She’s a Little Bit Trashy, a Little Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll

The Movie: “The People vs. Larry Flynt”

The Setup: Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson) and his wife, Althea Leasure (Courtney Love), churn out porn and fight for the First Amendment.

The Costume Designers: Theodor Pistek, who won an Academy Award for his work in “Amadeus,” and Arianne Phillips, who comes to films (“The Crow,” “Tank Girl,” “Attack of the 50-Foot Woman”) by way of music videos (Smashing Pumpkins, Lenny Kravitz, Sonic Youth, Iggy Pop) and commercials.

The Look: A ride through the ‘70s and early ‘80s, starting with the era’s mad, plaid polyester roots--Flynt’s preferred attire--and ending with the trippiest in vinyl and leather for Althea. More than just a tacky fashion couple of the highest order, the Flynts represent a screechingly loud slice of period Americana.

Triumph: Althea registers a 10 on the fashion quake-o-meter as 54 wardrobe changes announce her rise and fall, spiritually and financially. In the space of a few years, she evolves from bikini-clad stripper to semi-trashy Hustler executive, in Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses, to macrame-bound hippie darling. In the final denouement, she appears grotesque in fetish clothes, black lips and spiky multicolored hair.

You Should Know: As documented on video from Flynt’s library, Althea’s style was complex and highly unusual, particularly once she came into money and moved to Los Angeles. Her attraction to drug culture, Sunset Strip clubs and punk rock led her to patronize such ‘80s shopping haunts as North Beach Leather and Trashy Lingerie. “I heard stories about her spending $10,000 on clothes for her lovers,” Phillips said. But she also wore loads of diamond jewelry, courtesy of Flynt, and shopped in Beverly Hills.

Quoted: “Althea was inspired by Althea,” Phillips said. “She was not really punk rock. She was kind of new wave, but the more suburban version. She was very indicative of the L.A. scene at the time. Maybe she had it first, maybe the bands got it from her. Who knows?”

Noted: About 40% of the lead characters’ clothes were newly made and the rest came from rental houses and thrift stores, including never worn “dead stock” like Althea’s turquoise seamless bra.

Trivia: “[Love] was willing to wear certain things we’d rather forget,” Phillips said. “Like a downright, god-awful rust cowl neck sweater and plaid gauchos. She was fearless.”

Trend Watch: With “Evita” clones dominating department store displays, will the Flynts’ street look inspire copy cats? It certainly ties in with a ‘70s and ‘80s fashion resurgence, although the vintage Holly Harps, Von Furstenbergs and vinyls take the movement a step further. “You have to have money to do ‘Evita,’ ” Phillips offered. “These characters are real people we’ve seen in the grocery store who have made it. It’s accessible. Any kid can go to this movie and put it together themselves.”