Fashion at the Met Costume Institute Gala

Stars of film, fashion, television and music were at The Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Costume Institute Gala last night which honoured the late, great, Alexander McQueen.

Naomi Campbell (who's made it onto a few worst dressed lists) said of him: ‘He was a very sensitive, very instinctive and intuitive person - private and a very affectionate and lovely man. He was a monstrous talent.’

Naomi in Alexander McQueen

Celebrity attendees included SJP, Gisele, Rihanna, Jessica Alba and Beyonce and Jay-Z who were booed by photographers for failing to stop for extra pictures!

We’re more interested in who did stop!

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci. The colour looks gorgeous on her. The shoulders take the floral trend to a new level!

Rihanna in Stella McCartney. As usual she shows a lot without showing a lot. Not sure about The Little Mermaid inspired hair.

Beyonce is curvy perfection in Emilio Pucci. It looks really tight - how did she walk? Or breathe? The things we do for fashion! Feeling Jay's lo 'fro.

Tamara Mellon, Thandie Newton (who never looks bad) in Stella McCartney with Freida Pinto in Chanel.

Kerry Washington in Escada. Gorgeous dress and we love the 80's inspired hair.

Solange in Dries Van Noten. Umm...we like her hair. That's it.

A very serious Ciara in Prabal Gurung. Beautiful, beautiful dress.

Alicia Keys in Givenchy. Too much brown drowns her and the jacket brings the dress down.

Eva Mendes smoulders in Stella McCartney. This lady certainly knows how to work a red carpet.

Rashida Jones underwhelms in Stella McCartney. It's not a bad dress, it just doesn't have much wow for an occasion as wow worthy as this.

Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein. Simple and elegant and love the easy waves in her hair.

Janelle Monae in The House of Chanel. We're getting a bit bored of this look now.

Iman in Stella McCartney. She looks stunning but we don't recommend matching your outfit with your hair.

Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang with Vera Wang. It's a little bridesmaid'y.

John Legend and Christine Teigen. A little too 'showgirl' for us but fitting for an event like this we suppose.

Nicole Ritchie in Jason Wu. Very 'old Hollywood'.

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford looks supermodel perfect.

Serena Williams in Oscar de la Renta. Could have worked sans the hat.

Olivier Rousteing - New Designer at Balmain

The speculation can finally end, Olivier Rousteing is the new head designer at Balmain.

Olivier Rousteing

Since Christophe Decarnin left earlier this month over strategic disputes with chairman Alain Hivelin and amid rumours over his mental state, many a name has been banded about as his replacement. But Balmain have confirmed that  25 year old Rousteing, currently in charge of womenwear at the label, is to step into Decarnin’s formidable shoes.

Decarnin took Balmain from a creaky, aging label into a white hot brand loved by models, fashionistas and celebrities. His ripped jeans sell around the £1000 mark and his exaggerated shoulder jackets have been copied from runway to the high street. 

Olivier Rousteing has a large shadow to step out from and we wish him all the best!

NY Fashion Week in Black and White

Now the Fall 2011/12 shows are over, lots of articles are being written about what we’ll be wearing in 6 months time. This isn’t one of those articles; we’ll do a trend report later in the year. It makes us sad to think about Winter when Spring has barely begun.

An article on jezebel.com caught our eye as it detailed how racially diverse NYFW was. Some bright spark over there got the abacus out and counted up how many black, white, Asian and Latina models were used and by which designer. Made for an interesting read.

Melodie Monrose at 3.1 Phillip Lim

In a nutshell the just ended New York Fashion Week (NYFW) featured the least racially diverse cast of models since 2008. NYFW featured 137 designer runway shows and presentations and 5,269 different outfits were presented. Of those, over 84% were modelled by white women. Black models were used 384 times, Asian models 323 times and non-white Latina models 79 times.

Hereith Paul at Diane von Furstenberg

Designers who cast diverse models included 3.1 Phillip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler and Ralph Lauren.

And those that didn’t? The list is too long but it included Donna Karan, Hervé Leger by Max Azria, Jill Stuart, Rodarte and Vera Wang.

NYFW most frequently booked Asian models were Liu Wen and Fei Fei Sun who each worked 18 shows; Ming Xi who took part in 15 and So Young Kang and Tao Okamoto who each walked in 13.




NYFW most popular black model was Joan Smalls who walked in 17 shows. Brits Nyasha Matonhodze and Jourdan Dunn tied with 14 shows each. Dunn was the only non-white model to walk for Calvin Klein.

Read the full report here.

Some online magazine readers are saying they will boycott the designers who didn’t feature anyone of colour. Will you?

Joan Smalls in V Magazine

Joan looks stunning in a Pam Grier inspired shoot in V Magazine.

The shoot is introduced with ‘Don’t mess with Spring’s forceful and feminine woman. Decked in everything leather (with a touch of lace), she takes no prisoners in her approach to style. Supermodel Joan Smalls gets into the groove.’

We’re feeling the fashion and the retro vibe.

Midi vs Maxi

We hope that doesn’t sound too ‘feminine products’!! We’re talking about skirts actually. The maxi skirt/dress (we extolled its virtues in this post) now has competition in the modesty stakes. Enter the midi skirt.

Joan Smalls in Marc Jacobs

Sitting, some might may uncomfortably, between the knee and the ankle - it usually lands bang mid calf – the midi skirt can bring to mind ‘frumpy school Mam’. But embrace your inner librarian we say! This trend can work for you!


Think like Betty from Mad Men and go for a wholesome full skirted a-line number teamed with a fitted shirt or cardigan.

Or channel your inner Joan in a wiggle worthy pencil skirt, pussy bow blouse and ladylike heels.

