Tom Ford face-off: Gwyneth Paltrow vs. Daphne Guiness
JustJared, Style.com

Daphne Guiness was one of the attendee's of a private dinner Tom Ford hosted last Friday to celebrate the kick off of London Collections: Men and to be master of ceremonies, which I imagine is one of his favourite things.
Daphne obviously wore one of Tom Ford's designs for the occasion. But I was surprised to see it was exactly the same model Gwyneth Paltrow wore earlier this year for the Oscars. It would have been fine had Gwyneth not been crowned best dressed by everyone – why would you want to compete with that?
The truth is Guiness looked more like a dark queen (a crow on her shoulder would have been a good accessory) while Paltrow was more like the queen of light. I think Daphne fell short with this look even though I liked her touch of the golden chocker. What are your thoughts?

Met Ball 2012: The Best Dressed, My top 5
JustJared

JustJared

I was so excited to be able to watch the Met Ball red carpet live online! It was a brilliant and very intertaining experience thanks to the shouting photographers. It's been hard to cut it down to a top 5 (there will be a part 2 coming up later today) but these are my favourites this year.
Gwyneth Paltrow wore a short Prada, which I love not only because she looked incredibly hot and radiant in it but because a super short number is always daring for an evening occasion like this. I appreciate her courage.
Some of the same goes for Kate Bosworth who also wore Prada. What's interesting is this ombré feather dress would have looked very plain on anyone else but Kate choice of hair and make up give it a slick and slightly 20's vibe that was super sophisticated.
I was absolutely in love with Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe. It's the first time Rach has taken a model date in her design and what a way to kick it off! It was like being transported to the Hollywood of the 50's. It was such a glamorous look and so different from everyone else.
I can't even say how happy I was to see Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry. The stripped gown with long sleeves and the embellished neckline was so elegant. It is amazing to think how innovative the materials that Christopher Bailey uses are and how they can work so well with a Sofia Loren hairdo. Stunning.
Diane Kruger was also one of the bravest girls of the night. Her purple Prada gown played with the combination of black tie and casual clothing. I just loved the effect of the low strappy top as it transforms into a tray finishing off with feathers. She is incredible.

Best Dressed of the Weekend: Elizabeth Olsen wears The Row
JustJared

I was quite happy that Paris Fashion Week ended late last week because it meant I would get to include some of the looks from the last big shows and after parties on today's post.

I think Sarah Jessica Parker's white Louis Vuitton look was one of my favourite of all fashion month. It wasn't the dress on its own but how she wore it with a black bra, which worked almost like a small bustier, and that amazingly decadent hairdo. It was glamourous and edgy but very classy. So good, in fact, that I can even overlook the fact that she is wearing white stilettos. Not that it's the first time...

Gwyneth Paltrow also wore Louis Vuitton for the brand's fashion week closing party in Paris. Hers felt a lot more modern than SJP's – a sexy double-chested tux jacket with satin lapels and tux capri pants. Gwyneth always knows how to make a statement out of simplicity. If you don't know what I mean, remember her Oscars look.

Elizabeth Olsen was seen out and about in New York in one of my favourite looks of her – a maroon velvet suit by The Row. I love the way she wore it with a slightly oversized shirt buttoned up (Karl Lagerfeld would be proud) and snakeskin pumps. I would perhaps gone for a smaller bag but this is a 5-star look regardless.

Best Dressed at the 2012 Academy Awards
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This year's red carpet seemed to be a lot more subtle than last year's, which is exactly what I said a year ago. We saw little drama but a lot of elegance, so I am happy.

My three absolute winners are Rooney Mara in Givenchy Couture, Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton and Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. All three dresses were stunning, unique and very simple. It was all about the details – the slickness of white, the layers of chiffon, the play with textures. They are three of my all-time favourites so I was thrilled so see them look so beautiful, especially Gwyneth who wasn't even nominated!

My two big surprises of the night were Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen and Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera. The first because I felt like she hadn't quite found her style until now (and I loved the hair) and the second because she had 'it' but hasn't been too successful showing it in the past – Fey was the epitome of elegance last night.

Natalie Portman and Sandra Bullock were a bit hit and miss for me because even though they looked really pretty, they failed to have that something that makes a look Oscar-worthy. In the case of Natalie's vintage Dior I think it was the overly simple silhouette and informal pattern, and in Bullock's case it was the odd fit of her Marchesa that didn't feel age appropriate.

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JustJared

I feel spoiled for having the Venice Biennale just before the start of fashion week. It's a good way to get ready for what's to come.

