Royal Fashion Minute: Monaco Royals attend 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball in Monte-Carlo

Fuchsia Princess

Royal Couple: HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, in Akris gown, Red Cross Ball Monte-Carlo

Last night was the 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball in Monte-Carlo Monaco, held at the Sporting Monte-Carlo. 800 guests payed 1,000 Euros (over $1,400) to dine, dance and hear Joe Cocker, who performed--and enjoy the glorious festivities.

The Dance Floor Scene--Before and After: Sporting Monte-Carlo, 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball

And of course, get a glimpse of the Monégasque Royals. Speaking of, of course HSH Prince Albert II and his recent bride, HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco were there. Charlene wore a fuchsia silk Dupioni strapless (she loves to show off those Swimmer's shoulders of hers!) "Mermaid"-style fitted gown from the Swiss Design House of Akris, designed by Albert Kriemler. There are rumours circling the Royal-watchers forums saying that she might be pregnant, but you couldn't tell in this gown. No baby-bump yet.

The Princess and the Ill-Fitting Tuxedo: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball Monte-Carlo

The Princess wore her hair side-swept and tucked under grazing her neck in an elegant style reminiscent of the late Princess Grace. Her clutch matched the color of her gown. Prince Albert II--bless his heart--looked a bit schlumpy in a too-long Dinner Jacket tuxedo and way too long pants (aren't there any tailors in Monaco?). My goodness, he is one of the RICHEST Men in the World, and can't get a tuxedo to fight right?

Princess Charlene also wore a GORGEOUS Van Cleef & Arpels Océan Necklace (which can also be converted into a tiara, of course), consisting of 88 round diamonds, 10 pearls, 359 sapphires. It was a gift from Albert to his bride (oh how sweet!).

Princess Stephanie and her sister Princess Caroline of Hanover also made an appearance at the 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball Gala. It was Princess Caroline's first appearance at the Ball since 2008.

She wore a purple-and-gold flower printed silk gown with contrasting black-and-white polka dot side panels, accessorized by simple gold and diamond hoop earrings. Quite a bold statement by the Princess who usually chooses more sedate outfits from Chanel.

Among the 80o guests was Dame Shirley Bassey, who wore the same Pre-Fall 2009 Alexander McQueen dress (red color) that Pippa Middleton wore as Maid of Honor to her sister's Royal Wedding to Prince William. Incidentally, yes, it's also the same dress actress Cameron Diaz wore to the Golden Globe Awards in 2010. This is THE MOST popular dress IN THE WORLD, it seems!

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Salute Couture!

Soldier Girl: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Over the weekend, on Saturday, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge--and yes, new wife of Prince William--stepped out with her Prince, attending the Irish Guards Medal Parade, in the Victoria Barracks, in London England. As usual, Catherine looked FANTASTIC (does she ever get it wrong??) in a Military-inspired (how apropos?) navy wool crepe double-breasted coat-dress with brass buttons and epaulets from Alexander McQueen's Pre-Fall 2011 Collection. On the original model--in the McQueen Look Book (on the right) it is not a dress but a coat with an open "cut-out" section. Of course it was customized for the Duchess!

Try Not To Be Excited Boys: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, greeting the Irish Guards, Irish Guard Medal Parade, London England

Catherine accessorized her look with a golden Irish shamrock brooch, an Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch as well as a chic little matching pillbox hat with a looped ribbon and feather by Rachel Trevor-Morgan--the ribbon detail is VERY Korean Airlines flight attendant if I don't say so...(I just did!)

And lest we forget, Prince William also looked dashing in his Military uniform and coat!! Seriously! THAT is a COAT huney!!! It could have come straight from a McQueen Collection as well!!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Edition

Fashion Duchess...

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been quite busy this last week and that only means one thing...MORE FASHION! Above we see Catherine wearing Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 to the Trooping the Colour. The Trooping of the Colour is the official commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday. She also wore a black Philip Treacy Hat. Loved that coat and the side draped cascade godets. This is from the same collection as the white blouse the First Lady, Michelle Obama wore when she visited London last month.

Later that day--yes, OUTFIT CHANGE!!!---Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, kept the Philip Treacy hat but switched into this black and white geometric print satin sheath dress by Zara to attend a wedding. Go Zara!!! Go Catherine--and GO Geometric Prints!!!

