Gossip Girl Fashion: 'G.G.' – The 100th Episode
DavidsBridal.com, ShopChicks.com, TheBeautyBridal.com

This week's episode of Gossip Girl was a special one not only because the one and only Blair Waldorf is finally getting married but also because the show celebrated its 100th episode. It's kind of crazy to think we've been watching for 5 years now!

I can honestly say this episode is anything but disappointing, which is refreshing after the last couple of episodes. Fashion-wise it was interesting to say the least as bridal attire can go either way just by adding a bow or a lace sleeve. I loved Blair's Vera Wang dress even though I expected something slightly more... grand. I missed the original lace top and I would have gone for a more classic hair style, perhaps done up rather than wavy and down –that wasn't very Blair.

As it often happens, Serena looked better than her BFF. Also in Vera Wang Bridal, S looked really stunning in pale pink. I loved the detail of the bustier covered with chiffon and tied at the shoulder. The sort of beehive hair was also perfect, a tad Chanel, no?

Otherwise, everyone looked great at the wedding, even the 'cupcake trio' (see below) who looked a bit like upside down roses also in Vera Wang –she got a pretty sweet advertorial deal, right?

Even with plenty of drama and a wedding going on I would say the highlight of the episode was the beginning. There is nothing I love more than a classic GG moment of a character's dream. This time Serena dreams up the iconic Marilyn moment singing about her sparkly best friends. This soon turns into some sort of surreal yet brilliant face-off with Audrey Hepburn (Blair) who fights her to get Dan. The funniest bit is looking at the boy's faces –Nate and Chuck really crack up at some point and Dan looks totally into it.

Random as this moment was I can't think of two glamourous and iconic characters that go so well with the characters' personalities. Maybe they should do a special episode of everyone in costume? A sort of Gossip Girl version of 'Midnight in Paris'? I would LOVE that!

Last week I eventually decided against posting about Gossip Girl because I didn't have time to do it for Wednesday/Thursday and, to be honest, the fashion wasn't that notable anyway. This week's 'The Big Sleep No More' episode isn't particularly exciting fashion-wise but at least there's a couple of changes of clothes for every character. Even Serena!
Blair had a big big miss and quite a hit in this episode. The miss was her day look. I don't know if they're getting too much inspiration from the Duchess of Cambridge but it's not working. The headpiece is completely out of place and even though I love the Dolce & Gabbana dress the thick black tights really spoil the vibe. I did appreciate the details, though. I love the Roger Vivier 'Diligence' bag and the cuff and the Phillip Lim shoes are super chic. The hit was her evening look –an embellished cocktail number by Oscar de la Renta that needed no extra accessorising. Alas, this better look is only in the episode for a short time.
My only question is, why isn't anyone wearing a coat? This is supposed to be New York in November.

CWtv.com, JustJared, Style.com, RogerVivier.com

Once again Serena (and when I say Serena I really mean the show's stylist, but you get the idea) was the best dressed this week. Not because she's trying particularly hard but because everyone else is looking so rubbish. Especially Charlie/Ivy. I have no words for her day look. It's like she's trying to be Serena on a budget and with a flat annoying face. I am only hoping that the cute M Missoni cardigan she wore this week is the beginning of slightly better fashion choices. Her evening dress I could have not minded were it not for the tacky flower details at the bottom of the skirt. Could someone put in a request for a wonder bra for her?
Serena's day look was very her. I am starting to get a bit tired of these boho city looks, though. Start wearing winter wear, it's bloody November! Serena is a huge Mulberry fan, I gather, and this week she's trying out the 'Harriet' bag, which she paired with a stunning statement necklace and a pair of studded burgundy Brian Atwoods that I loved. Her Moschino evening moment was so sexy. Not many people could pull off that many details on a dress but she looks very elegant and young. I simply love it!

JustJared, Style.com

This weekend was a good one in terms of style. Giulia and I have changed our minds a couple of times until coming up with the final four for the post, which doesn't happen very often. Eventually we got it down to these four ladies won...

1. Dree Hemingway in custom made Christian Dior. I absolutely love this. Dior recreated the iconic gown Marilyn Monroe wore for her last photoshoot with Bern Stern, which Dree wore to the opening of the "Picturing Marilyn" exhibition in New York.

2. Zoe Saldana in Elie Saab. Green has always been my favourite colour. I love this simple but super elegant look. It works great on Zoe's skin tone and it hugs her body without being strictly body-con.

3. Jessica Alba in Armani Privé. She wore this to the opening of the Armani Hotel in Milan. I just love the drop waist silhouette and the original length with the kimono detail at the hem. The top, the makeup and the emerald ring were simply stunning. Can you believe she recently gave birth?

4. Jaime King in Oscar de la Renta. She has the perfect look for an old school Hollywood glamour outfit. The hair and makeup are perfect, as is the slick black velvet Oscar gown.