We’re going to try these on:

Cardigans by A/Wear
Heels by Carvela

The Life Rhapsodic – US Vogue

Gorgeous shoot in the March 2011 issue of US Vogue. Featuring our faves Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Ajak Deng, Arlenis Sosa, Joan Smalls and John Legend, ‘a bohemian cast of artists and models welcome the season in an exuberant riot of colour and print’.

The spread was photographed by Norman Jean Roy and styled by Edward Enninful with pieces from Louis Vuitton, Rodarte and Ralph Lauren. Very nice!


Watch a behind the scenes video here:

Arlenis Sosa, John Legend and Jourdan Dunn

Arlenis Sosa, Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn

Ajak Deng, Jourdan Dunn and Arlenis Sosa

Joan Smalls and Anthony Mackie

Joan Smalls for Christian Dior Haute Couture

The Spring 2011 Haute Couture shows began in Paris this week as the world’s most expensive dresses are displayed for the world’s most, shall we say, discerning clientele.

This is fashion at its most sublime. One of the most anticipated events was the Christian Dior show which took place yesterday, January 24. With John Galliano at the helm (he originally studied to be a fashion illustrator and the influence was obvious) red, black, gold and pastel colours were beautifully displayed.

Joan Smalls

The editor of UK Vogue said the show was ‘a tribute to the Dior of Rene Gruau whose illustrations have been exhibited at Somerset House recently’.

Model du jour Joan Smalls (she is going to be huge this year) looked stunning on the catwalk and the ballet trend (Black Swan is a box office and fashion hit) was seen in full skirts with multiple layers of cappuccino, pale blue and pink tulle.

Make up by Pat McGrath

These aren’t clothes to wear just anywhere so we’ll have to wait and see how Galliano translates them into ‘real clothes’ at Dior’s ready-to-wear show in March.

Gangs of New York

The February 2011 edition of US Vogue features an editorial entitled ‘Gangs of New York’. Seven designers including Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen showcased their key looks for Spring 2011, including romantic Victorian, 1970’s gloss and classic sportswear. All very different and definitely very American.

Our favourite spread was by Rodarte featuring Joan Smalls, Ajak Deng, Arlenis Sosa, Chanel Iman, Anais Mali, Jourdan Dunn and Sessilee Lopez. And we particularly liked the headgear!

Tipped for Greatness in 2011

Ever heard of the Red pages? Neither have we. But for those in the know, it’s a kind of oracle, a pretty accurate prediction of the new faces that will make it big in the world of film, TV, fashion, music, politics, sport, art, society and media.

They got it right last year – who knew Justin Bieber, Tinie Tempah and Carey Mulligan would be dominating showbiz headlines in 2010? The chaps at Red Pages did.

Tinie Tempah

Now they’ve drawn up their list for 2011. Chances are you’ll be familiar with these folks before the year is out.

Alexis Jordan
18-year-old singer-songwriter from South Carolina. She was a contestant on America’s Got Talent but was eliminated during the semi-finals. After uploading videos of her songs to YouTube, she was signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, releasing her debut single Happiness in November 2010 which reached number three in the UK. Her debut album is due for release in February.

Alexis Jordan

Austin Brown
25-year-old American singer-songwriter who is the nephew of Michael Jackson. He has an R&B/pop sound and his debut album 85 is slated for release this year.

Austin Brown

J. Cole
US rapper J. Cole was the first artist to be signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. His highly anticipated debut album is slated for release in Spring 2011, featuring collaborations with Jay-Z among others.

J. Cole

Joan Smalls
Puerto Rican model who opened and closed more shows than any other model at the Spring/Summer 2011 shows. She was selected to walk exclusively for the Givenchy Spring 2010 couture show and was name checked by Kanye West in his song Christian Dior Denim Flow.

Joan Smalls

Kayne (no, not Kanye)
Rapper/singer from the UK whose YouTube videos have already gained over one million hits. After signing with management and talent agencies, Kayne is due for a full release on Universal Records this year.

Kayne

Leah Weller
Model daughter of  Paul Weller and Style Council singer Dee C Lee. She has walked for Preen, shot with Mikael Jansson for Interview Magazine and appeared in UK Vogue. She is currently working on her debut album and is due to appear in a worldwide fashion campaign in 2011 (full details are currently under wraps).

Leah Weller

Liam Bailey
British soul singer signed to Amy Winehouse’s Lioness label. In 2010 he supported drum ‘n' bass group Chase and Status on tour and played the Asprey launch at London Fashion Week. His debut album is due for release this year.

Liam Bailey

Nicki Minaj (isn’t she already everywhere?!)
Nicki was named in NME’s 2010 Cool List. Last year she collaborated with Christina Aguilera on the single Woo Hoo from her Bionic album. She's signed to Lil' Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment record label and is hotly tipped in the press for this year. In November 2010 she teamed up with MAC to launch a limited edition Pink Friday lipstick to mark the release of her debut album.

Nicki Minaj

SoundGirl
London pop trio Nicole, Olivia and Izzy, who have worked with the same producers as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Cheryl Cole. They toured with Pixie Lott in December 2010.

SoundGirl

Talay Riley
20-year-old singer from London. He co-wrote Chipmunk’s number one single Oopsy Daisy as well as his hit Look For Me. Talay’s debut single Humanoid was featured on Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust for four weeks in late 2010 and his follow up song, Sergeant Smash, is released on January 31. He recently supported N-Dubz on tour and is touted to be the next Taio Cruz. His debut album will be released this year.

Talay Riley

Youngli Lee
Korean-born designer who studied at the London College of Fashion. Her press show at LCF drew the attention of ASOS who signed her to work on a diffusion collection, which went on sale in October 2010. She was also listed on the Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s One to Watch at the end of 2010.

Youngli Lee