Red Carpet Winners - MTV Movie Awards

 It was a sea of boring simple black dresses, the Red Carpet stars of last night's MTV Movie Awards were the ones that took risks and brought the out the color; lots of colors.  Lupita Nyong'o has been the hands-down winner of red carpet dressing this year and won the night again.  She wore a quirky arts project of a dress by Chanel that on anyone else, would have been silly, but had every fashion fan squealing instead.  The bright turquoise shoes, gun metal eye shadow and nerd glasses later on in the evening completed the best look of the awards.

Another art inspired look was worn by Jillian Rose Reed of MTV's Awkward.  While the strapless fit could have used a good tailor, the flared silhouette and painterly print was lots of fun.  I loved how the palette complemented her bright red hair.  The dress was from Angelys Balek. 

 Yes, I said there were a lot of boring black dresses.  The one exception was the Alexander McQueen gown worn by Nicki Minaj.  The rapper shocked fans and skeptics alike with a gorgeous, elegant makeover.  Her sleek hair, sexy cat's eye makeup was toned down from the looks we are used to, but the figure hugging black dress and teasing pattern along the side certainly did not reduce her impact and proved less can be more, even for Nicki.  The sculpted gold jewelry made her look like a queen.

Shailene Woodley always looked like the good girl with tasteful dresses and strong, tough characters.  It was great to see a more playful, sexy look last night.  The deceptively simple color of olive green was given a high fashion twist in Balenciaga's leather two-piece ensemble.  Those magnificent strappy heels? They are from Jimmy Choo.

Honorable mention goes to newlyweds Linda Perry and Sara Gilbert.  They had a great couples ensemble.  They wore similar, but not matching outfits.  Linda in charcoal suit with satin shawl collar with weathered t-shirt and rock n' roll pendants and belt buckle.  Sara also in rocker chic with leather blazer and hardware necklace in a different length.  The couple demonstrated the proper way to dress appropriately for the occasion and to complement each other.


Photos from Rich Polk/Getty Images for MTV,REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Read more >>

Punk: Chaos to Couture

The city of New York roared a sartorial rebel yell last night with the opening of Punk: Chaos to Couture.  The legendary Met Gala thrown by the Metropolitan Museum of Art brings the most elite of the fashion crowd up the red carpeted steps to see the exhibit.

The punk movement was born in the mid 1970's both in New York at clubs like CBGB's and in London with Malcolm McLaren and then girlfriend, Vivienne Westwood.  The first section of the exhibit had reproductions of the gritty CBGB bathroom (I’m sure the socialites and Anna Wintour can relate to this) and simulation of iconic punk fashion boutique Seditionaries’ from Great Britain.  Degraded t-shirts with subversive messages, bondage inspired outfits held together with safety pins were in full display from Westwood and McLaren .

Speaking of safety pins, it’s hard to imagine punk fashion without the metal hardware.  If you haven’t overdosed on the volume of spikes in the retail scene the past two years, prepare for another onslaught.  Pins, studs, spikes, grommets, staples and logo embossed metallic trims were showcased on the designs of Balenciaga, Gianni Versace, Victor & Rolf, Givenchy, Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana.

Doesn’t sound very anarchistic?  This exhibition is the ultimate example of street style influencing haute couture.  There is a room of graffiti influenced fashion from the likes of Stephen Sprouse to Ann Demeulemeester.  The Alexander McQueen dress that was famously spray painted with robotic air nozzle guns on the runway was on display as well.

There was always the basic culture of DIY and artistic expression in punk fashion.  There was an interesting gallery, “Bricolage” that focused on style that was created from found objects, fashion from garbage from designers like Martin Margiela, John Galliano and Prada. While scholars referenced this as punks’ “violent” tendencies in the cutting up of materials, I saw this as contemporary and eco-friendly.  The dresses made from garbage bags, broken dishes and postage fashion is very “green”.  To me, I interpreted this as a message against mass consumption. 

The last gallery was “Destroy”.  Imagine it being screamed from the Nick Knight-made films all over the show featuring Sid Vicious.  I thought it would show lots of fashion and prestige labels being torn down from social upheaval throughout the decades.  Nope, designers like Balmain, Chanel and Yohji Yamamoto were displayed showing outfits with different techniques of distressed fabrics or deliberate sabotage in embellished holes.

“Destroying” incredibly expensive clothing with intent with the idea that it will appeal to the young market is not very punk to me.  The youth culture that started the movement was poor and was protesting the elite establishment.  However, the designers curated for this show are all incredibly successful, prestigious global brands that the 99% of the Occupy Wall Street movement cannot afford.  This also reflects the entire guest list attending the evening’s gala.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved this exhibit and these are all designers that I grew up idolizing.  In the spirit of the subject though, I would have liked to see representation from modern unknown fashion labels or designers who truly DID do business in a way that went against the grain since McLaren and Westwood. 

The couture “punk” references the themes of the 70’s and 80’s aesthetic but doesn’t ask what today’s “punk” is?  Would that be a coat made of Guy Fawkes masks?  Would it be a sculpted dress made of melted water bottles? Is it just a naked person wearing the ashes of their pink slips?  What is YOUR idea of punk?

   The exhibit runs until August 14th, 2013.

See the rest of my photos here:

(All photos by Mariana Leung)

Read more >>

Purse Lovers! Simone Handbag Museum

This has got to be the handbag and fashion lovers ultimate museum...The Simone Handbag Museum in Korea is a multi-story shrine to the fashionista's most necessary accessory and is actually built to resemble a purse!

How badass is that?  The team behind the museum are the masters of the handbag craft that include embroiderers, tailors, designers, restoration specialists, etc.  There are specially made mannequins, custom cast arms that were designed to display each handbag in optimum positions.  Historical bags that date as far back as 1550 are painstakingly restored. More contemporary pieces include a 2012 Celine tote and Alexander McQueen Union Jack purse.

Can't make it to Korea?  You're in luck.  Their website is fantastic.  You can click on the photos of their 300 handbags for a detailed image and description (yes, in English).  It also has extensive photos documenting the creation of the museum and mannequins that I found fascinating.

Think you're bag-obsessed now?  I think I enabled your addiction.

Read more >>

Favorite Looks from the Oscars

Academy Awards red carpet! For many, the trophies are irrelevant as long as you win here... Here is my round-up of my favorite Oscars fashion.  As always, I start with the most beautifully embellished gowns.  Catherine Zeta-Jones wore Zuhair Murad, who keeps designing strategically laid out beading that really flaunts a woman's curves.  Louis Roe wore one my favorite Monique Lhuillier gowns from the runway.  Zoe Saldana's 3D embellished bodice, I already loved when she presented at the podium, but when the camera panned away and I saw the ombre layered train of her Alexis Mabile dress, I was truly smitten.

Designers dressing for Hollywood often seem to be stymied by curves.  Here are three women who rocked it with their designers anyway.  Oscar-winning Adele looked beautiful in her beaded Jenny Packham.  Jennifer Hudson, with a lot less of her since her previous Academy Awards appearance, wore a sequin embroidered gown by Roberto Cavalli.  Channing Tatum's wife Jenna Dewan brought a whole new level of mommy-chic in an embellished lace gown by Rachel Roy.

I love this severe gold beaded collar on Salma Hayek's Alexander McQueen gown.  Not a fan of Kristen Stewart's red carpet looks generally, but the almost bride-like beaded tulle embellishments of her Reem Acra gown were very pretty.  Nicole Kidman looked like a an evil villainess diva (in a good way) in a sequinned, embroidered L'Wren Scott down.  Sandra Bullock is rockin' it in beaded Elie Saab. 

OK, Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta and Jennifer Lawrence in Dior were just FABULOUS in their over-the-top giant gowns.  Yes, they have no beading, I just have a regressive fantasy about enormous princess gowns.  I even fell more in with J-Law when she fell on her way to receiving her Academy Award, showing us the realities of what wearing a gown that size can do... Even more love for her post-Oscar interview...

