Some notes on the MET Gala 2013: From Chaos to Couture

The MET Gala this year has been a real disappointment, we need to thank for this to all the guests who paid a ridiculous amount of money for their invitations and obviated that the core of this gala is -or used to be- that it has a theme. Most celebrities nowadays proved they are that kind of friends you invite to a costume party and come dressed in their regular clothes saying that "they are disguised as themselves".

Also, we would need to thank those people who though punk means "just wear

studded accesories" and who thought couture was "wear a mini dress you look hot in".

I'd love to know what Vivienne Westwood thought surrounded by this crowd,

as I don't have her phone, here you have some of my thoughts on it:

Diane Kruger Pulls Off Chanel Resort 2013

I admit when I first saw the Chanel Resort 2013 collection, I was shocked by the "Marie Antoinette meets denim and wears sneakers" awfulness. Looking more carefully at the collection, I could find

some few nice wearable dresses, so I thought Karl Lagerfeld would get away with it and celebrities who appreciate themself would never think about wearing one of those looks. My prediction dashed when

Diane Kruger wore a structured dress from this collection for the Chanel Haute Couture AW/13 show. She went further and managed to look amazing pairing it with a black beret and studded flats.

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It Couple Alert: Miles Kane & Suki Waterhouse

For those who miss the Alex Turner & Alexa Chung or the Albert Hammond & Agyness Deyn days,

dry your tears and prepare your stalker kit, we have a new It Couple in town.

Suki Waterhouse and Miles Kane have just arrived to fill that musician-model couple emptiness we had in our hearts. And how stylish they look... We can't wait to see more pics of cuddly well dressed people.

A Model's Match

Models get invited to so many events and always manage to be among the most stylish guests. You just

need to look at them at the Veuve Clicquot's 5th Annual Polo Classic to realise they are another breed.

Nacho Figueras - polo champion, face of Polo Ralph Lauren and cohost of the event

celebrated in Liberty State Park NY- said: “There’s something magical about the way

people dress up for this event.” But I still think these girls do it better.

 Maybe it is because they are used to display the most amazing fashion on a daily basis so it becomes a part of them, or maybe it is just because you need to have that style to become a model. Eitherway, they glow.

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Eva Herzigova in Cannes

Eva Herzigova, in a nude Dolce & Gabbana dress and Chopard 

necklace, casting elegance and the iconic Cannes glamour.

MET Gala 2012: Vintage Schiaparelli

This post is a expansion to yesterday's review of the MET Gala 2012.

Generally, it seemed like apart from the mature and experienced fashion insiders

-Anna Wintour specially-, almost nobody had a clue about who Elsa Schiaparelli was.

The closest they got to keep into account the Gala's theme was to wear a bunch of Pradas.

Luckily, looking through many image galleries I have found two tasteful ladies who wore vintage Schiaparelli dresses.

Farida Khelfa (left) and Linda Fargo (right).

And even though there is no reference to the male assistants in the previous post -mainly because they stuck to the classic smoking-, I have also found two gentlemen who added the surrealist touch to their outfits.

Cameron Silver with vintage Schiaparelli walking stick (left). Hamish Bowles with eyed loafers (right).

MET Gala 2012

If you have been reading this blog for a year or so, you might already know I am a big fan of the MET Gala. Not only because it's like the fashion equivalent to The Oscars red carpet, but also because it is the chance to see flamboyant dresses that otherwise would be relegated and stuck in the catwalks for being too risky.

This year's theme was Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada's Impossible Conversations. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s satirical “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair in the 1930s, it explores the striking affinities between these two Italian designers from different eras,and their most innovative work. 

A lot of Prada, long dreses, shiny golden paillettes, feathers, transparencies and -shockingly- orange as one of the prefered colours of the night. Though as every year there were many attendants who didn't understand that "risk" is the dress code in this gala, there were some other many pleasant surprises and vibrant homages to the iconic designer women of the night. Here is the last night's review.

The White

Amy Adams in Valli Couture, Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello, Amber Valetta in Prada, Claire Danes in J Mendel.

White had recently been chosen like the new black. A classic for those celebrities who want to get it right but think black is too safe. Last night seemed like it was losing its place as one of the most chosen colours for galas, but it still helped many look stunning, just look at Anja Rubik.

The Black

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen, Mary Kate Olsen in The Row, Rihanna in Tom Ford, Linda Evangelista in Prada.

Black is black, and there will never be a red carpet without someone looking beautiful and elegant in black, right Cate Blanchett? It was one of the model's favourite (Gisele Bundchen, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Carolyn Murphy), and it was sported in several kinds of fabric: from rocker leather (Rosario Dawson) to delicate lace (Rooney Mara).

