Search Results for “couture

Keira Knightley Is Stunning In Chanel Couture At The Aftermath Premiere

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve featured Keira Knightley in a celeb style feature. So, it’s with our pleasure that we present the actress in vintage Chanel couture. Sticking with her favourite go-to-designer for the red carpet, the actress looked absolutely gorgeous yesterday evening, at the Picturehouse Central in London for the premiere of her new movie, The Aftermath. Wearing a black tiered tulle gown with peplum sleeves, and metallic beaded embellishment along the waist, the mum-of-one elevated her look with smoky eyes and pink lippy. Jewellery was kept to a minimum while Keira let her hair down in loose waves with one side pinned up with a silver hair pin. We love her look. Yes, it’s her usual aesthetic, but if it’s not broke…. [Image]

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Valentino Closes Paris Couture Week AW18 With An Explosion Of Colour

We love Couture Week for it’s fantasy and escapism, of which there was no shortage at Valentino. Closing 5 days of unapologetic decadence, to say Valentino’s collection is absolutely stunning is literally an understatement. Complete with bold, colourful, extravagant gowns that would look right at home on Rihanna at the Met Gala, Valentino’s presentation featured 63 looks designed by creative director Pierpalo Piccioli. Hair was as big as it could be (as seen on Kaia Gerber), while extravagant floral headwear brought an added dimension of exceptional beauty to the collection. Inspired by an eclectic mix of Ziggy Stardust, Greek mythology, Pasolini films, 17th and 18th century paintings, medieval armor and photographs of Deborah Turbeville, the presentation was received warmly with a standing ovation and even Valentino himself shed a tear or two. Awww….. [Images]

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Victoria Beckham Strikes Again At Paris Couture Week #Obsessed

Literally giving us life and so much more in this colour block ensemble, the 42 year old designer made a statement and a half yesterday at Paris Couture Week wearing pieces from her SS17 collection. Teaming a rich baby blue blouse with wide-leg tangerine trousers, Victoria reminded us why she stays and will always remain at the top of her fashion game. Her polished look was made complete with oversized sunglasses, a brown clutch and a shabby chic cream coat which we’re utterly obsessed with. With January being a month of austerity (after the carnage inflicted on our bank balance due to Christmas and sales shopping *sigh*), getting Victoria’s exact look is but a dream…however if you’re still on the hunt for bargain investment pieces, there’s still some pretty great items from Victoria’s collection on sale. We particularly love this silk and cotton turtleneck sweater and this striped wool-blend dress. [Image]

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Afternoon Tea And Couture Cakes At The Berkeley!

Love fashion? Love tea? But, most importantly, do you love sweet treats? If so, then be sure to head down to The Berkeley for a spot of afternoon tea served with their latest collection of it’s Prêt-à-Portea delicacies. Deliciously to-die-for, the selection of couture treats celebrate a host of our favourite designers and trademark piecces from the SS16 collections such as a mouth-watering white chocolate mousse inspired by Emilia Wickstead’s must-have summer coat and an eye-catching bright pink fraise de bois and blueberry crémeux in honour of Nicholas Kirkwood’s zigzag pumps. Other designers featured include Balmain, Stella McCartney, Manolo Blahnik and Christopher Kane amongst others. Prêt-à-Portea is served at The Berkeley from 2:30-5pm every day priced at £45 per person (£52 including a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne or £58 per person including a glass of couture champagne). To make a reservation for Prêt-à-Portea call +44 (0)20 7107 8866.

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Keira Knightley’s romantic Valentino Couture look at The Imitation Game premiere

They say all that glitters is gold, and Keira Knightley was the absolute personification of that last night. The actress walked the red carpet for the premiere of her new film, The Imitation Game, as part of the 58th BFI London Film Festival last night… and did a fine job of showcasing the glorious talent that London has to offer. Keira wore a stunning gold, lace tiered dress from the Valentino Couture 2014 collection, and was the epitome of that soft, romantic elegance that Valentino is all about. We love how she kept her hair down in loose waves as it moved almost musically with the wind (which was definitely plentiful last night!) and displayed her gorgeous David Morris earrings at the same time. We didn’t think Keira would let us down on her Imitation Game promotional trail, and we haven’t been disappointed so far. Way to go, Keira!

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Rita Ora sparkles in Zuhair Murad Couture at GQ Men of the Year awards

Kim Kardashian may have been crowned GQ Woman of the Year, but the reality TV star turned businesswoman wasn’t the only woman turning heads at the GQ Awards. We think Rita Ora looked sensational as she arrived on the red carpet at the Royal Opera House on Tuesday night, sparkling from head to toe in a Zuhair Murad Couture dress that will have us mesmerised for weeks, maybe even months, to come. As more sparkles than you can shake a stick at, Rita’s Zuhair Murad Couture asymmetric dress also came with a dangerously high slit to the hip and a singular embellished long sleeve. It takes someone special to wear and pull off a gown of this intricacy – and we think Rita Ora absolutely nailed it! Do we think she might be a contender for the GQ Woman of the Year prize in 2015? We wouldn’t be surprised if the answer is “yes” so watch this space!

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Emma Stone is flawless in Valentino Couture during Venice Film Festival

Let’s not beat around the bush here – Emma Stone looked drop dead gorgeous at the Birdman premiere during the Venice Film Festival last night – and she had a stunning deep green Valentino Couture dress to thank for it. The 25-year-old actress has been really upping her game on the red carpet recently (which is actually pretty impressive seeing as she nailed her red carpet looks right from the beginning of her Hollywood career) but we think this particular outing might just be her best one yet. Emma also debuted a very on-trend yet directional choppy bob during the premiere too, which worked perfectly with the plunging neckline of the dress and her minimal complementary make-up. The attention to detail of the dress – from the layers of tulle to the beautiful criss-cross design at the back – was out of this world, and Emma was the perfect actress to do it justice. Flawless is an understatement!

