From A(mFAR) to Z(oe).

Since I’m hitting the books quite intensively I find myself getting peace of mind in a whole fan of diverse internet readings. So the next entry will (mostly) be a mixture of very different pictures from various events. Yet again, all thanks to Red Carpet Fashion Awards! Yesterday I actually started writing on an entry that mainly covered music, but when I had finished I felt like I was uploading something extremely commercial, not in tune with my own likings, and not in tune with the concept of my blog. So I deleted everything. Today I’m going along with the usual fashion related information…

To start off: Nicole Kidman in Dries van Noten at the Billboard Awards 2011. Maybe it’s not a look that you would be blown away by, but I’m really pleased with seeing Nicole like this. It’s definitely one of my favourite looks of the week, and I have seen many event pictures. She’s effortless, she’s elegant and she’s beautiful. Everybody that knows me also knows that I’m a big fan of Nicole Kidman (really since I was little). So one of my favourite actresses (if she isn’t my favourite…) in a Belgian designer, it couldn’t get any better. The combination of her lovely smile, her hands nicely tucked away into those little pockets and her hair nonchalantly braided. Plus: some extra best dressed pictures. Kylie Minogue looks ever so happy, she has a very fresh and lively expression. Despite being not a Rihanna fan I’m glad that she toned down for her red carpet appearance (Positive steps).

Furthermore some pictures on The Obama’s Official state visit to England.

         

Michelle Obama in Tom Ford (Tom Ford is always worth mentioning). I imagine the Queen thinking “why are you wearing my colour?”, or maybe something like “I am the Queen of England and I have been Queen for a thousand years, nobody can outshine me, so why am I standing here with you guys?!” But obviously is a more becoming manner. Apparently the American president held a Royal Dinner in the American Embassy in Regent Park. Michelle Obama wore a black Ralph Lauren Fall 2011 evening gown. On Red Carpet Fashion was written that Michelle’s necklace “outblinged” the Queen’ one but I’m inclined not to agree with that. I loved the white and green diamonds the Queen was wearing. I don’t think anyone can really outshine the Queen?! Especially with her famous collection of expensive, precious an aged jewellery. Also this extra picture of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson attending the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace. They both look like such pleasant people (especially in this picture), and Rita is just always radiant. Rita Wilson is wearing Monique Lhuillier.

Now some pictures on Ryan Gosling. He’s indeed very becoming, looks very normal, and most important he looks like an absolute fun guy. He’s perfectly dressed for the occasion, yet looks very at ease, even casual. That’s the key to getting the look, don’t try, just do/be.  He’s one of my favourite red carpet male celebrities because he really gets it right.

Just some prove that the Miu Miu Fall Winter collection is really great. Madonna and Hailee Steinfeld wearing some outfits. It really is a very classical and feminine, yet somewhat quirky collection. I certainly like it.

Some extra post-Cannes amFAR and Film Festival pictures.

Giovanna Battaglia’s dress surely was daring. It gives me a Aphrodite feeling (a feeling that I love), and I love it’s simplicity, yet I do not know if it is too exposed or not. If she keeps her arms down I’m inclined to say it’s ok, but when she puts her arm up I constantly have the feeling she’s gonna give us a nipple gate.

Concerning Carine Roitfeld; I love the Cavalli photo because it’s all about the party. You just know they are having fun. The Karl Lagerfeld and his flock picture I like as well because I keep imagining Karl saying “how you doing?”  It’s all very, here I am and I have me’ boys with me.

Which did you like best of this best dressed list?

For me Uma Thurman definitely looks best. Although I like the Versace dress, I think I’m mesmerized by the Electric Blue on her other dress. I really dislike Zoe’s look, and also think Milla does far from look her best. Fan Bing Bing is a little over the top, too bridal.

I also read this quite amusing blog entry by Franca Sozzani a couple of days ago. It’s entitled Do not allow people wearing boots on the beach. I beg you. The article immediately made me think of something I find equally atrocious. Boots are fine if they are well designed, rightly proportioned, quality high heel boots or classical Ralph Lauren like, horse riding boots. But for men this trend emerged and I blame Zara. Suddenly all these people had their jeans awfully casual tucked away in their combat like non-quality boots. It is horrendous. I do not understand why anybody would want to walk around like that. Especially when you have these males wearing skinny jeans and putting their trousers into their overly enlarged un-attracting boots. I find that revolting. It’s like people wearing UGG boots. I hate it. When Joan Collins said: fleece should be on sheep, the also meant to say UGG’s should be on sheep. Even worse, UGG’s make you look like a sheep! It’s even worse when I catch guys wearing these “boots”, especially when they have tucked away their skinny’s into these UGG slippers. So to all these people out there wearing UGG’s, I beg of you, do not put these on!

http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/editor-s-blog/2011/05/may-19th 

There's a whole day's of work on the way, so I’ll round it up here, and I’ll continue with my reflections some other time.

Extra: Just some extra little thing: I don’t have a special affinity towards Beyonce or anything, and I’m really not much of a fan of her knew song. But as a phenomenon she pretty difficult to avoid, and I must admit she has upgraded live performance into a whole other level: Just watch this clip. Oh yes, turn up the volume, because the sound isn't coming out all that loud.  

