Runway Report: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012--Photo + Runway Video!

The Versace Warrior Princess:

Glam Coats--and a SEXY-HOT mini dress: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012

As you may know, Paris Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012 Fashion Week is happening right now over in the City of Lights--and love and baguettes--Paris! In my last post I brought you my "highlights" from Belgian designer Raf Simons' debut Dior Haute Couture Fall-Winter Collection. And now, it's time for Miss Donatella...

In her past collections for the Haute Couture hand-made $40,000-$150,000 costing arm of the Versace Empire, she had decided to either show her collections via Look Book images, or in more "Gallery"-like showings (like last season). But she is back! This time, she showed at the famed Ritz Hotel Paris, where her dear brother had shown for EIGHT YEARS. The collection--although Fall, was very Spring/Summer in its bright, bold colors (blush, peach, lilac, lavender, neon green, yellow, and magenta pinks).  

It was very 1990's "old school" Versace. Donatella has been on this 1990's trend in terms of the Versace archive silhouettes, va-va-boom shapes, and an over all "Where's Linda Evagelista, Yazmeen Ghauri, Nadja Auermann and Christy Turlington?" feeling. PS: Those models would be WORKING these clothes OVERTIME on the runway! Is it me, or do these 16 year old girls not EVEN hold a candle to those Supermodel Goddesses?!!! Nevertheless, the clothes on display were sexy, strong, "Warrior Princess" fab. Take a look:

The 90's are BACK: Blush, lavender and nude-colored see-through hand-embroidered gowns, Atelier Versace Fall-Winter 2012

Miss Universe Contestants, Take Note: The perfect strapless A-line cocktail dress and two smoldering UBER-high side-slit chiffon gowns--Atelier Versace Fall-Winter 2012

Entrance-Making--and Wife Stealing: Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012

Click below for an edited video of the full runway show: 

Red Carpet Report: Cannes Film Festival 2012 Best Dressed!!!

Cannes Couture!

The 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival is happening in the South of France as we speak (it began officially last week on May 16th) and well, it's been "Red Carpet Runway Show Heaven".  Cannes is filled the A-List celebs who have been attending all the "Photo Calls", Premieres, Parties and Red Carpet film screening--as well as internet viewers, like myself, who are watching every ensemble and hand-made $40,000+ Haute Couture gown that they've been wearing...So, without further ado, here are some of my Top Favorites from these last few days at Cannes:

Cheryl Cole in Stephane Rolland Couture Spring 2012: At the "Amour" Premiere at Cannes, English recording artist--and "The X Factor" judge in the UK (and almost in the US), wore a stunning mermaid-style gown from Stephane Rolland's Haute Couture Spring 2012 collection. The gown--estimated at about $100,000 if one were to order it and buy it (I'm sure Ms. Cole did not) is of ivory silk crepe, red feathers and hand-sewn rectangle paillete sequins. She looked FABULOUS!

 

Diane Kruger in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture: Simply STUNNING! This gown is not in Valli's most recent Spring 2012 Haute Couture collection,  so one would guess it was an "extra" in the collection--or a Custom Design. Kruger is vibing Grace Kelly 2.0 in this one-shoulder hand-shirred mint-colored gown. Everything about the entire look was PERFECTION: from her slicked-back chignon to her muted pink stacked peep-toe pumps.

Diane Kruger in Vivienne Westwood: Metallic sequins. Strapless. Corset. Draped. All of it is simply gorgeous. The photographers must have been going KRAZEEE (with a French accent!).

 

Eva Herzigova in Dolce and Gabbana: 1990's Supermodel Eva Herzigova wore this Custom Dolce and Gabbana ivory lace applique and sequined gown on the Opening Night last week of the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival. The slicked-back hair plus that necklace add to the UBER Glamour of the entire look!

Eva Longoria in Marchesa: Three Words: At A Girl! La Eva worked it OUT overtime in this Marchesa mermaid-shaped sequined applique and ruffled tulle gown. It is PICTURE PERFECT...and she knows it!!!

