Best Dressed at the amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS Gala 2012
Getty

The amfAR Gala during the Cannes film festival bring out every year all the most stylish actors, models and editors. I would say it is, arguably, much better or at least edgier than the Met Ball and this year has been a great one.
My absolute favourite was, of course, Diane Kruger. She wore one of the Chanel Cruise 2013 designs that went down the catwalk just over a week ago. Diane's ben getting it right every day at Cannes and this is a great stand-out chic look. I was also happy to see Doutzen Kroes at the event. I've been crazy about her ever since I saw her at the Giles FW12 show. She looked amazing in a modern Versace gown. Karolina Kurkova, not happy with being one of the best dressed at this year's Met Ball, had another golden moment in Roberto Cavalli. Simply stunning. Milla Jovovich, who has had both hits and misses in the last couple of days at Cannes, made up for all her mistakes in one of the best pieces from the Atelier Versace SS12 collection.
Anja Rubik has found in the last years the perfect balance between looking ultra sexy and sophisticated. I am loving this Emilio Pucci moment – the pulled-back hair, the smoky eyes, the emerald and diamond jewellery were all great choices. Magdalena Frackowiak wore embellishments, leopard print and feathers all in one dress by Roberto Cavalli. And I just loved how elegant she looked in it. Bianca Balti went for grey, which is not a colour we see very often on the red carpet. But I loved the contrast of the lighter shade of the lace and the darker silk – by Dolce & Gabbana, of course. Jessie J, who I was quite shocked to see in Cannes, went for a leopard print Louis Heal dress. I thought it was quite a refined chic choice, especially for her. And I love the fact that she stayed true to her own style wearing chunky boots

Getty

Izabel Goulart covers the new Harper's Bazaar España
TFS

You all know by now how much I love Harper's Bazaar España. I feel like I often say the same things about their latest covers but it's always true that they're the most creative fashion magazine in my home country.

Their April cover features Izabel Goulart (barely) in Emilio Pucci and shot by Nico for their 'Feria de Abril' issue. This is, perhaps, the most typically Spanish and folkloric event in the country's calendar and Harper's has taken a look at all the Spanish personalities who have been the most successful both in and out of fashion.

I certainly love how daring it is to barely dress a model on the cover of a fashion magazine but I love how classy the picture is. It definitely stays away from other female nakedness like the one Carine had us used to a few years back.

What do you think of the cover?

Best Dressed of the Weekend: It's a Double Decker!
JustJared, Style.com

This weekend my absolute favourite was Brooklyn Decker. First, for the UNICEF Ball in New York City, in the aquamarine SS12 Tory Burch. I love the braided hair, which complemented the Greek feel of the dress. This is a perfect example of how a drop-waist dress can make a night gown look so easy to pull off. The touch of the neon orange Jimmy Choos was also a great call! Her second look, a super short Nah Khanh, was so different. What I like about this one is how, despite of the shortness of the dress, she looks so classy and natural. I love the hair do and the pop of colour that the fuchsia lipstick and the yellow stilettos bring to it.

Diane Kruger, who keeps on surprising me by not wearing white Chanel gowns, also looked stunning this weekend in this black Emilio Pucci. I love how she makes everything look like couture. I love subtle the textures of the dress, the nude Bottega clutch and the shyly hidden red satin shoes. I am not so keen on the hair but it's a great look anyway.
And lastly, Joan Smalls at the Pirelli calendar party. I haven't been able to id the dress but I am loving it. It's so simple the the two sort of panels that hang over the top front make it chic and interesting. My favourite part of the look has to be the side braid and the gold ethnic earrings.

