Archive for April, 2011

STYLE STARS – Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham at the Royal Wedding

Saturday, 30 April, 2011
Soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria arrive at Westminster Abbey before the wedding of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton, in central London April 29, 2011. (ROYAL WEDDING/VIP) REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (BRITAIN – Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

The Beckham’s were among the many guests to attend the Royal Wedding yesterday. David Beckham who is a good friend of Prince William looked dashing in a Ralph Lauren suit whilst Victoria Beckham wore a design of her own making. In the loose fitting navy design from her fall 2011 collection it was the first appearance of her baby bump. She accessorised with killer heels custom made by Christian Louboutin and a chic hat made by Philip Treacy.

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STYLE STARS- Pippa Middleton in Alexander McQueen at the Royal Wedding

Saturday, 30 April, 2011
Pippa Middleton, the sister of Kate Middleton, walks to escort Kate at Westminster Abbey before her sister’s marriage to Britain’s Prince William in central London April 29, 2011. (ROYAL WEDDING/VIP) REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN – Tags: ROYALS SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

It is an unspoken rule when undertaking the role of bridesmaid that you must never ever outshine the bride on her big day. Kate Middleton’s bridesmaid and sister Pippa Middleton didn’t quite outshine her older sister but she certainly came close. Pippa stunned the crowds in a floor length heavy ivory satin gown with slinky cowl neck detail also a custom gown designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The only issue was this look was the tan; a mere few shades off being The Only Way is Essex worthie and there’s nothing Royal about that!

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STYLE STARS – Kate Middleton marries Prince William in Alexander McQueen

Saturday, 30 April, 2011
Britain’s Prince William (L) and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, walk after their wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey in central London April 29, 2011. Prince William married his fiancee, Kate Middleton, in Westminster Abbey on Friday. (ROYAL WEDDING/VIP) REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN – Tags: IMAGES OF THE DAY ROYALS SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

FLAWLESS. It was the moment the world had been waiting for, not the wedding, not the kiss, but the dress. And it couldn’t have been more perfect, Kate showed masterful judgement in her choice of dress. Rumours were rife that Alexander McQueen had won the coveted commission following the sighting of a suspiciously Sarah Burton-esque figure entering the Goring hotel on the eve of the big day. As the first sighting of Kate Middleton sitting resplendent alongside her father making her way to the Abbey, the news came through that it was indeed a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen creation.

Kate sported an ivory dress made of satin gazar with lace floral applique detailing and a comparatively modest train. The narrow bodice showed off Kate’s tiny waist whilst the Victorian inspired full skirt was an Alexander McQueen hallmark. Kate chose Alexander McQueen for the “beauty of its craftmanship” and worked closely alongside Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton in the creation of the gown. She accessorised with the 1936 Halo tiara, a loan from the Queen. Kate’s shoes made of ivory duchesse satin and lace were also created by Alexander McQueen.

Late Kate changed for the evening’s festivities into another Alexander McQueen design. This time a slightly more daring strapless white satin evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist. Younger and fresher but equally as exquisite as the first.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves Clarence House to travel to Buckingham Palace for the evening celebrations following her wedding to Prince William in London April 29, 2011. (ROYAL WEDDING) REUTERS/.John Stillwell/POOL (BRITAIN – Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT)
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STYLE STARS – Reese Witherspoon in Giambattista Valli at the Water For Elephants Paris Premiere

Saturday, 30 April, 2011
Cast member Reese Witherspoon poses for pictures as she arrives at the French premiere of his movie “Water for Elephants” in Paris, April 28, 2011. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE – Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Reese Witherspoon appeared alongside her co-star Robert Pattinson at the Paris leg of the promotional tour for their new movie, Water For Elephants. Reese wowed in a red asymmetric dress from the pre-fall collection by Giambattista Valli. Red dresses are a little bit dangerous; too much flesh on show and the look ends up more tramp than vamp. But Reese gets it exactly right here and the peep toe Christian Louboutin’s with the flash of red sole make a fab finishing touch.

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STYLE ICON – Kate Middleton – Wedding Style

Thursday, 28 April, 2011
Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton pose for a photograph in St. James’s Palace, in central London November 16, 2010. Britain’s Prince William is to marry his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton next year, after an on-off courtship lasting nearly a decade, bringing months of speculation about his intentions to an end. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN – Tags: SOCIETY ROYALS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Following years of speculation, months of anticipation and a frenzied build up of the kind not seen by this generation, the Royal Wedding is upon us. Tomorrow morning Prince William of Wales will wed his long-term girlfriend Catherine Middleton, in a ceremony that will be watched the world over.

The allure of the ceremony and in fact Kate herself can reasonably be attributed to her achievement of the impossible; meeting a handsome Prince, falling in love and getting married…pretty much every little girl’s fantasy. I’ll be glued to the TV screen tomorrow, not so much for the ceremony and pomp but rather for the fashion. THE dress (or dresses as the tabloids would have us believe).

So on the eve of the big day here’s a little recap of Kate’s style choices and what we can expect for tomorrow’s ceremony:

Britain’s Prince William (R) and his fiancee Kate Middleton arrive at The Thursford Collection in Norfolk, England, December 18, 2010. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN – Tags: ROYALS)

First up on the announcement of their engagement back in November, we saw Kate step out in a blue dress from Sloaney favourite, Issa. I’ve made no secret of my dislike of this dress….shiny stretchy fabric has no place as a royal engagement dress, but for many this signalled the introduction of fashion’s newest icon.

Kate’s next public engagement took her to Norfolk where she posed alongside her future husband in a much more promising ensemble. A monochrome dress by British designer, Alice Temperley, a timeless classic.

Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton attend a Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication for the Royal National Lifeboat Instution’s (RLNI) new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, the ‘Hereford Endeavour’, at Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station, in Trearddur Bay, Anglesey in north Wales February 24, 2011. Prince William and bride-to-be Kate Middleton performed their first official engagement as a couple on Thursday, giving them an early taste of the life in the spotlight that awaits them. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez (BRITAIN – Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

Kate appeared again in February at her and William’s home of Anglesey in north Wales. For this occasion Kate demonstrates the chicness of a good coat, she wears a cream and black contrast coat by Katherine Hooker.

A day later we saw Kate make an official visit to St Andrews, the university where there relationship began. On this occasion Kate went for a splash of colour in a red fitted suit by Luisa Spagnoli. Whilst this is another great look, I cannot advocate those boots. Kate’s worn the dowdy elasticated knee-high boots on several occasions.

Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton visit St. Andrews University in Fife, Scotland February 25, 2011. The couple made their second official visit together since announcing their engagement in November to St. Andrews University to launch its 600th anniversary celebrations. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN – Tags: EDUCATION ROYALS)

In early March Kate and William visited Northern Ireland. It was here that Kate, in my opinion, made her best fashion choice so far. A beige Burberry mac is the quintessential British item of clothing; effortlessly chic and timelessly fashionable.

Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton, leave after their visit to City Hall in Belfast March 8, 2011. Cheering crowds and armed police greeted Prince William as he flew into Northern Ireland on Tuesday to show off his bride-to-be Kate Middleton. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton (NORTHERN IRELAND – Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

Finally in their last public engagement prior to the big day Kate went for another skirt suit, this time a vintage number by Amanda Wakeley. Whilst I recognise that Kate is a Royal and must look the part, that doesn’t discount the fact that she is still young and ought to be dressing a little more age appropriate. Take that hemline up a few inches and add a pair of Louboutin’s….anything to add abit of edge.

Britain’s Prince William (R) and his Kate Middleton visit Witton Country Park in Darwen, northern England April 11, 2011. A large crowd of well-wishers braved a downpour in northern England on Monday to cheer Prince William and Kate Middleton as they took part in their final official engagement before their wedding. REUTERS/Alastair Grant/Pool (BRITAIN – Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

It’s not long now until the designer of THE dress will be revealed. Suggestions thrown into the ring include; Issa, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Libelula’s Sophie Cranston and Alice Temperley. If she goes for drama (which I hope she does…this dress is going to be historic after all) then it’s Sarah Burton. If she chooses something more classic, Libelula is a good bet.

My finger’s are crossed for Sarah Burton! Check back tomorrow for my review on THE dress.

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STEAL HER STYLE – Lauren Conrad at the US Weekly Hot Hollywood Party

Wednesday, 27 April, 2011
Actress and honoree Lauren Conrad poses at the US Weekly Hot Hollywood Style issue party in Hollywood, California, April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES – Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Lauren Conrad made a rare red carpet appearance at last nights US Weekly Hot Hollywood Style issue party in LA. The reality tv star showed off a relaxed red carpet look in navy culottes, oversized blouse and nude shoes. The look is a nice example of how to incorporate shorts into your summer wardrobe for a look that’s smart enough for an evening out or even work.

Recreate her look with a trip to Topshop. You’ll find a chiffon military shirt (an absolute wardrobe staple, you’ll wonder how you lived without it) £35 , add to it these navy culottes, much more flattering than shorts and smarter than a skirt £38, pair with the versatile Starlight nude sandals £70

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STYLE STARS – Anna Kendrick in Z Spoke by Zac Posen at the Time 100 Gala

Wednesday, 27 April, 2011
Anna Kendrick arrives for the Time 100 Gala at the Time Warner Center in New York on April 26, 2011. UPI /Laura Cavanaugh

Another celebrity on the red carpet for last night’s Time 100 Gala was Twilight’s Anna Kendrick. Anna went for a high shine black dress from Zac Posen’s diffusion range; Z Spoke. I’m a big fan of this look; the shiny fabric actually adds something to the look where a matte material would have been too boring. The deep v-neck is revealing but the hemline is longer so avoids the too-much-flesh on show look.

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STYLE STARS – Blake Lively in Zuhair Murad at the Time 100 Gala

Wednesday, 27 April, 2011
Actress Blake Lively arrives to be honored at the 2011 Time 100 Gala ceremony in New York April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES – Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

The Time 100 Gala took place last night at the Time Warner Center in New York. Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively was on hand to bring a big dose of fashion to the event. Blake went for a dress not by Chanel (she is now the face of their Mademoiselle handbag range) but by Zuhair Murad. The sky blue chiffon draped gown comes from the spring collection, she added Kimberly McDonald jewels to complete the look.

I’m not the biggest fan of Blake Lively, I find her co-star Leighton Meester’s red carpet choices much more interesting, but on this occasion Blake looked amazing. The dress is exquisite, the draping shows off her figure perfectly and to top it all off, side swept Hollywood hair.

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STYLE STARS – Eva Mendes in Gucci at the Last Night Premiere

Tuesday, 26 April, 2011
Eva Mendes arrives for the Tribeca Film Festival Premiere of “Last Night”" at the BMCC Tribeca PAC in New York on April 25, 2011. UPI /Laura Cavanaugh

Eva Mendes attended the premiere of her new movie Last Night, at the Tribeca Film Festival. Eva went for a bright red dress hot off the runway from next seasons fall collection by Gucci teamed with Jimmy Choo sandals.

I loved this dress on the runway in Milan but unfortunately Eva doesn’t seem to do it justice. The dress is a little overwhelming; the long sleeves, high neck and maxi skirt all in that bright expanse of red is not a look that sits easily. On the runway the look is styled with a black belt to cinch in the waist which might just have saved it on the red carpet!

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STYLE STARS – Kelly Osbourne in Vivienne Westwood at the Tribeca Film Festival

Tuesday, 26 April, 2011
Kelly Osbourne arrives for the Tribeca Film Festival Premiere of “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne” at the BMCC Tribeca PAC in New York on April 24, 2011. UPI /Laura Cavanaugh

Kelly Osbourne attended the premiere of new film God Bless Ozzy Osbourne alongside her family at the Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend. Kelly is a presenter on The Fashion Police and thus must always proceed red carpets with caution.

She faired well on this occasion showing off an hour glass figure in a black corset dress by Agent Provocateur teamed with a fitted jacket by Vivienne Westwood. Unlike the previous example by Hayden Panettiere this is a suitable way to accessorise a dress with a jacket without overwhelming the entire look.

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