However, not all of the best dressed women of the weekend were in Venice these days. Sarah Jessica Parker was in London to promote "I don't know how she does it" in a stunning printed Prabal Gurung from the Resort 2012 collection. I am loving her choices for this press tour and I can't get over how incredible her hair looks. If you saw her on Jonathan Ross on Saturday night you will know what I mean. Carrie who?
The clear winner in terms of style is Keira Knightley. Her Mary Katrantzou number for the Venice arrival and her Valentino Couture for the premiere were the most perfect choices. Once again it was the hair that did it for me. The sort of Victoria Beckham bob made her look even more chic and accentuated her signature pout.
Gwyneth Paltrow keeps wearing the same colours but at least she's trying new shapes like the much-less-body-con-than-usual of this Prada gown.
Kate Bosworth wasn't in Venice either but she dressed like she was. Her short black Valentino was perfect for her –I loved the bow at the front. 

It has been an intense weekend for the fashion world. First it was the Royal Wedding on Friday and last night the fashion equivalent of the Oscars (or the red carpet anyway), the Met Gala, took over New York City. This year they celebrated the opening of the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibition.

This year I expected a lot of dramatic gowns with big trains and also a lot of feathers. And I was right to do so, at least the first part. Despite Daphne Guiness' big feather McQueen number (she always looks so great it's hard to be surprised anymore) and Sarah Jessica Parker's chic number also by the designer I would have to say it was Giselle Bünchen who wore the brand best. The tight body and pleated big skirt made this a moment we hadn't seen since the old Valentino days.

My other favourite was Diane Kruger in Jason Wu. She is one of the chicest women in Hollywood and it's a pleasure to see her wearing something that's not white or Chanel. The embellished top made jewellery unnecessary and the mad side slit on the skirt adds a sexy edge balanced by the long sleeves.

[JustJared, Style.com, Zimbio.com]

Funnily enough, it is at these kinds of events that fashion insiders get less attention because of all of the celebrity attendees. That is why it's hard to even find nice pictures of them to post.

Lily Donaldson, in Erdem, and Mariacarla Boscono, in Givenchy HC, looked ravishing. I always say no one can compete with a model in terms of fashion. I love the fact that they know how much see-through they can get away with and they take advantage of that. Lily looked very classy in the navy lace, a perfect look to go with her new marital status. And Mariacarla channeled Morticia Adams for the hair and make-up adding that big of Goth that Tisci loves in his clothes.

Giovanna Battaglia, NYC's newest neighbour, wore Marni to accompany Consuelo Castiglioni. I am in awe of this glamourous 60's look. You know I adore both her and the brand and every time the two get mixed they achieve perfection.

I don't care what people say about Anna Wintour, I think she's got great taste. Year after year she slips and yet another incredible Chanel HC dress, which is what she deserves to wear. I found this year's number quite cool for Anna, though. The colours and the art deco feel of the sequins made it a youthful look that really suited her. And I loved the fact that she added diamonds into the mix anyway.

I might've not liked Blake Lively's Chanel as much if I hadn't been bracing myself for a big disappointment. I have to admit she looked stunning and must've made Kaiser Karl very proud. I still haven't seen her carrying one of those fugly Mademoiselle handbags she advertises, though.

I guess people just invite Thandie Newton because she always looks great. I absolutely loved the way her Stella McCartney dress played with the sheerness of the pleated skirt, the black lace and the nude touch of the underskirt.

Less dramatic or surprising but beautiful nonetheless were Gwyneth Paltrow, in a bejewelled Stella McCartney, Miranda Kerr in Marchesa and Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein Collection.

I am especially shocked by how much into Miranda's look I am. There is something so obviously Black Swan about the dress (Mila Kunis would've looked amazing in this) but the fact that she wore the Nicholas Kirkwood lace-ups makes everything interesting. It's the red carpet equivalent of someone wearing a tutu skirt with converse, just genius!

Gwyneth Paltrow is everywhere at the moment. Her film 'Country Song' started out the excitement of her as a singer and her Glee appearances together with her performance at the Grammys confirmed that she is a good singer. But not happy with that, Gwyneth is now promoting her new cook book 'My father's daughter'. Who said celebrities can't cook? In the craziness of it all she also manages to look incredibly chic in down-to-earth outfits like the Vionnet dress or the jeans and cashmere sweater (with a touch of Alaïa). I wonder what's next because it's going to be good!

