Luisa Beccaria Spring Fashion Show 2010

The presentation was in a much smaller venue to the Versace and Roberto Cavalli shows, but that only added to the charm and the ambiance of this seductive presentation.

The collection embraced femininity that evokes the 50s Hollywood glamour, bringing a fresh new perspective to the brands romantic aesthetic.

There was particular emphasize on bustier dresses with plunging necklines. Volume was created via tons of tulle. Ruffles draped like petals of flowers gracefully around necklines, shoulders and skirts.

The cocktail dresses and gowns were strapless, off-the-shoulder, knee-length, floor-length, mini and the finale gown had a rise and fall hemline. Luisa really did make a dress for every woman.

There were beautiful flowery prints on a colour palette of lilac, ivory, pink, grey, blue, gold and silver. Not a hint of black.

At the presentation was a Citroen C3 Picasso, which was Styled by Luisa Beccaria herself.

The entire bodywork was floral from the seats to the instrument panel, it wouldn’t surprise me if the air bag had a floral design. The gear knob was interesting as it was made out of Venetian glass in the shape of a rose. Luisa dressed this Citroen as she dresses women, with a romantic senual empowerment.

Thick to Thin Belts

I love the look of these new thick to thin belts. This one is by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent. They are especially great for adding shape to flowy dresses, skirts and tunics.

For stores and info check out: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent

Topmodel - African Queens and Fashion - Fashion design by Oumou Sy

Oumou Sy is a famous fashion designer from Senegal. 

Chanel’s Spring 2010 Presentation

Rihanna sent the paparazzi crazy wearing a white bustier and a tweed high-waisted Chanel Pre-Fall 2009 skirt with a multitude of Chanel necklaces that would put Mr T to shame.

Keeping her shades on through-out the show Anna Wintour style, Rihanna also accessorized with a black and red Chanel hand muff/bag.

I bet Rihanna was furious that Leigh Lezark beat her to this Chanel Fall 2009 black and white print leotard over leggings situation.

The scary thing is a lot of thought went into this situation because Leigh took the leotard from Look 39, pairing it with the leggings from Look 40.

Despite this being Chanel, you just wouldn’t would you?

Even if Uncle Karl promised you a life-time supply of large quilted bags in various colours the shame of this would haunt you for life.

I got a very strong case of  dejavu looking at Claudia Schiffer.

Unlike the rest of the celebs who relaxed in the front row, Lily Allen was at the Chanel Spring 2010 show during Paris Fashion Week in a work capacity

She looked adorable as she performed a live set for the waiting fashionistas.

Fashion Design @ Cavendish College London

Fashion is a dynamic and challenging industry, offering rewarding careers to those individuals
who are energetic, innovative, creative and able to adapt to change.  

Anna Corinna Metal City Tote

This bag has it all, a little bit of class and a little bit of rock and roll. This bag is so versatile you can easily bring it to the office or to a concert after work. The thing that makes this bag so original is the fabric print border.

Knitted Neck Warmers, a.k.a. Snoods

Burberry Prorsum Milan Autumn/Winter 2009 collection - that neck piece is actually fur, not knitting. This is a very easy look to duplicate at a more inexpensive cost.

Check out a new trend featured on Elle UK. These are easy to make as well, with a circular knitting needle and your favorite chunky yarn.

New York Fashion Designer Jay Godfrey Spring 2008 Collection

Jay Godfrey is the founder and creative director behind his eponymous collection of sleek, sexy and sophisticated designs. Perpetually inspired by the chic New York woman, Godfrey's goal as a designer is to meld the classic tailoring techniques of Savile Row with modern silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. The result is his distinctive contemporary collection of dresses and separates that accentuate the female figure.

A native of Toronto, Godfrey realized his dream of becoming a designer while working his first summer job at Hugo Boss. He studied finance at Montreal's McGill University in order to gain a grounding in business and accounting. Upon graduating, Godfrey headed to Wall Street and worked for Citigroup. While learning the finer points of finance, Jay's goal of designing a collection led him to Parsons School of Design. An internship with Oscar de la Renta fine-tuned the young designer's style and technique, and helped him determine the ultimate Jay Godfrey woman.

