Cheeky Chic

There is chic. There is cheeky. Then there is tongue-in-cheeky-chic.

Case and point – Lanvin’s silly dance video for the brand’s FW11 campaign.

Shot by Steven Meisel, the video features models Karen Elson, Raquel Zimmermann, Lowell Tautchin and Milo Spijkers,  dancing awkwardly to Pitbull.

No bull here – it is hilarious. And the clothes? No laughing matter – totally serious style from a designer who doesn’t take himself too seriously.

A new trend, perhaps?

Video still images by Steven Meisel, from TFS.

METa Data

There was more to see at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala than usual this year – with so many celebs and designers mixing it up. It’s also a major media frenzy now, so that just adds fuel to the fame game.

Here’s my final roundup of the night. If you missed the others, catch up first with I Knew It When We MET and METaphors and Similes.

So, we left with those who dressed for their age and those who didn’t – on both sides of the age equation. There was also a whole lot of minimal chic going on, which I much prefer over poufs.

Thankfully, just for added flavour, there was still a dash of drama. What would a red carpet be without it?

Uberposer and Canadian expressionist, Coco Rocha was a train-blazer in her Zac Posen gown.

"To the left...

...and to the right. Keep it going, keep it going, it's alright" - Stereo MCs

Katy Perry didn’t just cut a rug at the soirée, she lit it up in her CuteCircuit LED gown.

Gives a whole new meaning to 'you were glowing last night'!

Perry chilling (and still glowing) at the after party.

Speaking of which, there were other women there just radiating glam last night. Mila Kunis has been blossoming into a stylista to watch. This is the second time she has impressed me – this time in Vera Wang.

We'd like to see more Mila from now on!

In the last post, I included a pic of garma-garam designer Rachel Roy, along with a pic of Jessica Stam, whom she dressed. Well, look at Liya Kebede – also wearing RRNY. I love the contrast of each look and how each woman made the label their own. Both Roy and Kebede are such great role models for women today – they inspire me with so much more than just their fashion.

Ms. Roy with another fab woman she dressed for the night - Liya Kebede

But if we are talking grand dames, my darlings, there is no better snapshot than this…

ALT and Ms. Goldberg, regal in Chado Ralph Rucci

The men are getting into the gladrag game more and more at these events. Joshua Jackson looked so dapper in Calvin Klein. This one stopped me in my tracks. Puffy/Diddy/Sean Combs was wearing Dries? Did I read that right? Dries Van Noten? Wow – we’ve come a long way, baby. Love the black on black two-tone shoes, too.  I could’ve done without the pinky ring, but it’s a Dries tux so I can overlook it.

Diddy dons Dries

But if my heart belongs to anyone, it’s to the untouchable international man of mystery, one Tom Ford.

Ford. Tom Ford.

Gasp! Is that a sandy-mauve dinner jacket, Mr. Ford? Well played, indeed. Ford’s razor-sharp suits have us recalling the glam ’50s but nothing is dated here. And what a sweet kiss from a rose we received with that lapel accent. Magnifique!

Marion Cotillard should have  posed for at least one photo with the illustrious Mr. Ford. It would have been a Kodak memento for us all.

The lady wore Dior. Marion Cotillard in sultry sparkles.

M.I.A also caught the light and shined right back into it, in a webbed gown and black jumpsuit combo by Alexander Wang for Gap. Yes, that Gap.

You talking to me??

She toughened it up, while Kate Bosworth opted for quieter glamour.

Falling for Kate Bosworth in Valentino

Wish these two ladies had followed the same path. Their golden globes were out in full force.

Not the essence of the Lanvin woman, if you ask me.

Christina Hendricks, what were you thinking?

The colour is beautiful on Hendricks, but there was no need for the squeeze into this L’Wren Scott number or for the giant moppy flower, which is too close to her hair colour. She is so lovely and could have worn a million dresses…sigh.

For the most part, things were muted or neutral but I liked the splashes of jewel tones thrown about.

Hendricks’ Mad Men cast mate January Jones chose better – she was right on the money with her edgy, galactic vibe.

