Kristen Stewart covers the latest Vogue UK in Gucci
Celebrity-Gossip

You know I have been having mixed feelings about the Vogue UK covers of the last few months. The October cover is definitely an improvement from the horror of September. Kristen Stewart, shot by Mario Testino, covers the latest issue dressed in Gucci. I always love K Stew because I think she's got quite a unique look but sometimes I feel like fashion stylists just don't get her. While I do like the cover look, the eye makeup is totally wrong for Kristen. It makes her look drowsy. The editorial inside goes totally in the wrong direction with an 80's styling that makes no sense for the actress. It is really a shame because there are so many bad-ass shoots you could do with Kristen and everyone just keeps trying to dress her up for no reason.

What do you think?

Kate Hudson shuts it down at the Venice Film Festival
Getty

I have never thought of Kate Hudson as a particularly fashionable celebrity. She rarely dresses up to go out and hang out with her kids. She also usually looks quite cool in her slightly wacky laid back outfits. In other words, I am a fan of her naturalness.

I guess that is the reason why she really makes an effort and gets dressed for an event I am often quite blown away. Such is the case of her appearance at the Venice Biennale yesterday. Venice, like Cannes, is one of those times when we're treated to a double dose of fashion every day as stars also do day appearances.

For her morning event, Kate went for a Gucci Resort look that had Rachel Zoe written all over it! Not a lot of people can rock a flared trouser but Kate is one of them. I love how hip she looks in the suit and the sort of military vibe that the khaki top introduces. Not to mention her hair looks amazing here.

For the evening, Kate slipped into a super sexy Atelier Versace number. I am usually not a huge fan of skin/nude tones on gowns because they can wash out on the wearer but this looks incredible on Kate. Not to mention the beautiful silhouette it creates. Hair, makeup and accessories are spot on. All thanks to Zoe, no doubt.

Doutzen Kroes models my favourite FW12 pieces for Vogue Paris
TFS, Style.com

I received the August issue of Vogue Paris this weekend and even though I've been drooling over the Marion Cotillard cover for the most part I have also managed to take a look inside. I always really enjoy the August issues because there's just enough new season content to digest. The September issues are amazing to go through but they take several goes to process. Vogue Paris always does a long new season editorial story for August. This year's is called 'Paris mon amour' and is shot entirely by Mario Sorrenti (like 90% of the issue) and styled by Emmanuelle Alt, Joe McKenna and Marie Chaix. There are some incredible shots in it and I love how each stylist brings their different view to the story. My favourite, though, are the Doutzen Kroes pictures styled by Emmanuelle.
I've been infatuated with Doutzen ever since I saw her at the Giles show last season and I'm glad that Vogue Paris has got behind her. She even got her own cover in April. In the new editorial she models some of my favourite pieces from the FW12 collections. From the black croc Tom Ford number that Rihanna already rocked at the Met Ball, to the Miu Miu winter prints that will be all over the covers in a few months. The sexy emerald leopard Gucci dress Natasha Poly wore in Cannes and the stunning Burberry Prorsum quilted velvet coat that closed the FW12 show.

TFS, Style.com

Fragrance campaign face-off: Kristen Stewart vs. Blake Lively
TFS

These two super anticipated campaigns are now out. I must say that I usually am never particularly keen on fragrance campaigns because there's always too much going on, they're too mainstream. However, this doesn't go for the Florabotanica (great name too) and Gucci Première campaigns.
I have thought from day one that Kristen Stewart is the most brilliant match for Balenciaga, by Steven Meisel. She looks cool and relaxed in Balenciaga clothes and gives everything her own spin. And I love her in the new perfume ad because not only the artwork is beautiful – they should make wallpaper – but I'm happy to see Kristen wearing the same Balenciaga SS08 dress from my favourite collection. It is, incidentally, the same look Jennifer Connelly wore 4 years ago on the campaign for the house.
Blake Lively has been making such perfect fashion choices over the last few days that I feel like it's the perfect time for this to come out. She always looks better when she channels a bit of old Hollywood glamour from the 50's – wavy blond hair, beauty spot, long-sleeved dresses with open back. All notes Gucci and Mert & Marcus struck for their Première ad. It's incredibly beautiful because it's simple.