Jane Fonda in Atelier Versace Fall 2011: Oh Miss Jane!!! You make The Gays so proud! Fonda attended the Cannes Film Festival in this metallic Atelier Versace Fall 2011 strapless gown--all hand-made and all about $100,000. It fit her perfectly. If there was one negative (only one!), it's that poufy hair of hers. I think she was looking at the Atelier Versace Look Book photo a little too closely for inspiration. This is also custom, as you can see that their is nude illusion at the neckline and sleeves. Being 74 years old (!!!), this in NOT her "first time at the rodeo" and she knows how to customize a gown to work for her.

Paz Vega in Stephane Rolland Couture Spring 2012: The PR team of French Designer Stephane Rolland is working OVERTIME...and good for them. The designer's Spring 2012 Haute Couture Collection was DIVINE; one of my favorites. Vega wears a black and white mermaid-style gown featuring a center front curved-and-rectangular keyhole, feathers at the bottom and carved out 3/4 sleeves. It's one of those gowns that would be deemed MAJAH, and for good reason.

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive: I am at a loss at Armani Prive and Giorgio Armani...They do "Lady Gaga and Katy Perry Koo-Koo Krazee" and then they also do "Hollywood Glamour". Which one are they? Or could they be both? Who knows? On actress Jessica Chastain, she chose wisely to have the Armani Prive team outfit her in the more "Hollywood Glamour" direction. She wore a criss-cross hand-gathered strapless chiffon gown with crystal sequins beading sprinkled across the bodice. Her side-swept hairstyle only added to that "I'm Rita Hayworth for the 21st Century" quotient.

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann Fall 2012: Statuesque. Architectural. Chic. Actress and Ackermann muse, Tilda Swinton looked amazing in this silk shantung folded-and-pleated drop-shoulder fitted gown from the new "boy darling" of the Paris Runway Show scene.

Airport Is My Runway Minute: Lady Gaga Arrives at Seoul's Gimpo Airport in Atelier Versace!

Now I KNOW She Didn't Travel COACH!!!

Lady Gaga in Atelier Versace Spring 2011, arriving at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport

Late Friday, Lady Gaga arrived from her 12+ hour flight to Seoul Korea, ready to kick off her "Born This Way Ball" tour on April 27th in Seoul's "Olympic Stadium". No word on whether she flew private or commercial...either way, DARLINGS THIS is the way to travel: She made her grand entrance fresh off the said flight and customs NOT wearing sweats, a baseball cap and sunglasses (like most stars-well, except Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham) but instead, she emerged in HAUTE COUTURE!!!! Only Miss Lady Gaga would arrive in a $40,000+ (I'm sure she didn't have to pay, and it was borrowed from the Atelier's PR Office, notice how UBER long it is on her--that means it was the Showroom/Look Book Sample) Atelier Versace Spring 2011 ivory gathered gown.

Atelier Versace Spring 2011

The Grecian-Goddess styled dress featured full gathered dolman sleeves, plunging neckline, and gold sequined trim at the midriff, arms and back. She didn't end there--she accessorized it with a fabulous crystal-encrusted mask and headdress that wrapped around her perfect updo, as well as white sheer gloves.

Who Does That??? Lady Gaga does. I'm sure she got onto the plane in pj's and a big cashmere Hermes blanket but then, 12+ hours later, emerged like Aphrodite!! She took the whole Victoria Beckham change-into-an-arrival-outfit thing...to a WHOLE OTHER LEVEL!!! The Airport is the New Runway...

I would have LOVED to have been either a passenger in that First Class Cabin watching the transformation take place, or at least be one of her make-up, hair, styling team, trying to help her with the "Arrival Outfit Change". Oh, and WHERE would you plug a STEAMER in a 747 Jumbo Jet to steam this gown pre-arrival??? I am a big proponent of "Dressing Up To Travel" but this one took it a whole other level!!! Go on Lady Gaga. WURK it huney! Now, can I see your passport and visa papers??? And Welcome to Seoul!

