HBO’s Minx: 70s Vintage-filled Interior Design Dream
Mid-century Millennial Worth Watching: Minx on HBO
For most, the eye candy in HBO’s new series Minx will reference the expansive series of dongs in the first episodes about the first (fictional) pornographic magazine for women.
But for vintage interiors and fashion lovers like myself, the real eye candy is in the 70s styling execution. The set is packed full of vintage treasures and inspiration. And the wardrobe, let’s just say our leading lady is also a fan of vintage suit coordinate sets.
Here’s my unsolicited pitch for why I think you should give the first two episodes (premiered March 17, 2022) a watch and a few styling favorites to look out for.
MCM Review: Boogie nights with brains
As I age, some of my favorite films have begun to reveal some deeply embedded insufferable male energy that was not previously on my radar when they were introduced into my personal canon.
For example, my once die-hard love for Pulp Fiction hasn’t aged well. Even one of my claimed favorite directors, Paul Thomas Anderson (of recent Licorice Pizza contribution to 1970s period-piece porn) is beginning to sound alarm bells as a woman who has is now unable to see past the male gaze of his films.
Don’t get me wrong, Boogie Nights is unparalleled for vibe.
But imagine if you took that same mood and shifted the perspective to a female protagonist with a feminist agenda, written by an actual woman (Creator Ellen Rapoport). A little less drama, a little more 30-minute episodic comedy.
That’s Minx, y’all.
Not to mention, the cast is full of vaguely familiar faces who are all refreshingly talented.
Olivia Lovibond plays our pre-sexual awakening approachably flawed feminist heroine, Joyce. If Allison Brie hadn’t already played adjacent 1980s heroine in Glow, I’d put money on her having been an alternate universe Joyce. If that were the case, I truly think we would have missed out on Olivia Lovibond creating the perfect balance for this character of biting and earnest. Fun fact, Glow and Minx share a costume designer (Beth Morgan).
Notably, Jake Johnson of New Girl fame plays an irresistable porn publisher dirtbag with a heart. And the supporting cast of characters is just as strong in my opinion - including one of my favorites from Netflix’s Lady Dynamite, Lennon Parham.
Vintage Peep Show
The set design is almost entirely aligned to my own aspirational desire for 1970s eclectic boho meets disco-kitsch. Some period-specific sets hold back and leave very little to be discovered on second glance opting for traditional pieces that blend into their environment for better or worse.
From HBO Max
On the contrary, Minx provides an I-Spy experience for vintage lovers.
I’ve already watched and paused several times to catch glimpses of iconic art, like the Verner Panton art framing Jake Johnson. For other less recognizable pieces, I’ve started my reverse image searches of the bright, op-art in various scenes.
My husband can attest to the audible gasp that I let out catching a first glimpse of my own recently thrifted atomic stacking canisters in a to-die-for orange shade.
What I love most about the layered, at times chaotic set design is it’s playful quality, likely a tribute to the campy subject matter of low-rent erotic magazines. But for me the balance is in the execution, it doesn’t lean too kitsch to be not taken seriously but does boast eccentricity more commonly accessed by the middle class in the 1970s vs. today.
You can stream Minx on HBO Max. Let me know if you ID any vintage gems!