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Cheryl Cole wows in Zuhair Murad Couture for Storm Flower fragrance launch

We’re still pretty shocked about her seemingly abrupt wedding to Jean Bernard Fernandez-Versini, but one thing that will never fail to shock us is how well Cheryl Cole can walk a red carpet and wow us with her outfit selection. The latest case in point: the launch of her brand spanking new fragrance, Storm Flower. Cheryl Cole, or to use new name, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (it’s going to take us a while to get used to that!) looked breath-taking in a soft pink coloured gown from the Zuhair Murad Couture autumn/winter 2013 collection, which came complete with a thigh grazing split. The thigh high slit in her dress and heavy eye make-up juxtaposed the feminine lace detailing of the dress perfectly, making for an all-round super-sexy look that made her the star of the show. We also love her newly lightened locks too; what say you? [Image]

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Harper Beckham turns three, Couture Fashion Week and more

Harper Beckham celebrates her third birthday! [Vogue] Choupette Lagerfeld is getting her own book! [Fashionista] Joan Rivers says style is “like Herpes”! [Fashion Foie Gras] See all the action from the Couture Fashion Week catwalks in Paris! [Telegraph] Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling are expecting a baby! [Glamour] A Belgian football fan might be the new face of L’Oreal after being scouted at the World Cup [Harper’s Bazaar] All the details from Jessica Simpson’s fairytale wedding – including pics of the dress [People] Olivia Palermo documents and photographs her outfits for 30 days! [Olivia Palermo]

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Kim Kardashian and her cleavage attend the Valentino Couture show

Couture Fashion Week in Paris is still going strong, with no shortage of star-studded front rows. The Valentino Haute Couture autumn/winter 2014 show was no exception, as it boasted a super A-list front row with the likes of newlywed Olivia Palermo (who definitely had that wedded bliss glow about her), Emma Watson, and Kim Kardashian all in attendance. Olivia and Emma were sartorial perfection – we wouldn’t expect anything less from the style mavens – but it was Kim Kardashian who got most of our attention. Whether this was because it was her first sighting of the season and we were excited to see her, the gorgeous Valentino dress she chose to wear, or the two boulder-like things sticking out of it – or a combination of all three – remains a mystery. Although Kim has one of the most famous derrieres in the world (alongside Jennifer Lopez and Pippa Middleton) it was her front assets which were the focal point of the outfit this time round, thanks to the plunging neckline. Additionally, the dress hugged her curves perfectly, and the cololur complemented her skin tone and raven hair wonderfully. We stand by the “if you’ve got it, flaunt it” mantra and don’t think there’s anything wrong with it… Do you love Kim’s look as much as we do, or should she have covered up?

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Kate Hudson dazzles in embellished Armani Privé jumpsuit for Couture Fashion Week

We’ve always maintained that Kate Hudson could walk a red carpet and wow the crowd in her sleep. She confirmed that at the Oscars earlier this year, but just in case anyone had any doubts or simply forgot, she is at it again. The gorgeous actress, yummy mummy and fashion designer joined the likes of Chloe Moretz, Pink and Jared Leto on the coveted front row of the Armani Privé Couture autumn/winter 2014 show in Paris last night, and chose an exquisite jumpsuit from the designer for the occasion. To say she stood out on the FROW would be a huge understatement. The silhouette of the jumpsuit helped give off that classic effortless vibe that Kate does so well, while the embellishments which adorned the piece ensured it also had that “look at me!” wow factor. A simple, un-distracting top knot with a few loose bits of hair escaping and minimal jewellery completed her look perfectly. [Image]

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Emma Watson has the wow factor on Christian Dior Couture AW14 front row

With every great fashion week – be it autumn/winter, spring/summer or the highly anticipated Haute Couture – comes a great front row. And the Christian Dior FROW was full to the brim with ultra-stylish A-listers (we wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the biggest French fashion Houses) including Miss Emma Watson, who pretty much stole the show for us! The former Harry Potter actress blew us away with her appearance on the front row, choosing to wear a wow-factor silk dress – from Dior, natch – which came with a rather interesting expanding silhouette. We think it would look quite unforgiving on a lot of other people – celebs and us regular folk – but Emma totally makes it work for her. We wouldn’t question it if someone told us the dress was made especially for her. The rest of the look was utter perfection too; Emma’s hair was brushed across her shoulders very naturally, and her make up was flawless, as expected. Why Emma Watson isn’t a Christian Dior ambassadress a’ la Jennifer Lawrence and Marion Cotillard is beyond us. We’re thinking of starting a petition to rectify this soon; who’s with us?

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Couture Fashion Week AW14 highlights from Christian Dior and Giambattista Valli

Forget festival style or shopping for that summer holiday – it’s all about the highest of high fashion this week thanks to Couture Fashion Week which is taking place in Paris as we speak. Or write. It was elegance as usual on the Giambattista Valli catwalk – it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out why he got his Haute Couture appellation so rapidly! The designer juxtaposed high fashion vintage glamour with a modern day relaxed aesthetic, which in a nutshell means everything from crepe dresses and understated boyfriend shirts to wow-worthy ballgowns from a different era altogether. The head wraps and bandanas were one of our favourite accessories from the collection as they can instantly transform an outfit; not to mention jazz up your barnet on a potentially bad hair day. Eccentricity was the key theme of the show – something which was more than evident from the pictures… “The secret of my girls is that they’re always eccentric,” the designer said. “They don’t play it, they are!” Raf Simons also didn’t disappoint with his Christian Dior Couture offerings; and it’s a good job too seeing as he had a huge A-list crowd sitting in the front row ready to be razzled and dazzled. It was a bit of a history lesson and catwalk show all rolled into one, as we saw pieces from many periods in time all come together, complete with different chapters, themes and even soundtracks. “I was interested in the process of finding something extremely modern, through something very historical; particularly through a juxtaposition of different themes,” the designer said in the accompanying show notes. “The historical inspiration is not the justification of the collection, it isn’t its entire meaning. “What I was attracted to was an idea of architectural construction – that is […]

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Juicy Couture addresses those closure rumours

Basically, the Juicy Couture label we have all grown up loving isn’t closing as some previous rumours may have suggested. “The Juicy Couture brand is strong and thriving globally, with nearly 200 stores around the world,” the label told British Vogue, in a bid to set the record straight and get the truth out. “As part of Authentic Brands Group’s comprehensive strategy to expand the Juicy Couture brand globally and re-energise the brand in the US, the existing Juicy Couture stores in the US are being phased out. These stores were opened under the previous owner of the brand and are no longer representative of the Juicy Couture brand today and our vision for the brand’s future. We plan to open new concept US stores in new locations in 2015.” “The new US stores are part of a broader brand strategy that also includes the growth of our Juicy Couture Black Label collection internationally, as well as prestige fragrance collections in key retail locations. All of our plans are consistent with the premium image of Juicy Couture globally.” Y’hear that, Juicy fans? The label isn’t going anywhere! Does that “no longer representative of the Juicy Couture brand” bit mean that those wonderful pink and black velour tracksuits we lived in during High School will be a thing of the past? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but we are pretty excited to see what the label has up its sleeve!