We're not even halfway through season 5 of Gossip Girl but even without watching the rest I would dare say this is the best look! Serena wears one of the best pieces from Mary Katranzou's SS11 collection for Blair's shower. I can't tell you how excited I was to see this. It was something I didn't see coming (which is brilliant!) and also something that suits Blake's character so well. Not to mention how occassion-appropriate the dress was. I also have to say that I loved the accessorising –the über-long pearl necklace, the patchwork Louboutin heels (which wouldn't work in another scenario) and the super cute messy pony tail tied up in a pink bow. This is the best Serena has looked in all of this season! Hopefully we will get to see her in some of the incredible pieces Katrantzou created for FW11 and (my favourite) SS12, that would just make me so happy!

I am so ecstatic about this look I will not even mention how overdressed Serena's day outfit was. Ha!

Style.com, JustJared, CWtv.com

I think I've figured out what's wrong with Blair's styling as of late. All the necklines of everything she wears are very off. All the garments also happen to be quite loose around the waist so perhaps they're trying to give her a 'pregnant look' to go along with the plot? I wish they looked at Beyoncé or Nicole Richie for examples of how to dress pregnant. Even Victoria Beckham!

I really disliked B's day look in this episode. It was way too fussy even though the pieces individually were quite nice –I loved the Alberta Ferretti dress and the Moschino jacket but not together! And I wish they stopped doing head pieces! The evening look was a lot nicer, fun and very Blair. It gave her an odd flat chest but at least it was sexy and different!

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, Zimbio

I realised over the weekend how little I've posted about celebrity style over the last few weeks. During fashion week I find myself way too excited about what's coming down the catwalk and what the editors are wearing. So I'm making up for it this week. These are my best dressed from the night:

1. Carey Mulligan in Bottega Veneta. I can't wait to see her in costume for 'The Great Gatsby' because of this. This short black number with a 20's is perfectly on trend. I love the super thin straps and the perfect hair.

2. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Emilio Pucci. This embroidered dress looks amazing on her because it accentuates her incredible body and doesn't leave room for any jewellery, which Rosie doesn't need. Who needs diamond earrings when you've got those lips?

3. Emma Stone in Jonathan Saunders. I must admit she made it to the list more because of her emerald earrings and the unbelievable Christian Dior shoes, which for me complete a look that would have otherwise been on the blah side.

4. Michelle Williams in Nina Ricci. I'm not the biggest Nina Ricci fan but I was blown away by this. I love the ease with which Michelle wears everything. And I'm especially keen on the cut-out detail on the neckline.

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!

FashionGoneRogue

I mentioned a few weeks ago how much into Zoe Kravitz's style I was. She is just so cool. And it totally comes through in every single picture you see of her.

For the new issue of Wonderland Simon Burstall has shot these stunning black and white pictures of Zoe wearing some of this season's editorial hits. The pictures are very uncomplicated and yet I think Anthony Unwin has done an absolutely awesome job with the styling.

Pieces like the Versace top or the Pucci backless dress look a lot more urban on Zoe and you forget for a second how many times before you've seen them on paper.

Are you a fan?

Cannes finally wrapped up yesterday with the annual amfAR event. Last year the Cinema against AIDS gala saw the most stylish attendees of the festival. This year, though, film stars really raised the bar and made it really difficult, even for fashion insiders, to outside them on the last day.

Carine swapped Tom Ford for Kanye West, quite a downgrade if you ask me. They both wore Givenchy but failed to steal the show. Kanye very much annoys me at this point and I'm disappointed at Carine for not finding a better date.

My favourite was Janet Jackson's choice of Haider Ackermann as genius beyond words. The shape suits her wonderfully, as do the colours and she looks a lot classier and more stylish than she normally does. Jane Fonda was the epitome of elegance at Cannes. She is possibly one of four women in the world who can look so exquisite in Roberto Cavalli. There's little need for more than the understated emerald earrings thanks to the leopard sequins.

Some other of my favourites were Clémence Poésy in Chanel, Anja Rubik in Pucci, Charlotte Casiraghi (who just looks incredible in anything) and Giovanna Battaglia in a rather daring number.

