Red Carpet Report: Met Ball 2012--Best DIVA Dressed and the "Kooky Red Carpet Award" Goes To...

The Met Divas!

Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture: Miss Beyonce knows how to make an entrance. The above photos are evidence of this. She certainly made a Diva-like entrance--worthy of putting RuPaul AND ALL her "Drag Race" contestants to shame--in this over-the-top bespoke design from Givenchy Haute Couture. The gown featured delicate embellishment hand-sewn into a silk tulle structure, covering the "important parts" which then ended in a flourish of black and violet-colored feathers.

The train was a "Train to End All Trains" and needed to have little Givenchy Haute Couture "flower girls" holding it up. Under it all, one could see a very fitted and boned inner structure --like a Super Couture Spanx--in nude coloring cinching it all in--and making it look as if she was naked underneath. Beyonce's body looked amazing, lest we forget just less than 4 months ago, she gave birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen Fall 2012: Actress Cate Blanchett looked like a feathered Princess in this McQueen gown from Sarah Burton's Fall 2012 collection for the brand. On the runway, this black mermaid-shaped gown was also shown with a feathered tried "Super" Cape, steal-grey sunglasses/visors and an oversized metallic belt. Cate and her stylist wisely decided none of that was needed. It's a perfect example of "From Runway to Red Carpet Reality".

Amy Adams in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012: Adams looked like Rita Hayworth in this one-shoulder gathered white silk Grecian Goddess gown with a black side midriff panel and finished off with a gold lame bow-tied belt. Loved the gown; loved the hair, the simple and elegant gold clutch. She looked RICH.

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan Atelier: I thought Beyonce had taken the "Train to End All Trains" Award, however...say "hello" to actress Nina Dobrev. I'll begin by saying that I really like this gold and black bias-cut one-shoulder gown with open back and side cowl detail. But it was the over-the-top train here that was distracting for me. While I LOVED the feathered train on Beyonce, and felt it looked harmonious with the rest of the gown; like the perfect ending. Here, on this gown, it just seemed unnecessary. Is it just me or why do I have a need to get a pair of scissors?

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa Spring 2012: Vergara wore a silver sequined embellished strapless gown with a cascading peplum from Marchesa Spring 2012 collection. One of her best red carpet looks yet; very on-trend, not too "Va-Va-Boom"; perfect clean center-parted hair. Muy bien Sofia.

  

Ashley Greene in Donna Karan Atelier: This strapless gathered gown looked SUBLIME on Ashley. So pretty, so Grecian, and so could be a fabulously chic wedding gown as well.

Bianca Brandolini d'Adda in Custom Dolce and Gabbana: In case you are wondering who this GOLDEN DIVA is, well kids, let me "school" you. She is the daughter of Count Rodrigo Tiberio Brandolini d'Adda and Princess Georgine de Faucigny-Lucinge et Coligny. She is also a descendant of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. In other words yes, she's royal blue blood and loves fashion and has the money to look fabulous. She decided to not blend in at Monday night's Met Gala as seen from her "Cleopatra Has Arrived" cape-and-gown gold paillette ensemble from Dolce and Gabbana.

 

China Chow in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture: Leave it to China to give a little bit of Glamour, a little bit of whimsy, a little bit of art, all wrapped in one gown. The details are subtle but impacting.

 

 

Diane Kruger in Custom Prada: I'm sure not a lot of people liked this, but I did. This purple colored "nightgown" with feathered hem was fun and very "Couture Boudoir"...she looked like she was about to slam FIVE Dirty Martini's in some fabulous house party she was hosting  in Palm Springs in 1969. And for that: she got my Fashion Vote!

 

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen Fall 2012: Florence And The Machine singer Florence Welch didn't disappoint on Monday night--fashion-wise--when she showed up in this tiered and super-embellished design from Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 collection. Welch, in fact, arrived with the designer Sarah Burton as one of her muses. Now, I thought Florence was a tall woman, but noticing where this dress hit the runway model (mid leg/way above the ankle), I'm guessing that model is an over 6 footer!