Having only been in business for a little over two years, Godfrey has quickly cultivated his signature aesthetic, which perfectly lends itself to the fashion-forward and glamorous woman. The collection has caught the media's attention and has been featured in WWD, ELLE, Cosmopolitan and the New York Post. Godfrey's designs have also captured a loyal celebrity following and he is proud to have dressed Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, Petra Nemcova, Carmen Electra, Sarah Michelle Geller, Gabrielle Union, Kate Walsh, Katherine Heigl and Jaime Pressly. 

Yummie Tummie Basic V Shapewear T-Shirt Daywear

Body-conscious V-neck shaping T-shirt. 100% cotton fabric, spandex tummy panel. Slick fabric will not cling to clothes. Tummy panel firmly shapes and smoothest bustline to hips. Moisture-wicking, keeps you feeling cool and dry. Elongated design, will not roll up. Tagless for comfort. Hip length and designed to be perfect for layering.

The Grace Kelly Factor: getting the look

"Throughout both her careers, Grace had one attribute--class"

--Jimmy Stewart--

In Judith Baliban Quine's book, The Bridesmaids, she writes, "Had you been there as I was you might have realized that day, like the bride-to-be herself, was a creation brought to us through the joint production efforts of enormous willpower, Metro-Goldwin-Mayer and God." Quine goes on to say MGM was actually a late arrival on the scene as most everything that came to Grace, despite her Mainline Philadelphia birth and refined beauty, was won only through time and dedication to her work.

April 19, 1956, the world was treated to a storybook romance come true when actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainer of Monaco. Thinking back to roles she played before she became a princess, we remember Grace Kelly as the ultimate 'Deb'. Had she not pursued acting with such determination, in all probability she would have become just that : A Mainline Philadelphia Debutante. As a result, on film she reflected that cool, refined blond to perfection.Princess Grace's gown to this day is one of the most traditional and remains the touchstone in bridal fashion. Impeccably made, the taffeta and Val lace confection was a wedding gift from MGM Studios. Imagine this: 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, and vintage Belgian rose point lace. Her headpiece was classic : a bandeau cap covered in tiny seed pearls under an intricate lace mantilla.Designed by Helen Rose who worked on Kelly's costumes for High Society and The Swan, the gown was designed and run up in less than four months if you can believe that. Hollywood by then was ace at whipping up a masterpiece if a movie or event demanded. Over thirty seamstresses labored on the gown in the MGM workrooms round the clock. From a designer's standpoint, I'd have to say the Kelly gown is the most perfect dress ever made, despite it's speedy construction time. Made up of four different components, it's actually a combination of separates all put together to look like a traditional ballgown. Studying the construction diagrams with the fitted, long-sleeved bodice and full bell skirt, this gown though cutting edge back in 1956, will always be timeless.

Grace's knack for looking chic was her simplicity and that became her real trademark. Never overdone, typically she wore clean and minimal make up accentuating her Patrician beauty. Add to that pulled back hair and a classic strapless gown for evening like the image above and you have her look. Though her actual wedding gown was traditional, she could have gone with an A-line or sheath with either strapless bateau or V-neck, and still been totally In-the-Grace character mode. The good news is, A-lines look great on just about everyone and just about everyone feels like Grace Kelly in them, ie; symbolizing class and refinement. Add any fabric that has understated elegance like traditional duchesse satin and peau de soie.

Consider adding some options to your look. A shrug or bolero can cover you up for the ceremony and be removed for reception. Want another variation of that 1950s look? How about an opaque removable top in organza or lace? This too can be removed come reception time. If you're in a sheath, A-line or evening gown add a wrap or coat either in matching fabric or, for those fall/winter weddings, in peau de soie or brocade.
If you love Grace's gown and want to incorporate components in your own, start by studying the original creation. The Vogue pattern below closely emulates this design. Luckily today's bride can be more daring. Though Grace was the epitome of a refined lady in her day, she worked in a glitzy industry. Marrying a prince, she wanted to reassure the Monegasques she wasn't just another movie star blond in sequins. Setting the tone for her reign, she chose the most classic of all designs. Contemporary brides might want to experiment with a different neckline or modified skirt. Here's another idea. Grace's bodice was actually a blouse. You could experiment with a shrug or jacket over a strapless gown.

 

One Wed Romona Keveza's rendition on the ballgown Grace Kelly wore at her 'Wedding Eve' celebration.