Can you tell which swimsuit is Dolce & Gabbana?
Swimsuit Season has arrived along with the gloriously bright, hot weather. If you’re shivering in your cube/office from the AC and counting the seconds till you can run outside for lunch, allow us to offer you a moment of procrastination: of the designer bikini and monokini pictured above, which one is Dolce & Gabbana? Click HERE for the answer.
Now back to work!
Michelle Obama with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in Strasbourg, France on a trip planned for NATO Members' spouses in April 2009
I have to admit ignorance about the particulars of French politics, but when French President Nicolas Sarkozy conceded the election this weekend to Francoise Hollande, I felt a pinch of sadness that I’ll no longer see images like this one of Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, partially because it will mean less coverage of international politics on fashion blogs and sartorially-focused news sites.
The last five years have been a magical time for news junkie style folks. Between Michelle Obama’s oft-documented impact on the fashion industry, making household names of niche designers and brands like Jason Wu and Zero Maria Cornejo, and injecting relevance in formerly fading retailers like J. Crew, Anna Wintour hosting fundraisers for Obama, and blogs feverishly cataloging the sartorial choices of Michelle Obama, Bruni-Sarkozy, and that of Duchess Kate Middleton, style coverage has extended (albeit tangentially) to substantive issues.
Yes, Michelle Obama was wearing a Balenciaga sheath, for instance, but more importantly, she was wearing it at an event for Girls, Inc., an org committed to equipping young girls with all they need to be tomorrow’s leaders. Suddenly, my favorite fashion blogs were covering the G8 summit. People.com cared to explain the blinging poppy brooch Kate Middleton’s been wearing is a symbol of the Royal British Legion Charity, much like the pink ribbon is to Breast Cancer awareness. Of course, this was the case when Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan were in the White House and when Princess Diana was using her celebrity to bring attention to charitable causes around the globe including landmines, but the glam trifecta of Michelle, Carla, and Kate has brought triple the attentiveness.
Hopefully, this crossover coverage won’t suffer with the inauguration of France’s new First Couple Francois Hollande.Even more hopefully, the coverage will become deeper than what they wore where, but expand to the issues that are important to fashion like how KORUS will negatively or positively impact the textile sector. I just Google Imaged his partner Valerie Trierweiler and she’s not too shabby a dresser either.
[photo courtesy of Getty Images]
Kehinde Wiley paints African-American men in traditional Renaissance scenes
Kehinde Wiley rose to prominence in the art world painting exclusively black men in the traditional poses and settings that characterize Renaissance art. Now women will get the Wiley treatment thanks to a genius collabo between the artist and Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci. Calling the series “An Economy of Grace,” Wiley will paint his subjects in gowns Tisci designed exclusively for the works. While no peeks of the paintings or gowns have been leaked, Art Info says Wiley and Tisci sought inspiration from the collections on show in the Louvre Museum’s galleries. In a statement, Wiley said the paintings are his way of reconciling gender depictions in art history. “This series of works attempt to reconcile the presence of black female stereotypes that surrounds their presence and/or absence in art history, and the notions of beauty, spectacle, and the ‘grand’ painting.” Can’t wait to see what the brilliant duo have come up with!
Beyonce & Jay-Z on B's tumblr
Perhaps inspired by little sis Solange’s photo-rific Tumblr or feeling more open since the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, the notoriously private Beyonce is sharing her world in pictures on her new Tumblr blog. Calling the blog “I am”, as part of her new website, the Tumblr feed features personal photos of the star vacationing with her sister, nephew, and husband Jay-Z, as well as what looks like outtakes from photo and video shoots. No pics of Blue Ivy are to be found, except when she was in her mother’s belly, but perhaps that will change. In the singer’s note about her blog, she writes: “This will continue to grow as I do.”
The new blog and site–Beyonce.com–are not to be confused with the singer’s other online home BeyonceOnline.com. Beyonce.com is a “newly personal view into her world, for you, by her”, site text explains, with access to her “vault” of music and photos, and notices of upcoming performances, complete with a “Beyhive“, a fan-driven “colony” of “Beys”. Fans are encouraged to tweet Beyhive-suggested hashtags; drawings of the singer presumably created by fans are showvased, and there’s a breakdown of the kinds of “Beys” her fans are in an “encycloBeydia” of sorts.
Lest anyone get it twisted, the “Queen Bey” is Beyonce herself. “Honey Beys”? They’re “the calm bunch of the beyhive,” she site explains, “drama free… sweet like honey.” What’s a “Bumble Bey” you ask? A Bey that’s sweet as honey–unless you sting the Queen. ”Digger Beys” are “hardworking Beys… [that] dig high and low for pollen on the Queen Bey” (“pollen” being facts and stats). Wasps, the site explains, are haters.
Beyonce named her blog "I Am"
Wow! From Gwyneth Paltrow (in Tom Ford) to Tina Fey (in Carolina Herrera) and Angelina Jolie (in Atelier Versace), the stars have ended awards season with a biggity-bang, hitting the Oscars red carpet in unexpected stunners. But it wasn’t just the usual suspects who stunned. E!’s Giuliana Rancic pierced the bubble that separates the red carpet stars from those covering the red carpet in a beautiful Basil Soda gown, while nominee Glenn Close brought the haute in an hourglass forest green Zac Posen dress with jacket to match. Here are my top 10 Best Dressed.
Tell me who tops your list.
P.S. Where do you think the stars looked best: the Globes, the SAG Awards, the Grammys or the Oscars?
1. GWYNETH PALTROW
Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford
First off, Gwyneth Paltrow went Tilda Swinton on us — and by Tilda Swinton, I mean I-don’t-give-f@$!-daring — cutting a sharp figure in a sleek white Tom Ford column with cape to match. In my opinion, she has never looked better.
