Month: January 2015

Runway Report: Chanel Spring 2015 Couture

 I contemplated staying up till 3 AM EST to watch the pictures from the Chanel Spring 2015 Couture come in live, but I decided on sleep instead. That was a good life decision, because this is one of my least favorite collections from Chanel EVER. This collection is like a 1980s ugly floral wonderland. It makes me think of grandmas couch at her beach house that is covered in plastic to keep it looking “new.” Karl Lagerfeld tired to make the collection youthful with crop tops and sheerness, but it just ended up looking extremely dated.
I am hoping that when stars like Kirsten Stewart, Diane Kruger, Lily Collins, Keira Knightley, Emma Stone and Lupita Nyong’o wear this collection on the red carpet that it is given a much more elegant life. I try to watch these collection presentations and try to strip down the theatrics to see just the clothes, separated from shoes, hair, makeup, and other accessories. I had a hard time doing that collection. I looked at it multiple times before writing this review and I definitely can see good bones but it is going to take women who know how to work a red carpet to make me love anything from this collection. Editorial is going to be interesting as well. Will the tulle covered straw beach hats dictate what editorial themes we see? I am scared. But with Elie Saab and Valentino tomorrow I know that I will get back in good graces with couture week.
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Runway Report: Yiqing Yin Spring 2015 Couture

There has only ever been one absolutely amazing celebrity moment from designer Yiquin Yin, Audrey Tautou at the Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony in 2013. The designer showcased her Spring 2015 Couture collection in Paris yesterday. Known for her amazing modern draping the collection did not disappoint. Mostly showing greys, black, and white there were some pops of color through some elegant blues. The pieces presented give off this glam rock type of look and I have to say that I hope we see celebrities embrace this collection on the red carpet. The grey asymmetrical cocktail dress and the blue draped gown would be perfect Grammy dresses for the likes of Miley Cyrus or Rihanna.

Runway Report: Alexis Mabille Spring 2015 Couture

Alexis Mabille really showcased an amazing collection last night in Paris for Spring 2015 Haute Couture. The designer, known for his intimate couture presentations, showcased just 22 looks (each just more breathtaking than the last) to a small audience, which included Dita von Teese. Asian inspiration, I am sure thanks to the 2015 Costume Institute Gala theme “Chinese Whispers,” was heavily prevalent with classic couture styling. This is a very sellable collection and I am praying that we see a lot of this under-appreciated designer on the red carpet. The finale dress, an antique white gown with a GIANT midnight blue satin bow, needs a moment on the cover of a magazine.
Celebrity fans of the house include Lea Seydoux, Berenice Bejo, Zoe Saldana, Dita von Teese and Keira Knightley and I would love to see the likes of Cate Blanchett, Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain also learn to love this brand. Having mostly been showcased on foreign red carpets I can see a lot of these looks during Cannes and maybe one of the Asian inspired looks at the Met Ball. I also have to say that the beauty look was one that I loved. Strands of ostrich feathers and fresh elegant faces just enhanced and added to the whimsey of each look as it walked down the runway

 

Runway Report: Giambattista Valli Spring 2015 Couture

Giambattista Valli went back to the his extreme avant garde roots for his Spring 2015 Couture collection, which was presented in Paris yesterday. I really loved the collection, which is the opposite opinion to most that I have spoken too and read from. What people have come to know Giambattista for is amazing red carpet gown and cocktail dresses, when the over the top styles shown in yesterdays collection were the basis on what the house was founded on. The collection almost looked to me as a retrospective on several collections that Giambattista has presented in the past. Some of my favorite looks were ones that will most likely never see the likes of a red carpet. A white riffled full skirted cocktail dress white black stripes and bow on the bodice and the pink silk tunic and matching pant ensemble paired with the crazy dramatic pink ruffle cape. These are looks that I know will grace the pages of couture editorials but not the red carpets.
The looks above are more about what I can picture on the red carpets. Keira Knightley in the look all the way to the left, Nieves Alvarez in the black pant ensembles, Hailee Steinfeld in the pink confection in the center, and Emma Stone for both of the looks on the right side. The bones of this collection tell me that there might be many of a custom creation made for starlets to wear for events like the Oscars, Met Ball and Cannes, so those of you who are fearing for the state of red carpet glamour I am sure that the Giambattista Valli edge is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Runway Report: Christian Dior Spring 2015 Couture