All pictures on Giovanna Battaglia via http://www.iwanttobeabattaglia.com/, pictures on Carine Roitfeld via http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/, the rest of the pictures via http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/

A Royal Wedding.

Before I start I just want to say that I literally came back from an appointment at the dentist 5 minutes ago and my face is still half paralyzed so if some of my words/sentences seem to be part of an invented language, I apologise... I am aware of the fact that today's "William and Kate" wedding has been hyped enormously. I find myself unable of not partly going along this hype. It is just an event that is covered worldwide so I believe it is justified to write something about it today, because we are all being confronted with it on a huge scale. We all know by now that Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge) wore a dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (and McQueen shoes). With the words of Carrie Bradshaw, she looked impossibly fresh and effortlessly stunning! I didn't expect her to look anything else but beautifully, and neither was it a surprise that she opted for Alexander McQueen. Today I will not talk about all those things everybody has already read about in the paper. No, I will share with you the opinion of many fashion designers on Kate Middleton's choice of wedding dress. Unanimously they agreed that she made the perfect choice and that she looked absolutely gorgeous. Thank you wwd magazine for these reactions. http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news?module=tn/logo

Karl Lagerfeld: “She is very elegant. The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. It almost reminds me of (Queen) Elizabeth’s wedding, the royal weddings in the Fifties. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty. I like the veil a lot.”

Christian Lacroix: “I like the dress very much, simpler than expected: A combination just in between 1956 Grace Kelly and 1947 Queen Elizabeth dress. I love the modest veil with the Queen Mother’s Thirties scroll tiara and balanced volume of the whole gown. She’s radiant; She never was so beautiful. And Prince William’s red Irish uniform is gorgeous.”

Hubert de Givenchy: “The dress is very simple and very nice. The veil is a little flat, but because she has such a lovely face, she can afford to wear it this way. She is very pretty.” About choosing a dress from McQueen, whose founder committed suicide last year, De Givenchy said: “It’s a lovely thought, a nice tribute.”

Peter Copping of Nina Ricci: “Very much in a royal tradition, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth’s – and a little bit Grace Kelly. She looks happy, radiant and natural.”

Donatella Versace: "Kate's dress was beautiful. She looked very regal."

Viktor & Rolf: “Kate’s dress was simply elegant. Her hair down was a beautiful and natural touch, and the tiara was stunning. She looked as at-ease as humanly possible and was radiant. Our compliments.”

Elie Saab: “It was a very elegant dress, subtly refined and discreet, in keeping with her style. I would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and a longer train.”

Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of design at H&M: "Kate Middleton’s dress is beautiful. She looks absolutely stunning today at the royal wedding. The lace together with the long sleeves really showed the craftsmanship and hours of work that has gone into creating a dress like this. The dress suits Kate Middleton perfectly and Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen surely lived up to my expectations. I also think that the lovely flower bouquet will set the trend for many brides to be"

Mark Badgley of Badgley Mischka, speaking for hinself and James Mischka: "James and I have goose bumps! The dress is perfection; and will stand the test of time. It is a classic Grace Kelly look. The skirt is divine. We love the hair down and the veil. The proportion is beautiful."

Antonio Marras, Kenzo: “McQueen was a brilliant choice. The choice of the label and the style of the dress was a very clever mix between edgy fashion and tradition - all in a very British way. You could see references to Grace Kelly or Queen Elizabeth's dresses, but in a simpler, more modern way. I loved her hair down. It looked perfectly natural and noble. Truly royal."

Alexis Mabille: “Kate’s dress is a classic, very elegant and pure…. It reminds me of Princess Grace’s wedding dress in a modern version with deeper cleavage, the draping at the back in reference to McQueen.”

Dennis Basso: "I love that dress. It epitimiizes the modern bride: covered, but still sexy with its tight bodice. The lace overlay and the covered-up look will certainly set a trend."

Ralph Rucci of Chado Ralph Rucci: "I love it. I'm so glad she went with Sarah Burton, who is brilliant. The dress encompasses all the necessities of the protocal a future Queen should represent. It rings in a youthfulness that reflects the future monarchy." 

If you want more information about the dress and if you are interested in what Sarah Burton herself had to say about creating the wedding dress:

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news?module=tn/logo#/article/fashion-news/sarah-burton-does-kates-dress-3596041

Another anticipated outfit choice was Victoria Beckham's. I must say she looked exactly like I had imagined (even the hair). Obviously she wore her own label in navy blue (and a Philip Treacy hat I presume). Probably a very flattering choice seen that she is pregnant. I read somewhere that she had louboutins custom made. Well she was wearing satin like blue daffodile's, and I don't think they are available in that colour and that choice of fabric, so possibly that rumour was true. 

If you want to see some more Royal Wedding looks:

http://www.style.com/stylefile/2011/04/the-best-looks-from-the-royal-wedding/

I must say the prime minister's wife, Samantha Cameron, looked lovely in Burberry. The emerald shade and fitting shape are very flattering.

All pictures via style.com, http://fashioncopious.typepad.com/ and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html