Grammy Awards 2012: Who Wore What? Nicki Minaj in Custom Atelier Versace

Nicki Minaj (and a Bishop/Pope Impersonator) in Custom Atelier Versace: Well, well, well, the "Lady Gaga Entrance In An Egg" Award for 2012 goes to....Miss Nicki Minaj!!!

She donned a carmine red silk satin hooded coat with the Versace "Sun God" insignia in hand-beaded Swarovski crystals right in the center front. It's Little Red Riding Hood COUTURE darlings!!! Not sure what the Bishop/Pope next to her is supposed to mean...but maybe she just couldn't find a date so she went to the nearest Catholic Church and a Bishop was available...for the night?

I do feel like this will be part of a performance and there is something much more under that coat. Leave it to Miss Nicki, is all I have to say. I'll leave this one up to YOU GUYS!! Please Fill In The Blank: Nicki Minaj is going to ________.

18th Annual SAG Awards: Who Wore What? Lea Michele in Atelier Versace Fall 2010

Lea Michele in Atelier Versace Fall 2010: Well, well, well, look at little Lea Michele! Vamping it up in Atelier Versace. that's the Haute Couture line of Donatella's, in case you didn't know--in other words--one-of-a-kind and costing $100,000+ for gowns (if you wanted to order and buy).

It's A LOT of gown--for Lea--this one-shouldered pale blueish silver, micro-gathered bustier gown with very high side slit and lots of train. At first glance, I thought "She looks like a 'Miss Universe' contestant, during the Evening Gown Preliminaries..." I'm not so sure if this was the right gown for her. What do my very informed readers here on my BLOG think? Please, don't be shy to leave me your thoughts! I ALWAYS read them!

Runway Report: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Bravissima!!

Ciao Goddesses: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Haute Couture Fashion Week began today in Paris with a bang. In my last post I highlighted the latest Couture offering from the House of Dior and it's designer Bill Gaytten. Now, it's time for Donatella. Donatella Versace of course. Atelier Versace actually opened Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week with its first runway show since 2004. Between then and now, they've only been showing them via "Look Book" images on the Versace website. So, yes, the Haute Couture arm of Versace has not stopped, in case you were wondering. Now, more than ever though, it realizes the importance of showing these glorious one-of-a-kind garments--especially for new clients (Hello Russia!) and as an extension of the Marketing and PR of the Versace brand.

Grazie Bow: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Donatella showed only fifteen looks (even though officially the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parsienne states there should be a minimum of 35 runs/exits, I think Miss Donatella got an "exemption"), that can only be described as "Versace Gladiator Goddesses". They were corseted, boned, stiffened and sexi-fied to the 9th degree!

Tweet That! The Press at Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

One by one, all of the worlds current top models--Karlie Kloss, Daria Strokous, Arizona Muse, Lindsey Wixson--came down a set of golden stairs, very carefully (take a look at those 5" high Gladiator pumps!). Until all fifteen were done, then Donatella Versace took her bow.

Gray Gowns: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

The Collection: The color palette went from slate gray, neon lemon, tangerine, soft lilac, gold and canary yellow. The fabrications were intense and very Couture-worthy. One gold leather bustier dress (worn by the fabulous Arizona Muse) was laser-cut to look like lace. There was caviar beading so delicately woven into gowns, I could almost hear the cries of needle-breaking desperation from the Italian seamstresses.

Space-age: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

In terms of shapes and styles, there were fitted gowns, strapless gowns, gowns with sleeves, mini corseted cocktail dresses, a jacket or two, sexy asymmetrical back-baring numbers and even some Couture shorts and jumpers. Some styles featured an asymmetrical side-front hip-enhancing detail. One would think this would not benefit a woman's figure but alas, in the Atelier Versace's draping and pattern-making team's hands, it looked fresh and modern.

A Gala or a Club? Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Look for some of these $100,000+ garments on the red carpet--come Grammy and Academy Award time. I assure you. Take a look at some more of Atelier Versace Spring 2012:

Yellow Fierce: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Golden Warriors: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Limoncello: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Hello Russian Multimillionaire Girlfriends: Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Click Below for Video of Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012: