"12 Years a Slave" Academy Award-nominated Best Supporting Actress Lupita Nyong'o--in Gucci Premiere at the 21014 Screen Actors Guild Awards
"12 Years a Slave" Academy Awards-nominate Best Supporting Actress Lupita Nyong'o loves bold colors, simple silhouettes and bright lips. Her stylist is Micaela Erlanger, who also styles Michelle Dockery, Martha Plimpton and Winona Ryder, to name just a few. She has done an outstanding job to make Lupita hit EVERY red carpet look out of the "red carpet ballpark"! Lupita is THIS YEAR'S Fashionista and has looked amazing in everything she has donned on the red carpet--from the Gucci Premiere turquoise crepe gown with jeweled neck-piece, to...
Deep red off-the-shoulder caped Ralph Lauren gown at the 2014 Golden Globe Awards (above left), to this afternoon's Stella McCartney gold shorts suit at the 2014 IFC Film Independent Spirit Awards (above right).
What do I see for Lupita for the 2014 Academy Awards Red Carpet? Well, I am glad you asked, I see one of these gorgeous Elie Saab Spring 2014 Haute Couture gowns...Here are three examples. All Ball Gowns, all glorious and all Fabulous (and costing $100,000+, if Lupita were to actually buy them!):
A Red Carpet Entrance Maker: Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014--Flower-printed silk gazar ball gown with hand-sewn sequins, fitted bodice and full, billowy gown-skirt
Golden Girl--Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 A-line shaped silk organza gown with plunging neckline, belted waist and sequin applique detail
Fuchsia Queen: fuchsia-colored strapless Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 ball gown with sequined applique top, thin leather belt and pleated full skirt
Oscars...Here We Come! Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
The Look: The Oscars. Red Carpet. Gorgeous, perfectly made dresses for UBER wealthy Gulf States, Chinese, Indian clients...oh, and the Red Carpet Fab actresses can borrow them as well. The gowns are hand-made, cost over $100,000 (if you can order them to buy) and well worth every penny! In this Haute Couture collection, Lebanese designer SCHOOLED every other designer on How To Make Red Carpet Evening Gowns.
The collection was inspired by 19th Dutch artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema painted scenes (above) from the Roman Empire. His subjects always seemed to be reclining amid marble statuary with the Mediterranean Sea shimmering in the background. It was Perfection.
Trends: Fuller dresses; A-line; Ball gowns; Chartreuse-gold color; Waist cinching; Hand-pleated "Grecian Goddess" gowns; Nude applique; the peplum is here to stay; geometric necklines; gathered full backs, the new "Watteau".
Collection Highlights:
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014
Click Below to watch Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 Full Runway Video:
Picture Perfect--Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her husband US-British hedge fund financier Christopher O' Neill
As I previously talked about HERE, the youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden got married in a lavish Royal Wedding this past Saturday. In that post, it was all about Madeleine and her GORGEOUS Valentino Haute Couture wedding gown, designed by the (not so much) retired couturier Valentino Garavani.
Now, it's time to discuss the Guests, most all Royal, and one fabulously chic former Swedish reality show star...Let's get to it:
Parade of Princesses--(left to right) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Martha-Louise of Norway and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
Queen Silvia of Sweden (with her dashing son Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland)--Queen Silvia who is of course, the mother-of-the-bride, looked the part in a jade-colored silk organza gown with embroidered silk lace and Swarovski crystals. She styled it with Queen Sofia’s tiara, plus she wore the Order of the Seraphim on a ribbon with a brilliant grand star. The Queen gets major FAB points for this entire look. Very well done.
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland--Crown Princess Victoria wore a lilac-colored silk organza gown with layers of hand-dyed tulle accented with pearls and Swarovski crystals in amethyst and pale grey opal by Swedish couturier Fadi el Khoury. She accented her stunning gown with Princess Lilian’s Boucheron tiara and corsage, with the Order of the Seraphim on a ribbon with grand star (just like her mom, Queen Silvia). Her husband, Prince Daniel, who carried his wife’s clutch and Estelle’s pacifier, wore a tail coat with the Order of the Seraphim on a ribbon with grand star, while young Estelle attended her first big occasion wearing a white dress
Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat--Crown Princess Mary--The princess wore a bright pink lace gown with a matching chiffon cape that featured a satin hem band. A blue-and-yellow sash, royal order family brooch, silver clutch and a stunning diamond tiara completed the look. I loved the color and the exaggerated capelet.
Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway--Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wore a pale blue glacé gown that also featured a capelet from the Italian fashion brand, Emilio Pucci. As you may already know, the Creative Director of Emilio Pucci is Peter Dundas and (you guessed it!) he's from Norway. He's popular with the Norwegian royals, darling. The gown is pretty, I just feel her neck looks a bit "cut-off" by the high-necked capelet.
Princess Marie of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat and Prince Joachim of Denmark--Princess Marie of Denmark looks quite beautiful in this pale pink fit-to-flare gown. The lightly embellished gown has a fitted waist, see-through silk organza top/neck section with drop shoulders. She looked very "Disney Princess Lite".
Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark--Princess Tatiana née Tatiana Ellinka Blatnik (in case you didn't know) was born in Venezuela, is of Slovenian-German descent and comes from an aristocratic family. Before her marriage to Nikolaos, she worked in the pr and event planning department for designer Diane Von Furstenberg. The Venezuelan born princess wore a very pretty gown in a pastel blue--similar color to Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Sweden. The strapless dress features ruching on the bust which knots and drops in a full gown-skirt. She looks young, fresh and very "Princess"-like.
Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, Princess of Denmark--The always stylish Marie-Chantal, accompanied fashion designer Valentino (who is Honorary president of the fashion brand and, more importantly, also designed Princess Madeleine's wedding gown) and Giancarlo Giammetti on a private jet to Sweden (as you can see from her Instagram photo above). At the wedding, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal did a no-no and wore white (Mon Dieu!) but I think she looked pretty flawless. Her simple high necked gown had an embellished neckline, waist and sleeve hem; had gathered pouffy glove-length sleeves and a fit-to-flare sheath silhouette.
Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark and her brother Prince Philippos--Theodora is the youngest child of former King Constantine II of Greece and Anne-Marie of Denmark. She wore a sequined light blue gown with a high boat neck and cap sleeves. I like the sparkle of the gown and it fits her well. I only wish it was longer and actually "kissed" the floor.
Edward Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex--The British Royal Family were represented at the wedding by Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Sophie wore a pale pink (pastels were BIG at this wedding!) gown and matching clutch bag with a blue-and-red Royal Victorian Order sash. The gown had a heavy embroidered lace top section. The dress looks a bit mumsy but I do love her hair and the pointed heels.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway-- The Norwegian princess wore an Emilio Pucci gown designed by Norway-born designer/creative director Peter Dundas (just like Crown Princess Mette-Marit). When we think of Pucci, we think of ultra mini, uber sexy dresses; however, both styles he designed for these princesses are a bit of a departure. But, as you can see, Dundas can do "Royal Couture" quite well. Märtha Louise's lilac-colored off-the-shoulder gown featured light applique as well as full pleated back train. It was dramatic and quite elegant.
Princess Charlene of Monaco--Princess Charlene (sans her husband Prince Albert II) wore a strapless ruched mocha colored peplum gown with a chiffon shawl draped over her shoulder. The gown was from the Swiss luxury brand, Akris.
Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaime--Stéphanie wore a golden sequined and ruched fluted silhouette gown with a square neckline. She accessorized it with a gold clutch, golden jewels and tiara, and a light peach-colored shawl.
Princess Takamado of Japan--Princess Takamado is a member of the Japanese Imperial Family and widow of Prince Takamado who was first cousin to Emperor Akihito and seventh in line for the Chrysanthemum throne. It's nice to see a member of the Japanese Imperial Family not wear stark white (or be covered up like a nun, a la Crown Princess Masako). The princess wore a bight turquoise gown that had a full skirt shape and sequined lace torso section.
Sofia Hellqvist--Finally I wanted to discuss this lovely lady, Sofia Hellqvist. Hellqvistis Swedish Prince Carl Philip's (yes, the HOT one--seen on the top of this blog with his mom Queen Silvia) domestic partner aka "Steady Girlfriend" and therefore (kind of) part of the Swedish royal family. She was a model, beauty pageant winner and a reality show star (At a Girl!). She really stood out at the wedding, not just by her stunning beauty, but by the simple, chic gown she wore. Sofia chose a pale-lavender crepe-back satin gown with a cowl and drop-shoulder neckline. She accessorized it perfectly with the gold "leaf" earrings and sequined clutch. One of the BEST of the guests!
