I heart Iona and Ducky

Introduction: Like I said before, in these next few articles (which are part of Rockin’ Queen, inc.’s bi-weekly fashion posts) I will be highlighting movies that have influenced me and my personal style! If you walk into our boutique, their presence is easily seen. In fact, many of the style trends we see today can be traced back to these specific flicks (although I am sure it is not through their influence alone that we see these trends reemerge)…how funny the way that works! I hope you enjoy this series of short essays as much as I enjoy writing them (I am already giddy and full of nostalgia)!

Theme…Oh, I mean Team Iona
Written By: Lizette Trujillo

We have all seen Pretty In Pink…who didn’t want to be Molly Ringwald growing up, and although I loved Andy, I found that I was always drawn to the movie’s two underdogs Iona and Ducky! I always thought that had Iona only been a few years younger…okay, okay, a decade younger, Ducky would have found his true love! Iona and Ducky gave depth and life to all of us that rebelled against conformity and embraced fierce fashion! Those of us who were awkward teens empathized with the kooky Iona, and lonely/nerdy Ducky! It was not just their awkward demeanor that brings them to mind today, but as time has gone by these two iconic characters have become more relevant for their adventurous fashion sense then for their awkward social status! We see evidence of Ducky and Iona in today’s street fashion more and more each day! From Iona’s head to toe “themed ensembles” to Ducky’s signature pointy white lace-up loafers it is evident that the 80’s is alive and well!

How many of you have bought a pair of shoes, or a top, and immediately seen an entire look flash before your eyes? Well congratulations, you are Iona incarnate! You understand the importance of what a complete and finished look can achieve, and all the accessories must be in place to ensure that your “theme” is correct! Iona did not create the “themed ensemble”, but she could sure be the poster child! Did Annie Potts even realize how important Iona would be? Iona, Iona! She was the epitome of street chic! Iona’s fashion sense was ahead of its time with its vintage appeal, and the fact that each outfit carried a head to toe theme proved that she was a true-blue fashion girl.

As for Ducky’s fashion influence, well where do I begin! We see stars like Meghan Fox rockin’ Ducky’s signature mini-fedora, and the blazer along with the pointy loafer is considered fall’s must-have jacket and shoe! These 80’s throwbacks are have obviously been recreated with a more modern twist, but it is evident that Ducky would be considered extremely stylish if he existed today! No more love lost for this underdog…he would rule, rock, and embody today’s street style just like he did twenty-four years ago!

Today we see “street chic” has made its way into the main stream! With major magazines like Elle, Teen Vogue, and Nylon representing this very individual, vintage, and rock influenced way of dressing! We even see high-end designers creating runway shows that embody this street sensibility. Talk about tilting the status quo…it used to be the designers who were the final say on what was fashionable, which would then lead to a trickle down of shapes and colors that would then be sold to the mass market. We will call this the “trickle up”, and boy it’s exciting! The awkward teen in all of us should be rejoicing, because fashion has finally caught up! We define what is fashionable, so let us not forget to thank these two iconic characters for making “street” so chic. “Cheers” to Iona and Ducky from one underdog to another!