Demeulemeester and Alexander McQueen, whose suits axe 'structured with a feminine edge," as well as Stella McCartnay, Dries Van Noten and Sienna Mfflers line Twenty8Twelve. For the character of the slightly giddy girly girl Alice played by Leisha Halley, the only out lesbian In the cast the designer of choice Is Marni. "1 think a lot of lesbian fashion Is that loose, deconstructed, fiowy vibe," Summers says. As for the dark-horse butch character Shane (Katherine Moennig), the key label is Dior Homme. "She Is probably the fashion version of Ellen Degeneres," Summers says. )) While Summers gets the most kudos for Bette's wardrobe, Shane, too, is a fashion Inspiration. 'When season one aired, I was coming out of the closet and before I came out! was trybig to play it 'straight' with the clothes that I wore," a viewer wrote to afterellen.coni. "Seeing the way Shane dressed, especially In season two, made It a little easier for me to change my wardrobe to what! felt comfortable in. I particularly enjoy the androgynous style." For Summers, "Ii's not so mucliwhat she's wearing; It's how she's wearing It and her attitude. I think that's what lesbian chic Is and I think that's when it's making a statement. It's not so much a piece of wardrobe or a particular look." Diversity and personal choice In matters both sartorial and political is key for Summers, who was determined that the show avoid caricature. And while the producers saw the fashion as "aspirational," they also wanted to make It accessible enough that a real L.A. university dean would emulate a character's look. Still, she struggles with the notion that "lesbian chic" Is in the final analysis different than simply "chic." "1 think fashion has always played an Important part for marginalized groups throughout history; as It has given them a visual presence, given them a physical voice, If you wifi," Summers says. Yet there's an irony there. "We want to be taken as we are and we want to stand out politically but we also want lobe a part of society." For herself, it's Alice's style she feels closest to. "I'm definitely a girly girl. I have been all my life." I) The sixth and final seasen of The L Word airs on Showcase on Tuesdays at io p.m. Left, Mica (Leisha Heliey) Is the girly gbl who likes dresses; above. Jennifer Beals's efle mixes sharp-edged wiling with softer touches. Right, Shane (Katherine Moennlg) favours Dior Homme.