And The "Met Gala 2012 Red Carpet" Kooky Award goes to....

 

Christina Ricci in Thakoon: Well, well, well, I decided to wrap my Met Gala Red Carpet BLOG postings with a BIG BOW. As in--take a look at Christina Ricci's oversized silk organza back bow! This dress, by Thakoon, designed by Thakoon Panichgul (who was her date incidentally) featured a below-the-knee, laser-cut embroidery/applique silhouette and then an exuberant organza neckline ruffle that then ended up in THAT big ol' bow. I can't imagine how much tulle is stuck inside that bow to hold it up! This seriously looks like a sketch/design I would have done when I was ten before I realized I had to design for real women!! Somewhere in the World a fierce Drag Queen is mad at herself for not thinking--or designing--this out-of-control dress.

2011 MTV Video Music Awards: Who Wore What? Pregnant Beyoncé in Lanvin Fall 2011

Beyonce in Lanvin Fall 2011: Why might you ask would Beyoncé not be wearing her signature skin tight gown??



She's PREGNANT!! She used the 2011 MTV VMA's to let the world know that she and her hubby Jay Z are expecting their first child! Congrats Miss B!



Oh, yes, and about her gown: Designed by Moroccan-born "Design God" Alber Elbaz for the House of Lanvin, it is a coral one-shoulder caftan (caftans are VERY IN kids!!) gown that was originally shown in beige on the Lanvin runway on a too-thin model. I like it MUCH BETTER on Beyoncé! She looks positively glowing!!

Beyoncé wears NIKOLAKI In Her New Music Video: "Best Thing I Never Had"

Beyoncé in NIKOLAKI, "Best Thing I Never Had" music video

I just returned from almost two weeks in London, Mykonos (Oh how much I miss those beaches!!!), Rome and Florence, Italy, where, along with my design and business partner David Paul, we showed some of our NIKOLAKI Collection for the first ever Miami University of Ohio "Summer In Italy" Fashion Show. More on the entire trip in an upcoming blog posting later, of course (working on editing the 400+ photos and videos!). While there, I received word that Beyoncé--yes, THE Beyoncé--wore one of our NIKOLAKI dresses in her latest video "Best Thing I Never Had".

Beyoncé Prom Diva: Beyoncé in NIKOLAKI, "Best Thing I Never Had" music video

We grabbed some screen caps here from the video where she is doing a "look back" at a "younger Beyoncé" and where she wears our silk-wool ziberline fuchsia strapless dress with side draped detail. I was so excited that I think I actually stopped my sunbathing in Mykonos and yelled a "Go Miss Beyoncé!" in front of about 200 Italian and Australian fellow beach-goers!

MTV.com does a style "look by look" of the video HERE

Above is the dress from our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection modeled by model Lauren Gish Photo by Evans Vestal Ward

Click Below to watch the entire "Best Th9ing I Never Had" Music Video:

FASHION MONDAYS: Beyonce in Paris: A Fashion Show EVERY DAY!!!

Beyonce in Paris: It's a Catwalk EVERY DAY!!!

Beyonce poses for a Harper's Bazaar shoot at The Ritz Paris balcony

Miss Beyonce is in Paris for a Harper's Bazaar shoot--and enjoying the City of Lights with her hubby Jay-Z and family. They arrived last Monday and are--according to some sources--staying at the LUXE Hotel Le Meurice and purportedly, spending about $20,000 a night on the Penthouse Suite. To them, $20,000 a day is like withdrawing the $40 Fast Cash at the ATM, I am sure!

Sun Goddess: Beyonce in the Harper's Bazaar shoot, wearing Gucci Fall 2011, in The Ritz Paris balcony

Over the weekend, she was spotted doing that aforementioned Harper's Bazaar shoot on the balcony of another tony hotel, The Ritz. She was wearing a sexy black silk chiffon halter gown with red "rose petal" torso detail from Gucci Fall 2011.

