Met Gala 2013: ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’

It was one helluva night last night and the shiniest of A-list stars gave it their all at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute gala ball in New York. While there were hushed complaints on the red carpet that there was nothing ‘Punk’ about this party celebrating the opening of the Museum’s ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ exhibit it didn’t stop the likes of Madonna going all-out in fishnet stockings, chains, crucifixes and a Givenchy jacket. The other big Givenchy moment of the night was a towering flame-print gown on Beyonce resplendent in a patent-leather bodice. There were elements of ‘Punk’ on Karolina Kurkova and Carey Mulligan who channeled the vibe through the use of safety pins and Rooney Mara who had re-evaluated a white lace gown with a leather strap and zippers: “the romanticism of the lace represents her” explained Met Ball co-chair and Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci. Donatella Versace had no problem keeping to the night’s form with her own custom made gown spiked to perfection. Sienna Miller and Cara Delevingne were spikey too in their Burberry jackets. Sarah Jessica Parker probably wins the most Punk points in this alternative fashion universe - she topped her Giles Deacon gown with a fetching Philip Treacy mohawk. Anne Hathaway got everyone talking with the unveiling of bleach blonde hair and a somewhat sheer vintage Valentino dress while Gwen Stefani kept it simple in black and white. Plenty of starlets including Kate Beckinsale, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Bosworth committed to the pink, the official color of punk.

Contributing Editor: Richard Dennen

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Fashion Inspiration: The Great Gatsby

The fashion film happening of the year is almost upon us. Fashion loves a literary style icon and it doesn’t get much better than Daisy Buchanan. Yes, ‘The Great Gatsby,’ directed by Baz Luhrmann, and with a soundtrack helmed by Jay-Z is the film which had already spawned a thousand style features and hundreds of looks before it even reached the multiplex.  Last year’s Met Ball channeled the feel with Luhrmann co-hosting the Costume Institute’s annual fundraiser and the opening of the ‘Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion’ exhibition. The collections that summer were already awash with opportunities to channel one of Gatsby’s Long Island dances of 1922 with Lanvin and Gucci not the only places to look for Art Deco drop-waist dresses. With the lavish stills we’ve seen of Carey Mulligan’s Daisy Buchanan and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jay Gatsby it’s now imperative that these embodiments of Jazz Age chic inspire the new Summer wardrobe.

Shop Cocktail Dresses

Contributing Editor: Richard Dennen 

Trending for Spring: White Out

Head-to-toe white is a key trend for spring/summer’13 and fashionistas are divided on how best to style this stunning look.  For those who prefer clean, simple lines, our feather light voiles, fine knits and semi-sheer jerseys are perfect for white-on-white layering. Those drawn to the pretty, romantic side of white can slip into our intricately embroidered, floral lace sundresses, tops and blouses. The choice is yours – a sartorial blank canvas.

Shop the Trend

Three Is A Trend : Leon Max Cape

Hayden Panettiere is the latest style-conscious celebrity to be spotted in this season’s most coveted cover up. Joining fellow starlets Zooey Deschanel and Jessica Biel also recently seen in this Leon Max Wool Cape, Hayden is keeping the trend going by looking equally chic and polished last week in this standout piece.  

Shop the Leon Max Wool Cape

Paris Fashion Week // Street Style

Paris Fashion Week saw some of the most on trend and must-have street style looks. In order to keep up with show attending fashionistas we bring you trends from the street that you can own now! Whether it’s fashion puffers, printed jacquard or knee-length coats we have it all!

photo credit: fabsugar.com

Trends from the Runway Fall 2013 PFW - Wear it Now

Fresh off the runway from Paris Fashion Week we give you the hottest trends for Autumn 2013 and how to get them now. Dresses and tops in shades of blue, sheer skirts, capes and macs and the combination of black and white ruled the runways. Get the looks now

Shades of Blue

Sheer Skirts

Capes & Macs

Black and White

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Trends from the Runway Fall 2013 MFW - Wear it Now

Fresh off the Runway from Milan Fashion Week we give you the hottest trends for Autumn 2013 and how to get them now. Purple tops and cocktail dresses, structured skirt suits, white out day looks and evening dresses and statement paillettes ruled the runways. Get the looks now

Purples

Skirt Suits

White Out

Paillettes

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Tales from LFW: Parties not Shows

While the fashion editors and celebrities crowd into the shows the rest of us go to the parties. For me, they’re the best bit. I’m always short of a smart, evening jacket and this season my Leon Max was just the thing.