On Monday, Catherine wore a blue Jane Troughton brocade coat over a pleated Zara dress to attend Prince Phillip's 90th Birthday celebration. She really is looking like a Royal in 2.2 seconds; The printed three-quarter coats, the hats, the colors. Someone is schooling her right!

And then finally, to attend the Order of the Garter Ceremony, the Duchess wore a beautifully tailored light grey Katherine Hooker three-quarter coat (see, I told you!) over a silk cowl neck draped dress (also by Katherine Hooker). She finished the look off with a fantastic Rachel Trevor-Morgan fascinator. Her Press Office, her Stylist and Miss Catherine!....are WORKING OVERTIME! It seems that her Momma done taught her right--fashion and other-wise...

DESIGNER FOCUS: Alexander Mcqueen - Savage Beauty Collection

Who doesn't love Alexander McQueen?

Again, here's another extraordinary contributions to fashion by Alexander McQueen, the Savage Beauty Collection. He never fails to inspire us with his iconic designs expressed through fashion.

This one is my favorite.

every detail is perfect and well designed...

I find this collection very avant garde yet wearable. I adore McQueen for thinking and designing out-of-the-box. I guess that's why his collection always turns out to be magnificent! This collection is exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of the Art in New York City.

*i do not own these photos, i just googled them :)

CHECK OUT HIS WEBSITE: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

XOXO,

Nicole

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 Highlights--Photos & Runway Video: Alexander McQueen, Dior, YSL and Louis Vuitton!!

McQueen Warrior Goddesses, Sailor Girlfriends, YSL Cigarette Girls and Vuitton Asianas

Ombré Queen: Fan-pleated, dip-dyed and twisted organza gown, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011:

Office Diva: Fitted suit with feathered collar, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

As we know, after the untimely passing of designer Alexander McQueen 9 months ago, his right hand, Sarah Burton was in charge of following in his creative genius footsteps. Burton had already been actually designing the line--along with Alexander McQueen for a while so it was a good guess that there wouldn't be a "Design Earthquake" occurring with this or any near-future collection.

Butch McQueen: Pant suit with gold embroidered leaf detail, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

Spring/Summer 2011 was the first full runway show outing for Burton and by all accounts, it was a sublime outing. All the looks were VERY McQueen: The sexy, strong corseted dresses, the bold, whimsical yet mysterious prints, the Nouveau-Renaissance Warrior Goddess suiting, powerful shoes, and almost Angel-like gowns...

High-Low: White gown from Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

There was a flora-and-fauna disposition throughout the collection, from the pheasant-feathered skirts to leather leaves, golden wheat sheath dresses and raffia-covered brocades.

Kaleidoscopic: Printed fit-and-flare cocktail dress, Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

There's plenty here for McQueen Muse--and beer heiress--Daphne Guinness to like, as well as Young Hollywood Starlets, the likes of Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley to wear on the red carpet. Designer Sarah Burton has big shoes to fill, but if this collection is any indication, she's on the right path.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show:

Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011:

Shipwrecked: White parka, Polynesian-inspired printed dress and black booties with white scrunchie socks, Dior Spring 2011

Ahoy Sailor! Yep, for Spring 2011 John Galliano's Dior girl is waiting for her sailor boyfriend to return home. Either that, or the Dior girl is his mistress at one of his many port towns. Now, he wouldn't be just a Sailor if she could afford Dior. And she wouldn't just be any girlfriend or mistress: She would be a very EXPENSIVE one. Models stomped the catwalk in sailor hats and ultra feminine frocks constructed from silk chiffon, crepe and georgette. Colorful "island" prints dominated. The hairstyles were definitely Retro as well: Bangs and turned under dos, very Betty Paige Pin-Up.

Calendar Pin Up: Model Chanel Iman works these printed shorts and twist-knot blouse, Dior Spring 2011

Of course, the clothes were great but the stars, were the accessories. Most fashion insiders know that Fashion Houses like Dior only make their money in purses, sunglasses, shoes and perfumes (for the most part). Here were two of my faves from this collection:

The highest leather Bootie pumps featuring Espadrille-like heels, buckles and "scrunchie socks" were so chic.....

And this royal blue Lady Dior patent leather bag will be a must-have for any Sailor's girlfriend with an extra $2500 in her--or her man's--checking account.

Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show (DO NOT MISS John Galliano's end-of-the-show walk!):

Yves Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2011:

Le Smoking 2011: Danish Model Freja Beha Erichsen in a black center-front slit gown, YSL Spring 2011

During this past Spring 2011 Fashion Week Season, so many designers--Jason Wu and Marc Jacobs to name a few, were inspired by the Master, Yves Saint Laurent. I think a lot had to do with this Summer's YSL Retrospective in Paris. I was lucky enough to have gone and yes, it was AMAZING!

Ready for my Cointreau Digestif: Aquamarine printed silk dress, YSL Spring 2011

So, since YSL was in the "air", it was up to the actual designer for the House of Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati, to really show everyone how it's done. And he did. It was an "Homage to the Master"--with plenty of transparency, flounces and ruffles, strong tailoring and even some ensembles resembling the iconic "Le Smoking".

Olé: Strapless ruffled black and fuchsia belted dress, YSL Spring 2011

But at the same time, Pilati brought the YSL woman to this decade, modernized her a little bit and added very directional pieces that she would love. I'm sure Monsieur Yves was smiling up in Heaven.

YSL Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show:

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011

Like Dior, Louis Vuitton is one of those Fashion Houses that makes its bread-and-butter not on the clothes but on it's purses, luggage and sunglasses (to name just a few). I certainly got it when I visited the Paris flagship on the Champs Elysees over the Summer and saw the massive throngs of people BUYING EVERYTHING on the first and second purse-and-luggage floors. The clothing area, alas, was empty.

But Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs has the envious job of having the luxury to push the boundaries of fashion with each new collection. For Spring 2011, he decided to go to the Far East. This makes sense since that's where the new, much-sought after Luxury Goods client is living. But it could be argued as to why a Millionaire's wife in Shanghai would want to dress up like she's in costume? Irregardless, there was lots of Asiana references as seen above.

There was also lots of transparency and high slits to you-know-where. It was a bold, colorful and a visually entertaining collection. Jacobs also got some Top Supermodels of the past to WORK the runway including a red-haired Carmen Kass, as well as Alek Wek (seen above).

and Kristen McMenamy (above) who ended the show in high-waisted black satin trousers and a zebra-print jersey top. Attagurl!

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show:

62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards: Who Wore What? Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen

Anna Paquin looks very Spartan Queen/Toreador in this black (a color trend for the Emmys 2010) and gold Alexander McQueen Resort 2011. The gown--designed by Sarah Burton, who took over as Creative Director after the designer's untimely death--features a high-low shape, long train and gold Bullfighter Epaulets-and-Bust Detail suggesting a Toreador's Bolero. I like her clean, up-swept hairstyle and her bangles. The shoes--well, I wished she would have worn the ones in the McQueen Resort 2011 Look Book on the right.

Anna is a "Fashion Girl" and this dress will definitely keep everyone talkin'!!

Milan & Paris Menswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011: The Hot Trends

Get Ready Boys: High-Waters, Speedos, Drop Crotch Pants and Mandals Dsquared2 Spring/Summer 2011: Two Trends In One: Speedos and Mandals

As ever Gay Fashionista Male in this Earth knows, the Spring 2011 Menswear Collections are happening right now in Milan. Menswear trends and styles change and/or move at a much slower pace than womenswear. It's all about the DETAILS. However, in terms of some "new" style direction coming out of Milan, here are the Trends: The 80s Are Back; High-water cropped pants are staying (they look great on them 6'4" boys, maybe not so much on the rest of us); DROP-CROTCH pants that are lose and baggy up top but tight-as-tight can be around the calves will be the "new" skinny pant for men, if Jean Paul Gaultier has his way. (I kinda love them, especially on his HOT bearded models in above photos!)I also like the Stovepipe-shaped pants (above) from Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton. Incidentally, that trench is "TO D.I.E!!!" LOVE.
The Speedo is BAAACK! Yep, dump the board shorts and opt for something more skimpy like the ones above from Dsquared2. Again, I suggest you have a body like Michael Phelps if you want to make that "Speedo" style plunge.Finally, it is all about the Mandals like the criss-cross ones from Louis Vuitton above, or the ivory ankle-strapped ones from Guiliani Fujimora. I am SO looking for these on Ebay next year!!!

Click BELOW for Dsquared2 Spring 20111 Men Runway Show: Part 1


Dsquared2 Show: Part 2


Click BELOW for Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Menswear 2011 Runway Show: