I want to live in the 'Cool' music video
flex on your ex from your 19th century villa (looks to match)
With the heat here to stay, and my socials flooded with Euro Summer™, one thought bubbled to the top of my brain recently — the song ‘Cool’. That synth-y, wistful summer pop anthem dreamed up by Miss Stefani1, and beloved by millennials everywhere. It still matters a lot to me.
In 2005, I’m closing in on 13. I resemble Mia Thermopolis...pre-makeover. I’d listen to new release ‘Cool’ on repeat (via green iPod nano) imagining my future, in crushes. It would be so ~chill~ to whisper “I know we’re cool…” in their ear someday, when we inevitably met again as Real Adults, just like Gwen.2
Directed by Sophie Muller (look her up please) — these visuals have been seared into my mind since my first watch. A fizzy Italian dream shot in Como, no less. The video oozes lust, vespa rides, knowing looks, and the incredible interiors of the 19th century ‘Villa Erba’.3
With summer dressing now in full effect (and not always my forte) I love digging for inspiration Elsewhere4…and when I watched this the other day, it fed me. The styling in the video is excellent — story telling through two different versions of Gwen.5 I’ve rounded up ideas below for you to lean into one, or better yet, both. Let’s play!
Brunette Gwen
Bright eyed, bushy-tailed. Think bouncy curls, nostalgic silhouettes and prints, like gingham and polka dots. A saucy black lace bra peeks out of her dress.
(L to R, top to bottom)
Mango flats / vintage Gucci handbag / Leset crop cardi / Juliette swimwear bikini / Doen peasant skirt / Alighieri pendant / Cou Cou voile slip dress / Porselli flats / Ayllón pouch / Fruity Booty ‘third date’ bra / Agent Provocateur black lace / Chanel chain belt6 / Doen polka dot dress / J.Crew one piece / Thistles ‘Coco’ sunglasses / Realisation polka dot dress / vintage basket bag / silk Gucci scarf / Repetto ‘Camille’
Bonus Points:
another Realisation option (since this is kind of their entire IP)
Saie blush in ‘ciao’ (topical and heavy in my rotation)
VB Beauty satin kajaal eyeliner in ‘cocoa’ (my #1 always)
an internet scour of vintage Blumarine or Ferretti’s Philosophy would probably find you some killer pieces in this mood as well
Hot rollers and naiveté not included. <3
Blonde Gwen
She’s over you…and she’s platinum now, capito?? Leopard accents, red lips, stilettos, hot pants. Plus, The Only (1940’s inspired, I think) Ponytail That Has Ever Mattered.
(L to R, top to bottom)
Kallmeyer knit / Chloe print pant / Belle The Label hot pants / Frankie Shop hot pants / vintage Gucci handbag / D&G leopard knit / Orseund Iris circle skirt / Prada dress / Rohe gingham dress / Prada sunnies / vintage Prada belt / Louboutin kitten heel / Rue Sophie 3/4 sleeve / D&G lace trim dress / vintage Ralph Lauren belt / YSL silk scarf / D&G pump / vintage Gucci ‘Diana’ bag / Gianvito Rossi pump / YSL ‘Arty’ lapis ring
Bonus Points:
Orseund Iris knit capris (I own these. They are fab and feel like nothing on)
In My Saved Pile:
Flattered to chat with the Strategist recently about my fave bathers in rotation. It’s the Loleia String Top and Scrunchie Bottom, btw. I don’t play with print much in my everyday dress, but I love it in swim. I own the zebra, but lots to choose from…
Nora found me an A+ vintage tee. Says ‘ciao’ on it, and it’s perfectly lived in. Will debut ASAP. Thanks It's From latest dispatch had an excellent summer t-shirt round up!
Killed three documentaries on the plane home from London, two of which I liked a lot — Very Ralph and Liza. Haven’t seen Materialists yet but if you have, you should go read Elissa Suh’s thoughts on it.
Speaking of London, highlights were eating at Straker’s, and a solo dinner at Café Deco. Souvenirs included a delicate art deco tray from Portobello market (purchased from angel on earth, Gail), 1970s Japanese smut via Climax Books, and no-occasion stationary from a posh little shop in Mayfair.
also, Double Devon Toffees from Marks and Spencer <3
Ciaoo,
S xx
can’t say I see eye to eye with Gwen anymore — but the L.A.M.B. era (one of my first concerts)…will always be special. I can still picture the ice blue sequin mini dress she wore to sing Cool.
Obviously, I look AMAZING in this scenario
Yes…you can get married there
NOT on instagram, tiktok, pinterest etc
From what intel I could gather, the video was styled by Gwen and her close collaborator at that time, Andrea Lieberman.
I know, INSANE but I had to include it because she took my breath away
P.S. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of the links I included in this letter (at no cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of Sofissimi <3
Cool always makes me think of Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere too hehe
this is so funny because i have been working on a re-visit of L.A.M.B. which is going live next week and this just popped up in my feed!! did you know this song started off as a write for Christina Aguilera? so glad Gwen got it and it turned into this. Anyway I'll put in a link to this post when my review goes live next week. I do love this song as well.