Oscar's 2012: Red Carpet Glamour

After a hard weekend of partying I decided to spend the day in bed with my best friend whilst watching some of the funniest DVD's I owned, the best? Zoolander of course.  I've not seen the film for a while and it made me laugh looking at some of fashions greatest on the screen 11 years ago as cameos in the movie, from Victoria Beckham to Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld to Tommy Hilfiger.  You could without a doubt see the evolution the stars had gone through over the past decade, although none was more apparent than that of Natalie Portman.

With her crimped her, chubby cheeks and red face, the Black Swan star was a world away from her current style icon status and last night she proved exactly why she held that name as she showed off her post pregnancy figure in a stunning red polka dot, vintage Dior dress, making her my best dressed of the night.

Another star of the movie was Ukranian born actress Milla Jovovich who looked a vision in an one shoulder Elie Saab couture dress accessorized with a box clutch and some slick red lips.  Rooney Mara also looked flawless in her backless Ginvenchy dress, red lipstick and full fringe whilst Angelina Jolie ditched the white that she wore so badly back at the Golden Globes and went back to her signature black wearing a beautiful velvet gown by Atelier Versace.

Pilati Leaves YSL...

It was reported by WWD on Saturday that YSL Creative Director Stefano Pilati was to be succeeded by Hedi Slimane after his contract expires next month.

This morning rumours were confirmed that Pilati is leaving the brand he has worked for for more than a decade, yet no confirmation has been made as to who is to replace him or where he is headed.

The news follows last weeks headlines that Raf Simons is set to leave Jil Sander and that he was headed to the brand, despite PPR officially dismissing these rumours in September.

With the the post for Creative Director at Dior still vacant and Jil Sander returning to her eponymous label, there is set to be a big shake up with two of PPR's biggest labels over the coming year.

Raf Simons to leave Jil Sander

Last year rumours were rife as to who was finally to replace Galliano after his highly controversial departure from fashion heavyweight Christian Dior, everyone from Alaia to Marc Jacobs was in the frame. The most recent name thrown into the mix was Raf Simons, who currently is Creative Director at Jil Sander, although nothing was confirmed from either side.

Today, after Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn tweeted 'Jil Sander company has just confirmed that Raf Simons is leaving' it seems that the most recent speculations are in fact true. Jil Sander then released a statement confirming the rumours.

"The Jil Sander Group and Raf Simons, announce today that Mr Simons will leave his position as creative director.  Jil Sander Group and Raf Simons agreed that the designer will step down from his position as of 27th February 2012.

Raf Simons was appointed Jil Sander creative director on the 1st July 2005 with his first big collection being men's Fall/Winter 2006.  The women's Fall/Winter 2012 will be his last for the company.

Jil Sander thanks Raf Simons for his dedicated commitment to the brand, throughout these years, and wishes him the very best for teh future.  Jil Sander will communicate the appointment of a new creative director in the next few days"

With reports that Jil Sander herself is to return to the helm of the brand, we look forward to any news whether Simons is in fact to take control over at Dior.

Brit Awards 2012: Red Carpet

 

Not only is it the biggest night of the year for the British music industry but the Brit awards are probably my personal favorite awards of the year. Not only is it a great night for fashion with the stars swarming the red carpet but we are always guaranteed a truly brilliant bunch of performances, who could forget Plan B's fiery performance last year or the amazing collaboration of Dizzee Rascal and Florence Welsh in 2010.

Whilst I'm not the biggest Florence fan, that applies only to her music.  She tonight showed exactly what a credit she is to the fashion industry yet again wearing a dress from the SS 2012 Mcqueen collection whilst debuting a new, darker hairdo than that we are used to seeing from her.

Fresh from winning 6 Grammy's, Adele won two Brit Awards from her 3 nominations and was looking as flawless as always in her full length black Burberry dress with a sheer overlay and beaded neckline.

It came to no surprise to anyone that Rihanna scooped the Brit for International Female, but we're surprised she managed to make it to the stage at all with her Givenchy gown that reportedly weighs 100 Ib's, which she accessorized with Givenchy full length gloves fresh from the runway.

Lana Del Ray,who won the Brit for International Record, wowed in a floor length, off the shoulder Red Vivienne Westwood number, and whilst I'm not a fan of her highly acclaimed 'video games' I cant deny she looked every inch the star in her gown.  Pixie Lott also opted for full length with her black strapless number which looked fab next to her pale skin and blonde her and was finished off with red lips and a red clutch.