A world away from the jostling bloggers crowding in to see the latest in women’s designer clothing, my favourite boutique in Chelsea , Austique, threw a pop-up party for Tallulah Rufus Isaacs’ Paris, Space. Then it was on to Belgraves Hotel, where Tallulah’s cousin, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs was hosting the preview of her Beulah label. My sister Davina looked smoking dolled up in the new season, and James Middleton was showing off his post-Mustique tan. Made in Chelsea’s Ollie Proudlock was bubbling about his plans for the rest of the week, he’s got a style blog he’s very proud of.

Meanwhile TV presenter Natalie Pinkham and I decided to hit Guy Pelly’s Tonteria for margaritas. The perfect way to sound in the early hours of Valentine’s Day.

Monday night is meant to be staying in night but that doesn’t seem to apply to our crew. Off we went to 5 Herford Street, Robin Birley’s chic new-ish club. I went with Tatler Hong Kong’s fashion editor, Olivia Buckingham, for the Moncler/Vistajet party, although any excuse would’ve done. Its desperately glam there. We ran excitedly around LouLou’s, the basement nightclub there, bumping into (literally!) Otis Ferry and Edie Campbell, the shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood and man-about-town, Zafar Rushdie, the son of the great writer, Salman. He admired by black Leon Max cape - well, when its this cold who wouldn’t be jealous?

Written By: Astrid Harbord

Astrid Harbord is a fashionista and London girl-about-town.

Trends from the Runway Fall 2013 LFW - Wear it Now

Fresh off the Runway from LFW we give you the hottest trends for Autumn 2013 and how to get them now. Bold red in every shape, dark romantic black tie dresses, fun and flirty heart prints and cotton candy pink day dresses were the highlights. Shop the trends now

Bold Red

Dark Romance

Heart Prints

Cotton Candy Pink

photo credit: getty images

Trends from the Runway Fall 2013 NYFW - Wear it Now

Fresh off the Runway from NYFW we give you the hottest trends for Fall 2013 and how to get them now. Military inspired jackets, fur in any way you could want it, leather jackets and detailing, statement turtlenecks, and houndstooth were the most popular looks of the week. Shop the trends now

Military Inspired

Fur

Leather

Turtlenecks

Houndstooth 

photo credit: getty images

London Fashion Week: A Model’s City Guide

I love fashion week in London. It’s when my friends from all over the world come to town, and it’s my chance to be the ultimate host in my favourite city!

To kick of LFW in style - the place to be seen is the IMG party! It’s the great opportunity to ‘dress to impress’ and the perfect place to rock a cool Leon Max evening look. No one wants to be overlooked in the company of Lara Stone.

When the catwalk pavilions shoot up next to the Saatchi Gallery, taking some time out to enjoy Kings Road is a must between shows. It’s one of London’s best shopping areas, and with beautiful boutiques, squares, and restaurants. Grab lunch in Colbert if you are on a budget, or Le Colombier if you are looking for something more refined. Keep your look sophisticated and you’ll fit right in!
Chelsea is my home and I can’t talk about fashion week in London without mentioning a hot new spot to hit after the sun goes down. Guy Pelly’s Tonteria is the place to be, if you enjoy decadent dress with a tequila slammer on the side. This place is edgy with a hint of glitz - perfect for a little black dress with big bold statement accessory.
Another hot spot this LFW will be Burberry’s pavilion in Hyde park. If you make it out there and the weather holds out - head to the Serpentine for some tea and scones. Overlooking the lake with a tea cup in the afternoon will make you feel right at home in London. Just be sure to wear something very British, and you’ll fit right in.
Of course if the weather is too English for your liking - and you hanker for somewhere warm and welcoming - just round the corner from Hyde Park you can find yourself in the welcoming arms of a Russian babushka. Visiting Mari Vanna, arguably London’s most cozy restaurant will lighten and warm your mood. Comforting food; amazing atmosphere; and best of all - it’s a stone’s throw from Harrods.