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Elizabeth Olsen sparkles in Elie Saab Couture for Godzilla London premiere

It looks like Elizabeth Olsen can rock a number of different looks quite effortlessly – none more so than the elegant look! Elizabeth attended the Godzilla premiere at London’s Leicester Square at the weekend, and looked breath-taking in a floor-sweeping Elie Saab Couture dress from the autumn/winter 2013 collection. We commend her decision not to ruin the aesthetic of the dress by covering up with a big coat or jacket – there was a bit of a chill in the London air on Saturday night, but you wouldn’t know it judging by her smiles in this picture. She let the sparkles on the dress do all the talking (and sparkling!) by choosing not to wear any jewellery on her neck, and instead, opting for some bedazzling earrings and subtle silver rings on her fingers.

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Kylie Minogue in Schiaparelli Couture for Vogue Australia May

We won’t be seeing Kylie Minogue on The Voice anymore as the Aussie singer has quit as a judge after just one season (sad face!), but don’t despair – this isn’t the last you’ll see of her! The 45-year-old princess of pop can be seen covering Vogue Australia’s May issue, and is flashing her perfect pins in a gorgeous brocade Schiaparelli spring/summer2014 couture bodysuit. We know that Kylie is on the small side as far as height is concerned, but you wouldn’t think it judging by her legs that seem to go on for days. Nay, weeks! Kylie was photographed by Will Davidson, and opens up in the accompanying interview about the changes in her personal and professional life, as well as her role in a campaign that raises funds and awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. In other words, this is a not-to-be-missed issue, so make sure you grab yours when it goes on sale tomorrow!

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Couture beauty looks, Ralph Lauren Olympic uniforms, and Keira Knightley’s pout

We’ve seen the fashion, now let’s get a closer look at some of the prettiest beauty looks from Couture Fashion Week in Paris. [The Cut] Prince Charles doesn’t want us to obsess over what Kate Middleton wears anymore! [My Daily] Go behind-the-scenes of David Beckham’s upcoming H&M Super Bowl commercial! [Marie Claire] Marc Jacobs loves going matchy-matchy with his fave fashion editors! [Fashionista] The Olympic uniforms Ralph Lauren designed for Team USA aren’t going down too well with everyone! [Styleite] Diane von Furstenberg scrutinizes her own style over the past four decades; a great analysis! [Grazia] Not everyone is a fan of Keira Knightley’s signature pout; Karl Lagerfeld however, is not one of those people! [Telegraph]

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Couture Fashion Week highlights from Elie Saab, Armani Prive and Valentino

Yet another exquisite few days in Paris for Couture Fashion Week, as Elie Saab, Armani Prive and Valentino each presented their latest collections. Elie Saab, one of the kings of the A-list red carpet, didn’t disappoint with his collection which was comprised of dresses in his signature floaty, embroidered and applique styles. Always one of the sweetest and prettiest collections to hit the catwalk season after season! We couldn’t help but envision Cate Blanchett in the majority of the Armani Prive dresses; firstly because we can imagine Cate Blanchett in pretty much everything, but also because we have the Oscars on the brain. Although there was also a lot of slick and fierce tailoring in abundance, the sparkles and more glam ensembles are definitely what got our attention. It’s awards season, we can’t help it! Armani Prive Valentino   

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Chanel’s couture trainers aren’t as accessible as we thought…

Were you one of the many excited fashionistas who jumped for joy when Karl Lagerfeld swapped heels for trainers in the Chanel Couture show in Paris earlier this week? Well, if you thought you could get your hands – and feet – on some Chanel Couture trainers that you could wear every single day without feeling any pain then we have some bad news. Unless you’re an A-list celeb or someone with a bank account to rival the Kardashian klan kombined (sorry!), it’s going to be a somewhat impossible task to get a pair because they aren’t actually on sale individually. This means you would have to splash out on the entire couture look, which as you can imagine, is going to be pretty pricey. However if you are still determined to get your hands on a pair of Chanel trainers, don’t despair as Karl Lagerfeld has assured us that some non-Couture trainers will be on the market too in the commercial and ready-to-wear collections. Non couture Chanel trainers are better than no Chanel trainers at all, right?

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Ralph & Russo join Couture Fashion Week schedule

Congratulations to Ralph & Russo! Not only will Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo’s brand be showing at Couture Fashion Week tomorrow for the first time – exciting enough, we think you’ll agree – but it will also be making history by becoming the first British brand to show on-schedule in over 100 years. Quite an accomplishment! “It’s something we’ve wanted for such a long time,” Tamara Ralph said. “We have a high-profile clientele and perhaps that helped; we were what the Chambre de Syndicale was looking for. There was a gap for a label that was glamorous, elegant and feminine. “Design is one thing, but craftsmanship is just as important and many of our team have been trained by the Syndicale. We’re ready for it.” And we’re ready for it too! And in case you wanted to know just how high-profile their aforementioned clientele actually is, we’ll just remind you that goddess Angelina Jolie and Queen Beyonce are both fans of the brand. You don’t get more high profile than that, do you? We can reportedly expect a feminine collection inspired by the Forties and Fifties, but we’re just going to have to wait patiently until tomorrow’s show to see what the pair have up their sleeves. [Vogue] 

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Couture Fashion Week highlights from Dior, Chanel, Giambattista Valli and more