Everyone's also excited about Coachella festival, which started a few days ago. I admit I'm jealous of anyone there because the weather looks lush and the line-up for the festival was right up my alley. Kate Bosworth is always my favourite Coachella style choice. After a bland first-day look she put herself together and proved she can look great if she wants to. I was also impressed by Dita Von Teese, who translated her pin-up aesthetic perfectly for the event.

[JustJared]

Look ahead and be bold

You know how much I love when people wear clothes way ahead of season. I have tried to refrain from bombarding you with posts of celebrities wearing SS11 looks that haven't even finished being produced to hit the stores in the spring but this was too good to resist. On Monday night, Diane Kruger and Gwyneth Paltrow attended an ELLE event in Beverly Hills and, as Francisco Costa's muses, they both donned Calvin Klein Collection. And not only both their dresses are from the SS11 line but the two looks weren't even in the catwalk show. If you remember the CK show you'll know that apart from a lot of white, some black and the odd blue there was only one bright-coloured dress that kind of resembles Kruger's. I'm a big fan of the looks that designers create outside the runway as more "commercial" pieces, which real people will be more likely to wear. And I particularly like the two cocktail dresses below because there is nothing better than a strong shape (that suits your body and personality) and a good colour (that compliments your hair and skin tone). Not to mention how bang-on future trend they are.

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com]

Gwyneth's chic hair

As much as I love and enjoy womenswear I have to admit that I am quite lost when it comes to women's beauty. I know when make-up really good or really bad but everything in the middle is obscure territory to me. I am a little better at hair, although I will admit that I am a sucker for the just-rolled-out-of-bed "do" for daily looks. And that's exactly why I love what Gwyneth has been doing with her hair lately. She obviously has washed it, straightened it and then sprayed a little hairspray  to keep the fringe to the back, but it looks very natural and fresh and ridiculously chic. And the best part is that it works as a dressed-up look and on a daily more casual basis as well. There is something so sexy about a woman with her hair like that. See the difference looking at these pics of Gwyneth a few weeks ago in the same McCartney Current/Elliott khaki pants.

I'm off.

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

the week in news: 24.05.10

This past week has been full of fashion news. From the appointment of new designers, to star-studded store openings and sale profit announcements (Burberry's profits rose $131.5 million). I already talked about Christophe Lemaire's new role as Hermès creative director yesterday but he wasn't the biggest news, by far. Earlier this week, the Gucci group announced that Sarah Burton has been chosen as the new creative director for Alexander McQueen. After months of speculations of weather a big name would take over the brand it has been decided that Burton, whose experience as head of women's wear design since 2000 and who put together the presentation of the FW10 collection after Lee's death, is the right choice. I have a good feeling about this.

Also this week, Giles Deacon was announced as Ungaro's new creative mind. After Estrella Arch's monumental failure in collaborating with Lindsay Lohan for two seasons, the Spanish designer was let go to leave room for Giles. Surprisingly, Lohan is supposed to still 'collaborate' in Ungaro's line. I just hope Deacon can play mind tricks with her and trow ALL her ideas in the bin.
A little less news-worthy was the opening of the Louis Vuitton Maison in London's New Bond Street. I never think of LV as an essential part of the industry but I suppose it is in terms of sales. For whichever reason, the opening of their biggest British home congregated an endless list of celebrities all wearing Marc Jacobs' creations for FW10. I really loved Marc's idea for this last collection but I still feel iffy about the execution. Just by looking at most guests (who don't have the average person's body shape) it was evident that the 30's inspired dresses are not flattering in the least. Luckily, Kristen, Alexa, Gwyneth and Gemma were there to prove being the exception to the rule.
I'm off.

[Pictures: nytimes.com, Telegraph.co.uk, Style.com, JustJared.buzznet.com, Zimbio.com]

American heroines

To be quite honest, this post was not what I had in mind when I started preparing it. I was trying to come up for a good reason to put Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba together since they have been glowing in their stylish ensembles during the Tribeca Film Festival.

I tried to come up with a witty reason to explain why 'fantastic three' sounded better than 'fantastic four' but I didn't. So I somehow started to picture them as superheroes. Hudson's Louis Vuitton cape/poncho reminded me of the black wings of Hawkgirl and Jessica Alba has that sort of shy sexiness just like Jane Grey (and shiny dress with pleated skirt, hello?). Even though Gwyneth's outfit seems more ordinary I can picture her as the confident Wonder Woman who wears short shorts and always looks awesome.