Jones in YSL. We will gladly take you to our leader.

Party fixture Chloe Sevigny isn’t usually one of my style faves, but I liked her choice of turquoise Proenza Schouler. It was well paired with the black lingerie and pumps and she pulled it off perfectly.

Sevigny, rocking the frock

But if you are going to do drama, no better call to make than to Auntie Viv, as Thandie Newton did. I would have changed the hair and lost that necklace, but the dress is like wearable origami.

Thandie Newton in Vivienne Westwood

Ok, so I lied – I have a thought or two left on a look or two more from the gala. Look for that tomorrow.

Images courtesy of WWD, Style.com and JustJared.com. Katy Perry images from Faded Youth Blog and Huffington Post, respectively.

Foot notes: garma-garam = perfectly hot

Spring Brings Colourful Things

As I look out at snow-covered rooftops (we haven’t had many in Canada this year, but we did manage to get a snow blitz the last few days), I am reminded by the colourful fashion images on my laptop that Spring is indeed around the corner.

In India today, they are welcoming Spring with the kaleidoscope of colours that is Holi – a festival devoted to rang and the welcoming of the season and all its glorious hues.

The recent Spring 2010 collections have virtually every colour within that kaleidoscope to choose from.

An illustration welcoming the season, from Satya Paul.

Poised in pink at Wendell Rodricks SS10.

Scarlet - not for the weak of sartorial heart.

Scarlet Lanvin SS10 - the full view, with shoes to match. Natch.

Extra strong mustard at Bottega, in the classic weave clutch.

Opting for drama at McQueen Pre-Spring 2010.

Stripes and structure at McQueen PS10.

Completely unstructured at Stella SS10. This dress needs an island breeze, n'est pas?

Miyake captures the Holi splattered shirt, perfectly.

Lanvin also does the one-colour look, complete with clutch. Drama at every angle.

A man all too familiar with drama - the demure kind. Haider Ackerman does haldi for Holi!

Galliano's 40s siren in fire engine red, for Dior SS10.

Slanted seductresses at Gaultier.

You don't need a ballgown for evening with this long jacket and flowy pants from Max Mara.

The classic Indian "combination" of fuchsia and hot orange at Stella.

Ballooned beauty at Gaurii and Nainika SS10.

McQueen's lemon yellow gown from PS10. Not a sour note around.

The 50s silhoutette at Rochas gets the floral treatment.

Love the minimalism of this dress with the perfect shoe at Ungaro - lets the colour speak for itself.

Chartreuse charms at Rochas SS10.

Liquid plum satin and the perfect shoulder at Talbot Runhof SS10. Je want. But please, not those shoes. I need the pointiest silver slings with mine.

The navy blue of the west, meets the navy blue of India - pink - at Ungaro.

A walking work of art, at Viktor & Rolf SS10.

Take mini, add colour, add frou and pouf! You have instant glamour at Valli.

Paisley perfection at Preeti Kapoor. I don't just want this. I neeeeed it.

Whether you celebrate it or not…

May your path be strewn with the petals of Spring and may everything you touch turn to exuberant, vivid, spectacular colour!

H O L I   H A I  ! ! !

Illustration courtesy of Satya Paul. India Fashion Week images courtesy of Yahoo India except for Preeti K image, which is courtesy of MSN India. All other images courtesy of Style.com.

Frugality or Frou?

This past season we were all supposed to be frugal. The economy was not, ahem, in the best of states.

It was all about consumer consciousness, about not going over the top.

Interesting then, to note the frou frou that found itself on many a runway.

There were the intricate ruffles and pleats at Givenchy.

The big shoulder - done slightly differently at Givenchy FW09

Turning my back on frugality. Givenchy FW09

Confidence speaks volumes at Givenchy FW09

And that was not even the couture collection…

Of course, it was present in couture at Chanel.

Hip to be rich at Chanel HC FW09.

The collective pouf reminded me of McQueen from a few years back.

McQueen's fairytale dress from FW06.