It was also nice to see Julia Restoin Roitfeld wearing a long gown (also by Pucci) and I have to admit I am even
a fan of Elisabetta Canalis' Cavalli
dress, it's super flashy but it somehow
works.

[Style.com, Zimbio]

Who's that girl?

I normally don't pay too much attention to celebrities I don't know so it's something of an event when I start remembering a face whose name I don't know. And that's what happened with Teresa Palmer. She started popping up here and there when she was said to be dating Adam Brody (a downgrade from Rachel Bilson, if you ask me) but I didn't notice her until the last few weeks when she started her press tour for the film 'I am number four'. I was surprised to see such a relatively unknown name wearing key SS11 looks from big brands. She looked pretty incredible in the turquoise Pucci mini dress and its black maxi cousin but it was the two Versus SS11 looks (one below and one here) and a Christopher Kane (despite the dreadful hairstyle) that really impressed me. She still has a lot to learn but she's definitely one to look out for.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Zimbio.com]

quatre-vingt-dix

When I first heard that Vogue Paris was throwing a masquerade ball to celebrate their 90th anniversary I simply thought of a chic party with the best crowd in a decadently glamourous venue and the odd mask. What I didn't know was that it would take place during Paris Fashion Week and that most of its guests would take the theme seriously. Following the inspiration from the magazine's October issue, many models and editors showed up in lace masks paired up with sexy dresses with hints of baroque. Everybody was there and the Vogue Paris team tweeted themselves silly. Tweets like "Emmanuelle Alt et Peter Dundas dansent joue contre joue sur la piste de danse"* or "Emmanuelle Alt danse avec Anja Rubik sur la piste"** made it sound like the party of the century. Or, at least, my party of the century. But nothing, not Carine as a leopard or Julia as a vamp or Olivier Lalanne, were a match for Anna dello Russo. The queen and muse of all things fashion did what she does best: dress up. She wore a custom Pucci white dress (kudos to Peter Dundas) that she accompanied with a long white wig and mask in the same colour. The final touch was an incredible Trojan inspired feathered head piece by Gareth Pugh. Talk about decadent.

I'm off.

* "Emmanuelle Alt and Peter Dundas dance cheek to cheek on the dancefloor"
** "Emmanuelle Alt dances with Anja Rubik on the dancefloor"

[Pictures: Vogue.fr, JustJared.buzznet.com, Vogue.com, TFS]

Bold colours & wet hair

Yesterday was one of those fashion week days in which the names on the schedule only create excitement for true fashionistas. Jil Sander was one of those names. Or I had better say Raf Simons. His SS11 collection was tightly connected to what we saw at Pitti for men and yet he added an extra twist to the über bold colours and sleek minimalism we're used to see form him. Tim Blanks explains it perfectly when he says " [a] maximalism, which led him instantly to haute couture". We saw that in the shape of gown skirts and dresses that were paired up with more casual pieces like t-shirts and sheer tops. In addition to his signature block hues we saw horizontal and vertical stripes and flowers prints that, while secondary, made the collection even more contemporary.

Bottega Veneta has been growing on me incessantly over the past few seasons. I admire established fashion houses who refrain from being stuck in the past and take risks hiring designers that wouldn't necessarily completely understand their vision. That was the risk (or safe bet as we can refer to it now) when Tomas Maier was hired. The focus was put on the construction and the tailoring which turned fabrics in to easy-to-wear light-weight garments. In fact, the ease of the collection is its most appealing aspect. In line with Acquascutum's "just out of bed" girl from last season, Maier gets the girl right out of the shower and onto flats because she is so confident she only needs perfectly made clothes to feel sexy.

