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.

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Tom Ford Spring 2011

If you weren't one of the 100 select editors Tom Ford invited to view his collection, do not despair.  A sharp, highly edited video hit Youtube this week featuring the show, backstage peeks, and celebs like Beyonce, Rinko Kikuchi and Julianne Moore prancing as models.      The designer already showed his talent as a film director last year, and this video is a tiny extension of that.

The presentation has a sensuous, Bohemian vibe.  The clothes follow sleek silhouettes that reveal the skin in an elegant, sexy manner.  The overall look is that of an intimate salon party of the most fabulous people you know...

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I Love the 90's - An Ideal History of Contemporary Fashion

Did you love fashion in the 1990's? (If you were too young, I would rather not know).  What do you remember as the top looks of the decade?  The new exhibit at the Musee Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris recaptures many of them.

I think of minimalism, avant-garde and 'deconstructed' clothes from that time.  The rise of the Belgian designers (Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten).  Yohji Yamamoto's sculpted pieces, Comme des Garcon's cerebral outfits and pleats from Issey Miyake are represented here as well.

Did those trends not appeal to you?  The 1990's were also the height of popularity for Jean Paul Gaultier's tongue-in-cheek fashion.  It was the debut of Tom Ford's reign of Gucci.  Azzedine Alaia was one of the hottest designers, making it into ultimate 90's teen film "Clueless".   Christian Lacroix was a sculpted explosion of color worshiped by the ladies of "Absolutely Fabulous". 

The exhibit runs until May 8, 2011.  Make it over there if you can, or peruse some of the exhibit images online.

Photos By Dominique Maitre for WWD

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Film Directors Fashion Ads

There was a lot of press about Tom Ford's film directing debut for the Oscar-nominated  "A Single Man" in 2009.  The movie was loved by critics and praised for its beautiful photography, design and complex characters.
Karl Lagerfeld's love of photography has been well documented.  He promoted a recent collection with a self-directed short film called "Remember Now".

I suppose prominent auteurs of the movie world felt they had to return the favor...

Martin Scorsese is known for his gritty portrayals in films like Goodfellas and The Departed.  What would he bring to the new commercial for a Chanel fragrance?  The result was a slick, darker, stylish short with a rebellious model (that's pretty hot!)



Oscar-nominated director Sofia Coppola was first in front of the camera for a Louis Vuitton ad with dad Francis Ford Coppola.

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