After a slightly boring episode the week before, Gossip Girl added a little of much needed drama into episode 3. Serena was, again, my best dressed this week. Her look went along the same line as last week's, which I loved, but this time it was a bit more city-appropriate. I loved the Oscar de la Renta cuff that matches the earrings from last week and Charlotte Olympia 'Dolly' pumps in a citrus green. Unfortunately, this was the only look we saw from her this week. Since when does Serena van der Woodsen pass on a fashion show and party invitation?
Jenny Packham's fashion show and party was another nice surprise. The deisgner has been a regular to Gossip Girl in the past. In fact, Blair and the Duchess of Cambridge have both worn the same dress! Perhaps that's why after her SS12 collection Style.com finally decided to add her to the list of designers displayed on the website.

CWtv.com, Style.com, Elle.co.uk

I loved Liz Hurley in the white Marios Schwab dress this week. It was body-con enough for her but the design and the detail across the top made it kind of interesting for her, it just felt modern. (Sometimes I sound like Nina Garcia, no?)

Blair has gone back to her old boring dressing habits a little... Though I must say I am still loving her attitude. The way she carries herself this season is different, like she suddenly feels super cool.
My favourite look form her in this episode had to be the lovely Louis Vuitton number from the Resort 2011 collection. The flower print and the bow at the waist scream Blair Waldorf and the bustier top adds a touch of sexiness. She also wore well the Jenny Packham but the evening look didn't feel as special this time...
On another note, I am not convinced that the prince is the father. It's GOT TO be Chuck, otherwise the show is doomed! How amazing would a baby of theirs look in a little bowtie?!

I should know by now that the first episode of each Gossip Girl season is always really good fun but the episode that follows usually disappoints... 'Beauty and the Feast' is not a very eventful episode. We do get to see the last of the cast in LA, which I already said last week I enjoyed, but everything else is otherwise very blah.
What's not blah at all is the Serena's only outfit in this episode. If a van der Woodsen is not going to change three or four times she might as well make an impression with just the one outfit.
Coral and turquoise look so great on her so I'm glad she keeps wearing both. The jacket, which I first thought was this Vanessa Bruno one Rachel Bilson wore months ago, it actually Top Shop. I loved the fact that it was cropped so they paired it up with a high-waisted super short skirt and a striped tank top. And I loved the accessories even more –muted suede Prada sandals, an aquamarine Mulberry 'Taylor' bag, and (my favourite) a pair of Oscar de la Renta earrings with coral, green and turquoise stones. The only thing I wasn't too keen on were the two big flower rings, one also by Oscar, that were just a tad too much!

CWtv.com, SaksFifthAvenue, Mulberry, Lyst.com, Net-a-Porter

Blair's looks weren't as good as in the last episode but I stand by what I said about her grown-up style being a lot more chic than before. For the first part of the episode she wears one of Stella McCartney's famous citrus skirts from SS12. And I loved that she went over the top and kept the citrus vibe alive with a yellow ruffled silk top, an orange handbag and orange Brian Atwood pumps.
I realised I failed to comment on Blair's new hair colour this season. It's so chocolate! But it doesn't always look great. It depends so much on the colours she's wearing, which is a bit of a shame... But it looks amazing throughout this whole episode.
My favourite look this time was this very subtle golden brocade dress by Prada. It fit her like a glove and she kept it very simple but chic with aquamarine earrings and and a pearl colour tube clutch.
The third look was supposed to be some sort of laid-back pyjama ensemble but, of course, it's Blair so there's only so relaxed you can go. No trackie bottoms. Instead, Blair wears a sleeveless silk printed shirt that I really wish they made with a long sleeve for men. I would wear it with a blazer.
It looks like now that she's expecting and marrying a prince she's really stepping the fashion up. It was about time!

CWtv.com, Style.com

I was quite excited for Gossip Girl's return this week. I always get this feeling in September after being deprived of my main source of entertainment during the summer. And the first episode did not disappoint.

Before I go on I would just like to warn that

there are spoilers ahead

so don't blame me if I spoil it.

My favourite two things about this episode were Blair and the Serena-Chuck-Nate triangle in LA.

Blair seems to have become a lot sexier and cooler over the summer. She delights us with 4 or 5 changes of clothes during the episode and each is better than the next! I was thrilled to see the only Oscar de La Renta look I liked from the SS11 collection but my favourite for the jewel print mini dress by Moschino Cheap & Chic. That is exactly the vibe the stylist should be aiming at for Blair!

While Blair stayed in NYC Serena, Nate and Chuck went away to LA. I really loved the dynamics they've got going on in this episode –very chilled and grown up. And I am also very much into their styles, which have also relaxed. I also really enjoyed all their New Yorker references to LA, they make it sound like they're in a different country!