2. TINA FEY
Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera
And speaking of never-looked-better, Tina Fey hit this one out of the park. The peplum silhouette is perfect on the 30 Rock star and I absolutely love the updo and colored stones.
3. MILLA JOVOVICH
Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab
The actress, model, and kick-ass singer looks flawless in this stunning one-shoulder Elie Saab, complete with box clutch, blinging cuff, and oversized finger rock.
4. MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
Fresh off her Independent Spirit Award win, Best Actress nominee Michelle Williams looks beautiful in coral Louis Vuitton. One small nitpick: a different color clutch (black? beige? gold?) would have taken the look even higher.
5. ANGELINA JOLIE
Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace
Angelina Jolie’s structured Atelier Versace gown manages to hint at Victorian era conservatism (the padded hips) and evoke Vegas showgirl sass at the same time thanks to the thigh-high slit. Of course, she looks fantastic — and like she’s having the time of her life.
Giuliana Rancic in Basil Soda
Giuliana Rancic crossed the red carpet line this Oscars, rocking a beautiful leaf-detail Basil Soda gown that rivaled many of the red carpet looks she was critiquing as host of E!’s Fashion Police.
7. STACY KEIBLER
Stacy Keibler in Marchesa
George Clooney’s date Stacy Keibler rocked the red carpet draped in metallic Marchesa. I absolutely love the illusion rosette and hanging shoulder detail.
8. GLENN CLOSE
Glenn Close in Zac Posen
Glenn Close looks absolutely incredible in this dark green dart-detailed Zac Posen dress. The blazer is a nice menswear touch considering she’s nominated for her titular role as a woman passing as a man in Albert Nobbs.
9. PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Grammy-winning producer Pharrell Williams
I know this list is usually reserved for the ladies, but Grammy-winning producer Pharrell Williams looks sharp! Digging the trimmed lapels and oversized bow-tie.
10. JENNIFER LOPEZ
Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad
It was hard to decide between Jennifer Lopez and Emma Stone (The Help star looked poised for her own future Oscar domination in her garnet red Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown), mainly because JLo’s been looking so amazing on American Idol this season, I’m almost underwhelmed. But this sheer- and bling-striped body-conscious gown wins by a hair. And speaking of, her updo is the perfect counterpoint to the risque neckline.
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[photos courtesy of Getty Images, and People.com]
Naeem Khan Fall 2012
Known for the luxurious handmade textiles he creates — and for dressing Michelle Obama for her first state dinner – Naeem Khan did not disappoint with his fall 2012 collection. In fact, it was hard to decide which was more beautiful; the fabrics or the pieces themselves. The details were incredible.
Beads were embroidered in swirling and floral patterns onto tulle, metallic threadwork was embroidered onto wool and silk, teardrops of beads were affixed onto sheers to create a 3D polka dot effect, and stretch cigarette pants were jet-beaded. One of my favorite pieces in the collection was a one-shoulder, full-skirted maxi gown with an oversized bow at the shoulder.
Check out this vintage backstage interview with Khan from the spring 2009 season in which he speaks about his textiles.
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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]
Lipstick reds and crayon greens came together in Benz's fall 2012 collection
Chris Benz’s fall 2012 presentation was a whimsical sartorial romp into a fantasy land of floppy oversized bows, full skirts, sequins, beads, tin and gold foil, and lipstick red and green plaids. The styling evoked Mrs. Kravitz, the nosy neighbor from the Bewitched series that aired from 1964 to 1972, with the metaphor extending to a dizzy (and slightly drunk) ’60s-era dinner party hostess.
Benz's patent leather, three-finger elbow-length gloves
The collection was decadent (think fur sweater and skirt), yet there was nothing stiff about it. Presented against a shimmering curtain of gold paillettes, Benz’s sleek caps were pinned atop frazzled hair, three-finger patent leather gloves stretched up to the elbows, and in one dress a playful mix of beads and sequins of all sizes came together.
Sober or nipped up from a few too many pre-dinner cocktails, it was a fun collection that didn’t take itself too seriously.
It's a paillette party!
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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]
Coming from Jenny Packham‘s ’40s-influenced show, Rachel Roy’s fall 2012 presentation built on the era-inspired theme with a modern twist, of course. Showing brimmed hats with flannel suits, and skirts that fell at or below the knee, she added intricate detail layering contrasting fabrics in one garment in different colors, creating a colorblock effect. Each piece appeared to be constructed with love.
Rachel Roy's fall 2012 collection boasted a natural palette of pine and foliage greens
The chunky tape knits she showed in her spring 2012 presentation, were winterized into tanks and luscious scarves. For evening, the designer presented a pant option in winter rose paired with a backless petal top and a gorgeous drape cut-out dresses.
A sleeveless tape knit top in Rachel Roy's fall 2012 collection
The accessories were incredible. I loved the box clutch below in particular.
Cuffs, clutches, and floppy-brimmed hats accessorized Rachel Roy's fall 2012 looks
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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]
The smoking finale look at Jenny Packham
It’s no wonder that Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, and Duchess Catherine herself are repeat Jenny Packham wearers. The designer has perfected a Hollywood glam that manages to be minimal yet festively festooned at the same time. For her Fall 2012 line, she continued in her strength, opening the show with a cloud of smoke, before sending a succession of smoking looks down the runway. It came down to the beadwork — crystal-encrusted halters, all-over beads, and shining shoulders designed to look as if the bling had dripped like candle wax on the side of the dress, or spun to look like an elaborate spider web. ’40s references abounded in the collection with sharply cut pencil skirts, strong shoulders, and beauty (dark lips, and knotted hair against pale skin). It was incredibly beautiful.
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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]
Our photographer Maria Moreno captured the striking looks at the Zac Posen’s Fall 2012 show. Take a look!
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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]
