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.

Fashion Week Favourites: Reed Krakoff's 'Boxer' & 'Antlantique' bags
Getty, Vogue.com

Every season, during fashion month, there are two or three accessories that editors, buyers and fashion lovers alike go crazy about. It's usually something that hasn't even stores yet or that the rest of us mortals have failed to identify as a future hit because, well, we sort of need them to lead.
Last season I blogged about the super popular Fendi 'Chameleon' shoe that was all the rage in Milan and Paris. This time around it's all about the Reed Krakoff bags. Even though they're not exactly a new thing – you might remember I blogged about them back in 2010 – it has taken them a little while, like any other new brand, to catch people's attention. But it's done it in a grand way. So many fashionistas, from Rachel Zoe to Julianne Moore and Emily Weiss have been sporting them all through New York Fashion week only a couple of weeks ago. They're first model, the 'Boxer', seems to be Zoe's favourite while Moore went for the newer funkier 'Atlantique'.
The FW12 show was also packed with ready-to-wear hits that I predict will only become bigger. But, for me, the protagonist of the latest collection were the shoes. The croc and leather boots they showed for winter have this super sexy feel but they're tough too.

Are you a fan?

Getty, Vogue.com

Rachel Zoe FW12: Buy it now at Moda Operandi
ModaOperandi.com

Even though Moda Operandi launched months ago it's during this season of fashion shows that we're getting to fully experience it. I don't know about you but there is no more tempting time for me to buy fashion as right after the show. I would probably fill my whole wardrobe for the following season after seeing my favourite shows and that is exactly what MO allows you to do.

Rachel Zoe's very hyped-about FW12 collection is already on their website and you can buy selected pieces from it including accessories until February 19th. After so many years styling some of our favourite celebrities it's no surprise that Rachel manages to crate collections that everyone dies for, to use her words.

The FW12 line has a lot of her personal trademarks such as skinny fit flare pants, tuxedo blazers and, of course, (faux) fur coats. She's also quickly branching into accessories. Her platform pumps will be a great success. She also know how to make a pair of shoes!

Click here to shop the collection and take a look at the full runway show here.

Courtesy of Burberry, Style.com

It seems like I was right to suspect that the Burberry Prorsum SS12 womenswear collection could go along the lines of the menswear line I saw in Milan in June.
Before I get into what I liked from the collection I have to talk about Burberry's insane front row. I've never seen so many celebrities at the front row of a London show. I must admit I was most excited about seeing Rachel Zoe in the flesh for the first time. Rodger and Mandana were sitting on the row behind, looking a bit confused. I was standing opposite all of them (see picture below) and having Sienna Miller, Gemma Aterton and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley sitting next to each other made it a little hard for me to concentrate on the clothes... But I still managed it.
You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard "How amazing was Burberry?" in the last two days. Everyone was in awe of how Christopher Bailey keeps managing to reinvent the trench coat season after season. This time he took African inspiration in the shape of tribal prints and wooden applique.
The most memorable for me were the raffia trench coats and wedges because of all the craftsmanship that had gone into them and, well seeing Anja Rubik on a catwalk for the first time.

[Rachel Zoe, Bugaboo]

I remember I first read about the Missoni collaboration with pram company Bugaboo. I thought it was a genius idea to have the iconic Missoni zigzag pattern on blankets and canopies because they're, apart from very stylish, super fun.

Also then I considered making a post about how this pram was so perfect for Rachel Zoe and her new baby boy Skyler Morrison. I discarded the idea because I felt like Rachel would actually never get it. After all, it came out months after Skyler was born.

Well, I should have followed my first instinct because who posted a picture today pushing the designer stroller? Yes, bananas! Nothing goes better with her mainly black ensemble, Proenza bag, crazy flared jeans and panama hat. And it matches her bed spread too.

I have commented on this over the last week but how boringly long has Cannes been this year? It is my favourite film festival but ten days is five days too long. However, it did end in style. After a few appearances in very disappointing outfits Kristen Dunst finally picked a winning Chanel gown. Her mustard Chloé was cute enough and the Chanel she wore to the amfAR gala was almost a hit while her Rodarte was a big fat mess. So I'm glad she went for this Haute Couture number, which I didn't love on the runway but looks so chic on her.

Rachel Zoe looks as if she was never pregnant. She's back to her signature all-black look, fedora included. I can't think of a cooler mum to have and I simply can't wait for a special magazine spread of her and Skyler Morrison both in Couture Chanel.

