Get This Look: Fascists
by Rebecca Jane Stokes
The ‘Black Shirt’
Putting the Buf(f) in British Union of Fascists, Oswald Moseley, when he wasn’t busy seducing his first wife’s stepmother and sister, or taking Diana Mitford from ho to housewife, nursed the wounds of his first unsuccessful political attempts, studied up on the teachings of Benito Mussolini, and made black shirts the ultimate fascist fashion choice. Unfortunately, his groupies’ tendencies toward violence and the onset World War II cast some serious shade on his protectionist mode of thinking, and he and Mitford found themselves interred. Reports of Moseley muttering “[expletive redacted] [expletive redacted] fascists!” to his captors upon being escorted to the Holloway prison grounds are contested, but universally acknowledged as being highly ironic.
Get This Look: Nury Leather Jumpsuit by Hakan, Rockstud Leather and Lace Long Gloves by Valentino,and Alma Shearling and Leather Boots by Tory Burch.
The ‘Puppet Leader’
Gay Paris was less gay and more authoritative and unequivocally “the worst” under the rule of puppet leader Philippe Petain. This one-time war hero turned veritable Nazi yes man was an innovator and wordsmith, banishing France’s motto of “Liberte, egalite, fraternite” (Liberty, equality, fraternity) in favor of the more can-do, no-nonsense “Travail, familie, patrie” (Work, family, country). Not relishing the notion that all men are created equal, Petain put down the idea of a French Republic, subbing in the notion of a French state that emphasized that all men were emphatically NOT on the level — Petain being quoted as saying (not actually), “I’m looking at you, Communists and the Jews!” Although he never explicitly voiced his support of Hitler, Petain did flee to Germany when merde got real, only to return to his homeland after the war, where he was essentially found guilty of “ruining everything.” Records from his trial indicated that he escaped the death penalty only because the jury agreed that, to paraphrase, Il est vieux comme testicules. Petain was instead sentenced to spend the rest of his days on a tiny island, because that is how they roll in France. (See also: Napoleon, The Count of Monte Cristo.)
Get This Look: Sequin Beret by Juicy Couture, Jacques Vert Cameo Stand Jacket by John Lewis, Marseille Necklace by Auden, Heather Gray Cashmere Boy Shorts by Kiki De Montparnesse, and Leerar Boots by Aldo.
The ‘Nationalist’
Like they say, it’s not a party until something gets broken — the lifetime motto of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, who came to power during the Spanish Civil War and was the Michael Jackson of goddamn staying in power! Cutting his teeth on the Moroccan Rif war, this baby-general got a taste for quelling uprisings as he helped suppress the anarchist strikes of the 1930s. Though he demonstrated a modicum of “decency” by playing it neutral during WWII, this was mainly because his country would basically have evaporated under the strain of battle, as it was still licking its civil war wounds. Just when you thought he might be cool, Franco was all “I think this Hitler guy might be on to something,” and maintained his political supremacy through the implementation of concentration camps, censorship, and the total evisceration of anyone who might be like, “I’m not sure I agree with you, Franco.” This all led President Richard Nixon to be all, “This guy, he’s the best!” because Nixon really hated communists, and any country that Cuba hated was alllll right by Nixon.
Get This Look: Strapless Velvet Gown by Dolce and Gabbana, Aviator Style Metal and Acetate Sunglasses by Alexander Wang, Flower Skull Necklace by Alexander McQueen Red Wedge Sneakers by Chloe, and Longchamps Totes by Jeremy Scott.
Next Time: Get This Look: Hairdressers!
Previously: Royal Ladies.
Rebecca Jane Stokes is a writer living in Brooklyn. She’s an editor at Fempop, and spends a large amount of her time pretending to be a mildly evil cat on the internet.