Met Ball 2012: The Best Dressed, Part II
Courtesy of Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, JustJared

As I said this morning I couldn't just post about my five favourite looks from this year's Met Ball. Last night I would have sworn I didn't like too many looks but after having a look at images of everyone I missed on the red carpet I changed my mind.
There seemed to be mixed feeling about Kristen Dunst in her Rodarte ensemble. But I loved the fact that it was unlike anything she has worn before and completely different from everyone else. I loved the colour, the cut, the lace detail under the blazer and the belt. It was perfectly styled and she looked ultra cool.
It kind of bothers me that no one ever puts Anna Wintour in the best dressed lists. I utterly adored this lobster Prada gown she wore last night. It was chic and fun and she looked so elegant. I simply love the fact that she always stays true to her style.
Bianca Brandolini went for a gilded Dolce & Gabbana number that obviously shone beautifully under the red carpet lights. This would have been such an exaggerated and over-the-top look on someone else but Bianca is so elegant and classy that she just looks like (fashion) royalty.
I was happy to see January Jones back in shape in an Atelier Versace gown. It has taken her a while to get her mojo back after the pregnancy but she is quickly getting there. The dress had such a different vibe than on the runway and I really liked the turquoise in the necklace, which gave the look a new dimension.

Courtesy of Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, JustJared

Giovanna Battaglia's Dolce & Gabbana dress put a smile on my face. It was so tremendously Italian and full of character but Gio wore it in such a young and chic way. And the braid and flower headband were such a great call!

Rooney Mara looked her edgy-meets-rocky-chic usual self. I guess none of us doubted she was going to wear Givenchy. I just wished she would have gone for a bit more drama or a different colour. But I loved the combination of lace and leather, Riccardo.

Cara Delevingne was one of the most fashion-forward attendees. I couldn't have loved her velvet Burberry dress any more. It was a stunning shape and I loved the detail of the collar and the studded Burberry gloves. How unfair is it that she gets to look so great wearing next season's clothes?

Who was your best and worst dressed? – Have I missed anyone on my lists?

A Rodarte kind of life

I don't know if any of you are avid followers of the Nowness. I have been reading, watching and being in daily awe since I discovered the website shortly after its launch in February last year. This week, or last Tuesday to be more precise, they published the long anticipated Rodarte short film, 'The Curve of Forgotten Things', directed by Todd Cole and starring Elle Fanning. I am a sucker for the Mulleavy sisters' aesthetic and have become very interested in Elle over the last few months despite not having yet seen 'Somewhere'. I have, however, seen her at plenty of press tour events wearing a fair share of Valentino and not enough although quite memorable SS11 Rodarte. Like this dress, a version of which she dons in the film.

Coincidentally, the release of the Rodarte short film happened on the same week as the Mulleavy's collection for Opening Ceremony hit the online store. This collection, while devised as a kind of diffusion line, is made up by as many well made desirable pieces as their main one. The sandy, beige and golden colour palette with a strong presence of tapestry fabrics is very much in line with what we saw on the runway. The only difference is there are a lot more separates —they do more pants for OC and also more accessories. The sunglasses and the shoes are a favourite of mine. Particularly the low cowboy boots in the oversized paisley material. Check out the whole collection here.

I'm off.

[Pictures: openingceremony.us]

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.

NY highlights

This New York Fashion Week gave the feeling to be more aware of the times we live in. It was interesting seeing designers tackling with the issue of being practical while having their ideas remain on the garments. As usual, the coat took over the catwalks in its many forms —fur and leather still made an appearance but most designers went for the more unexpensive wool and tweed or the ever-classic cashmere. FW10 trends will be monopolised by layers more than ever. Some combinations that might have seemed nonsensical in the past become the protagonists of this season (see Rag & Bone). Velvet, which is a constant in menswear, made a big-time comeback in the shape of dresses (see Altuzarra) that looked somehow like shabby medieval gowns. However, if I were to choose my favourite trend it would be, by far, the maxi skirt and oversized cardigan combo. I have never been much of a boho chic fan but there is something mysteriously sensual about a woman that's not so keen on showing off her curves (see Richard Chai).

[Picture credit: Style.com]

Which one was your favourite collection from NYFW?

I'm off.

mum, I make my own clothes

As someone would say, Rodarte was beyond. Every time I'm about to watch a runway show by someone I admire (be it in person, video or pictures) I have this conflict in my mind —They can't do wrong, but what if they do? What if they've gone bonkers and totally missed the point? Well, as I dealt with this little internal debacle of mine the Rodarte FW10 show finally started and then my doubts were blown away.
I loved the music, the dominance of whites and the shoes —some espadrille-like derivates more folky than the wedge ones we've seen before. I quite dug the slightly baggy virginal lace that covered arms and legs. The layering and fascinating mixture of fabrics were somewhat ethereal yet realistic and skilfully draped, twisted and shredded in the Rodarte manner that we know and love. I couldn't keep California out of my mind and kept wondering whether this was some sort of return to their roots —a doubt that still wanders my mind due to the lousy sound of the interview with the Mulleavys after the show.
The finale was pretty amazing. As the last four models stood in the middle the lights dimmed and switched to neons that gave a very different view of the dresses and even more magical. As Elvis uttered the first lines of the quite appropriate 'Blue Moon' the rest of the models walked the runway once again given the impression that it was a whole new collection.

[Screen captures from the streaming show at ShowStudio]

I'm off.

cuire Haute Couture

The recipe for Valentino FW10 Haute Couture:

1. Chop up some vintage Balenciaga. Two parts of FW08 and one of SS09. Stir fry for a couple of minutes.

2. Add a whole Hervé Léger FW08 collection and cook until it's nude.

3. Season with Rodarte SS09 and Stella McCartney SS10 to taste.

4. Decorate with a dash of Valentino SS10 (RTW) for an odd after taste.

Serve on a Parisian plate and ready!

[Picture credit: Style.com]

Would you ever eat this?

I'm off.

target us

While most of us skint fashionistas have seen the decay of designer collaborations for the high street courtesy of Matthew Williamson and Jimmy Choo, this field has flourished in the States. Rodarte for Target proves that good fashion can be made with fabrics of lesser quality and lower prices. And not only that but the Mulleavy sisters have actually translated their vision onto the street instead of underthinking "affordable" clothes like Williamson did. I am just hoping for take two including something similar to what they did for men at Opening Ceremony. (See the rest of Rodarte for Target here)

Zac Posen has been the latest American to add his name to the still short list of relevant designers collaborating with Target. Now, this collection doesn't look as breathtaking as Rodarte's but there is something flirtingly cool about the short A-line skirts and lame dresses. (See the whole collection here)

[Picture credits: NYmag.com, Fashionista.com, JustJared.com]

Bring Target to the UK, please. Join?

I'm off.

midsummer night's dream

Jak & Jill triggered it, we followed, and then this. W magazine's January issue presents us with a girl's dream wardrobe in the soft colours and fabrics of the season. THANK YOU.

'Run of Show'

W magazine, January 2010

Photos by Craig McDean

xo Giuls