CWtv.com, Roger Vivier

Mr Porter

The best dressed guy in the episode is obviously Chuck. You know how much I love his style. And I like it now even more. The tan biker jacket (Ralph Lauren, if I'm not mistaken) and neckerchief give him a kind of vintage air and feels current and rock'n'roll. It reminded me a lot of Leo Dicaprio's style from The Aviator, though his jacket was Belstaff.

What I do not understand is how he is not absolutely roasting in that jacket if it's the summer. But hey, he's not the only guy who sacrifices comfort to look good. A man must have his priorities in order!

I am intrigued to see if he keeps up this cool flair once he's back to New York or if he'll go back to his purple shirts and red ties. In the meantime, he really needs to get that bruise looked at. How can you get one of those and not realise until a day after?

After Chanel's show last week we're being drip-fed the rest of Cruise 2012 collections. It will be months before we see many more. Bottega Veneta and Oscar de la Renta are the only ones so far to have made their lines public, also with catwalk shows.

I tend to find mid-season collections either quite exciting or ridiculously boring. Bottega had a couple of hits but my favourite were mainly beige or faded khaki pieces with a slight safari inspiration and the silk colour-blocking cocktail dresses.

Oscar de la Renta was a litte kitch for my taste. I love his mainline collection when he does his typical 50's incredible gowns  and his cute cocktail numbers but this was not it. There were a lot of crazy prints and pattern mixing I didn't quite get. However, I did appreciate the slightly hip-er feel to the collection. I could especially see some of these very colourful pieces on Anna Wintour. She would rock the matching sequin dress and cardigan and pair the bonkers prints with her trademarked necklaces.

[Style.com]

Gossip Girl finally came back last week after a (ridiculously) long break. Unfortunately, I was out of town for a few days and I couldn't post about last week's episode. The truth is I keep growing bored of the show after each episode. The plot is reaching levels of ludicrousness that even someone who watched The Hills back to back can't stand.

Thankfully, the fashion is just as good as it used to be and that is enough, for now, to keep me entertained for 40 minutes. I love that they have brought back Blair's French prince (everyone knows France is a republic, right?) and her stunning pair of Roger Vivier Maréchale pumps, which inevitably remind me of Carrie's Manolos.

This is the first time in months I have seen someone wearing Marchesa without rolling my eyes. It annoys me how much American celebrities resort to the brand for easy (and original) red carpet looks. However, Serena looks pretty incredible in this short number from FW10. I don't know if it's the light in the show or if the dress is actually a different colour but I like it a lot better than the original either way. It's nice for a change that there's no huge cleavage —the neckline is very Lily but the body-con fit and the trail make it flirty and cool. I also like the fact that she's wearing a 'messy' ponytail rather than her usual boho take on hair that goes with everything but it's just too easy.

[CWtv.com, Style.com, OscardelaRenta.com]

It seems the May issue of American Vogue is full of fashion jewels. If Reese Witherspoon's beautiful editorial by Peter Lindbergh wasn't enough, Anna also decided to include an even more stunning story by Bruce Weber.

The concept for the shoot is supposed to be Natalia posing with all these Hollywood young talent. To be honest, no one really caught my attention apart from Chloë Morezt, Hailee Steinfeld and Elle Fanning posing with Natalia, in Oscar de la Renta, before bedtime. And that's what makes Bruce Weber so great. He's got the cinematic quality of Annie Leibovitz but he tells his stories in a more documentary glossy way.

I couldn't find a styling credit anywhere. Wouldn't it be great if Anna herself had done it? After all, Natalia is wearing her Balenciaga Pre-Fall dress in one of the pictures.

[Vogue.com, Style.com]

Round Monday

As promised, we are back to business at soVIPzone. Giulia and I have been busy over the last week and we were both lucky enough to catch simultaneous colds, which reached their peak over the weekend, so neither of us could update the blog. Fortunately, we're feeling a little better with the beginning of the week and even though we're still quite busy again we couldn't go another day without a new post.

I can't tell you how happy I was to find so many incredible celebrity pictures this evening when I got home after a long day. Doing my daily website tour I couldn't believe how many of my favourite people had been wearing some of my favourite designers. They have made my Monday night so much better! Jessica Alba wore Valentino (and a kind of First Lady hair-do) at an event in Hollywood and she looked beautiful and elegant. Anne Hathaway melted my heart with a smile (yet again) in a beautiful sequinned Oscar de la Renta dress from SS11 during one of her appearances on the 'Love and other Drugs' press tour. Carey Mulligan slipped into a red Prabal Gurung and looked stunning at the British Independent Film Awards. Vicky Becks delighted us with yet another of her famous airport looks —this time in a Giambattista Valli cape-coat. And my favourite on-screen couple at the moment, Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, looked as cool as it gets —her in one of my favourite collections, SS11 Erdem, and him in a biker jacket brilliantly accessorised with a paisley-print scarf. What a day!