Who was YOUR FAVORITE/Best Dressed GUEST at Princess Madeleine's Wedding?
Click Below to Watch the Royal Guests Arrive at Princess Madeleine of Sweden's Wedding:
Miss World COUTURE: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan--66th Annual Cannes Film Festival "Inside Llewyn Davis" Premiere
"Inside Llewyn Davis" is an upcoming American drama film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, and Justin Timberlake and tells the story of a singer-songwriter who navigates through New York City's 1960's folk-music scene. The film is competing for the Palm d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival and had its premiere two days ago, at Cannes, of course. Lots of stars--and a VERY WEALTHY socialite who LOVES Couture--walked the red carpet, so let's take a look:
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2013: The former Miss World and perpetual "Most Beautiful Woman in the World" Indian actress, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her 2013 Cannes Film Festival "debut" at the "Inside Llewyn Davis" premiere in a stunning lace-printed silk gazar A-line flared gown with intricate black hand-beaded applique. For Rai, the gown was customized by adding shoulder lace/sequin applique that wasn't in the original runway look. This gown--if ordered and bought--would probably cost $100,000+ (Mrs. Bachchan didn't pay for a thing darlings!) but because she's such a big star and this photo would go all over the world...it was worth the House of Elie Saab to make a custom gown for her, and then she would have to give back to the couturier's pr department for their "Red Carpet Archives".
Jane Fonda in Badgley Mischka: 75 year-old Jane Fonda looked FAB-u-LOUS at the premiere in this raspberry-colored off the shoulder jersey gown from Badgley Mischka. Did I mention she is 75 years old? Two things: A) At-a-Girl, and B) I want that necklace--oh and yes, to look like that at 75.
Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott Fall 2013: Nicole Kidman attended the premiere--with her hubby--Keith Urban--wearing a lavender, red and black leaf-printed strapless gown from the L'Wren Scott Fall 2013 collection. Love the color and print of the dress and the fact that she's actually wearing a PRINTED dress on the red carpet; lots of actresses like to stay away from prints, but I give her--and her stylist--points for going there.
Jessica Biel in Marchesa Fall 2012: Justin Timberlake's wife, actress Jessica Biel, attended her hubby's premiere in Marchesa Fall 2012 dress. The strapless dress featured a heavily appliqued layer over white feathered under-piece, with a slight hi-lo hem. She looked quite chic and very Euro in this. The necklace, clutch and shoes were perfect.
Carey Mulligan in Vionnet Fall 2013: Actress Carey Mulligan--who stars in "Inside Llewyn Davis"--attended the Cannes premiere in a black and white gown from Vionnet Fall 2013 collection from its new designer Goga Ashkenazi. I love the sharpness and geometric cut of this gown; very modern, very now. Her clean hair and makeup--and lack of accessories went perfectly with this directional column gown.
Olga Sorokina: Belarus-born model Olga Sorokina walked the Cannes red carpet of "Inside Llewyn Davis" wearing a white fitted skinny-trouser/cropped jacket suit with over-the-top multicolored lapel accents. She finished it all off with a great hat and matching shoes. Love the pop of color in the flower detail and the "So What/Who Cares!" Euro flair of wearing a pant suit with a hat...at Cannes!
Joséphine Jobert in Christhophe Guillarme Spring 2013: French-born actress Joséphine Joubert wore this one-shoulder white "Grecian Goddess" gown with silver trim from designer Christophe Guillarme. She posed with the designer on the red carpet. I think it's a simple gown but great for Jobert's skin tone and again, right on trend with the Grecian Goddess theme.
Mouna Ayoub in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2012: Leave it to Mouna to GIVE IT! Mouna Ayoub--in case you don't know--is a French socialite of Christian-Lebanese descent, and after a divorce with a very wealthy Saudi--she built a fortune in real estate. She also has reportedly amassed the GREATEST amount of Haute Couture...about 10,000 pieces! God Bless Her! Speaking of Couture, she attended the "Inside Llewyn Davis" premiere wearing Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2012. And trust me kids, she actually BOUGHT! This hand-sequined bias-cut gown plus shawl and sequined headpiece. It all probably set her back several HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars., but to her, it'swas like buying an Economy Class ticket to Vegas--from LA!
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