2011 SAG Awards

Photos from the SAG awards red-carpet are just popping up now, and from the initial looks I've seen, these are my pics for best dressed:

Glee's Amber Riley looks FIERCE in this Anne Burge dress. So in love with her look, and her killer confidence. 

Angie Harmon, who always seems to look effortlessly stunning, in Monique L'huillier. 

Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen. Loving the bold, saturated, dramatic colours of this dress. 

I'm sure there will be more best-dressed picks to come as the night progresses. 

Posted by: Carla

Elie Saab Spring Couture 2011

Is it just me, or do these couturiers have us floating on a cloud of beautiful? When I talk to people about my love of fashion, all I hear is that couture is something that no one could possibly ever wear in real life. Lebanese designer Elie Saab proves with his latest collection that fashion is indeed art that you live your life in.

Choosing just a few favourites from Saab's couture line proved absolutely impossible. Again, all I could think of were fabulous nights in Paris, Christian Louboutins, and impossibly elegant dresses to be whisked away in. What can I say? Why not look lovely in the city of love? A history nerd can dream.

These were some of my favourites but, as mentioned, the complete line is a must see!

Posted by: Carla

Chanel Spring 2011 Couture

I recently learned that I will be spending 3 weeks in France/Belgium this summer. Since hearing this news, I have been constantly thinking of what I will be wearing. Since this trip is for an intensive 8-10+hours a day research/discussion of war and memory, I doubt I will have occasion to wear the fluttery skirts, ornate sandals and delicate florals I have been dreaming of.

However, what is interesting and indeed delightful about Karl Lagerfeld's latest couture collection is the seemingly effortless wearability of the pieces. The first garments are variations of the classic Chanel skirt suit, before transitioning into flowy, whimsical skirts and glittery tops. The use of sheer fabrics and light colours are reminiscent of Spring 2010 collections. Clearly the trend is far from over, but it is great to see spring collections of soft spring colours. Perfect for roaming the streets of Paris in June, impracticality and all.

Posted by: Carla

Christian Dior-Couture Spring 2011

During the Second World War, the American government introduced a provision called L-85, which restricted garments to specific silhouettes. Hence, through the first half of the 1940s, fashions were often tube shaped (straight down, without flouncing outwards) or made of cheaper materials. This was to conserve materials for the war effort and to instil a sense of duty for people on the homefront. However, in 1946, after having experienced the Second World War in occupied France, Christian Dior founded his own fashion house. A year later, he designed a dress that celebrated the hourglass shape of women, with a cinched waist and full tea-length skirt. He put an end to the conservative fashions that represented conservative wartime duty.

With his Spring Couture 2011 line, John Galliano for Christian Dior channels the same hourglass silhouettes and the decadent lines of the late Dior himself. What Galliano has created is a line of beautifully saturated colours, wonderful feminine silhouettes and over-the-top elegance and artistry that we come to expect from a couture line.  This 1930s and 1940s inspired collection, in my opinion, includes some of the most beautiful creations I've come across in some time, if ever.

Posted by: Carla

LOVE LOVE LOVE - My Golden Globes Top Three Best Dressed

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

Megan Fox in Armani Prive

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Posted by: Kiran

Salvatore Ferragamo Menswear Fall 2011

There's something to be said for a collection whose colours seem to melt into each other. With each exit, the clothes evolve into something new, and yet silhouettes, fabrics and colours string them together. Massimiliano Giornetti's Menswear line for Italian house Salvatore Ferragamo offers just that. The show begins with bright whites and warm beiges, shift into saturated reds, rusts and burgundies before a segue into a rather delightfully unexpected sea of deep turquoises and blues. Giornetti, who has been with the company for over 10 years, was only appointed as creative director of both women and menswear in July 2010. This line shows promise for what is to come under his direction.

Posted by: Carla

Vivienne Westwood Menswear Fall 2011

Vivienne Westwood has said of her Menswear Fall 2011 line:


"When the lads who now model in our show came to the casting they looked so different from one another, different types different characters. Yet everyone of them as well as being clever and sweet seemed to be a perfect beauty. Our ‘MAN’ collection has plenty of choice. Do clothes bring out the personality? We just chose the clothes to suit them by intuition. They all look British, I can’t say why except to say it’s unavoidable – I’m British, that’s what happens. And because these lads are clever it happened that we style them as young intellectuals – student types. All ready for life + love + responsibility. With royal marriage in the air, who would you choose to be your bridegroom? Come on girls our catwalk is your chance to dream." 

While we often comment that womenswear is continually taking on masculine or even androgynous forms, the same can be said about Westwood's Menswear line. And why not? If fashion is art, why not push the boundaries both ways? Don't be surprised to see Westwood's offering of flamboyantly attired men with brightly coloured clothes and lipstick. Some of the prints are reminiscent of Prada's Spring 2010 womenswear, while others share the same saturated tones of Jil Sander's Menswear for 2011. Although the line offers such diverse pieces, it seems odd to call it a collection, what makes Westwood different is what brings these garments together. And it doesn't hurt that every guy I know would look great in a number of these looks or pieces. If clothes bring do indeed bring out personality, at least Westwood has nearly every personality in mind. 

Posted by: Carla

Jil Sander Mens Fall 2011

Showing in Milan today was Jil Sander's menswear for Fall 2011. Under the creative direction of Raf Simons, the German line offered rich wools and beautiful, saturated colours. However, the line also offers boxy tops with slim models resulting in a disproportionate silhouette.  As mentioned, the line is not without some beautiful pieces, although they would be better suited to less waif-like bodies.

The Good:

Some not so good:

Posted by: Carla

This Week's It Girl: Alexa Chung

Fashion, much like everything else in the world, is ridiculously subjective. It is one of the few ways that people are able to outwardly express themselves without having to say a word. Many believe that clothing--and the way you dress--helps you define who you are. You are a GOTH. You are BOHEMIAN. You are a PREP. But I say why be defined in just one way, when fashion lets you change who you are daily? What if I wanted to be a GOTHPREPBOHO goddess all in one go?! I have that option; fashion allows me to do that. (sidenote: mixing these three categories could end with dangerously disgusting results)

We have fashionistas that prescribe to one specific style (Dita Von Teese, MKO circa 2004, etc), we have characters that decide to be, well, just that...characters (Gaga, Katy Perry, etc), and then we have the girls and boys that want to be anything and everything in between.

I don't believe that Alexa Chung is one of those girls. Her style is easily definable, but that doesn't make it any less gorgeous. Chung focuses on a few main staples: 1) a love of vintage 2) menswear inspired trousers, blouses, hats and shoes 3) oversized cardigans and blazers 4) minis and 5) hipster flair. (And yes, Alexa Chung is a hipster if I ever saw one. Unkempt hair, pale skin, and baggy shirts from Goodwill mixed with 500 dollar jeans). I've got to hand it to the girl though, she rocks it out well.

It's yet to be seen whether she's a Sienna Miller-esque fad waiting to happen or whether she'll be wowing us for seasons to come. I've got faith in her though. I mean, she DID get Mulberry to name a bag after her. (and a gorgeous one at that)

Here are some Alexa goodies:

 

Posted by: Kiran