Sarah Jessica Parker wears a mohican headpiece by Phillip Treacy and her
gown was by Giles Deacon.
This year's exhibition theme at the MET Ball was Punk: Chaos to Couture. It certainly was very punk and there was definitely some chaos in how wardrobes were styled for the night. But most of the celebrities managed to pull it off without a hitch. They went hard and took the opportunity to dish out their inner punk in full force. Check out some of the hits and misses at the event. Who wore your favorite look?
Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon dress with
thigh high tartan velvet boots underneath. (Photo: Rex Features)
Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her unique fashion sense and that night she stayed true to that. Stepping out with a large Mohican headpiece by Phillip Treacy and gown by Giles Deacon she didn't stop there. Underneath her gown were thigh high velvet boots that had everyone talking.
Beyonce wore Givenchy Couture with a flame motif design on the skirt and a snakeskin corset top. The look was completed with gloves and over the knee boots to match. Personally I didn't think the look was the most flattering on Beyonce. Meanwhile, Nicole Richie stepped out with newly dyed hair. It was a silver/grey and made her look unrecognizable. It was certainly a punked out look that made everyone turn their heads. Sienna Miller really brought out the punk influence in her biker style studded jacket by Burberry worn over an open back white dress.
Kim Kardashian's peony printed dress seemed to be too much and a little overwhelming on her. I don't think it was her best look but it was suitable for the occasion. Although I didn't think it had a strong punk reference as the theme of the event. But then again how does a pregnant woman go punk?
Beyonce in Givenchy Couture. (Photo: Rex Features)
Sienna Miller in Burberry. (Photo PA)
Madonna took the punk inspiration literally. She looked almost like she did
in the early days of her career. Except do you think this works for her now?
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. (Photo: David Fisher/Rex Features)
Nicole Richie wore a dress by Topshop with a new hair color.
It was a sea of aqua, canary yellow, crimson red and sparkles at the Emmy Awards last night. Fashion lovers look forward to the red carpet style of all the celebrities as they make their way into the ceremony.
Who did you think had the best dress at the event? My personal favorites included Heidi Klum's seafoam, fluid dress with the super sexy slit and Padma Lakshmi's orange strapless gown.
Lucy Lui dazzled in this Atelier Versace number.
Padma Lakshmi was radiant in this strapless dress by Monique Lhuillier.
Ginnifer Goodwiin in an embroidered dress by Monique Lhuillier.
Julie Bowan (Getty Images), Julianne Moore in Christian Dior (Wire Image), Kaley Cuoco wore a gown by Angel Sanchez, Claire Danes in Lanvin (Getty Images),
Sofia Vergara wore a mermain inspired dress by Zuhair Murad. (Getty Images)
Heidi Klum floated on the red carpet in this sexy high slit dress by Alex Vaulthier. (Getty Images)
Kerry Washington sparkled in Vivienne Westwood. (Wire Image)
Kat Dennings in a sweetheart neckline dress by J.Mendel, Jena Malone also in J.Mendel, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Vera Wang. All were looking great in autumn colors of blood-red, cranberry and cherry.
Lady Gaga opens the show for Philip Treacy's runway show at London Fashion Week.
Lady Gaga brought star power to Philip Treacy's catwalk at London Fashion Week. The show, which was themed after Michael Jackson's comeback show, opened with Gaga wearing a bright pink cape-like garment and saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest milliner in the world: Philip Treacy."
Treacy is best known for designing hats worn by many celebrities and the royal family. The runway show featured clothing from Michael Jackson's career on stage paired with Treacy's elaborate hats. The items from Jackson's collection included the red leather jacket worn in the Thriller video. It was a show like no other.
Unless you haven't turned on a television in the last few days, you already know that Katie Holmes has been top of the headlines with her pending divorce with Tom Cruise. But that's not the only thing that's been happening in her life. She remains focused on her career.
She is hard at work preparing to show her clothing line Holmes & Yang at New York Fashion Week for the first time. The label was launched in 2009 and she co-designs it with Jeanne Yang, her stylist and friend.
Holmes & Yang is currently available at Barney's, Harvey Nichols in London and Hong Kong and at Montaigne Market Paris. Their spring 2013 collection is highly anticipated. The clothing line features style you would often see Holmes herself wearing; simple, chic, and classic, with pieces that can easily be transitioned from day to night.
Katie Holmes with her business partner
Jeanne Yang. (Photo: Getty Images)
If you've never seen any of her fashions take a look at the video below with items from the current spring/summer 2012 collection. What do you think? Does she have what it takes to stand the test of time? We've seen so many celebrities jump into the fashion game. Her partnership with Jeanne Yang may be just what she needs to stay on top.
Last week Models, designers, editors and celebrities all came out for the MET Ball in New York. They all came out in their best and strutted down the red carpet. Beyonce stepped out stunning onlookers in her revealing Givenchy Haute Couture gown. It was definitely a show-stopping number. It was made of lace and mesh and had a train made of purple feathers.