When you have run yourself ragged flitting from show to show, and you are desperate to escape, then new health sanctuary Grace is your must have recovery treat. Designed for the better half of the human race - just us girls. Seriously, no men allowed! Grace is situated in the heart of Chelsea, where the belles of Sloane street and Belgravia are attended to by the best beauticians.

By: Katia Elizarova

New York Fashion Week: City Guide

New York Fashion Week has officially begun! In order to ensure you visit all the go-to spots during the fashion event of the season we put together a NYC city guide for dining, nightlife and where to get your beauty sleep after a long day of fashion mayhem! Whether you are uptown seeing shows at the Lincoln center or Downtown at Milk Studios we have you covered! We even included some fashion inspiration from our Spring 2013 collection styled for uptown vs. downtown.

Uptown:  Lincoln Center

Hotels:

Mandarin Oriental, Empire Hotel

Dining & Drinks

The Smith (1900 Broadway)

Ed’s Chowder House (44 West 63rd Street)

Valentine’s Must Visit:

Momofuku Milk Bar (561 Columbus Avenue)

Downtown: Milk Studios

Hotels:

Soho House, Dream Hotel

Dining:

Cole’s (118 Greenwich Avenue)

El Toro Blanco (257 6th Avenue between Bleecker & Houston)

Nightlife:

Electric Room(355 West 16th Street)

Beatrice Inn (285 W. 12th Street at West 4th)

British Fashion Awards

Last week Cara Delevingne was toasting the grand opening of London’s Leon Max boutique on Westbourne Grove. Last night at the British Fashion Awards at the Savoy she was crowned Model of the Year 2012. Is there no stopping the elfin Belgravia-born babe who the London Times knighted today as the “The New Kate Moss.” That’s one great rep to live up too. But if last night is anything to go by, as Jonathan Saunders and a heady fash pack swept around her post-award, she’s definitely got the UK-side industry’s nod of approval. Meanwhile Stella McCartney landed two of the big prizes - the designer brand award and the designer of the year award. What with designing the outfits for Team GBs Olympic efforts its been a big year for the designer. She confirmed she would be moving her show from Paris to London for next season, as she was handed her award by Salma Hayek. With Princess Beatrice handing out awards and Prime Minister’s wife hanging off the arm of Erdem, everyone could agree, it’s definitely been a good year for Fashion’s Team GB.

Contributing Editor: Richard Dennen

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Marie Claire & Maxstudio Host ‘Fall for Fashion’ in Soho

As the sun set over the NYC skyline, an excited swarm of Manhattan women piled into Maxstudio’s Soho location for an evening of fun and fashion. Co-hosted by Marie Claire Magazine, this exclusive shopping event promised a peek at the hottest trends of the season along with how-to-wear tips straight from the mouths of the magazine’s own style experts.

Tackling this tricky time of year where the arrival of incredibly cold weather coincides with an onslaught of party invitations and social engagements, Marie Claire’s Madison Shoop shared some secrets on building the perfect looks for the season with her must-have pieces from the collection.

And after a bit of bubbly and some socializing, the ladies headed out into the night, armed with some new fashion knowledge and some seriously chic clothes. 

Here are Madison’s Must-Haves:

Cashmere Sweater

“This is a luxurious piece that can function as both a cover up like a cardigan or as outerwear. The soft and rich cashmere makes it an ideal layer for the Fall to Winter transition and though super stylish, it’s perfectly office appropriate.”

Wide Leg Crepe Trousers

“These trousers speak for themselves and are a piece that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. The wide-leg, menswear inspired cut is so chic and timeless. With styling a statement piece like these, it’s best to keep the rest of the look simple.”

Woven Fur Jacket

“For a festive occasion or cocktail party, this voluminous fur jacket is a dramatic layer to pile on. I love how it looks worn over intricately detailed dresses or tops to create interesting depth and contrast.”

Caped Jacket

“This wonderful cape ties and cinches in all of the right places and can be worn over everything from a sweater dress to leggings and a button-down. This season is all about layering and getting a relaxed yet sophisticated look, which this piece perfectly embodies.”

Shop the Fall Collection

The British are Coming!      