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Celebrity-Gossip.net, GenerationJoshua.com, en.Wikipedia.org, FamousMonstersofFilmLand.org, ComicBookMovie.com]

Vogue power

Last night, at an Irving Penn tribute event in New York, Anna Wintour was asked about the role of bloggers —“We laude as much coverage on fashion as possible —we don’t care where it comes from,” she said. “But with all the noise, it actually helps Vogue, because we have authority”. Well, Amen to that. Some of us do try hard to make posts worthy of well-read visitors but I can't deny nor will I ever dare (or want to, for that matter) to deny Vogue's authority.

Funnily enough Vogue US is not exactly the pinnacle of fashion-forward information, which is why I haven't bought a single issue for months. Vogue Paris, on the other hand, is quite the contraire. For their Mai issue Carine has handed her editor seat over to Penélope Cruz, who has gathered for it the people that inspire her. Everything in this issue is to be loved , from the triple cover (Bono, yuk) to the McQueen homage and the Serge Gainsburg and Jane Birkin-inspired editorial (featuring Daria).

Vogue España takes on the cowboy trend for SS10 from a minimalistic point of view. Raquel Zimmermann covers the issue in a picture that looks bang-on trend as well as slightly ironic —can't quite put my finger on the reason why. The shoot inside is alluringly beautiful. A very Philo palette dominates over the whole story, with pieces from Alaïa, Chloé, Altuzarra, Loewe and Balmain; the big promoters of the trend this season.

I'm off.

[Sources: TheFashionSpot.com, Vogue.fr, Vogue.es, Fashionista.com]

a high fashion workout

First of, my apologies for the utter lack of posts yesterday. I was settling back in my London flat and inspiration, like good-looking women, avoided me. But enough about myself and my wit. You can't imagine how happy I was to find this picture of Gwyneth last night. She was coming out of her workout session in Tribeca in sweat pants and trainers and two of my favourite things in the world: Céline and Goyard. I loved the fact that I had had that same Céline jacket in my hands only a couple days ago on my trip to Ekseption in Madrid. And, as you may recall by this post, I have a certain fascination for Goyard goods. It seems like a rather extravagantly expensive ensemble for a trip to the gym but I guess it works for Gwyneth.

[Pictures: Céline jacket @ Ekseption, Shefinds.com, Y-3 sweats @ Net-a-Porter]

I'm off.

Gwyneth now and then

Amongst these British Vogue covers below you will find Gwyneth's latest post for the May issue an another three ones shot previously. Now, do you think you can put them in the right chronological order? (It shouldn't be to hard just by looking at the hair).

[Pictures: Vogue.co.uk, CoverBrowser.com]

I'm off.

i just can't get ENOUGH

Alright, I simply COULD NOT resist posting this picture. Apart from the fact that those McQueen heels and that super short Balmain dress are utterly amazing, I was completely blown away by how remarkably gorgeous Gwyneth looked last night. And, well, this specific photo is just too much too handle —the gleaming eyes, the lovely smile, the air caressing her hair... OMG moment.

Have a look at this article from The Guardian. What do you reckon?

[Picture credit: JustJared]

I'm off.

IRON woman

I am currently suffering from a pleasant fever, it's called the Gwyneth fever. I am loving everything about her lately; her über-cute american accent when she speaks Spanish, her short hair, her endless legs, that smile... I guess everything was self-explanatory. Ever since she decided to get rid of half of her golden locks she has been dazzling me with every in and out of the red carpet spotting.

It all started right before she paid her visit to the hair salon, with YSL grey dress that I adore. To the right, the current Paltrow in white Stella McCartney, rocking sheer, blazer and booties!

I can't spot this shade of pink without remembering Rachel Bilson in Chanel. However, I think Gwyneth looks lovely in this, I love the hair and accessories. To the side, a printed wrap dress I first thought ugly and now intriguing; she makes it look rock-chic.

Two of her last picks I found very interesting. That short Sonia Rykiel dress with the face in it would have probably been the last thing I chose, but she pulls it off, looking chic with a bit of an edge. I'm sure her other dress, to the right, made you think of Marion Cotillard's Gaultier at the Oscars, only white; well, Jean Paul designed this one too. She looks amazing in it, although I could totally see Cate Blanchett kicking some butt in it!

She is the boss when it comes to black. The Preen dress (LBD?) looks fa-bu-lo-us on her and those ultra-high Dsquared2 are so damn sexy! To the right, another cute black dress with a black (Burberry?) coat and A-MAZING ankle boots!

Last, my favourtie look so far, a casual one. Her Stella McCartney blazer (rolled up sleeves, yay!), plain white tee, skinny blue jeans and flat black boots. Perfection, here she comes!

Your favourties?

[Picture credits: JustJared]

I'm off.