If prior to the Christian Dior Spring 2015 Couture collection presentation yesterday that I would have archived 34 of the 54 looks that were presented, I probably would have laughed. Alas that is exactly what happened. There was soooooooo much about the presentation that I loved, starting with the two tiered set. The set reminded me of pussy galore, if she were an alien spider woman. I know that is so far left field, but it was awesome. The collection that came down the pink carpet covered pipe steps, which no model tripped coming down, was just as flabbergasting as the set that surrounded it. Classic 1950’s and 60’s cocktail dresses walked the runway along side Pretty Woman hooker dresses, futuristic print catsuits, vinyl raincoats (I NEED ONE), paired with skintight latex crotch high boots just made for a collection that kept me begging for more. On paper there is absolutely nothing about this collection that should work, but somehow it all does.

 

I can not wait to see Dior devotees rocking all kinds of red carpets in this collection. I will say that I was saddened to see that amongst the whole 54 look collection that there was one ONE gown. I was looking for the perfect Academy Awards gown for house spokesmodel Marion Cotillard, and there is a big contender for me if she is willing to take a HUGE fashion risk (you will see when I do my Academy Awards wish lists next month.) From the red carpet to editorial to stage performances, this collection is bound to make it on the backs of all of our favorite celebrities. There are even a few looks that I would LOVE to see Jennifer Lawrence wear!

Runway Report: Schiaparelli Spring 2015 Couture

Schiaparelli might be a country with no leader at the moment, creative director Marco Zanini left back in November, but the house is showing no signs of going anywhere. The atelier team stepped up and crafted an absolutely amazing collection that will have Schiaparelli devotees like Tilda Swinton and Italian Vogue Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani begging for more. I was pleasantly surprised with how the house kept the spirit alive despite not having a creative head. Opening with an oversized ivory double breasted suit paired with a blue felt Stephen Jones for Schiaparelli fez, I knew we were in for a treat. There might have only been 20 looks in the collection but each look made more fall in love more than the last.
The design team stuck to the archival Schiaparelli for inspirations picking ideas out of vintage prints and breathing them into new life for a modern couture clientele. We have really seen very little of Schiaparelli since the house re-launched just a year ago. Just six looks in the past 365 days, 3 from Tilda Swinton along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Lorde, and Chloe Grace Moretz, took to the red carpets and I think that this brand deserves much better than that. I want to red carpet queens like Cate Blanchett, Diane Kruger, Nicole Kidman and Rihanna to help bring this brand into the spotlight that it really deserves. I hope we see these looks at the Oscars, Met Ball and during Cannes.