The Orange

Eva Mendes in Prada,Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte,Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuilier,Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney

One of the suprises of the night. Orange took over red and the red carpet. From Emma Roberts lovely tangerine Escada dress to Kristen Bell's Tommy Hilfiger choice or Katharine Mcphee's Elie Saab. It was the last night's star without any doubt. My favourite one? Kirsten Dunst.

The Golden

Bianca Brandolini in Dolce&Gabbana, Dree Hemingway in Philip Green, Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe, Jessica Pare in Versace

Nobody can resist a bling-bling dose of golden paillettes or lamé. Careful here, you can suffer a shiny overdose, just like it happened to Bianca Brandolini; or be compared to Kate Moss, or even worse, mix it with Greek inspiration and look dispensable (Jessica Alba). Dree Hemingway knew how to do up the look.

The Mini

Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu, Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada, Stella Tennant in Chanel, Carey Mulligan in Prada.

I critised Alexa Chung last year's dress for not suiting the occasion, but it seems that short dresses are becoming a more acceptable choice in red carpets, and I have to admit there were some great choices. If we're talking mini dresses, we're talking some Balmain (Joan Smalls). Even Emma Stone's endless Lanvin alliance went short this time. Still, Chloe Sevigny and Gwyneth Paltrow were the best dressed ones in this category.

The Inner Style

MIA in Stella McCartney, Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino, Alexa Chung in Marc Jacobs., Florence Welch in McQueen.

 And there is always those people who don't really care about dress codes or what's appropiate to wear. They follow their inner style, choose clothes of their taste and pull off incredible looks. All of the ladies in this section looked stylish and individual, and that's something to admire.

The Dark Lips

Kate Bosworth in Prada, Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren, Rachel Zoe, Lana Del Rey in Altuzarra

If we talk make-up and hair, we can point out most of the assistants went for natural looks, even though hair down is not always the best match for a gala dress. Diane Kruger's hair, for example, along with the Prada dress she chose, made her look far less remarkable than she uses too. Dark lips were the salient beauty detail. A bold pick that can make you look unique (Camilla Belle) or dangerously like a witch - I'm sorry Rachel Zoe and Lana Del Rey-.

The Wrong

Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga, Leighton Meester in Marchesa, Beyonce in Gucci, Scarlett Johansson in Dolce&Gabbana.

Before we check the best dressed of the night, a quick look to the worst dressed. Who adviced Kristen Stewart than she could wear that? The Balenciaga outfit is difficult enough itself, and she clearly didn't had what it takes to make it look good. Whatever it was, she didn't look comfortable in it. Leighton Meester and Scarlett Johansson didn't look better in those nude chiffon gowns. Let alone Beyonce's feathered nightmare.

The Fashion Insiders

Grace Coddington in Prada, Giovanna Bataglia in Dolce&Gabbana, Anna Wintour in Prada, Franca Sozzani with Adrien Brody.

These women know what it was all about. Giovanna Battaglia looked great in her Dolce&Gabbana total look. Franca Sozzani payed tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli wearing a butterflies headdress, but it was Anna Wintour who really mastered it. The Vogue US editor wore a Prada dress inspired in Schiaparelli and Dalí's lobster dress collaboration, refering the two italian designers in the same look. Brilliant.

The Surrealists

Chanel Iman in Tom Ford, Coco Rocha in vintage Givenchy, Elizabeth Banks in Mary Kantrantzou, Diane Von Furstenberg.

Modern art, particularly Dada and Surrealism, provided a significant source of inspiration for Schiaparelli. She worked with a number of contemporary artists to develop her imaginative designs. From these artistic collaborations, Schiaparelli’s most notable designs were born. So here is my top 5 best dressed according to the Gala's theme. Number one for Angela Lindvall's Prada dada look.

Party On, Florence

Oh, didn't Florence Welch look a bit dreary on the NME Awards? Even though she received an award and there were so many other distinguished guests from the music business to mingle with during the event.

Among the people who attended you could spot:

[click the names to see their photocall shot]
Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Jamie Hince, Pixie Geldof, Jarvis Cocker, Carl Barat 

(The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things), Ladyhawke, Anna Calvi, Marina Diamandis 

(Marina & The Diamonds), the very casual Kaiser Chiefs, the very unpolluted Hurts 

and The Drums - the singer Jonathan Pierce is easy to identify due to his perpetual white socks-.

