Fresh off a Golden Globe win for Girls, and a big honking book deal, Lena Dunham (along with her co-showrunner Jenni Konner) is now developing another comedy project at HBO, based on the book All Dressed Up And Everywhere To Go by famed Manhattan personal shopper Betty Halbreich. FUN FACT: Because I am from Pennsylvania and am currently wearing what I refer to as “my good sweatpants,” I had no idea who this lady was until about 20 minutes ago.
Luckily, Deadline has a quick primer:
At age 85, Halbreich is still running her Bergdorf-based personal shopping service, which she launched in 1976. She has been the dresser and confidante of three generations of Manhattan socialites and stars including Joan Rivers, Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katie Couric and Glenn Close. Additionally, she works with top Manhattan stylists and has consulted for movies and TV shows, including helping design the signature look for HBO’s Sex And The City and capture the New York style of the early Woody Allen films. Halbreich is known as much for her unparalleled eye for fashion as she is about her unpretentious attitude and tart one-liners. The brassy Chicago native’s manner has been described as “part Angela Lansbury and part Lucille Ball.” Her memoir is said to provide behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of high fashion, as well as inspiration for women from all backgrounds.
So, look. I’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada 3-4 times on cable, and I kinda like Girls, and I’m on board with any old lady people describe as “a brassy Angela Lansbury,” so I’ll probably give this show a chance if it makes it out of the pilot stage. You, on the other hand, don’t have to if you don’t want to. America is cool like that. And if the fact that Lena Dunham is getting another show pisses you off that much, maybe just chill out and watch this video of a baby pit bull trying to run on a treadmill instead of getting upset. I assure you it’s a better use of your time.