Designers in the Motherland – a country known for embellishment – went full on with their frill as well. Archana Kochar showed this gown made of stunning organza flowers.

Archana Kochar FW09. Photo by Manav Manglani

The big skirt was also present at Valentino couture. Liya Kebede looked glorious in Elle Italia.

Liya in Elle Italia. Go big or go home.

The lainga – the original desi ballgown, complete with gilded tassles – was not about red ink at all.

Nikasha Tawadey FW09 lainga. Photo by Manav Manglani.

Loved the simple suit and ruffled coat at Nikasha Tawadey, too.

Nikasha Tawadey ruffles some feathers. Photo by Manav Manglani.

My favourite frou was at Lanvin – feminine and delicate – and perfect on Rosamund Pike at the BFAs.

Lanvin FW09

Rosamund Pike at the BFAs 2009

So, were designers off their custom made rockers?

Or were they just trying to give us an escape?

Western collection shots courtesy of Style.com. BFA shot courtesy of Glamour magazine. All others, courtesy of Vogue India.

Golden Moments

Here are my comments on the 2010 Golden Globes’ fash dash.

The red carpet was full of black – not a huge surprise, but there’s been less of it in recent years from the A-listers (most of the hired PR help in the background do the black).

People played it safe, but played up the accessories to enhance the noir palette.

January Jones playing Mary Poppins on the soggy GG red carpet.

January Jones accessorized her Lanvin shoulder twist dress with a fresh updo and ribbon headband. This look isn’t new but it made Jones look fresh, much preferred to the overdone poufs down the carpet.

Love the red lipstick on January.

There was a teardrop earring trend – my favourites were the topaz and diamond numbers worn by Courtney Cox. Her hair was my favourite of the night, too. I am definitely working that do at a future event (incidentally, it looks much better from the side – didn’t photograph that well). The earrings I will dream about.

Baubles dazzle on Courtney.

Julianne Moore wore a pair of teardrops as well – not as stunning as Courtney’s…

…but then she already had the best accessory of the night…Mr. Ford on her arm. Made up for her lack-lustre Balenciaga flopping dress.

The only accessory a girl needs.

Nudes and whites also dominated…Drew did nude best, in Atelier Versace.

Nude, with a twist on Drew.

Drew, being Drew. She won her first GG on Sunday night.

I wasn’t crazy about Kate Hudson’s Marchesa dress, but props to her for being able to walk in these insane platforms.

She makes it look so easy!

Then there were the random bursts of jewel tones…

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s coral RM by Roland Mouret dress fit her to perfection. It was simple, yet unique. The organza applique reminds me of my mom’s sarees.

Mermaid Maggie

Cameron Diaz dared to wear red – always a great colour on her. The dress is a McQueen stunner, but it’s meant to be worn with utter confidence. Having to hold up the train because of the rain and it being satin, it just didn’t come across like it should have.

Not meant to be accessorized with black shoes or a striped umbrella, the McQueen misses in this case.

However, the colour is perfect on Cameron.

Thanks Cameron for not wearing nude lipstick with a red dress – usually the safe route in Hollywood.

I’m not one for big dresses, but Sofia Vergara from Modern Family carried the graphite and red Carolina Herrera so beautifully.

Beautiful, even with the rain marks.

Her dewy makeup and side-pinned loose hair was oh so elegant.

The men played it safe this year. Alas, no Johnny on the red carpet.

Mickey Rourke  represented though, with an alligator lapelled suit. On anyone else, it would have been ridiculous…but it was very Mickey.

And English gentleman Colin Firth was a class act with 1920s diamond studs on his shirt, dressed by Mr. Ford, of course.

Sofia Vergara image courtesy of Celebrity Gossip. All other photos courtesy of JustJared.com.

Black and White Spring – Part 2

We know that things seem to be looking up for Spring, whether it’s intense spice shades, the easy breezy beauty of maximum length dressing or simply, black and white. The thing is – there is nothing simple about this season’s black-and-whites – they are all about romance!