Fashion videos are an interesting way of showcasing a collection instead of the typical runway show. Victoria by Victoria Beckham, the junior line by the former pop star turned designer, is shown creatively in this short video directed by Quentin Jones.
Three styles from Madonna's new Truth or Dare footwear collection.
(Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)
She's been a fashion icon she she appeared on the music scene back in the 80's. Through the course of her career she's been a trendsetter and has represented designers from Jean Paul Gaultier to Versace. She took the leap into design in 2007 in a collaboration with H&M. By 2010 she launched a label for young women called Material Girl. The label's success has led to Madonna's desire to expand her fashion lifestyle brand. With a fragrance set to debut next month, she is also stepping into the footwear business. The icon is launching a shoe collection under the label, Truth or Dare, scheduled to hit stores in Fall 2012.
The collection will be produced by the Canadian footwear retailer Aldo Group Inc. There will be over 60 styles available with prices ranging from $89 to $349 USD. The selection will include various styles from flats to over-the-knee boots. We can expect to see Madonna's creativity in the design of the collection. She plans to have a hands-on approach consulting on every aspect of the design process.
Madonna's stylist, Arianne Phillips, will also be an important part of the product development. Phillips was quoted in Footwear News saying, "Her fingers are really on this brand. The first thing I did was remind her (Madonna) of all the shoes she wore over the years and we took the styles that we can't live without."
Stores that plan to stock her merchandise include Nordstrom and Macy's in the U.S, Selfridges in the U.K. and at The Bay in Canada. By 2013 the label should be available in parts of Europe including Italy and Spain. The hope is that Madonna's name will garner mass appeal. Her personal style and evolution over her career has set trends and defined a generation in fashion.
Celebrities have access to the best when it comes to fashion and accessories. Designers are always quick to give the latest items to the famous so all the world can see on the red carpet. Some have even made a name for themselves as style icons because they always look so good. Over the last twenty years we have seen several actors, musicians and model vying to be the next big thing in fashion by launching their own labels. Everyone from Sean 'P.Diddy' Combs to Justin Timberlake have taken a foray into the design arena. One of the latest is Kanye West, who calls himself the 'Louis Vuitton Don' and is known for his unique fashion sense. His women's label was slammed by critics but he hasn't let that hurt him. West plans to show another collection in Paris this spring.
Being a celebrity is no guarantee that you'll be a successful fashion designer. You would think being famous is a ticket to instant success because of the name recognition. But, some experts say it actually makes it more difficult. The pressure is on to be as successful in design as they might be in music, film or television.
IBTimes TV recently did a story on celebrity fashion lines. Take a look.
Gaga's Workshop for Barneys New York
(Photo: courtesy of Barneys New York)
Barneys department store is teaming up with Lady Gaga for it's Christmas holiday 2011 campaign. The pop star will transform it's window display into 'Gaga's Workshop'. Known for her extravagant clothing, over the top performances and refusal to look mainstream, this will certainly be an interesting partnership. Barneys will dedicate an entire floor of its Madison Avenue store in New York to create Gaga's own version of Santa's Workshop. This will be the first time Barneys has dedicated this much space to its holiday window theme.
She has also enlisted the aid of her style guru and Creative Director at Thierry Mugler, Nicola Formichetti. Artists Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide Pierson are also collaborating on this project in creating her workshop. Beginning in mid-November, the entire display will encompass the fifth floor along with the iconic Madison Avenue windows. There will be an assortment of limited edition items created and inspired by Gaga and Formichetti including accessories, cosmetics and rock candy jewelry.
Barney's will donate 25 percent of the proceeds from sales of Gaga items to a charity of her choice.
Demi Moore for Ann Taylor
(Photo by: Patrick Demarchelier) AFP Relax News
Patrick Demarchelier was the photographer for Ann Taylor's latest fall campaign. The ads were shot in New York City in Rockefeller gardens and star actress Demi Moore. She takes over after actress Katie Holmes was featured in the last campaign. Moore proves she continues to have star power and is aging ever-so gracefully. Her famous husband, Ashton Kutcher, is also in a fashion campaign for the Brazilian label Colcci.
Sarah Jessica Parker has reportedly been paid $3 million to end her contract with Halston. Just last year the iconic New York label was relaunched with actress Sarah Jessica Parker as it's President and Chief Creative Officer. Once dubbed 'the premier fashion designer of America', Roy Halston Frowick created his famous label Halston during a time when the discos of New York were filled with celebrities who became clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Hutton and Bianca Jagger. The brand's popularity peaked during the 1970's and early 1980's. Since then it has had its share of struggles. The fledgling label has been taken over a number of times since Frowick's death in 1990. Most recently it was co-owned by movie and television mogul Harvey Weinstien who has also departed from the company this week along with Parker.