Pumps in Disneyland Paris? Yep, when you're Beyonce

Throughout the week, Miss Beyonce has been giving FASHION in the World's Fashion Capital. Only Miss THANG would go to Disneyland Paris and wear black 6" Stiletto BOOTS, black drop-crotch pants and a jersey muscle tee---ALL DAY!!! Everyone else goes to Disney Amusement Parks in shorts and sneakers....But not Miss Beyonce! (well, and I wouldn't either, to tell you the truth!). I love how she added her own "pedestrian touch" by sportin' that fun "Goofy" baseball cap. Cute!

Just Woke Up Look: Beyonce looks for her Morning Croissants

Next, she was also spotted in Paris in a side-baring black jumpsuit and (once again), her favorite accessory: SKY-high heels!!! Notice the skin-colored under bustier.

Let me guess: She was just getting her Morning Coffee and Croissants??? This is what I would wear, wouldn't you?

Le Sexy: Beyonce in Paris

Then, on another Paris outing, Miss Beyonce continues her "I'm in Paris and I am GIVING SEXY!", when she was seen in a very mini side draped printed dress, a big handbag, sunglasses, her iphone and THAT ring!

Let's see: Where could she be going in this little cocktail number? I say, she's going for a Brie Cheese run at the local grocery store. Not.

Prim and Proper: Beyonce in Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 polka-dotted dress

And finally, we'll end our "Beyonce in Paris" fashion tour on a prim and proper note: Here she is in a green-and-red mini-polka dotted dress with a high neck and below-the-knee hovering skirt which she wore yesterday for her Parisian Easter Brunch. Very 1940's and very NOW I must say.

Au Revoir Beyonce!

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Presentation-Video and Photos!

FORDmania...

Tom Ford and his Muses in Tom Ford Spring 2011

The first snippet from that exclusive Tom Ford Womenswear Spring 2011 Runway Presentation which he showed last September has hit the web presses---and of course, it's Fabulous! If you remember, the show--attended by the UBER fashion elite--featured models from...

Singer/Actress Super-Diva Beyonce (above), actress Julianne Moore, heiress and Couture Buyer Daphne Guinness, the one-and-only Lauren Hutton, as well as Supermodels Amber Valletta...

and Liya Kebede (above), to name a few. I'm surprised Liza Minelli wasn't asked! Tom Ford was very adamant about having ONE official photographer (Terry Richardson) not having any photos leak out until HE wanted them leaked. And now is the time for leakin'...

Photos have been appearing of the collection--as well as the actual show--via fashion magazines such as Vogue and V. One of my faves is the editorial shot by photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, featuring model-of-the-moment Lara Stone from W Magazine (photo above).

Anyone Need A Cocktail? The Tom Ford "girls" ready for their luncheon date

In case you didn't know--or realize (I didn't!)--Tom Ford has TWENTY-ONE freestanding stores and stores-within-a-store spanning across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania (that's Australia-New Zealand-Papua New Guinea-Fiji-The Pacific Ocean Island Nations for you geographically-challenged). He's got stores in the "usual subjects" like NYC, Las Vegas, Dubai, Sao Paolo and Milan. But yet, he's even carried in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and even Uzbekistan---who knew? Those sketchy arms dealers need to look dapper too I guess!!!. Ford's first namesake ladies' items will go on sale in his Madison Avenue boutique March 1st. So better save your thousands now, darlings...

Below is the Clip from that Exclusive Tom Ford Spring 2011 Runway Presentation:

2010 Grammy Awards Red Carpet Fashion: Who Wore What? Beyonce

Beyonce in Stephane Rolland Fall 2009 Haute Couture

Just like with Rihanna, I experienced one of my "I've seen that Gown somewhere before..." feelings when I saw Beyonce walk the red carpet this evening at the 2010 Grammy Awards. And yes, of course I have, it was from one of my favorite Haute Couture Collections last year, Stephane Rolland. The detail work on this gown is incredible. Love the sleeves and the plunging neckline and the soft Tulip silhouette.