Just as Autumn was relinquishing it’s grips to Winter all over Europe last week, the world of fashion came to Los Angeles for a few last days of sunshine with a double feature combo of the British Fashion Council’s “London Showrooms” where a select group of fashion designers are invited over to meet head celebrity stylists and media and The Vogue Fashion Funds finalists’ fashion show, held at The Chateau Marmont.  

Needless to say, the meeting of the two events called for a party! The festivities were scheduled towards the end of the week and as Wednesday rolled along I jumped at the invitation to the British Fashion Council’s drinks party at the Mondrian pool with a subsequent dinner hosted by Victoria Beckham and Anna Wintour.  

Upon arrival at The Mondrian, the tight black jeans, white t-shirt and leather jacket, LA uniform was checked at the door and the pleated tailoring of Marios Schwab, the brilliantly eclectic and timeless textiles and unique shapes of Mary Katrantzu, the street chic of Aitor Throup’s exhibition and of course the innovative and pastels of Nicholas Kirkwood’s new shoes were on display.  It was just like a little bit of London- poolside.

I arrived wearing a beautiful navy blue Spencer Hart suit from Savile Row and red velvet heels and found everyone, including my favorite designer of the moment, Louise Gray, looking eye wateringly cool in their own designs.     

The next night saw the fashion’s elite head over to The Chateau Marmont for the Vogue Fashion Fund’s finalist dinner.  The result was dazzling and the red carpet looked something more like an Awards Ceremony than an up and coming fashion show’s celebration, but luckily, Hollywood’s A-list managed to keep the fun upbeat energy that you only get when you discover something new and exciting and really let their hair down- which is rare as a gloomy day in LaLa Land.

Guests included Brits David Beckham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as well as Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry, Emma Roberts and Gwen Stefani. 

Contributing Editor: Margo Stilley

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Paris Fashion Week

Yes Paris Fashion Week has been all about the Raf v. Hedi, the Dior v. YSL thing. But actually by far the most important and interesting moment was the opening of the “Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity” show at the Musee D’Orsay. This is a neat look into the Parisiennes’ fashionista forebears, oceans of lace and tulle flowing off Manet’s ‘Le Balcon’ and into Bazille’s ‘Reunion de famille.’ “The Parisienne isn’t fashionable. She IS fashion,” pointed out Arsene Houssaye in 1869.

The 21st century descendant was out in force this week, she of the smokey eye, Carine Roitfeld, who now seems to make a habit of throwing a ball during Paris. All very Manet’s ‘Le Balcon’ really. It will come as no surprise to fashion world followers that the former Paris Vogue editrix decreed that dressing black and wearing a smokey eye were musts for the ball she threw as the week of shows was coming to a close. And, boy, did they come. In the black corner were the Delevigne sisters oozing chic in Pucci, leaning off the arm of its designer, Peter Dundas. He had a rather fetching eyeliner motif surrounding les yeux - his secret? Getting Poppy D to practice his eyeliner skills. Arizona Muse was also in a look from the Florentine house. Joan Smalls smoked in Gucci and Anna dello Russo in a Blow-like hat structure with mesh tumbling over her face showed just enough lip to be able to air kiss and accept the flowing compliments on her fresh H and M line which had premiered earlier in the week. The young designers were out too - Wang, Tisci, Ackerman - what wouldn’t they do for Carine? And when you throw Valentino and Karl into the mix. Well, Manet would certainly have approved.

Contributing Editor: Richard Dennen

Photo Credit: Getty Images

London Fashion Week City Guide

In celebration of the start of London Fashion Week we asked industry locals, including model Katia Elizarova, actress Margo Stilley, and columnist Richard Dennen, to share some of their favorite London hotspots. From must-visit restaurants and nightclubs to hotels and museums we have the entire week covered.

Follow this guide to ensure a first class London experience complete with all of the fashion, eats, drinks and comforts that a fashion gal needs.

New York Fashion Week: The Parties

It was all about old-school uptown Swan glamour when FIT’s couture council honoured Oscar de la Renta. The man’s clearly still got IT though. The Bush sisters turned up, as did SJP, Nada Swarovski as well as his great fashion contempories, Donna Karan and Diane von Furstenburg. There’s no stopping those silver surfers.  