The last lady on the list is Jessica Simpson. I have said a lot of really horrible things about her style in the past but I can be objective. She went shopping in New York City this weekend wearing one of the very popular printed Céline from the Spring collection. She's the second really unexpected celebrity to wear it after, of course, Kanye's Coachella moment. And I loved that she paired it with flared jeans because they suit her so well!

[JustJared, Celebrity-Gossip]

We all knew Rachel would get pregnant after the last episode of the Rachel Zoe Project. And she had advised us on her not giving up on fashion despite getting heavier. She has totally lived up to her word so far. Endless websites report, half in awe and half in bewilderment, of her choice of 6-inch Brian Atwood platform shoes at 28 weeks pregnant. Personally, I think that Rachel has never looked better, especially after putting on a few pounds. And I love how she has already trademarked a pregnant look: black leggings, black loose top, sun hat, and Givenchy's Antigona bag. It seems like her threat of giving birth in a vintage Chanel kaftan were very much a declaration of intentions. I just hope we get some snaps of the moment.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Zimbio, brianatwood.com, cache.pixazza.com]

A collection for monkeys

Since I kind of got myself in a position to talk about style icons that become designers it seemed only fair to mention Rachel Zoe's collection, which she debuted during this New York Fashion Week. After creating several lines for QVC it must've come as a no-brainer for Zoe to step into the high fashion world, in which she's living for years. Her FW11 took a lot of inspiration from Rachel Zoe's personal style. We saw a lot of flare trousers and jeans and loose YSL-inspired dresses as well as her signature fur gillets and her giddy platform suede boots and ankle boots. There is definitely a lot of retro classics from the big names of fashion, especially from YSL and Gucci with a hint of Marc Jacobs. This is just Zoe's first collection so she's just gathering forces and expect a The Row/Victoria Beckham hit collection very soon.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, Zimbio.com]

Collage Sunday, 22.01.11

Last Monday, after the Golden Globes, Iñaki and I were talking about how Rachel Zoe's girls always look a lot more bananas on the red carpet than the rest and how it was a shame no one even mentioned her name during the event. So I thought selected some of her best moments. I tried not to go for the obvious but looks like Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture still make me die, so I couldn't skip it. Making the collage I realised Rachel always puts her girls in colours (I mostly only wear white, pink and black) and designs I would have also picked (ruffles, bows sequins and feathers). What are your favourite Zoe moments?

- Have a lovely Sunday!

Giuls xx

[Pictures: Zimbio.com]

The orchestrator

After devoting to much time, thought and blog space to the Golden Globes it seemed quite unfair not to post one last picture from the night. We get so fixated on celebrities that we forget the people who make them look that phenomenal. Rachel Zoe is, without question, the queen of celebrity stylists. But not only that but she has one of the most exquisite personal styles. For her big night she donned a vintage Balmain. She has never looked better. Giulia and I just can't wait for more "Rachel Zoe Project", hopefully we'll see her in that famous Chanel she demands to wear during childbirth.

I'm off.

[Picture: FabSugar.com]

Gossip Girl Fashion: "War at the Roses"

This time let me warn you loud and clear for your own good. If you haven't seen this episode of Gossip Girl and don't want to know what happens, stop reading now. There are major spoilers ahead.
This week's episode of Gossip Girl had much less action than last week's and yet it's surprises and turns completely exceeded the previous episode. The fashion, however, wasn't bad but definitely not up to GG standard. Remember, don't keep reading if you don't want to know!
First I'd like to say of how jealous I am of those upper-East-side breakfasts we see every week. My life would simply be amazing if I could start my day with pancakes and crepes and fresh orange juice on the table every morning. I simply wanted to point that out as they're a usual to the show.

Blair was, by far, the fashion queen of this episode. She first shows up at Chuck and her "treaty negotiations" in a green tweed Giambattista Valli skirt suit with a printed Chris Benz blouse underneath. The outfit is definitely more apt for older women but it somehow works on Blair as well. And please note how she's back to using headbands...
Her other outfit (more age-appropriate) is the J Mendel dress she wears to her birthday party on the episode. I really really liked how the dress drapes down one side of the chest and Blair is wearing her hair to the other side, as if playing with asymmetry.

The boys, as usual, paraded around in a variety of checked shirts and jackets. However, I have to mention the Dan/Missoni moment. I am quite positive this was a coincidence but I loved the contrast between Dan's checked red shirt and the classic Missoni print on the chair he's sitting on. Genius. And just as much I liked Nate's checked jacket. I was glad to see him in a plain shirt for a change and his outfit was dimple but kind of refreshing. Although someone needs to sort out his hair.