There’s nothing better to get us into the pre-Oscars spirit than good old Couture Fashion Week in Paris. As well as watching the models float down the Parisian runways in the finest Couture and salivating at the luxury pieces they are draped in, we can’t help but envision which of our favourite A-listers (and we really do mean A-listers – only the cream of the crop are truly worthy!) might rock the pieces on the upcoming red carpets. Jennifer Lawrence in Dior? Check! Diane Kruger in Chanel? Double check! Raf Simons went for a modern and somewhat practical theme for the Dior Couture collection; relaxed, worldly, effortless! “I was thinking about taking the theatrical out and taking it more into reality,” Raf Simons said. “As a designer, you have a responsibility to do both — to trigger her fantasy with the show, but give her the reality as well.” We think that describes the collection perfectly! Karl Lagerfeld was also going for a somewhat relaxed and comfortable theme; how else would you explain the trainers and the… are those shin pads? The classic Chanel aesthetic was still as evident as ever though, with pastel hues, the classic Chanel tweed suit, and elaborate detailing not only in the pieces themselves but in the entire show. Donatella Versace was inspired by the contemporary goddess, which definitely shone through thanks to the Grace Jones esque hoods. “A contemporary goddess: power, determination, strength, and glamour — that’s what I was thinking about,” Donatella explained. “And how this woman can show her soft side, being a Versace, because Versace is always very spectacular.” What do you think of our favourite looks from Couture Fashion Week so far? Let us know if you have any red carpet awards season predictions!

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Hussein Chalayan named Vionnet’s demi-couture designer

2014 has already got off to a great start for a lot of people; Olivia Palermo got engaged, Kaley Cuoco got married, and now Hussein Chalayan has an epic new job as Vionnet’s demi-couture designer. Congrats! “I’m extremely happy about this collaboration because I think that Hussein is a supertalented, forward-thinking designer,” said Vionnet creative director Goga Ashkenazi. “He is a true artist, very conceptual; he thinks out of the box and has a strong architectural approach. He represents what Madeleine Vionnet represented in her era.” High praise indeed; we can definitely see where Goga was coming from if Hussein Chalayan’s work at his eponymous label – which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year – is anything to go by. We’re excited to see what the new collection brings; it’ll be unveiled on January 21st during Couture Fashion Week in Paris so keep your eyes peeled! [WWD] 

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Marion Cotillard is Worst Dressed of the Week in Christian Dior Couture

OK, here’s a red carpet look we’re so baffled by, that an eerie silence took over HQ when we laid eyes on it. Marion Cotillard, faithfully upholding her Dior duties, sported the oddest Christian Dior dress from the fall 2013 couture collection at the Waltz with Monica photo call in Morocco, earlier this week. The usually impeccable Marion wore a floor-length striped orange-and-blue gown, with a blue asymmetrical overlay. Going accessory-free, Marion opted for black pointed pumps, and a slick of black polish on her nails. Make-up was simple, with kohl-lined eyes; and swept back hair with glossy bangs rounded off her red carpet appearance. Sadly, this look does absolutely nothing for Marion, and its unflattering silhouette only adds to our worst dressed woes. The high neckline isn’t at all flattering, and we’re still wondering how this look could possibly constitute couture…! What do you think of Marion’s look? We get that couture seeks to push design boundaries, but is this look just overdoing it a bit? Share your thoughts below. [Image]

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Elizabeth Olsen is Worst Dressed of the Week in Christian Dior Couture

Very rarely does a couture dress interrupt our style radar to inform us of its not-so-eye-pleasing presence. After all, it is couture, and its supposed to shock and inspire in equal measure. But, Elizabeth Olsen’s recent appearance in Dior couture was nothing short of a sartorially disappointed sigh. Elizabeth attended the Guggenheim International Gala in New York City, earlier this week, and sported a black, below-the-knee Dior Couture dress from the spring 2013 collection. The quirky LBD featured subtly tiered layers and a stark black and soft lemon hued petal adornment across the chest. When we spotted the dress on the runway – styled on a model with a slicked-down pixie crop and striking red lips – we placed it in the red carpet category for A-listers willing to take a style risk – a good risk, at that. But, it was Elizabeth’s styling, not so much the dress, which let her look down. Pairing the couture dress with simple black pumps, Elizabeth’s choice to wear her tousled hair down worked against her, as it ended up covering a lot of the chest area detail. Make-up was sheer, and accessories were zero, which made the overall look appear slightly bridesmaid-gone-wrong frumpy, than fashion forward a with Raf Simons approved slant. What say you, fellow fashion lovers? Thumbs up or down for E.Olsen’s non-trad little black dress? [Image]

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Taylor Swift steals the Country Music Awards show in Elie Saab Couture

When we think of modern day country music, we think of Taylor Swift. And when we think of Taylor Swift, we can’t help but think of enviable, effortless, wow-worthy red carpet style. The 23-year-old country star didn’t disappoint us as she attended the Country Music Awards wearing one of the most breathtaking outfits of the night – a red, floor-length Elie Saab Couture dress from the autumn/winter 2013 collection. The Country Music Awards are definitely her chance to shine, and she made the most of that opportunity! The dress complemented her figure and skin colour perfectly, and was still age-appropriate despite its dramatic nature. Taylor looked like country music Royalty on the red carpet, completing her look with an effortlessly chic low bun, a flawless complexion and matching bold red lipstick. She kept all other accessories to a minimum, leaving the embellishment on her dress and her personality to do all the sparkling on the red carpet. This is one of our favorite Taylor Swift looks of the year – do you agree?

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Natalie Portman wears cut-out Dior Couture for Marie Claire US November

One of the great things about the imminent release of Thor 2: The Dark World (apart from the fact that we’ll soon be able to watch the film in the cinema) is the return of Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman. She already wowed us on the Elle UK November front cover, and now she’s blowing us away in Dior Couture (natch) for the Marie Claire US November issue. We’ve missed you, Natalie! Dior isn’t the only designer Natalie is rocking in the Tesh lensed photoshoot, as she is also working some great numbers from Versace, Armani, and Giambattista Valli. Her interview is pretty jam packed too; she even reveals that she will be kissing Los Angeles goodbye and moving to Paris with her hubby Benjamin Millepied next year! Lucky girl! “We’re moving at the end of next year,” she told the mag. “I just really really love it here in LA. It’s one of the most exciting places in the world right now. It’s really central in term of the arts. “But I’m really lucky. When Ben asked me if I wanted to go to Paris, I freaked. Everyone dreams of living in Paris.” We don’t know about everyone, but all the ladies in the MFL office have let out a collective sigh of jealousy upon hearing the news. You can see what else Natalie had to share with the mag in the Marie Claire US November issue.

