Garden Party

Posted by Jen
Monday, January 12, 2009

I want to have a garden party. A grey garden party. Some girlfriends and I have been meaning to get together for over a year to lounge, brunch, and sip while screening the 1975 documentary Grey Gardens depicting the eccentric mother-daughter former socialites (of the Bouvier clan) living in a decrepit 28-room mansion in East Hampton. Lounge Wear, slippers, no make-up, and all things cozy will be the dress code for our party. Powdered donuts and a sip of champagne will be part of the brunch menu. I’m ready; I’m going to push for this month.

Photo: Getty Images
image via New York Magazine Daily Intel

I first saw this cult classic about 10 years ago and was fascinated. Of course, it is disconcerting at times but the daughter, Little Edie, is completely endearing. She had such a desire to perform, live in the bustling city, and have some sort of a social life. My heart broke for her that she did not find herself there, but I was so happy to be an audience for her. Jackie O is not the only style icon to come from that family, by the way. Little Edie had quite the fashion sense and designers such as Marc Jacobs, Philip Lim, Isaac Mizrahi, Todd Oldham, and John Bartlett have acknowledged that they have been influenced by Little Edie. In fact, this film and it’s stars have been the inspiration for many and have had a huge influence on pop culture, in general. There is a Tony Award-winning Broadway Musical based on the film. Rufus Wainwright wrote a song called “Grey Gardens” for his album, Poses. I’ve even had a playlist on my iPod for the last three years titled “Grey Gardens” (that would be moody, somewhat haunting music). And, of course, then there is the movie version coming out this year starring Drew Barrymore (as “Little Edie") and Jessica Lange (as “Big Edie"). I’m waiting for that…


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