Best Dressed of the Weekend: Atelier Versace has its moment in Cannes
Courtesy of Armani, Getty

The Best Dressed of the Weekend posts are never better than during the Cannes Film Festival. This weekend has delivered some show-stopping moments.

Natasha Poly turned up (I don't know why but I don't care) looking absolutely stunning in a green leopard print velvet Gucci dress. It was one of my favourite pieces from the last collection and who better to wear it than one of my favourite models? Her earrings and the incredible eye make up added to the aura of awe.

Jada Pinkett Smith and Freida Pinto made my day when I saw them wearing two of my favourite dresses from the latest Atelier Versace collection. I expected to see them at the Oscars but I guess they work better at Cannes where everyone is a bit edgier. Jada was my favourite of the two – the bright orange was a great choice – but I also appreciated the fact that Freida went for something different.

Paz Vega seems to always get it right at Cannes. Last year she looked incredible in an Azzaro jumpsuit and this year she outdid herself in a Giorgio Armani sequinned gown. It was the perfect fit, the perfect length and elegant yet contemporary – simply a winner!

Taylor Swift covers the new Harper's bazaar Australia
TFS

I cannot get enough of Australian magazines! Both Vogue and Harper's Bazaar Oz have been doing amazingly well over the last few months.

The latest HB hit is for the month of April, which Taylor Swift covers dressed in Gucci and shot by Benny Horne. Even though we have seen these Gucci dressed quite a lot on covers and events already I feel like this is the first time it's been used in a simple way that suits its art deco 20's aesthetic better.

I also admire how Taylor Swift stays true to herself. She's a conservative country girl whose looks can be borderline boring sometimes but I think she will be more confident as she gets older. For the time being, I love her on this cover. If only, I wish there was a bit more colour... but I guess autumn is coming in Australia now, so it makes sense for them.

Re. the latest Interview cover, I am speechless. I can't even post about it because if that is really Katie Perry she looks exactly like Raquel Zimmermann. We really need to put an end to ridiculous photoshopping!

1. Furla python satchel, 2. Prada python and suede ankle-strap platform pumps, 3. Miu Miu suede chunky ankle boots, 4. Gucci python platform pumps,
5. Chloé crossbody bag, 6. Jimmy Choo suede and snake platform sandals, 7. Gucci small top handle bag

Giulia and I were talking the other day about how we had left accessories on the side lately, which is true. So I endeavoured her to find her favourite bags and shoes from the fall/winter 2011 collections from the Saks.com website. We decided to group them in three of the biggest accessory trends this season –70's, colour blocking and sparkle.

Going through the accessory section of the Saks' website is quite an experience. They have over two thousand shoes and over a thousand bags in stock! You can imagine how long it took us to go through both sections to pick our favourites. But it was sort of fun to see all the range that brands have for this season.
I wanted to start with the 70's because it's my personal favourite. I love the rich colour palette combined with the snakeskin and the suede. I love the colour block items to add a pop of colour during the winter when we all tend to wear so many dark colours. It just looks perfect to put a bright purple shoe with a black trouser! The spark is Giulia's favourite, she really likes her glitter! Miu Miu is obviously the master in that department and I must admit I am really into all these dark glitter that seems a perfectly glamourous choice for an evening look.

Pop of Colour

1. Rochas 'Borsa Rosa', 2. Elizabeth and James strappy leather sandals, 3. Boutique 9 wedge platform pumps, 4. Gucci Huston suede platform pumps,
5. Brian Atwood suede and metal platform pumps, 6. Fendi Silvana top handle bag, 7. Vionnet leather pochette, 8. Bottega Veneta messenger bag

Evening Sparkle

1. Miu Miu crisscross glitter ankle boots, 2. Proenza Schouler glitter pumps, 3. Miu Miu glitter pumps, 4. Anya Hindmarch glitter clutch,
5. Dior glitter and suede t-strap sandals, 6. Halston Heritage Sabrina mesh pouch

* This post is sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue

Ever Manifesto, Gucci

It's been two years since the debut issue of Ever Manifesto –a free publication focusing on sustainable high fashion- was launched by founders Elizabeth von Guttman, Charlotte Casiraghi and Alexia Niedzielski.