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Dakota Fanning wows in Elie Saab Couture at Venice Film Festival

Dakota Fanning has once again taken our breath away – this time with her appearance at the 70th Venice International Film Festival over the weekend. The blonde 19-year-old actress stunned in a midnight blue Elie Saab Couture gown which was very apt considering she was there to promote her brand new film Night Moves. While Dakota opted to go for the fairytale princess factor by opting for a sparkly floor-length dress, there was a certain amount of daring sex appeal to it… just look at that plunging neckline! The rest of her look was kept simple, with only Rona Pfeiffer and Cathy Waterman rings on her fingers by way of accessories. We think her natural freely-flowing hair stopped the look from looking too prom-like so we’re glad she didn’t go for an intricate up-do on this occasion.

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Natalia Vodianova is Best Dressed of the Week in Christian Dior Couture

Never one to disappoint, model Natalia Vodianova is once again guilty of forcing us to drop everything and gush at her dress! Wearing an exquisite red, floor-length Christian Dior Fall 2013 Couture gown to host her annual Love Ball for The Naked Heart Foundation she founded in 2004, Natalia was a superior vision of The Lady in Red. Held in Monaco, the event was attended by a whole host of Couture-clad socialites and royals, not forgetting the master of jaw-dropping Couture himself, Karl Lagerfeld. The head-turning gown featured an embellished bodice, super-fitted waist and flowing skirt, and skimmed the contours of Natalia’s enviable body with beautiful precision. Accessorising with a velvet Dior clutch and a small pearl necklace (which was an extra touch we think wasn’t needed), Natalia’s look was completed by soft, glossy curls and a strong red lip. Aptly named ‘Love Ball’, the event was the perfect place for Natalia’s romantic red gown – one we’ll surely be dreaming about for the rest of fall! Agree with our Best Dressed verdict? Who was your BDOTW? [Image: Zimbio]

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Kristen Stewart swaps grunge for glam at Zuhair Murad Couture show

Yowza! To say that Kristen Stewart is in the “show him what he’s missing” stage after breaking up with long-term boyfriend Robert Pattinson is a bit of an understatement. We know that K-Stew feels the most comfortable in loose-fitting clothes and Converse trainers, so the outfit she wore to sit pretty on the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture front row in Paris yesterday was a little bit out of her comfort zone to say the least. You can tell that she is a true acting pro though, as she oozed confidence and sex appeal in her see-through, sparkly corset and trouser combo. And we love the effortless side swept hair, too. We guess the Zuhair Murad Couture show is a perfect example of “save the best ’til last” not only in terms of the collection itself, but also as far as the star-studded FROW was concerned. We want more of these looks please, Kristen!

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Valentino’s “balanced” Haute Couture AW13 show

We hear Valentino, and we automatically think Oscars. And more specifically, Anne Hathaway at the Oscars. We know the designer and the actress go way back and Anne was devastated to have missed out on wearing Valentino to pick up her Academy Award earlier this year, but if we were her, we would have been even more disappointed to have missed out on selecting any one of these new season dresses. Just look at them! Is it fair to say Valentino Garavani exceeds himself with each and every collection? Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli presented a dark, visually rich and fantastical show for Haute Couture autumn/winter 2013, with an abundance of embellished, intricate designs making their way down the catwalk. It wasn’t all heavy, embroidered pieces on the runway though. There were also more practical and wearable pieces that made an appearance too, including some very prim, proper and powerful pencil skirts that we know the fashion elite will be wearing to their upcoming business meetings. All abut balance, you see. “While it celebrates fantasy, the collection also embraces an earthly dimension,” read the show notes.

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Naomi Campbell opens Atelier Versace’s Couture show

Nothing makes a bigger statement like getting one of the world’s biggest supermodels to open the Couture show of one of the biggest fashion House’s in Italy, nay, the world. And that’s exactly what Versace did by tapping Naomi Campbell for the Atelier Versace AW13 Couture show in Paris yesterday. It was the first time Naomi walked a Versace catwalk since Gianni Versace’s death back in 1997, so her appearance was a pretty big deal! Well, most Naomi appearances are, but none more so than this! Donatella Versace was inspired by black and white photography of the 1930s, which she then added her own contemporary twist to… a theme which is more than evident when looking at the colour palette and the Great Gatsby nod throughout the collection. The attention to detail is second to none, as is expected from a Versace catwalk outing, and the sparkles, glitz, glamour – not to mention the amount of flesh on display – was very abundant. The finale piece was without a doubt a favourite in the MFL office; do we think any of the celebs in the front row – the likes of which included Emma Roberts and Uma Thurman – might pull it off on a red carpet? Watch this space! [Telegraph] 

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Amy Adams braves London weather in Valentino Couture for Man of Steel Leicester Square premiere

The highly anticipated new Superman film Man of Steel officially opens in UK cinemas today, and to celebrate, we thought we’d pay homage to one of its stars at the Leicester Square red carpet premiere. Luckily for us we didn’t have to look further than Lois Lane herself, as actress Amy Adams looked incredible in her Valentino Couture dress! The designer once again pulled a knock-out outfit out the bag! The tones of the dress complemented Amy’s porcelain skin and brunette locks perfectly, and her lack of accessories and swept back hair ensured that all attention was on Valentino’s masterpiece. And what a trooper for standing out in the cold rain to pose for the photographers without a jacket. We will be heading to the cinema tonight to watch the film drool over Henry Cavill, but we don’t think the boys will have anything bad to say about the leading lady either… what a babe!

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Rooney Mara vs. Penelope Cruz: Who wore Givenchy Couture better?

Fash-offs, to a certain extent, can be seen as form of fashion recycling. As soon as a celebrity is out of a particular look, another’s already jumped into it, ready to put their own spin on it. This week’s fash-off is quite an interesting case of fashion recycling, and one we couldn’t wait to include in a frock-off! Looking striking in Givenchy Couture, Rooney Mara made quite the entrance at this year’s punk themed Met Gala, in a white lace dress from the Fall 2010 Couture collection. But this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this near-angelic look on the red carpet. Penelope Cruz gave said dress its first outing back in 2011, when she wore it to the London premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Penelope went down the vanilla route when it came to her entire look, opting for sleek hair and a box clutch. On the other hand, Rooney had a touch of the rebellious Lisbeth Salander about her look – which was slightly modified to add lace inserts at the shoulders – going with a dark lip and slicked back hair; almost sinful (pardon the pun) in comparison to Penelope’s angelic take on things. Whose look do you prefer? We’re going with Rooney’s suitably harder look on this one.