Berlin International Film Festival: Carmen, Cate, Elizabeth, & Freida Wish List

The Oscar nominated “Selma” will receive a special screening at the Berlin International Film Festival, which kick-starts next Thursday. I am hoping we see red carpet newbie Carmen Ejogo on the red carpet for the films premiere. With couture presentations starting this week I am in this limbo situation where I want to feature all of my favorite looks from Fall 2014 Couture before Spring 2015 Couture takes over but I am afraid that many of the leftover looks will be lost to the archives. Carmen has been getting progressively better with her red carpet dressing with each red carpet that she has stepped out on. I would love to see her wear this amazing champagne silk tulle Elie Saab Fall 2014 Couture ball gown. I think that this is a major moment, and since Carmen did not receive an Academy Awards nomination, I think that this the perfect venue to make a major red carpet moment happen. Finish the look with a chic evening bob, a gold clutch, and a pair of gold pumps and I really think that Carmen will have red carpet critics eating out of the palms of her hands.
Queen of the red carpet Cate Blanchett will be premiering two films during the Berlin International Film Festival, “Cinderella” will premiere as an out of competition gala and “Knight of Cups” will premiere in competition. I will be watching the couture shows looking for a second look for Cate, which I will share in a wish list later this week, but one thing I would LOVE to see Cate wear comes courtesy of her go to red carpet brand Armani Prive. When this amazing red sequin cap sleeve sequin Armani Prive Fall 2014 Couture gown walked the runway in Paris back in July of last year it immediately went on reserve for Cate. Not many would be able to not make this look like a plastic mass on the red carpet, but Cate has the presence to be able to make this look as chic as chiffon or all over embellished beading. It is modern in its technique but classic in its style, exactly what makes for the best looks. Finish the look with a vintage inspired updo, a red lip, red pumps, and simple Chopard diamond to finish off another winning look for Cate the Great.
As I said earlier you will be seeing A LOT of the Atelier Versace Spring 2015 Couture collection on this blog over the next few months. Elizabeth Banks’s film “Love & Mercy” will be screening at the Berlin Film Festival in the Berlinale Special selection as an out of competition gala. When this film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Elizabeth wore a stunning Chloe floral printed suit. I am hoping that the modern choices continue through the films Berlin premiere. This electric blue Atelier Versace Spring 2015 Couture one shoulder gown would make for an electric red carpet moment for Elizabeth. It has been awhile since we have seen Lizzy wear a major Versace gown on the red carpet, so I think that this is the perfect time to bring one to life. This sculptural gown needs a sleek updo, a red lip, a pair of electric blue pumps, and am electric blue Edie Parker clutch would finish this look off for a a best dressed look for Elizabeth to make for the Berlin Film Fest.
Freida Pinto had an amazing red carpet run last year and I am excited to see what 2015 will bring for the Indian beauty. We will most likely see Frieda take to the red carpet when her film “Knight of Cups” has its big in competition gala screening. This film has been rumored to premiere since Cannes in 2013 so I am really excited to finally get this amazing group of women on the red carpet; Freida, Cate and Natalie Portman. While I figure Cate and Natalie will go for solid gowns I would love to see Freida rock a bold pattern like the one featured on this Andrew Gn Pre-Fall 2015 strapless ballgown. With such a bold pattern and bold colors making up that pattern the styling needs to be kept really, really simple. I would finish this look off with a pair of gold pumps, a pink lip, and slicked back hair to ensure that Frieda really stands out on the red carpet, for a good not for worst.