As if not to be out done by the golden oldies it was a far younger set when the Proenza Schouler boys were opening their Madison Avenue store, the dinner was thrown at a private apartment resplendent with a first class art collection and a first class crowd; although it was debatable which was more interesting with all those IT girls like Olympia Scarry and actresses Kate Bosworth and Elizabeth Olsen with which to feast the eye. It wasn’t just for the spring chicken though, super-stylist Rachel Zoe got a look it too.

Karlie Kloss kept things beautiful at the Jason Wu après-party but if that was great then French editrix Carine Roitfeld’s party at the Frick was a ‘moment’. She was launching her new book, CR Fashion Book, and the crowd was premier cru, made up of a model pack including a repeat performance from Kloss, as well as Karen Elson, Bar Refaeli as well as a tryptich of designers, Wang, Tisci and Altuzarra. The Frick party was a mini Met Ball, the sort of stuff that fashion week wet dreams are made of. 

The Vreeland documentary premiere was the intellectual moment of the week. Made by a Vreeland a couple of gens down from the legendary Vogue editor, it was no doubt what she would have described as having ‘pizzaz.’ But it was Marc Jacobs’ afterparty that closed off things roundly. How clever to hire out the WASPy environs of the New York Yacht Club and fill it to the brim with the most fabulous of things. The Strokes dj’d and when actress Rose Byrne walked in she cried, “I feel like I’ve arrived!” And in more ways that one she had. 

Contributing Editor: Richard Dennen

Photo Credit: Getty Images

New York Fashion Week City Guide from the Fashion Elite

In celebration of the start of New York Fashion Week we asked fashion hard hitters to share the go-to places during fashion week to grab a drink, get glamorous for fashion shows and after parties, grab a bite between the two and where to get a massage when it is all said and done.

Follow this guide to the city, straight from the fashion source, to guarantee a fashion week complete with all the glamour New York has to offer.

Partying in Paris

Nicole Kidman, Mila Kunis, Katy Perry and Jessica Alba were just some of the A-list names in the social throng of Paris fashion week.

Glamorous Paris fashion week is a wonder to behold and when night draws, the real business is done. This is the business of looking fabulous. After the Lanvin show (it’s the 10th anniversary of Alber Elbaz helming the label) it was the models Karlie Kloss and Lily Donaldson who led the celebrations, dragging Tilda Swinton and cacophony of fellow cool cats along for the ride. They all wanted to salute this popular designer as well as a radiant looking Jessica Alba who had swung in bringing some Hollywood flair to the Parisienne proceedings. What is it about Sunday nights and fashion week? Don’t any of these people have to get up on a Monday morning? P. Diddy was spotted zipping from the Kenzo party to the Givenchy party arriving just in the nick of time to hear Alicia Keys perform for Riccardo Tisci as well as Marina Abramovic and Hedi Slimane. Across town there were three generations of Jaggers – Bianca, daughter Jade and granddaughter, Amba Jackson - at the ball Dior threw at the Hotel de Rothschild. Here it was all fin de siècle decadence and feasting on foie gras and macaroons, with society beauties like Mary Charteris, and Stella Tennant straight off the Givenchy runway, all there to see Victoire de Castellane’s new jewelry line for the French house. Well, fashion girls are impressed by someone every now and then. The Pinaults, Gareth Pugh, Marc Newson, euro IT-stylist Giovanna Battaglia and some of the more wacky creatures in town pitched up to support Dasha Zhukova and the launch of the summer issue of her magazine, Garage. But things were really revved up last night when Kanye West threw his after show party at La Halle Freyssinet which not only had the cooler than thou Azealia Banks (the fashion world is currently in a quagmire over who is cooler, this songstress or Lana Del Rey?) but also a go-kart track set up around the catwalk. This set never being the sort to remain low-key it was only a matter of minutes before some of the coolest kids in fashion were pulling helmets over their perfectly coiffed hair and racing around the track, the main instigators being funsters Alexander Wang, Karlie Kloss and Katy Perry. Nothing was going to get in the way of Anna Dello Russo and this photo op. Philip Treacy hats being dropped in favor of crash helmets? It doesn’t get much stranger than that.

Contributing Editor: Richard Dennen

Photo Credit:

Eric Ryan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images 

Dominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty Images