But as you can see, she didn't keep that face all night, and in the party she loosened up a bit and seems like she had a pretty good time. Dressed up in Moschino, Louboutins in one hand and cocktail in the other, I wouldn't mind to party like that either. (And yes, the girl behind on the right in the pic is Alexa Chung)

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Sunny Blazer

Celebrities keep chosing yellow for their public appereances in galas and events,

defying the superstitions this colour has for the artists, like Liya Kebede did not so long ago.

This time, two actresses have chosen the same yellow blazer, from

Stella McCartney's Resort 2012 collection, but they combined it in different ways.

While Elena Anaya decided to go for the total look; Kirsten Dunst decided to mix it with 

Rodarte's Spring 2012 crop trousers and go for a mono chrome look.

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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Ladies Prefer Pink Dresses

Marilyn Monroe, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"

William Travilla's design for Marilyn Monroe in that film has been the inspiration for dressed during years and years. Some of them as succesful as Madonna's Material Girl video, which was more of a reproduction of the scene in that same movie than a mere reference.

Madonna, "Material Girl"

Also actresses, and... yes, actors, choose this kind of dress to attend galas. Like drag James Franco presenting The Oscars or Natalie Portman's Lanvin choice for the Golden Globe 2012 Awards.

Natalie Portman, Golden Globes 2012

James Franco, The Oscars 2011

Michelle Williams in the Critic’s Choice Awards

Overlays, how they have to be done to look graceful, by Chanel.

 

 

Inside Chloe Sevigny's Closet

Enjoy this opportunity the launch of the new Opening Ceremony resort collection gives us, and watch this first video in a series exploring her East Village garden apartment.

Sneak into the stylish actress' closet; full of weird items, wonderful clothes and loads of surprises. From some bunny ears she designed for a movie, loads of notes and invitations she still keeps, Alber Elbaz's skethes for a dress she wore, to dog collars and even a questionable pink jacket.

 

Alexa Chung Loves Christopher Kane

If life gives you lemons...

Then get Liya Kebede's look!

The ethiopian model wore this risky yellow total look by Cushnie et Ochs 

for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards 2011 this monday in New York.

"Express Yourself"

What did you do last Friday night?

Domenico Dolce, Steffano Gabanna and Vogue Italia's editor Franca Sozzani were in the "Express Yourself" party in the Dolce & Gabanna Shangai boutique.

 

Luo Zi Lin            ///       Bonnie Chen

I'm sure all of you have already seen loads of celebrities wearing the sequin dresses by this fashion house collection, all of them looking shiny and stunning; this party wasn't an exception to it.

So let's pay attention to the gentlemen who attended the event this time.

On the left you have actor Hu Ge, wearing a classic and well accomplished polished gentleman look.

On the right model Hao Yun Xiang, pulling off a more risky look with a bit of a grunge touch.

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Kate Bosworth in Los Angeles



She's wearing Proenza Schouler top and skirt, Maison Martin Margiela shoes.

Wish I could still go out in the sun and without a coat!

Anna's Disco Fever

Last Friday, 30 September.

What to wear if you are the Vogue Japan fashion editor during Paris Fashion Week and you're also going to attend Terry Richardson's exhibition opening in Colette and the Club Monaco?

Well, you stick to your singular and personal style, and take a step further in your love for weird headdresses.

Left: Christian Dior S/S '12                 ///                                    Right: Colette

Fanning Sisters

Nothing better than attending Rodarte's S/S 2012 fashion show with your sister.

Because sisters who attend the NYFW together, stay together.

And Dakota and Elle know it.

On the left, at the Fashion Show.                           On the right, enjoying the After Party.

Flame-haired girls stick together

" Karen Elson is such a beauty- she's my dream girl. She has just this otherwordly look about her, and i love her vintage style. Me and her and Grace Coddington were all in a bar together in Paris recently; it was as if we'd formed a ginger coven "   Florence Welch

Florence Welch /// Grace Coddington /// Karen Elson

They're all a mix of several fields themselves, polyvalent women with a great taste and an important presence in fashion

• Florence Welch is the singer from Florence + the Machine and acclaimed it-girl. She's chosen Karen Elson as her beauty icon in an interview for style.com
• Grace Coddington is the current American Vogue creative director and had an early modelling career. She appeared in The September issue.
• Karen Elson is a known model, singer and Jack White's wife. She portrayed Grace on Vogue Paris August 2008

Grace Coddington and Karen Elson

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Smoking Girls

Two different actresses, two differents ages, two different events, two different designers... but one hit: suited up girls !

 Hailee Steinfeld                                     Kirsten Dunst

Louis Vuitton, MTV Movie Awards               Patrick Ervell, CFDA Awards