A mention has to go to Ray Winstone who, at 55, managed to do what his daughter still hasn't managed and  looked dapper than any of his younger counterparts tonight in a 3 piece pinstriped suit complete with a watch chain.

Worst dressed of the night? Without a doubt Emma Watson in her short red laced number that, on it's own was a faux pas, but next to Jessie J's similar yet beautiful gown is promised to get her on all the 'sack the stylist' lists for next week.

Payday Purchase

Yet another gorgeous piece from our jewellery box from the god send that is mywardrobe.com this week.

We've rapidly seen an increase in popularity of stacking rings over the last year or so and I have to say these are the prettiest ones I have seen in a long time!

By Iosselliani these bright rings will set you back only £165 and the best part is that, when you feel stacking rings are no longer appropriate?  Just wear the simply for a simple yet noticeable look.

Mary Katrantzou Lands at Topshop

Her SS 2012 show was the talk of the fashion industry, but we clearly still haven't seen the best of British designer yet.  Today marks the launch of her third and biggest range for high street store Topshop, who are this year celebrating 10 years of sponsoring new British talent.

The capsule collection features 9 pieces, one of which we saw on model Poppy Delevigne earlier this week at the Elle Style awards, that all carry the intricate digital print of which Katrantzou has become synonymous with, but at more affordable prices.

'My idea behind the collaboration was to decide for the Topshop girl a range that is as close to the aesthetic mainline as possible' Katrantzou stated 'I can't wait to see the Topshop girls in the bowl dresses and for the most daring to see them try the print on print layering'.

See the full collection here: Topshop.com

J Crew are coming to Ldn!

Last year we had the news that the likes of Victoria's Secret and Helmut Lang were to open their first UK stores in 2012, today it seems that another American retailer is to follow in their footsteps, J Crew.

The brand, which began back in 1983, is the go to store in the US, particularly in Manhattan for high end classic clothes (think Reiss but better).

The brands creative director said today at the new season presentation that they were looking at stores in both Regent Street and Covent Gardens stating 'It's not just gonna be one store, we're not gonna be stingy'. We have a huge British following already, our New York stores get a lot of customers, but what we do is not very well represented in the British market'

The stores are speculated to be opening sometime next year, Until then the brand is available to UK customers online at both net-a-porter and the brands own website JCrew.com.

Elle Style Awards 2012

We all know February is one of the biggest months for fashion, with New York Fashion Week still going strong, Sunday night seeing in the Grammy's and Bafta's whilst last night saw the fash pack head to the read carpet for Elle's Style Awards.

Rosie Huntington Whiteley was awarded 'Style Icon' award and looked as flawless as ever in a stunning Grecian goddess inspired Antonia Beradi gown which spoke for itself and was worn with her usually flowing locks pulled back with a slick middle parting.

Alexa Chung presented the awards and was back to her androgynous best in a tweed Stella McCartney suit whilst Florence Welsh, who scooped Best Music Act wowed in an Erdem Printed Shift.  Both wore pointed courts, a sure sign that platforms most certainly are on their way out.

Best outfit of the night?  Had to be model Poppy Delevigne who took to the red carpet in Mary Katrantzou's latest collection for Topshop and had our skeptical selves deciding that we most certainly WILL be purchasing from the latest Topshop collaboration as soon as it hits the stores.

David Gandy led the way for the males in his Grey Suit Jacket and brown pants whilst London Rapper Dizzee Rascal and DJ Nick Grimshaw opted to go for suits with electric blue hues.

Jenny Packham AW 12/13

'It's all about Femme Fatales and film noir this season' said Jenny Packham backstage at this morning's show.

Normally known for her graceful and elegant gowns, the British designer really let her darker side show with this collection.  Shoulder detail was key, with heavy padding and embelleshment on her dresses.

Inspired by the likes of Lauren Bacall and Angelina Jolie, Packhams models donned dark lips, plunging necklines and plenty of beading.  It wasn't all grunge as the dresses that she is known for soon emerged, with heavy detailing, plenty of asymmetry and heavy embellishment.

Zac Posen AW 12/13

In my eyes Zac Posen can do no wrong.  There is literally not a single piece of his that I don't like, and this collection is better than ever.  Staying true to previous collections this show also had a heavy 1940's theme but with a Japanese twist.

No one does sex appeal like Posen and his models took to the runway with spiked buns, pencil skirts and cinched in waists that showed just how beautiful the female body shape really is.

With colours ranging from dusty pink to velvet green it was a collection like no other.  The first 20 or so looks featured peplum waists, sharp shoulders, structures tops and some large, boxy jackets before we saw more of those high glamour dresses that the designer is known so well for.

There were plenty of rich colours on his ball gown dresses (I would literally give up one of my limbs for one) and like last season, his final looks featured the increasingly popular fish tails.  The finale?  Probably the biggest ball gown known to man worn by Posen's muse herself, Coco Rocha.

Diane Von Furstenburg AW 12/13

Despite it being one of the coldest winters ever this year, Diane Von Furstenburg seems adamant to keep things light with this season's collection which began with a model in a light dress and shades.

With a colour palette that featured summer brights such as red, pink and burgundy it is a collection that I covet already. Two thing's the former Princess of Furstenburg will forever be known for are her perfect use of wrap dresses and clever exploration of prints, but to begin with her show was a world away, featuring bold use of colour blocking, two pieces and leather gloves.

Unlike many designers, she mixed it up with the dresses and separates  featuring the aforementioned prints and more than one casual look via the clever use of turtle neck. One of the boldest pieces? A pink jumpsuit worn with a luxurious, heavy berry coloured coat.

Harper Seven Becomes Immortalised: As A Handbag

She's not yet One but Harper Seven Beckham is already a name to know in the fashion industry, thanks to Mum Victoria.  The designer tweeted the image yesterday along with the caption 'Meet Harper! X vb'.  The bags then made their way to Victoria's latest NYFW show and onto the arms of the models.

With the way Victoria's status is going right now, this is clearly going to be the 'it' bag of the season and although the range doesn't launch until August, you can bet the waiting list will already be as long as the catwalk.  Not bad for a baby who doesn't even know what the word 'fashion' means.

The 54th Grammy Awards : Best Dressed

The night may have had a shadow cast over it with the death of music star Whitney Houston but with the emotional tributes aside, the night really did belong to Adele.

The Rolling In The Deep singer scooped and amazing 6 awards last night and despite being referred too as 'too fat' by the one and only Karl Lagerfeld, looked amazing in her black, full length dress.

Both Rihanna and Katy Perry wowed on stage with two of the best performances the Grammy's have ever seen but both of them toned it down from there usual outfits with these stunning gowns.  Rihanna dared to bare in a low cut Giorgio Armani gown whilst newly divorces Katy Perry opted for something with a little more fabric via this blue Elie Saab gown which seemed to match her newest hair colour.

Both Kelly Rowland and Kelly Osborne opted to go for something more neutral with their embellished gowns.  Kelly O decided to go for the hair colour Katy Perry recently discarded and wore a gorgeous asymmetric Tony Ward Gown whilst X Factor Judge Kelly Rowland wore Alberta Ferretti with a sheer torso that bore an intricate flower embroidery.

The best dresses of the night had to be Carrie Underwood in her backless white Gomez-Garcia dress accessorized perfectly with coiffed hair and diamond drop earrings.

2012 Bafta's Alternative Fashion

Despite freezing temperatures and spats of snow last night the stars of Hollywood took to the floor with pure glamour, one of whom stood out more than any other - Michelle Williams.

The My Week With Marilyn star wowed the crowd with her monchrome, strapless gown by none other than high street chain H&M as part of their bespoke Concious collection.

The 31 year old also gave a nod to her character Marilyn Monroe with her clutch by Olympia Le tan, in the style of Arthur Miller's The Misfits (Monroe's husband who wrote the screenplay that she later starred in).

Another person who stole the night away from the awards themselves was Livia Firth, wife of the real life Mr Darcy.  Back in 2009 Livia vowed to attend all red carpet event with her husband dresses solely in sustainable fashion and has stuck to it whilst gradually convincing other star to do the same as well as encouraging designers to reduce their carbon foot print via their clothes.

Last night Livia attended the awards in a simple yet stylish pant suit, whilst The Help star Viloa Davis wore a stunning salmon Valentino gown as part of the Green Carpet challenge and current man of the moment Michael Fassbender wore Giorgo Armani as part of the challenge.

Derek Lam AW 12/13

Derek Lam showed yesterday with his predominately monochrome collection that featured accents of red and mustard via leather pants and cable knitwear.  There were plenty of ankle strapped shoes on show as models made their way down the catwalk with backcombed hair and floral bags that wouldn't of looked out of place in a Cath Kidson store.

To begin with the clothes were neutral with a cute paisly pattern, collared dresses and boxy jackets.  We were then treated to some red leather, Britney Spears style, by way of a pair of truly stunning pants and one not so wearable dress.  Moving on we saw everything from sequins to digital prints before the finale of some gorgeous white dresses were bought which suprisingly, wont make you look like a bride gone awol.