Pretty Petals at Chanel SS09

Whether it’s the pretty flower-fall detail on a Chanel evening dress, or the sensuous folds and tucks of a waistline at Lanvin, black and white has lost its harder edge if only for a moment (see Karl’s lacier, racier, sex kitten in black from the same Chanel collection).

Nip/Tuck at Lanvin

The window-pane check at Dries Van Noten is  easier on the eye, in chiffon and a pliable clutch.

Van Noten's Past, Checkered?

David Dixon’s perfect fit, tailored shift is softened by the intricate necklace.

Dixon's Tailored Romantic SS09

No illusions here, this is city dressing, at its best.

There is so much of the 18th century lately – from the Victoriana necklace at Dixon, above and Karl’s collar detail – to his Mughal chestplates for Chanel.

Victoriana at Chanel SS09

Regal and Rajasthani at Chanel SS09

Very Jodhaa Akbar…minus the colour.

Jodhaa's necklace masterpiece.

Watch for more black and white (and gold!) in a an upcoming post…

All clothing images from Style.com except for David Dixon. Movie still from
http://www.jodhaaakbar.com
.

Holi Hai – Spicing it up for Spring

It’s Holi , the Indian festival of Spring and Indians the world over are putting on their whites. The white garb provides a blank canvas upon which their friends and neighbours will smear coloured powder, in every shade imaginable. Holi is all about the arrival of Spring – and gorgeous colour!

Emerge from the darkness in cool blue

After a season of wearing mostly uniform black, I wasn’t positioned for pastels…but I feel I must emerge from the darkness, albeit temporarily. But, I’ll do it slowly from within this Shantanu and Nikhil cocoon, shown at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week for Spring Summer 09.

If you are not an ice-cream shade girl, don’t cry over your melting mocha-almond-fudge, the season’s fashions have plenty of jewel and spice tones to help you keep it real. Halston’s hot cayenne sari drape dress, Lanvin’s turmeric pouf or Bottega Veneta’s curry-sima are all options for your own spice route.
 
 

Oscars 2009 Red Carpet…end of the carpet run

Peter Gabriel – Grandprops – Loved that he refused to perform for a blip of a second and that he wore a three-quarter length black Nehru collar jacket. Supporter of causes before it was the hip thing to do. (I would have loved to see him on stage with A. R. Rahman especially in their matchy suits! – unlike John Legend who rudely walked away immediately after the song was done. A. R. Rahman is the legendary one, dears.)

Brandie – Otherwise known as Brangelina – Over branded, over hyped, overt. That’s a lot of overs. And the big B on Brandie is for boring. Oh, and Brad, you are NOT Robert Redford. Not even close.

Marion Cotillard – French flair – The most perfect French twist and lovely makeup. Finally, a woman who isn’t afraid of lipstick – I’m always a sucker for burgundy lipstick. Merci madame. There are lot of belts on the carpet this evening. I have been obsessed with belts for the past few seasons. Can`t get enough of them. Dior rules tonight, non?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyonce – Blingless – B, some women know how to dress. You are not one of them. You tried a simple pony with no jewels and blew it all on the mermaid number. If you had picked a Calvin Klein column with that minimalism effort, I would give you props. No guts, no glory. Oh oh oh….

Kate Winslet – Divinity – Breathtaking YSL payne’s grey and black one shoulder number. Need a closer look, but great fit and it’s achingly graceful on our dear Kate. And that hair – oh that hair – modern to the nth degree and she rocks it. Perfect diamond drops, too – they move and the hair doesn’t. Delish.

Tilda Swinton – Brilliance personified – I know so many people will pan it, but to me, it is precisely these risk takers who make the evening worthwhile.

Her hair is blonder and a perfect match to the top half of the dress. Bottom is black. All of it is frilly in the right places and drapy in all the others. Red lips. She gets it right so often.

Just found out this is a two-piece Lanvin creation. Love how she and Monsieur Elbaz have taken the one shoulder trend and twisted it literally in a knot over one shoulder with no skin. Now I just need Cate.

I think this is my favourite, after all. No offence to Freida.

Photos courtesy of Oscar.com