I have to admit that the best part of watching the Pucci SS11 show online was the fact that Mademoiselle Agnès was in charge of walking around interviewing guests with her flawed but chic command of the English language. If any conclusion was to be drawn from what everyone said to her that should be that the Pucci woman is, above all, sexy. And she is sexy because Pucci is ageless (at least in the industry where older women dare to bare their legs), it is sensual rather than slutty and it has that boho chic air every woman loves. Peter Dunda's brought back the Ibiza of the 70's for SS11 in the shape of clothes people like Anna dello Russo would wear to the beach. Gauzy skirts short at the front and flowy at the bottom, backless long-sleeved mini dresses, pompoms and lots and lots of ruffles.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, TheSartorialist.blogspot.com]

take me to the beach

I know everybody is getting ready for the beach these days. That's why I decided to put together a few simple outfits to look great while tanning but also when you're grabbing a bite with the girls or just hanging out in the shade. I tried to include some of the season's trends (i.e. khaki, leopard, nude) in some of the outfits and I have also added my personal touches of jewellery. Some people hate taking jewels to the beach but I disagree. A necklace here or a bracelet there never hurt anyone.

Current/Elliot shirt and shorts, Minnetonka shoes, Missoni bag, DVF swimsuit, Monica Vinder necklace.

If you wanna go ethnic in a sophisticated way wear some khaki and gold and add a little leopard print, but not to much. I am in love with those suede loafers. They can look a little too hippy but if you style them like this and add a cool bag (LOVE it, btw) you get the effect you were going for.

Melissa Obadash kaftan, Balenciaga sunglasses, Pucci swuimsuit, Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals.

If you happen to be going somewhere where even at the beach there's a bit of a dress code you have to remember that less is more and everything is in the details. I chose a nude one-shoulder swimsuit that lets you move and forget about anything popping out but it's super chic. I think a tunic, camisole or caftan is the best option in this case. Remember, it has to be simple yet well detailed. Then, a nice pair or sandals that look awesome but are comfortable. Havaianas won't do in this case. Finish the outfit off with classic glasses in a not so classic colour and a headband. I am loving this spiked one!

Alexander Wang tank top, True Religion shorts, Zimmermann swimsuit, Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals, Marni bag.

These two last outfits are my favourite ones. During the winter the most colour I wear is a pink or nude thing here and there but it's mostly black and grey. That's why I like to get funkier in the summer. The best colour combinations are the ones where colours compliment each other. Which is why I chose yellow, green and purple and sandals and shorts including the same colours. It all works and the white top lets every single piece stand out.

Missoni swimsuit, Miu Miu sandals, Pippa Small necklace, Chloé blouse, Matthew Williamson skirt, Eugenia Kim hat.

If you remember my last post you know by now I am a sucker for pink, and Missoni. I love combined pink and white because, first of all, they're so me and because they feel fresh and feminine. This season I have a bit of a thing for yellow as well. I love the fact that it looks like a difficult colour but it actually works with so many things! And then, of course, a cool, slightly boho necklace. I don't go anywhere without some jewellery!

Giuls xx

[Pictures: Net-a-Porter.com, Minnetonka.co.uk, MatthewWilliamson.com, Colette.fr, Matchesfashion.com]

to edge or not to edge

I was a little shocked (but not surprised) when, the day after the Met Ball, I kept reading online terms such as 'Chanel catastrophe' or 'style snafu' to refer to Kristen Stewart. I had written something not far from that about her Chanel HC dress and I was starting to feel bad. I did because, even though she made all the wrong styling choices, I think she has potential. She is on the cover of the June issue of US ELLE looking beautiful and cool. And that is exactly what makes her different, she has a really cool edge that she can't seem to exploit.

Looking back at her outfits from "The Runaways" press tour and the Oscars there are a couple of things that keep popping up. She has the one pose, with a little movement of shoulders and legs but essentially one pose —the right-arm-on-right-hip. She rarely smiles, which usually takes back from the dress. After all, she is an actress so she should be able to fake-smile and look natural, no? And, well, the worst part of all is the hair. I guess her short cut for "The Runaways" is to blame for that. And she needs some redirecting in terms of style. Short dresses with little detailing (stop the Pucci) and a bit of an edge (she looked amazing in Doo.Ri) would make her rock'n'roll self come out and she would look awesome.