Images:: Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America

Read more >>

Golden Globe Embroidery

Last night's Golden Globe fashions were, sigh, gorgeous. No scandalously tacky or inappropriate looks. In my awards show tradition, this is my shoutout to my favorite embellished gowns as a tribute to the art of embroidery...

Alexander McQueen had two dramatic and super flattering black gowns on the red carpet... Kate Hudson was fierce with a gold encrusted collar and waist motifs. Nicole Kidman had dainty jeweled pieces adorning her neckline and very sexy beaded lines down her sheer midriff.

Isla Fisher wore a very pretty Reem Acra gown that would make a great bridal alternative. I missed her hubby Sacha Baron Cohen on the red carpet to give Ryan Seacrest a style 'upgrade' as he did last year... Carlo Gugino wore a very sexy grey beaded gown from Rami Al Ali, a designer I am just being introduced to.

Jennifer Lopez did yet another naked dress, but I grudgingly admit the actual beading on nude tulle Zuhair Murad was beautiful, even if the final result was like an elaborately frosted wedding cake (plus 2 cupcakes).

What were your favorite looks last night?
photos from Getty Images

Read more >>

Ballgowns and British Glamour Exhibit

Are you in the heart of the holiday party season?  Have you donned your holiday sparkle, richest bling? If you want to truly be inspired by occasion dressing, catch the Ballgowns and British Glamour exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London before it leaves on January 6, 2013.

There will be standout examples from Britain's top designers as well as knockouts from recent runways like  Victor Stiebel, Zandra Rhodes, Jonathan Saunders,Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Erdem and Jenny Packham.   

Not suprisingly, a collection of ballgowns worn by royals like Norman Hartnell gown designed for Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Diana’s ‘Elvis Dress’ designed by Catherine Walker and gowns worn by today’s young royals are also part of the exhibit.  

Whether your party style is just a Union Jack over strategic parts or full on crinoline architecture, be sure to check out this museum over the holidays! 

Photos from The Culture Fur

Read more >>

Fashion at the Olympics Closing Ceremonies

Danny Boyle brought Britain's rock n' roll to the Olympics opening ceremonies.  Last night however, creative director Kim Gavin and production designer Es Devlin will be famous for bringing British fashion to the Olympics closing ceremonies.

The industry most memorably showcased in the closing was fashion.  Famed photographer Nick Knight had his photos of Britain's supermodels, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole among others blown up and driven around the stadium.  The photos lifted to reveal the actual models themselves who then strutted the spokes of the Union Jack on the world's biggest runway.  The models wore British designers Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Beckham, Jonathan Saunders and Burberry.  

The Pet Shop Boys made an avant-garde entrance in bright orange prism-shaped carts dressed in dramatic Gareth Pugh.  Annie Lennox made a gorgeous Gothic style presentation in a corseted red gown.  She descended into a chorus of Goth-clad dancers in romantic ballgowns and frock coats.

Style I didn't care for as much?  Jessie J's barnacle-crusted nude bodysuit.  I"m sorry, did I miss something?  Was this an homage to oyster fishing in the British Isles?

I was excited to see the Spice Girls all looking so sexy and chic.  Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice) looked fantastic in a shapely red dress with a nod to her signature British flag mini with a bustle made with the Union Jack.

While I  enjoy seeing fashion designers being honored at non-fashion events, I don't know if I really needed to see so much screen time devoted to models clomping down the stadium.  With an arena full of the most extraordinary athletes around the world, I found it almost an insult to celebrate models who are much more famous and better paid for merely walking.  I would have loved to see some of the Olympic athletes be the ones wearing British fashion designers.  Showing the artistry in the fashion with all of their muscle and showing the clothes in motion would have been truly impressive.  Imagine, a gymnast tumbling across the stadium in a flurry of satin,  a runner racing through while sparking in a beaded body suit?  

Is that too much to ask?

PHotos from Phil Noble, Just Jared, Getty, Reuters

Read more >>

Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala 2011

The stars poured out from Maybachs, black Cadillacs, and even a Prius in what seemed like the biggest celebrity event in recent memory to honor the late Alexander McQueen.