Another of my favourite moments this week was Blair freaking out about the choice of flowers in her birthday arrangements. It reminded me so much of that scene from The Devil Wears Prada when Miranda says: "Do I smell freesias? If I see freesias anywhere I will be very disappointed".

And this week's guests were (or was) the best so far. Or, at least, my favourites. None other than Rachel "Bananas" Zoe made a cameo that we'll remember for life. I could barely believe my eyes when she appeared at Blair's party. Also attending the celebration were Joe Zee, who I find to be quite bland but people seem to like, and American designer (I sound like Heidi Klum) Cynthia Rowley.

And this, ladies and gentleman, was the highlight of the episode. One of the most memorable GG scenes so far. Blair dashes across the room and accidentally pushes a waiter who, then, pushes Rachel Zoe to the ground.  She falls on her little bum, looks up and says that she's alright. (Quite good acting here so far)

The worst part comes when she tries to hold on to the table to get back up and she spills all the chocolate fondant over her blonde locks. Camera moves away to capture Joe Zee's cringing at the scene.

And then, Rachel goes beyond with her acting and delivers her tagline with that little pause we love in the middle. I was simply in awe.

And to top it all off, THIS. If watching Rachel Zoe so involved in a Gossip Girl episode wasn't enough, Chuck and Blair had to put the cherry on top with an extremely aggressive making out, which I'm shocked even made the final cut. But I'm not complaining. Although I wonder where things will go from here...

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screen caps, cwtv.com ]

Collage Sunday, 31.10.10

When I started preparing today's Collage Sunday I first thought about putting together a Halloween-themed collage. But I changed my mind because I'm not one for costumes. Ever since I was a young kid I was never into dressing up —in a non-stylish way anyway—, which is why the last time I did dress up was as a Mad Men character. I know, you can't believe it. And so I realised how perfect Rachel Zoe would be as a Halloween costume. It'd be easy to create and absolutely "beyond". And I also wanted to dedicate her the collage because her passion for fashion can't be topped (except for, perhaps, AdR) and she is expecting what will most likely be the most stylish kid ever to live in this world.

Happy Halloween!

I'm off.

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

Best of The Rachel Zoe Project S3E05

I really don't know why I don't do more episode recaps on soVIPzone. It's such a fun thing to do to dissect them and share my favourite moments. I have just finished the last Rachel Zoe Project ( a bit late, I know) episode and, personally, it's been the best so far. These are the reasons why I absolutely loved it.

1. Rachel wearing a hat inside her London hotel room while sharing a coffee with Kate Hudson. If London is too dark to wear sunglasses indoors, what do you do? Wear a hat. There is also something a bit Lady Gaga about this moment.

2. Rachel is very right when she says Kate Hudson is a true free spirit and that she has great energy! (And, man, she can sing!) I love the woman. Not a complaint and she looks just as great with no make up on as she does in Burberry. I particularly liked the 'visual holiday' moment with the Condé Nast Traveller and the DVF dress. What the hell was a summer dress doing there anyway?

3. This was a more personal moment. The 87 was the bus that took me from central London to my first flat in the city. I feel like Rachel wanted me to share the moment with them and specifically asked for that moment to be in the show.

4. Yes, Rach does look great in the vintage cropped fur coat. And, yes, I love bows as much as the next person. But I don't get why this moment was a 'DIE' one. She looks a bit like a suffocating blonde bunny.

5. The visit to casa Missoni was the confirmation that both Angela and Margheritta Missoni are not only lovely people but very natural and chilled. I also love the fact that they're both dressed so casually yet looking very stylish. Oh, and of course Rachel was in paradise. I mean, the woman has a Missoni bedspread!

6. Rachel walking around the Missoni showroom in three layers of their FW10 collection and wearing bananas mirror sunglasses. All very Anna dello Russo. And please notice how absolutely ecstatic Rachel is!

7. Brad meets Donatella. "She's a gay icon. She's the Maddonna of fashion". What I was wondering then was wether she noticed the big 'D' on Brad's chest and whether he made this particular fashion choice on purpose. Maybe he learnt from the Ralph Lauren incident at Oscar de la Renta?

8. The very awkward moment between rachel and Julianne Moore was priceless. R- "This is so your year", J- "I love birds" was followed by Rachel asking what Julianne was wearing for the Oscars. To which she replied Calvin Klein. And then Zoe tries a template compliment while she mentally goes "shit, shit, shit".

Are you watching this season of The Rachel Zoe Project?
I'm off.

PS. If the text was atrocious. Apologies. Somehow, I am super tired today!

Met Gala 2010: The afterparty

As you know, I am addicted to the parties section of Stye.com, so I panicked when I didn't find any pictures of the Met Gala afterparty there. Luckily, I remembered that there is life outside Style.com and found them on the WWD website. And these are no ordinary party pictures, they are all full of First of all, Blake Lively stripped down to a t-shirt (presumably Alex Wang, haha) and a pair of converse! Completely genius, and sexy. Changing for a party isn't actually unprecedented but it kind of is to me since I have never seen graphic evidence before. Then, Matthew Morrison from Glee dancing with Natasha Poly, which was simply genius if you ask me. Although nothing wins over the picture of Sienna in jeans and a tank top looking (allegedly) hammered and Jude's face of love-meets-drunkard-sympathy.

Check out the rest of the pictures from the WWD website here. And have a look at this video below for a bit of the dresses in motion.

I'm off.

PS. Is anyone coining a term such as Jenna for J&S? I feel like we really need it.

[Images & video: WWD.com]

soVIP decade

A certain Welsh source whose name I can't reveal recently brought to my attention that this December wasn't only the end of 2009 but the end of the first decade of this new century. With this in mind, I started looking back both at soVIPzone's archive at at my immense iPhoto collection. I selected my celebrity fashion highlights of "noughties".

She has been flawlessly elegant for ten whole years thanks to an endless number of Armani gowns and her recent, more fashion-forward choices.

She got high. Then she got clean. Then she dumped Pete. Then she had a sandwich. Now she's just stunning.

Ash and MK became an iconic fashion duo and launched their diverse brands. But they also became individuals. Ashley recruited the slick dressers of the world while Mary-Kate took a more bohemian, yet chic, tangent.

Rachel Zoe went from creating style-clones of herself (see below) to being the first stylist celebrity and creating a clothing line, publishing a book and getting her own reality TV show.

In The O.C. you couldn't help but love Marissa and all the Chanel she wore to high school. And Mischa never disappointed red carpet-wise either, until Ms. Zoe was fired, that is. We enjoyed it while it lasted.

Fortunately, Nicole managed to collect or her Zoe wisdom and reinterpret it into a new style. One that successfully worked. She also parted ways with Paris and had a couple of offsprings that made her put on the few pounds she needed to make the most of her beauty.

Skinny, chubby, orange, white, knickers, drugs, biker jacket, leggings. They all work in many combinations when talking about Lindsay. She too, had her moment of fashion stardom courtesy of Rachel Zoe. But that moment was even shorter than Mischa's.

Both Summer and Rachel took longer than Marissa and Mischa to get interesting fashionably speaking but it was worth the wait. Rachel Bilson slowly turned into a ridiculously cute chic woman that didn't go off the rails.

Tom left the Gucci group. And the past ten years are history.

Anna and Carine went from signatures on the first page of Vogue to iconic fashion celebrities, filling the party section of Style.com and Scott Schuman's shots.

Victoria kept everyone talking about her diverse range of highly calculated everyday outfits. Whether we liked them or not, it was good entertainment.

She also kept us amused with her extravagant travelling ensembles. Let's make special mention of the hats and the black leather in its multiple shapes that are Beckham staples by now.

Katie had a cut and a beautiful mini-me. Contrary to popular annoyance soVIPzone was awestruck.

Kanye was cool for about 10 minutes. Then he opened his mouth.

Brad and Angelina made it official and turned the Jolie-Pitt family household into a United Nations orphanage. Plus, Brad wore a lot of Tom Ford.

Yves passed away and we lost one of the fashion geniuses of the century. Oh, and Stefano looked sharp at his funeral.

We got hooked to the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. An addiction that is destined to outlive the decade.

Chuck Bass. Girls want him, guys want to be him.

Lauren Conrad took the hoodie off and ditched Laguna for LA. It was all amusing cute blonde locks and manis but the bad scripts and annoyance of the Heidi/Spencer combo made it too much.

We saw a new era of supermodels being born. Claudia and Linda were substituted by Daria and Anja. (And I didn't complain).

It all started with that dress on the left. It was all dashing smiles and spot-on fashion choices from then on.

Rihanna changed her umbrella for some YSL and ended up as a musical cross between a dominatrix and housewive with a quiff.

[Picture credtis: JustJared, Celebrity Gossip, Style.com]

I'm off.