The hope was that in bringing Sarah Jessica Parker on board her high profile image as a style icon would steer the brand to the level it was at during it's heyday. Unfortunately her identity as a clothes horse and style influencer wasn't enough to save the brand.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage as seen in movie Sex & The City 2
(Photo courtesy: consumer-culture.net)
Halston Heritage unfortunately didn't keep the momentum it appeared to have after Parker was spotted wearing that famous white dress in the movie Sex & The City 2. Although the designs she collaborated on were very true to Halston's creativity and exuded the sex appeal the brand is known for, it still struggled to make the sales needed.
This video above shows the excitement that was there when Parker was launching the line and promoting her joining the Halston Heritage team. It seemed the perfect union but, as with any marriage with a honeymoon faze, this has quickly come to an end.
It's not the first time Parker has been involved with designing apparel that has been a flop. In 2007 she designed a low-priced label, Bitten, distributed in the now defunct stores, Steve & Barry's. Unfortunately the label was not picked up by another retailer and was discontinued upon the bankruptcy of the retail chain.
Now that Parker has had two failed attempts at design under her belt, what's next? Will she jump into the world of fashion once again? Perhaps she may stick with the success of her fragrances. Who knows. Whatever she does, being a style icon certainly hasn't changed. She still sets trends with whatever she is spotted wearing.
See the video below when Parker debuted her collection Bitten with Steve & Barry's.
Kate Moss in John Galliano gown, with her groom Jamie Hince in Yves Saint Laurent
(Photo: FilmMagic)
Supermodel Kate Moss wed musician Jamie Hince on July 1, 2011. Moss was wearing a cream colored gown designed by John Galliano. The dress was stunning with a sheer skirt that had gold embroidered leaves. Clearly a style fit for Kate. It was a surprise to some that the bride would choose Galliano considering his recent trouble resulting from his anti-Semetic remarks.
According to WWD, Moss has had a longtime friendship with Galliano. As a model, she has been his biggest muse. He's created dresses for other major events in her life including her 21st birthday and 30th birthday. Despite his current circumstances, it was reported he didn't want to let the supermodel down on her big day.
Monika Schnarre was catapulted to fame at the age of 14 when she became the youngest winner of the Ford Supermodel of The World competition. At age 15, she became the youngest to grace the cover of American Vogue. Since then Schnarre has had a career as an actress, TV personality and now designer. Last year she debuted her first clothing line and now she's ventured into eyewear. I had the pleasure of meeting with her and even trying on a few pieces from the new collection.
Academy Award winning actress, Elizabeth Taylor died today, March 23, 2011 in hospital of congestive heart failure. She was 79. Often referred to as one of the last of Hollywood's screen legends, she embodied a beauty that was both innocent yet very seductive. The brunette had the most striking eyes of a blue-violet color that captivated audiences everywhere.
Her first role came at the early age of 10 and she worked regularly starring in several films throughout her career. She soon became the first actress to be paid $1 million for her starring role in 1963 film Cleopatra. Taylor was on top becoming the world's most famous actress at the time. She was as well-known for her acting successes as she was for her failed relationships. Married 8 times, twice to Richard Burton, her private life had no shortage of stories.
Taylor was the epitome of what Hollywood glamour represented. She became a fashion icon in her own right. In her film Cleopatra, she made more than 60 costume changes. Her many roles had her wearing designer dresses that not only accentuated her hourglass figure but, made women want to look like her. Whatever she wore, was often copied. When it came to jewelry, Taylor didn't wear fakes. Often draped in diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, Taylor admitted she had an obsession with jewelry.
Elizabeth Taylor was also the first celebrity to launch her very own fragrance. She became synonymous with her signature scent, White Diamonds. It became one of the best-selling celebrity fragrances of all time. It has grossed an estimated $61.3 million since its launch in 1991. It embodies the sense of beauty, glamour and old Hollywood she was so famous for.
She was also an advocate for victims of HIV/AIDS and was a big supporter of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR).
The British Fashion Council recently honoured Naomi Campbell for her contribution to the fashion industry over the last 25 years. The event also included a tribute to the late designer Alexander McQueen, who took his life in February of this year. Victoria Beckham spoke about how honored she was to be included in the nominations and Phoebe Philo, who is Creative Director at Celine, was named Designer of the Year.
It's Christmas season and charity organizations have found themselves looking for new and creative ways to raise money for important causes. Gala events, concerts, clothing and door-to-door solitation are just some examples of how charities raise money. Since 2005, Gucci has partnered with UNICEF creating unique limited edition accessories to support programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Gucci has already raised over $5 million USD to date in support of this global initiative. Gucci is now one of UNICEF'S largest corporate supporters. This season Gucci launches the white Tattoo Heart Collection, featuring singer Rihanna in the international ad campaign. For information on purchasing the collection visit http://www.gucci.com/ Photo of Rihanna courtesy aceshowbiz.com
