Search Results for “royal wedding

The fashion verdict: designers react to Kate’s wedding dress

Among the 2 billion people watching the royal wedding on Friday was a surprising amount of leading designers, who tuned in to discover Kate Middleton’s dress had indeed been designed by Sarah Burton on behalf of the house of McQueen. With a lot of love going around for the already-iconic creation, a very fashionable jury have given their verdict on Kate’s dress – Karl Lagerfeld called it “very pretty”, Valentino loved it, and Donatella Versace thought she looked beautiful – with a triumphant applause, save for Vera Wang who “would have preferred a closed neckline” and Elie Saab who “would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and longer train.” Here’s what the fashion heavyweights had to say about Kate’s dress… Karl Lagerfeld: “She is very elegant. The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. It almost reminds me of (Queen) Elizabeth’s wedding, the royal weddings in the Fifties. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty. I like the veil a lot.” Vera Wang: “This was great for Sarah Burton, and whether it was intentional or accidental, everything worked. It is amazing and wonderful for someone who does not usually do wedding dresses to show such restraint. The dress was cut beautifully, in a subdued way. I found the fitted lace bodice and the fairly large skirt, without tiers or technical draping, just right — a modern version of a tradition that will never be outdated. I would have preferred a closed neckline, however.” Prabal Gurung: “I thought it was pretty and appropriate. A high-profile wedding like this is not the place for making a crazy fashion moment. It sounds like an oxymoron but it was a personal moment in a very public place. The dress clearly said […]

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What does Kate’s McQueen wedding dress say about her?

There’s few occasions special enough to warrant a real fashion moment, but when Kate Middleton walked down the aisle to marry her prince on Friday, we witnessed a piece of history in the making. We all know that dress was the creative conclusion of Sarah Burton for McQueen, who designed the most important dress in her career for what was also the most important dress in Kate’s life to date, but what does Kate’s choice of dress and designer really mean for her future as fashion icon? Let’s take a look at the dress in more detail. An ivory-white silk gazar gown with a delicate Chantilly lace upper leading into long sleeves and an elongated neck, Kate’s dress boasted a modest 2.7 metre train with subtle embroidery to the skirt. It’s both classic and modern, understated and elegant – inspired, no doubt, by both Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress in 1947 and, most memorably, Grace Kelly’s in 1956. But though her dress reflects her inspirations, it also reflects Kate at a pivotal moment in her life as princess, combining tradition with the contemporary; encompassing the past as well as the future. Why, then, choose a label that’s served a controversial – if albeit very successful – career? Kate’s choice in McQueen over classic royal couturiers is a statement in itself – it’s a highly successful label that’s rooted in traditional tailoring and controversial art-like creations, but above all, it’s a real fashion label. It highlights Kate’s position as a style icon and a risk taker, and it shouts in the face of critics who’ve accused her of dressing too middle-aged; it shows she’s got an understanding of fashion and flare, and that she knows when to use it. For Sarah Burton, it’s the commission of a lifetime – let’s not forget […]

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These low cost wedding dresses will have you cooing

If yesterday’s designer wedding dresses will only ever be a dream, here’s something to bring you back to reality with a smile on your face. We’ve scoured the virtual (royal) wedding rails of our favourite high street hot spots and boutiques to find you five dresses under £500 to fall in love with on your wedding day – and trust us, you will. See below for our top picks that’ll give Kate a run for her money on route to becoming princess (ok, that’s pretty unlikely, but they are rather great)…   Violetta Ivory Wedding Dress £120, available at BHS. BUY NOW!   Ivory Embellished Bandeau Bridal Dress £400 £300, available at Debenhams. BUY NOW!   Cascading Goddess Gown $1,600, (£965.99) available at BHLDN. BUY NOW!   Ivory One-shoulder Appliqued Flower Dress £160 £120, available at Debenhams. BUY NOW!   Biba Daisy Pleated Bandeau Chiffon Bridal Gown £595, available at House of Fraser. BUY NOW!