It was Alexander McQueen’s legacy that triumphed this weekend. First was the house’s dress via Sarah Burton for the future queen, Kate Middleton, for the wedding of the century. Then it was staging of the extravagant and one of the most extensive costume exhibits we have ever seen at his soon to be open exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum’s Savage Beauty exhibit starting on May 4.  The Fab Team was privy to an early press preview and have already vowed to return again now that it is open to the public.

And to top of the McQueen legacy, the Met’s annual fete, the Costume Institute Gala was in honor of the Savage Love exhibit and a celebration of a brilliant life.

The entry stairs of the Met museum were covered with red carpet when we arrived and young, handsome men dressed in traditional Scottish kilts stood at the entrance to greet the celebrity guests.

Ladies who truly defined ‘supermodel’ like Naomi Campbell, Giselle and Iman looked stunning in dresses (Iman wore a gold pants/top) that were couture worthy which was in keeping with the spirit of Alexander McQueen.  Models of the moment, Doutzen Kroes, dwarfed the red carpet with her massive flowing red dress with endless train.

Read more >>

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Met

Shocking, visionary, artist, a true designer. Alexander McQueen's death shocked and saddened many of the fashion world, but his creative legacy is eternal. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC launches Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty today. The extensive exhibit is one of the most elaborate, dramatic tributes to a designer I have ever seen.

The Savage Beauty Exhibit is a portrait of fashion genius:

The exhibit opens with two mannequins in a darkened foyer. One dressed in an ombre red feather gown, the other in a sculpted dress made of razor shells. You then proceed into soaring black-walled halls with antiqued gilded mirrors and horror movie sound effects.  The display of impeccably tailored black suits showed of McQueen's Savile Row background, but the rebellious variations of draping and corset finishing were all his vision. This was the most sedate part of the exhibit.

continued...

Read more >>

Emmys Red Carpet Embroidery

The Emmys Red carpet reports are all over the internet. Polls for if they were hot or not, best bag, best shoes, best boobs, etc.   As a couture embroidery designer, my quickie report will report on just that.  My top 3 gowns where I liked the embroidery.  That's it.  So here they are:

Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen polarized fashion enthusiasts, but I loved the antiqued metal paillettes and beads.  The overlapping embroidery mixed with beads created a sculpted effect that reminded me of Egyptian royalty or ancient armor.

Modern Family was the surprise upset winner for Best Comedy series.  Sophia Vergara was every bit the victor in this dazzling Carolina Herrera gown.  The embroidery was a mix of different sized sequins emanating from the center front.  The center front of the gown was encrusted with gold beads.

Emily Blunt was stunning in this Christian Dior gown.  The layers of chiffon flowed like a dream.  The asymmetrical embroidery was done by hand in a strategic, artistic layout.  It was a combination of beads, sequins and fabric appliqué that gave the effect of falling shells and pearls.

Read more >>

Paris Fashion Week – Alexander McQueen’s Final Collection Fall RTW 2010

n a gilded salon in Paris, the designer label presented a sad and majestic collection for Fall 2010. The talented Alexander McQueen ended own life, but left a legacy of impeccable tailoring and beauty. The pieces that were shown had elaborate swirls, ornate embroideries and sweeping brocades The classics of Byzantine art and rococo influences also contained eerie motifs of angels and skulls.

Some guests viewed the show with tears in their eyes. The notes from the show said it best, “Each piece is unique, as was he.”

Read more >>

Good-bye Alexander McQueen

The fashion world lost a truly creative talent today. London designer Alexander McQueen was found dead in his home this morning. The 40 year old designer had started his career as a tailor’s apprentice on Savile Row, worked for Romeo Gigli in Milan, and was made the head of Givenchy in 1996. His own theatrical collections shocked and awed the glamour world with his dramatic runway shows over the years. He lost is mentor and creative muse Isabella Blow three years ago, and had recently lost his mother a week ago. The four-time winner of British Designer of the Year will be missed by the design industry and fashion fans around the world.

Read more >>