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Nicole Kidman is Best Dressed of the Week in Christian Dior Couture

Undoubtedly, the words on the lips of the sartorial circuit this week are something like Cannes Film Festival. We’ve waxed lyrical with our highlights from day one and two, and we’re not about to stop. Stealing the BDOTW spotlight this week is none other than the gorgeous Nicole Kidman, who wowed us not just with her age-defying looks on the Cannes red carpet (that woman has magical skin!), but every ensemble she pulled out of the bag. Although we wanted to be greedy and profile her every look so far, we chose the one that particularly stood out for us; a strapless floral-embroidered dress from the Christian Dior Spring 2013 Couture collection she wore to the The Great Gatsby premiere at the festival. Making us hyperventilate at the thought of sporting (much, much cheaper) summer florals, Nicole’s breathtaking couture gown was accented to perfection by coral Dior pumps, a pop of colour on the lips and a slick high ponytail. She’s already a Cannes red carpet favourite of ours, but we just couldn’t help crown her Best Dressed, too! We’re pretty sure you won’t disagree either.

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The Met Gala 2013 – PUNK: Chaos to Couture red carpet roundup!

Forget the Oscars, the biggest, most fashionable night of the year is of course the Met Gala (or Met Ball, whichever you prefer) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and this time round the theme was “Punk: Chaos to Couture”. This meant that there was an abundance of spikes, safety pins, short and fierce hair, and bags and bags of attitude… and the lucky A-listers who managed to secure an invitation to the prestigious event most definitely brought their sartorial A game on the red carpet. Celebs with short hair had a particularly easy ride as far as interpreting the punk theme was concerned as the likes of Karlie Kloss and Miley Cyrus really embraced it with their respective hairstyles. Sarah Jessica Parker didn’t let a little thing like long hair deter her from going all-out though, as she donned a fabulous Philip Treacy headpiece that was just as punk-rock as it was Carrie Bradshaw. Anne Hathaway finally got her Valentino red carpet moment this year – we definitely think she made up for not wearing his dress at the Oscars. We reckon she will be one of the hottest points of conversation, as she truly embraced the theme by channeling Blondie’s Debbie Harry and bleaching her hair blonde. Take a look at some of our stand-out looks: Beyonce in Givenchy  Anne Hathaway in vintage Valentino Cara Delevingne in Burberry Amber Heard in Emilio Pucci Kristen Stewart in Stella McCartney Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon and Philip Treacy Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs Taylor Swift in J Mendel  Katy Perry in Dolce and Gabbana Rooney Mara in Givenchy Amanda Seyfried in Givenchy Couture  Karlie Kloss in Louis Vuitton Hailee Steinfeld in Donna Karan Atelier Dakota Fanning in Rodarte Coco Rocha in Emanuel Ungaro  Nina Dobrev […]

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Viktor and Rolf to make Haute Couture comeback!

Exciting times ahead for Viktor and Rolf. It’s been reported that the Dutch designer duo will be making a very welcome return to Haute Couture, as the House of Viktor and Rolf has officially been listed as a Correspondent Member in the Haute Couture schedule. They join the likes of Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab, Armani and Versace in the prestigious category. The boys will be staging their first Haute Couture show of 13 years in Paris this July, so we haven’t got long to wait to see what they have up their sleeve. Viktor and Rolf shows are never boring though so it looks like we are going to be in for a real treat as far as both the actual collection and the show itself are concerned. [Telegraph] 

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Michael Kors to receive Artistry of Fashion Award from Couture Council!

Huge congratulations to Michael Kors this morning, as it’s just been announced that the designer will receive the prestigious Artistry of Fashion award from the Couture Council later this year! “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award from the Couture Council,” he said. “They do such an amazing job putting the spotlight on design, and I think that to be included in the esteemed company that has been awarded this honour in the past is very gratifying and very exciting.” The designer will receive the award from the Couture Council at the Lincoln Centre on September 4th, which will also mark the start of New York Fashion Week’s spring/summer 2014 season. Exciting times – and very well deserved, we reckon. Congrats again! [Vogue] 

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Marion Cotillard scoops Best Dressed of the Week in Christian Dior Couture

Attending the 2013 Cesar Film Awards in a breathtaking spring 2013 Christian Dior Couture gown was the stunning actress, Marion Cotillard. Opting for Dior once again (the last time was that zingy, directional number at the 2013 BAFTA Awards), this time Marion took a more classic, Forties pin-up route with the styling. The strapless pale pink gown was adorned with black stripes, worn with embellished pumps and classic Forties up-do. Chopard jewels completed her splendid look. Considering the awards ceremony was held in Paris, there was no excuse to not go for the classic French fashion house and, being the face of Lady Dior, only Dior would do on the night. We wouldn’t expect anything less from this beautiful French actress.

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New York Fashion Week highlights from BCBG Max Azria, Red Valentino, Juicy Couture and J Brand

New York Fashion Week is officially under way, with collections from BCBG Max Azria, Red Valentino, Juicy Couture and J Brand helping to kick things off. Red Valentino (above) was for the romantic and feminine dressers, and those who love a good fairytale. The collection was reportedly inspired by Hansel and Gretel, which is pretty evident from the embroidery found in the prints of the dresses. We particularly loved the tailoring in the jackets! Oh and we saw quite a few Beyonce-at-the-Superbowl style knee high socks too. Trend alert! There wasn’t a single flannel/velour tracksuit in sight at Juicy Couture, and instead we saw an entirely wearable collection fit for that cool, casual, and care-free girl about town. J Brand  was a bit dull in terms of colour palette as we mainly saw blacks, greys and a hint of white, but it came alive in terms of texture, styling and variety. We love a good statement belt, and this collection gave us plenty. A great way to kick off New York Fashion Week and indeed the autumn/winter 2013 season. J Brand BCBG Max Azria Juicy Couture   