I'm off.

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

Ticking the boxes

I am not sure there is such a thing as set standards for Cruise collections. Personally, I feel there are certain things that always must be present —a maxi skirt and dress, a cocktail dress, an LBD, a tailored cotton trouser, a well cut blazer, shorts and a slightly loose knit jumper. Then, of course, they are to be played with and more interesting pieces to go with them are to be added but I feel a good resort line must include all of the above to be considered so.
Looking at the Cruise 2011 collections shown so far I have to admit I am a little impressed with the improvement. I suppose designers are also learning what to make of these odd and season-less lines they must produce. Since we can't speak of trends per se, for that is the whole point of these collections, I looked at colour. Along with white and black, orange has been very present in most collections. It works in a multitude of tones, it looks fresh but it's not too wild, and is apt for any scenery.

YSL and Michael Kors are two of my favourite Cruise 2011 collections. The first felt very fresh, as Stefano Pilati rarely uses any colour, let alone bright ones. The designs were along the classic lines of the French house but had a very cool edge that I personally loved. Kors, who usually plays it ridiculously safe, really surprised me with his line. The clean lines and simple clothes were full of East-coast coolness. I want more of that in his regular collections!

Oscar de la Renta's show was odd. The first half of the collection was all over the place, with sloppy combinations of garments, colours and prints while the second was this explosion of glamour. Gowns in the best colours, prints and shapes walked the runway until the end. My favourite was the white polka-dotted one above.

I found Rachel Roy's Cruise 2011 collection absolutely stunning. There was a lot of maxi dresses and skirts and some very cool layering and see-through-ness. She really made her collection look completely new using wardrobe staples and twisting them with very chic hands.

Which collection did you love?
I'm off.

[Style.com]

Carey pulls an Anna

Carey Mulligan has proved she is both a serious actress and a respectable fashionista over the last few months. I guess her Vionnet and Prada choices for her biggest red carpet appearances helped establish her as someone that can take risks while looking carpet-appropriate. However, I am not completely sure about this last look. Carey pulled an Anna for her latest premiere appearance and everything from the tweed fabric, to the round conservative neckline, to the just-over-the-knee hemline seem to be wrong for her. She has a beautiful face (I love her hair) and a really nice body, so why not going a little more flirty?

Centre: Oscar de la Renta dress, Jimmy Choo mid-heels both @Net-a-Porter.

[Pictures: JustJared, AltamiraNYC.blogspot.com]

I'm off.

Oscars 2010

It is the first time I have stayed up to watch the Oscars and I am elated. I feel part of a very cool club. But it does comes as a shock that I am making myself blog at half two in the morning. I have to admit I was part of the group of people who were not expecting much from this year's red carpet. Thankfully, my expectations were completely overwhelmed from the very moment I saw Diane Kruger. My favourite numbers, though, were Zoe Saldana's dream of a Givenchy, Sarah Jessica Parker's Chanel (that Karl made only for her), and the first Dries Van Noten (and FW10!) on the carpet worn by Maggie Gyllenhaal. But my favourite part of the gala was dapper Robert Downey Jr. in the most amazing combo to ever walk the runway —by Lanvin, of course.

[Pictures: zimbio.com]

Check out our Oscars live coverage on twitter. Now I will resume my watching of the show and the short night sleep that will follow.

I'm off.

a night to remember?

I am deeply and utterly uninspired as of late, hence the lack of posts around here. Hopefully, with the imminent arrival of the holidays this situation will change. In the meantime, I could not ignore such an event as the Met Ball. It certainly was an odd night, to say the least. Celebrities swapped roles and some seemed as if they were in those clothes to convince the world once and for all that they are not only tasteless but complete nutters. But some others, the few, lived up to the expectations or were simply pleasant surprises.

I AM IN LOVE... and she doesn't know it.

For those of you thinking "WTF?", I will say: it works on them and it wouldn't on anybody else.

Totally unexpected but extremely successful nonetheless.

It was pretty much a Marc overdose what that night was. I have always said it and I always will: He is overrated.

Talk about tables turning... Blake looks slick and sexy even when the dress is not my cup of tea while Leighton, poor thing, was somehow cheated. I like the print, though.

Simple cuts with colours that work great with their skin tones.

Wait a few years and that photo up there will have another member.

Daria has no need to accessorize with such a cleavage and that pair of jeweled eyes. Unlike our little friend on the right, just don't.

Not like  I was blown away but still, at least it wasn't wacko.

I am speechless before this.

Thoughts? Missed me?

[Pictures credit: JustJared, Style.com, GossipGirls]

I'm off.