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com]

Met Gala 2010: The great, the bland and the fugly

Last night Anna Wintour, Oprah Winfrey and Patrick Robinson hosted the Costume Institute's Met Gala, "American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity". Celebrities queued to show how they could pull off designer dresses with personality, which seemed very refreshing after last year's blandness. However, I missed the Olsens and the Roitfelds this year.

The great

It just feels natural when you see Jude and Sienna together. The picture looks kind of retro because Sienna has long hair again like she did back then when her and Jude were together for the first time.

Chloe Sevigny in Proenza Schouler, January Jones in Yves Saint-Laurent and Carey Mulligan in Miu Miu prove how short dresses with the right colours and details can be edgy.

Restrained is usually elegant, Diane Kruger proves it in her white Calvin Klein. Less successful at it were Maggie Gyllenhall in Louis Vuitton (could do without the tacky bow and a dash of colour) and Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte for Gap, who could have gone for a different choice in shoes not to be so Rodarte matchy-matchy.

Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture, Margherita Missoni in Missoni and Chanel Iman in Michael Kors.

These all look a lot like Rachel Zoe choices... I doubt she dressed Marion Cottilard, though. Thandie Newton in Vivienne Westwood, Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior and Anne Hathaway in Valentino all look beautifully apt for the gala but there is a bit of a yawn factor in all three. And too many sequins... I guess Rach "died".

The bland

Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston was so disappointment. Pretty, yeah, but we expect much more from a woman with such a fashion-forward education. Rachel Weisz wore a custom made Oscar the la Renta, which colour looked amazing against her skin but which a cut that was borderline tacky. And Eva Mendes just doesn't learn. She wore a Dolce & Gabbana that totally overshadowed her.

Carolyn Murphy (in ?), Eva Longoria in Marchesa (synonym for not trying) and Jessica Stam in Rachel Roy all looked boring and sloppy in every possible way.

The fugly

It is upsetting that Jessica Alba looked that bad in Sophie Theallet for Gap because she had been getting it so right so often lately. I really hate the colour of the satin dress. Malin Akerman looked as if she got ready for another dress and not the Temperly London that she wore. And the dress was a completely wrong choice for this kind of event. Rosario Dawson tried to pull a Saldana and failed tragically. Her Giambattista Valli was as disappointing as the bow on it was ugly.

Kristen Stewart needs to either deal with the fact that people want her picture or find a new career. She wore a more than decent Chanel Haute Couture that, had it been combined with the right hair and make up and a nice smile, would have looked amazing. Vera Farmiga wore a Sophie Theallet for Gap dress that looked like a bad cross between a flamenco dress and a Mexican dancer. Bless Jessica Biel, she never has the slightest idea of what's going on. She wore Ralph Lauren Collection. And Justin looked way better.

And, to top it all off, these three catastrophe's (I bet Anna pursed her lips a couple of times last night). Rachel Roy in her own design, Joy Bryant in Marchesa (if Rachel is still working with her this might be her worst job ever) and orange trannie Lisa Marie Falcone in a God-only-knows-what.

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Zimbio.com]

king of the heel

So I finally got around finishing checking the details section of Syle.com and giving my first go at photoshop. And, boy, did it take long... Try and ignore any flaws your eyes may spot and concentrate on the shoes. FW10 offered a variety of heels, but it seemed quite evident that the stiletto is back to reclaim its place as king of the heels. We only saw a few wedges or chunkier heels courtesy of Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Marni and Prada. The key is on the shoe details rather than on the shape. Concerning materials, we saw plenty of the usual croc and ostrich but also embroidered leather (Christopher Kane), shearling interiors (Burberry Prosum) and metallic flower applique. These are our favourites.

Top to bottom and left to right: Bottega Veneta, Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Lanvin, Phillip Lim, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Prada, Rodarte, Prada, Prada.

[Pictures: Style.com]

I'm off.

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.