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Couture Fashion Week highlights from Jean Paul Gaultier, Elie Saab and Valentino

Quite a lot of Couture Fashion Week highlights to get through this afternoon, so let’s crack right on. Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino all presented their Spring Couture collections in Paris, and we’ve selected a few of our fave looks from each show. Jean Paul Gaultier loves a good theme when it comes to his collections – this time round he was inspired by the gypsies of Rajasthan, India, which was very evident in the rich colours, vibrant patterns, intricate detailing and heavy embroidery. We love the voluminous beehives and the reworked edition of the cone bra, too – a JPG classic! Elie Saab did as Elie Saab does and blew everyone away with the sheer romanticism and fairytale elegance of his collection. An abundance of sheer, lace, sequin and pastel red carpet worthy dresses for those all-important Oscars, not to mention editorial content for upcoming fashion glossy pages. We don’t think this collection should be overlooked for upcoming A-lister weddings either! Finally, Valentino was simply magical with some of the most finely crafted, perfectly sculpted pieces we’ve ever laid eyes upon. We’re glad the Valentino-approved florals remained in the collection, with the flirty structured dress Cara Delevingne stepped out in being one of our favourites. Elie Saab  Valentino

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Couture Fashion Week highlights from Chanel and Armani Privé

Chanel time! Romantic, sparkly, pure, classic, bold, iconic, revolutionary – all of these words describe the Spring 2013 couture show that took place in the epic Grand Palais in Paris yesterday. There was an abundance of snowy-white pieces that were presented on the catwalk, which was very apt considering the current weather conditions. To finish things off and get people talking, Karl Lagerfeld presented two brides (British Vogue February cover girl Kati Nescher and Ashleigh Good, since you asked) in the finale to show that he is all-for same-sex marriage. And of course no Chanel show would be complete without Karl Lagerfeld’s adorable little godson Hudson Kroenig making an appearance – look how cute and dapper he looks in his white suit! Chanel wasn’t the only big show to take place yesterday though. Armani Privéalso had its moment in the spotlight, as a plethora of pant-suits were presented along with ultra-skinny trousers,  three-quarter length sleeves and pencil skirts. A really wearable collection that seems accessible, but isn’t short of wow factor… lots of fab colours and prints to get excited about, especially the shiny metallic pieces to appeal to your inner magpie. We hope Uma Thurman and Hilary Swank (who sat front row) pick out some good’uns for future red carpet appearances… exciting times!

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Couture Fashion Week highlights from Dior and Giambattista Valli

We always look forward to a Giambattista Valli show regardless of the season, but we were waiting with breath of even more baited proportions for Raf’s (we call him Raf – we like to think of him as our buddy) Christian Dior collection this Couture Fashion Week. We predicted great things for the respective shows, and we weren’t disappointed with the extravagant pieces that floated down the Parisian catwalks. We got a mix of colours and clever layering at Dior, with lots of gowns for celebs to choose from for the upcoming awards season. Although Raf Simons is slowly putting his own signature on the brand, it’s clear to see that he’s respecting and referencing the work of Christian Dior at the same time- why else would the show be taking place in such green surroundings in Paris’ Tuillerie Gardens? Volume was key, which is why there were larger-than-life skirts juxtaposed with slimmer silhouettes and finer tailoring. His vision for the three-piece bar suit was particularly inspiring. Over at Giambattista Valli it was more or less Princess central – or at least high society central. Early scenes from Gossip Girl spring to mind! The full dresses were just as extravagant as we hoped and expected, although we also got some more playful creations this time around with the introduction of mini and midi skirt lengths. Sugary pastels and exquisite, intricate detailing were in abundance, but it’s clear to see that the classic Giambattista Valli girl is spicing things up a bit this season! Stay tuned for more couture delights from the likes of Chanel and Stéphane Rolland.

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Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls kick off Paris Couture Fashion Week for Atelier Versace

You didn’t think a little thing like snow was going to get in the way of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week did you? Ever the pro, Donatella Versace made sure her Atelier Versace couture fashion show went ahead without a hitch, and as a result we saw some fabulous items from the new luxury collection presented to us. We often look to the January couture shows for hints and potential sneak previews of what we can expect from the awards season red carpets, and we definitely see a fair few dresses that wouldn’t be out of place at the Oscars and other big-name shows. Apart from a few suits and a boyish jacket slotted in, the collection remained predominantly feminine and slightly more youthful and contemporary than we are perhaps used to, taking the focus away from the traditional eveningwear, and easing into daywear and partywear. Having said that, the evening dresses that were presented were just as attention-grabbing as we expected them to be – and it looks like the mullet style dresses are making a comeback! Versace’s couture collection was modelled by some of the hottest faces in the biz right now, including MFL fave Karlie Kloss, Joan Smalls and Stella Tennant among others. The FROW was pretty star-studded too, with the likes of Princess Charlene of Monaco and Olivia Munn watching the presentation intently, no doubt eyeing up potential pieces to wear. What do you think? Joan Smalls’ dress is our favourite – we desperately hope someone wears it on a red carpet soon!

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Olivia Culpo crowned Miss Universe in Georges Hobeika Couture

As we excitedly tweeted this morning, the winner of the Miss Universe pageant has finally been crowned, and this time round it went to none other than Miss USA Olivia Culpo. All of the finalists were enviably stunning (no surprises there!) but we think Olivia had something extra special which is why we agree with the judges’ decision to give her the top prize. The very worthy winner received her bling-tastic crown wearing a red hot gown from the Georges Hobeika autumn/winter 2012 Couture collection, which only shows how far the competition has progressed over the years. Well if reality TV stars and D list celebs can wear Couture, why can’t the Miss Universe competitors, hm? We love Olivia’s epic, gravity-defying ballerina bun too, as it let her natural beauty shine through while ensuring all attention was on the red hot dress at the same time. We would have personally gone for a tad less cleavage, but then again we do live by the “if you’ve got it, flaunt it” mantra… and there’s no denying the fact that Olivia has it. Do you think the right winner was crowned? Do you love her Couture creation as much as we do?

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Maison Martin Margiela and Alexis Mabille officially gain Haute Couture status

Looks like Zac Posen isn’t the only designer who’s going to be celebrating extra hard this Christmas. Maison Martin Margiela and Alexis Mabille have officially gained Couture status, as they have both been awarded the Haute Couture appellation by the Chambre Syndicale. Huge congratulations to the two very hard-working and worthy designers. They now join the likes of Christian Dior, Chanel, Giambattista Valli and newcomers Dolce and Gabbana, among others. Alexis Mabille’s show is set for day 1 of the Couture schedule on January 21st, while Margiela’s will take place two fays later on the 23rd. We can’t wait to see what they come out with – we expect great things! [WWD] 

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Rita Ora vs. Heidi Klum: Who rocked Alexandre Vauthier Couture better?

We love a good old fashion face-off, and this week’s style rivals do it in some very beautiful outfits. Supermodel Heidi Klum wore a stunning, gold, guipure lace dress from the Fall 2012 Alexandre Vauthier Couture collection to the 2012 American Music Awards earlier this month. However, back in September Jay-Z’s protégée Rita Ora wore the same outfit, albeit in a peplum suit version, for the MTV Video Music Awards after-party. Both ladies looked exceptional in their respective outfits, and even opted for the same matching Christian Louboutin guipure lace pumps, but there can only be one queen to the style throne with this look! And this week’s style crown goes to…* drum roll*…wait for it…Rita Ora! By now, you’re probably pretty aware of the immense love we have for risk takers in the A-lister land of fashion, and Rita’s tailored rendition of Heidi’s pretty-but-safe dress gets top marks from us! As much as we adore Heidi’s killer pin-flashing look, it almost feels too tried-and-tested. We love Rita’s risqué neckline, matching heels and signature kooky sunnies which give this prim couture look a fashion forward edge. Do you agree with our verdict? Which look do you prefer?

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Karlie Kloss poses for Juicy Couture’s latest ‘Couture La La’ perfume

We’d better make the most of seeing Karlie Kloss’s long locks flowing freely in the (probably fake) wind while we can, seeing as the 20-year-old model went for quite a dramatic chop earlier this month! Karlie and her precious brunette mane and gorgeous youthful looks can be seen on the ad campaign for the brand new Juicy Couture ‘Couture La La’ fragrance, which was shot on a beach by photography dream team Inez and Vinoodh. We love the juxtaposition of the soft, baby pink top and stunning loud, statement-making choker. We haven’t had a chance to have a whiff of the perfume yet, but it’s being described as a “fruity luscious bouquet with white floral notes and sensual musks,” which has got our smell buds tingling. If all the other Juicy scents are anything to go by, we predict we’re going to have several bottles of this on our dressing tables too. We wouldn’t mind finding this under the tree next month, hint hint, Santa!

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Padma Lakshmi vs. Alessandra Ambrosio in Zuhair Murad Couture

Two stunning ladies, one hot dress and a very difficult fash off! This week’s fashionable contenders left us awestruck as they slipped their envy-inducing bods into a sexy, black embroidered lace, Zuhair Murad Spring 2012 Couture gown. First up is the Indian beauty Padma Lakshmi, who wore the Zuhair Murad Couture number to the 2012 Creative Arts Emmy Awards last month. The TV host was a sight to behold, as she opted for a strapless version of the gown, complete with a low, side-swept ponytail and barely there makeup. Small crystal studs and were the only accessory to be seen, which clearly left the killer gown to do all the work! A second take on the gown came courtesy of Victoria’s Secret model and all-round stunner Alessandra Ambrosio. Ms. Ambrosio appeared in said gown at the amFAR Inspiration Gala last week, and opted for the strap version as seen on the catwalk. Statement Irene Neuwirth earrings and a semi up-do completed Alessandra’s look. Both ladies look undeniably gorgeous in their gowns, but there can only be one chic champion…and for us it’s Padma! With her slicked back ponytail, daring strapless rendition and barely-there-makeup, Padma made sure all eyes were on those enviable curves in that drool-worthy gown! On the other hand, Alessandra’s fussy hair-on-shoulders concealed the strap detail and made the whole look feel like what it literally was: a model in a gown doing nothing for her! An up do would’ve done wonders to show off the gown’s strong sweetheart neckline, as would have swapping the loud earrings for something a little more discreet. That gown is ‘big’ enough as it is!

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Emma Watson’s two-for-the-price-of-one Christian Dior Couture look

We regularly see a lot of female celebs who leave their houses looking like they forgot to put their trousers on (not naming any names, *cough* Miley Cyrus *cough*) but Emma Watson has done the total opposite at the London screening of her new film The Perks of Being a Wallflower. To the untrained eye it might look like Emma a) really couldn’t decide between outfits or b) forgot to shave her legs and couldn’t find any tights. However, those of us familiar with the recent collections of Couture Fashion Week will recall that Emma is in fact wearing a jumpsuit from Raf Simons’ debut Christian Dior Couture offering. And while we didn’t necessarily think of Emma when we saw it on the runway, we reckon the actress has actually pulled it off. It’s a bit of a sartorial risk, but that’s what we like to see from Young Hollywood on the red carpet. We are digging the slightly more feminine hairstyle too as it brings a nice contrast to the tough edge of the jumpsuit. We’re impressed, Em! [Image]

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Sarah Jessica Parker stuns in Valentino Couture on the red carpet

Sarah Jessica Parker is pretty versatile when it comes to the red carpet, as she looks comfortable – and gorgeous – in both loud, eccentric pieces as well as more chic and subtle creations too. For this year’s New York City Ballet Fall Gala, SJP went for the former option, as she walked the red carpet in a lavish, floor-sweeping embroidered Valentino Couture gown from the autumn/winter 2012 collection, with a fine waist belt nipping in her teeny tiny waist. Sarah actually wore her dress with the matching cape, and although we admire her dedication to going all-out, we think it actually took something away from the intricate, delicate detailing of the dress so we’re glad she took it off for the actual event. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Tom Ford cape/dress combo at this year’s Oscars still reigns supreme as far as capes on the carpet are concerned. SJP’s heavily lined eyes brought some drama and edge to the look, and the twisted, voluminous up-do was the perfect hairstyle to complement the dress. We think Valentino looks pretty pleased with Sarah’s look too, don’t you think?

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