Last week the trio celebrated the launch of issue two –Ever Bamboo– published in partnership with Gucci and guest edited by Stefano Tonchi.

Ever Bamboo picks on Bamboo, a versatile and sustainable material, and tells "stories of people who have supported the use of bamboo through fashion, culture, architecture, design, gardens, art, and food".
Alongside the publication, the founders of Ever Manifesto collaborated with Gucci in a sustainable fashion competition where young students has to design a bag inspired in the signature Gucci bamboo bag using low enviromental-impact materials. The "Ever Manifesto Bamboo Bag", by winning IFM student Laura Popoviciu, has been produced by Gucci and is now sold in a limited edition worldwide.
You can read and download both issues of the Ever Manifesto here.

Style.com

So far the SS12 season has been great! New York started out a little weak, with the exception of Alex Wang, Prabal and Rag & Bone, but London really picked up the rhythm and Milan is keeping it up.

I was very pleased with Gucci this season because finally Frida Giannini has brought it back to what it used to be –a plethora of luxurious glamour inspired by the golden eras of fashion. We have seen a lot of fringed skirts and drop waist dresses since New York kicked things off but no one has made then as well as Gucci so far. The 20's inspiration is going strong.
Versace, another Italian house who has had a little trouble getting its mojo back, has finally found its place in the current fashion panorama. Donatella is keeping Gianni's essence alive while pushing the brand forward. I love their SS12 collection and its abundance of two-piece tube skirt and top looks –a trend also very well pulled off at Pucci, despite their lose of focus this season.
Two of my favourites, Marni and Jil Sander, never disappoint. The first joined into the 20's silhouettes trend but approached it from its quirky and graphic way, which made it very interesting. Raf Simons, who is not rumoured to become the new creative director at YSL (!), went for more of a late 50's inspiration. He updated the looks by playing with geometric cuts. My favourite were the square necklines that we also saw ar Marni –so chic!

JustJared

I was originally thinking of doing a 'Best dressed of the week' post today but going through the pictures I had been saving lately I noticed there were mostly of these two ladies. So I decided to write about both of their very stylish last few weeks instead.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has really become a celebrity during her 'Transformers 3' promo tour. Everyone is talking about her. And how could they not when she has consistently smashed it on the red carpet and at tv appearances.

There has been quite a lot of Michael Kors. The most memorable have been the fuchsia side-slit (I loved how the closed neck was balanced with the showing leg), the black leotard and the belted sheer maxi skirt and the nude jumpsuit look. I loved the variety and the fact that she completely changed the hair and make up to suit the dresses.

I also loved the yellow and black number from Gucci's fw11 collection. It was almost like a night version of Michael Kors' sheer skirt but she wore it so well. We have seen people like JLo in pieces from the same collection but they've let the dresses wear them. Rosie does the opposite.

JustJared

Cameron Diaz has also been on a promo tour, for her 'Bad Teacher' film.
In her case we've seen no variation in terms of designers (apart from some J Brand jeans) because she was apparently wearing Akris exclusively. Anyone else would have probably looked very boring in a few of these outfits but Cameron gives anything that California girl playful twist of hers. I did absolutely love the sandals, which funnily enough were the only item not by Akris (by Serio Rossi).
Her looks were a lot less fashion-y than Rosie's but I love how Cameron's style sense is quite down-to-Earth and almost quintessentially American. She looks better than most people in skinny jeans and stilettos so why try anything else?

Are you a fan of Rosie's or Cameron's fashion choices?

[Style.com]

Okay, this is starting to seem like I am obsessed with finding similarities between the Cruise collections currently coming out and past creations from other designers.