Best Dressed at the 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards

The Screen Actors Guild Awards were held last night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The stars came out in droves to support themselves and their nominated casts. Despite this being a night of honoring actors it was a plus one who took home my top honor. Camila Alves came on the arm of her hubby Matthew McConaughey. Camila definitely left her disheveled husband (like seriously whats up with the castaway beard?) in the dust wearing a stunning custom Donna Karan Atelier sculpturally draped eggplant strapless gown. Minimal styling and perfect hair and make up finished off a look that stood leaps and bounds above the actors on their big night.
Taking the menswear inspiration to a whole new level Emma Stone wore an impactful custom Christian Dior Couture ensemble. Had this been on anyone else I think that I would have been putting this on the worst dressed list, but Emma pull it off with major aplomb. The sleek hair, red lip, Repossi earcuffs, and Christian Louboutin sandals just sealed this look off with a sultry kiss. Julianne Moore, the Outstanding Female Actor in a Motion Picture winner, shocked me by wearing another custom Givenchy Couture gown on the red carpet last night. I had figured that after wearing Givenchy for the Golden Globe Awards (and topping best dressed lists in it) that Julianne would go to one of her other trusted brands (like Chanel, Dior, Tom Ford, or Balenciaga) for the SAG Awards. I am not complaining because Julianne looks amazing in this emerald beaded Givenchy Couture scoop neck gown. Green is always a delight to see on a red head and Julianne knows that formula very well. Felicity Jones really wowed me wearing this amazing soft pink custom Balenciaga column gown with a sculptural criss-cross portrait neckline. Felicity does this mix of modern and vintage so well and she is just living up to my title of One to Watch that I gave her at the end of last year.
Reese Witherspoon has been on and off of the best and worst dressed lists recently. I was happy that when she showed up at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night that I was able to firmly put her on the best. Her custom one shoulder Giorgio Armani gown with subtle matte white sequin detailing, was an amazing refreshing modern choice. I am so used to seeing Reese in vintage inspired styles that this ultra modern look was something that I don’t know if I would have predicted but I absolutely love. Uzo Aduba, who won Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series, really brought modern life to the red carpet in her Angel Sanchez Spring 2015 RTW gown. One of the few ladies on this list who got her gown off of the runway, I have to say that I was blown away. She has really stepped right into the role of red carpet diva. She keeps getting better and better with every single red carpet that she steps on. If you had told me that Sofia Vergara was going to show up at the SAG Awards in Donna Karan Atelier, I would have totally agreed (she has worn the brand to the SAGs for the past 3 years now), BUT if you had told me that it was not going to be a mermaid gown I would have laughed. I was pleasantly surprised to see Sofia wearing a soft draped Donna Karan Atelier corseted one shoulder red gown. The Colombian beauty really wowed. She showcased all of her famous curves without wearing something skin tight.
Another knock me down with a feather moment was when I realized that I was going to be putting Sarah Paulson on my best dressed list. The “American Horror Story” actress has never really been a favorite of mine, but she has been getting better with each appearance lately. This amazing Armani Prive ensemble that consisted of a white structured cape top and black silk crepe skirt was a red carpet knockout. She really showed her true beauty with this gown. Lupita Nyong’o really let me down at the Golden Globe Awards in Giambattista Valli, so I was really happy she redeemed herself last night. Lupita turned to the red carpet king, Elie Saab, and his Pre-Fall 2015 collection to pick her gown for this red carpet. Making a bold statement with this long sleeve multi pattern ball gown, I have to say that I let out a squeal when I saw a quick glimpse of her and it just got louder when I saw the whole look. And lastly, and I know that this will be a controversial choice, I have to say that I loved Claire Danes in her custom Marc Jacobs hunter green halter gown with side embellishments. Once I had pulled pictures of all of the stars and was looking to fill the last spot in my top 10 my eyes kept coming back to this design. I gotta say I am happy because for the past 2 years Claire has ended up on my worst dressed list for her SAG gown and this year it was something that I absolutely fell in love with.
Who did you love? Was there anyone that you think should have been on this list?

Runway Report: Atelier Versace Spring 2015 Couture

Spring 2015 Haute Couture Fashion Week kicked off yesterday in Paris with the Atelier Versace Spring 2015 Couture collection. I was actually sitting at my computer watching all of the images from this collection come in live with Kelly from Dream In Lace on NowFashion. We were going through each look dissecting what red carpets we could see this collection on and then who we want to wear all of the amazing things that were presented. With a front row of Michelle Rodriguez (looking for looks for the ‘”Furious 7″ promo tour?), Ellie Goulding (lord knows why she was there), Goldie Hawn, and Kate Hudson (shopping for potential Oscar gowns?) I am excited to see what this collection will bring to the red carpet. There are a few things that come to mind when I think about Versace: body form, overt sensuality, and high glamour. Each of these boxes were ticked as a bevy of supermodels (including Karlie Kloss, Amber Valetta and Eva Herzigova) stormed the runway.
This is really a collection destined for the red carpet. We might see it on the red carpet as soon as the Berlin International Film Festival, which opens next week, and will definitely see this collection at the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Met Ball, and the Cannes Film Festival over the next few months. I loved the bold red and blue mixed with white, black and silver in the collection which I think just help make this collection even that much more red carpet ready. Names like Kate Hudson, Taylor Swift, Anna Kendrick, Uma Thurman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez were all thrown out between me and Kelly as the looks came down the runway. Who will be the first to snatch up a runway look from this collection? Since Heidi Klum and Kate Hudson both wore custom looks from this collection for the Golden Globe Awards. I have to warn all of you I am so in love with this collection that you WILL be seeing a lot of it featured on this site!