The fact is that, apart from the golden brooch trend we've seen at McCartney and Gucci, not much feels fresh in some of the resort lines from the most acclaimed designers. I quite liked Stella's creations because they're fun and easy to sell but who can deny very obvious resemblance with Prada's overexposed stripes from ss11, Miuccia's surprising palm tree prints from ss10 (Wintour approved), or with Maison Martin Margiela's photographic prints? I know a beach and a palm tree are not something anyone can trademark for themselves but if someone like Prada or MMM has done it before what are the chances of doing it better?

Two other lookalikes, while more isolated, are Lanvin's take on khaki tweed and Pringle's graphic print draped dresses. The first we saw at Chanel for PreFall11 both on the catwalk and on Baptiste and Freja in magazines. And the second back in fw10 at one of Peter Pilotto's most memorable runway shows.

What do you make of all of this?

Jessica Alba's über-chic Parisian trip

Jessica Alba is definitely on a roll. I have been keeping a close eye on what she's worn for the last 5 weeks and she has proven that she has a great personal style. Not only her red carpet and party dresses have been excellent choices but her street style is even more spot-on. This week we have seen a lot more from her as she travelled to Paris to attend some of the Haute Couture shows and Paris Vogue's Gucci party. For the latter she donned a sparkly cocktail dress by the Italian house, which looked almost like a big jewell wrapped around her body. This dress would have looked rather slutty on mostly anyone else but Alba makes it look sexy and subtle. The drapey shoulder detail is a great call. I just hope we get some side and back shots to appreciate it fully.

My favourite thing about her style is that she doesn't really wear anything any woman wouldn't. And what I mean by that is you don't see outrageous stilettos and Hervé Légers to go grocery shopping. She loves her black and her leggings and always accompanies them well with a dash of colour. I am particularly keen on her leather-armed parka. Get me one, please.
I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, AllPosters.com, concorde-hotels.com]

The year of M&M

It is that week of the year when the Internet is bombarded with all the new advertorial campaigns for next season. I normally try to have a quick look to see who's doing what but I don't like looking at the whole series of adverts because I love the feeling of opening a magazine and seeing big and glossy an image I haven't seen before. For SS11 is not the models, celebrities or themes which have caught my attention but a particular photography duo. Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott have shot some of the most important brands in their very particular way. This got me thinking about some of the things I have read about them and what I remember they have done in the past. Looking closer at photography credits of my little archive I have realised I have been attracted once and again to their work without even noticing. I love the plasticity of the colours as much as Steven Klein's and how exquisite all their (over)tweaking is. From their SS11 ads I would choose Loewe's as my favourite. Mariacarla Boscono and Andrés Velencoso look phenomenal in the Andalusian house, which serves as the set.

After shooting campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, Bulgari, Gucci and editorial spreads for Vogue, W, and Pop they have become one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry. Some of my favourite work from them includes all their Vogue Paris covers and stories, their work for Interview magazine, their LOVE covers and also their Miu Miu adverts.

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]

Fit for a Queen?

I promise this is not the first of many royal wedding-oriented posts. I'm not crazy about this kind of events. However, the fact that WWD devoted one of this week's issues to try and figure out what Kate Middleton will wear made me feel like the topic might have the fashion credentials to appear on the blog. Everyone from Lagerfeld and Valentino to Angela Missoni and Peter Copping have sent their wedding dress suggestions to the famous magazine. And here I thought a British royal would have to wear a British designer... How amazing would it be if she wore a white trench with a trail by Christopher Bailey? Haha. Personally, I wouldn't find it outrageous if she would actually go for Chanel or Valentino. They've both shown innovative takes on the wedding dress on their last Haute Couture collections. Kaiser Karl suggests a Victorian inspiration but I dare to disagree. I feel like Kate Middleton epitomises the contemporary unfussy royal who'd never wear a cape or a crown and who'd wear lots of Céline. I could, however, easily picture her in one of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's HC wedding options. Perhaps something halfway between their minimal take and Garavani's slightly whimsical design.

I was especially surprised by two of the other designs inside the WWD royal issue. I'm not sure whether it was Frida Giannini who sketched Gucci's wedding dress. If she did, I am disappointed by how boring and slightly amateur it looks. Although there is something somehow interesting about the very minimal design, which looks like it would suit Kate perfectly. The other surprise, a more pleasant one, was Peter Copping's option chez Nina Ricci. I love the idea of layers of slightly ruffled materials with a gap halfway down (maybe lace) and the fussier top. It seems extraordinary enough for a world-relevant event  yet somewhat subtle for a usually quite adorn-oriented brand.

If I had to vote for one of the designs right now I would most probably vote for Valentino Garavani's design. Which one would you vote for? See the rest here.
I'm off.

[Pictures: WWD.com, Style.com]

Emmys 2010: Mad Women

I watched the Emmys for the first time last night. I had never payed much attention to them because the attendees and red carpet were never out of the ordinary like, say, the Globes or the Oscars. Until Mad Men and True Blood started getting nominated, that is. The fact that such good quality and edgy shows spread through the different categories means a lot of their starts will step on the red carpet doing their best not to go unnoticed. The Academy wasn't especially generous to either Mad Men or True Blood last night but their actors completely outshone the Emmy winners. January Jones, in Versace Atelier, was my favourite. She looked like the bionic queen of mermaids wrapped in the Italian metallic scales. I thought it was a very clever choice. The front showed a bit of legs but there was a train and the top was classic in lines but sexy and unexpected in construction.

Many of the other attending ladies looked remarkably good for this kind of event. Christina Hendricks (the other Mad Woman) rocked her custom made Zac Posen. The dress would've looked quite bland had it not been for the toddlers that fought inside it (as someone geniusly referred to the twins on twitter, email me for credit). And the great hairdo. Heidi Klum was one of the very few women who went for s short dress. The combination of her super short, super tight Marchesa and her statement necklace was spot-on sexy. Rose Byrne was unknown to me until last night when I had to know who was the lady in the amazing Gucci dress. It was both simple and intricate enough to look elegant and still make a statement. White (Kate Beckinsale would've been so proud) was also the colour of Kim Kardashian's Marchesa dress. I don't usually pick her out for her style but she did look like a modern day Cleopatra with the Egyptian-inspired neckline and the tied-back hair.

At first I loved Anna Paquin in McQueen. Don't get me wrong, I adore the dress, but it feels like the bottom of the skirt didn't really suit the wearer. It was a winner choice but only from the waist up. And last, Claire Danes in Armani Privé (surprise surprise). I thought she looked very chic, very old Hollywood glamour and was definitely one of the best dressed but then again it wasn't anything I hadn't seen on Anne Hathaway before.
Who did you love the most?
I'm off.

PS. Lea Michelle - biggest disappointment of the night in her matrony Oscar de la Renta.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Celebrity-Gossip.net]

Milan highlights

Whether is was entirely due to Anna Wintour's preferences or not, Milan fashion week occurred way too fast. We almost didn't have enough time to savour every collection the way they deserved. As it happened in London, the Italians proved that they know the direction they're going and that they haven't lost that savoire faire that first made them so popular. For the first time, I have organised the collections in order of my liking (excluding, of course, Marni and No. 21 which deserved special mention). Dolce & Gabbana pleasantly surprised me this season rooting back to their great basics and putting special emphasis in power dressing. Gucci, who in past seasons seemed unfocused, came back better than ever with an ode to Tom Ford times. While Donatella is still trying to find something that deserves having his brother's name on the tag, Christopher Kane's intervention at Versus succeeded in bringing the brand back into fashion from obsoleteness. —What's your favourite?

[Pictures: Style.com]

I'm off.

what happened in Milan

Milan Fashion Week was only the first half of all the good things to come for menswear. However, it has been a very exciting few days thanks to the live streaming of the fashion shows and all the twittering going on. I am overall very pleased with what I have seen. Designers have restrained themselves and have hence found new ways to let go of their prodigality via textures and colours. My biggest joy? —Gucci and the return of the turtle neck and blazer combo. Which collection was your favourite?

[Pictures credit: GQ.com]

I'm off.