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Luxe wedding dresses you’ll lust after for life

With the royal wedding just three days away, it’s fair to say we’ve got wedding fever good and proper. But hey, if there’s one thing we’ve heard enough of, it’s Kate Middleton’s dress – who’s designing it? (no, really, do spill); what will it be like? Will she actually wear one? We think it’s high time we paid a little attention to all the other beautiful brides to be out there, and as such, we’ve scoured the rails of the best bridal boutiques, high street stores and high end hot spots to bring you our edited selection of the best bridalwear out there. From luxe designer dresses to show-stopping alternatives and pretty purse-friendly frocks, we’ll be delivering our must-see guide to wedding dresses throughout this week so you can all indulge in a little wedding fever of your own. If you’re a bride-to-be, take inspiration from our picks, and if you’re not, hell, indulge a little. See below for our round-up of the luxe wedding dresses you’ll be lusting after for life… Temperley Long Twinkle Dress Scattered with hundreds of three-dimensional silk flowers and embellished with Swarovski crystals, Temperley’s long twinkle dress is every bit the fairytale gown. And to seal the deal, embroidery alone takes four days. Feeling special now, right? Price upon request, available at Temperley.   Amanda Wakeley Ruched Tulle Dress For minimalist brides, Amanda Wakeley’s ruched tulle dress is a dream. A light, free-flowing gown in the finest silk, this dress has strikingly simple angled straps and a removable satin belt for the ultimate understated luxury. £2,600 available at Amanda Wakeley.   Vera Wang Fawn Wedding Dress Soft and ethereal, Vera Wang’s mermaid wedding gown is utterly gorgeous. With a strapless pleated neckline, we love its floating Chantilly lace applique and tissue-like pouffe organza skirt. Price […]

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Is Kate Middleton wearing McQueen on her wedding day?

As the royal wedding in April looms ever closer, speculation over who Kate Middleton will choose to design her dress for the big day seems to be increasing by the hour – with British fashion house Alexander McQueen the latest label under the designer spot light. Reports from The Sunday Times over the weekend claim that the brand’s chief executive, Jonathan Akeroyd, told a colleague that the label had secured the UK’s most coveted design commission, and with royal aides of the Palace not denying such news either, it looks as if Sarah Burton could have an almighty task on her hands. “We are not commenting on speculation about the designer’s identity,” said a spokesperson from the Palace. “Miss Middleton wants it to be a surprise for Prince William on the day.” It’s thought Kate may have chosen the coveted design label after being impressed by a modern silk strapless gown made especially for the wedding of Sara Buys and Prince William’s step-brother, Tom Parker Bowles in 2005. Although both McQueen’s ceo, Jonathan Akeroyd, and creative director, Sarah Burton, have both strongly denied such allegations. “I am not doing it,” said Burton to Vogue UK, whilst Akeroyd added: “No, not at all. I am the ceo. I would know if we were doing it.” At this rate, the only way we’ll ever know who really designed Kate’s wedding dress is when she’s walking down the aisle!

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Kate Middleton And Meghan Markle Attend Wimbledon Women’s Final Together

Marking their first public engagement together without their husbands, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle took to Wimbledon to watch Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber battle it out in the ladies final and we can only assume Meghan was rooting for Serena considering they’re best buds (the tennis star was a guest at the Royal Wedding). Pictured laughing and chatting away, the sisters-in-law stuck to their signature style for the occasion. Meghan opted for a Ralph Lauren striped shirt and white wide-leg trousers while Kate wore a Jenny Packham knee-length summer dress with nude heels. Both ladies looked lovely as usual and hopefully we’ll get to see the Duchesses enjoying quality time together in the near future.

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Priyanka Chopra Is Steadily Becoming One Of Our Fave Style Icons

Rumoured to be dating Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra has been killing it with her outfits of late hasn’t she? Making our best dressed at the Royal Wedding, the actress has literally taken no prisoners with her sartorial choices since the big day and we just had to highlight her recent outfit choice as it’s possibly one of our faves to date. Earlier this week while in New York, Priyanka looked absolutely stunning in a cream asymmetric knit top, paired with a beige ruffled Jacquemus crepe midi skirt and Fendi’s nude whip-stitched leather shoulder bag. Opting for much-needed colour in the form of Aquazzura’s Laura metallic magenta sandals, the look was completed beautifully with gold hooped earrings and sunglasses by Oliver Peoples. Are you loving her outfit as much as we are? [Image]

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Pippa Middleton Is Pregnant With Her First Child

The Middleton’s have quite a bit to celebrate this year. Not only is Kate Middleton having her third baby but it appears that Pippa Middleton and hubby James Matthews are also expecting. As revealed by The Sunday Express the couple whom married in May 2017 are indeed having a baby. This is Pippa and James’ first child and naturally the mother-to-be is “thrilled and overjoyed” a friend tells The Sunday Express. Having already undergone her 12-week scan, Kate was the second person after James Matthews to be informed of her sister’s pregnancy and she was said to be “delighted” upon hearing the news. Pippa is reportedly due in October, and with Kate about to drop anytime soon, a Royal Wedding on the way and another baby to be expected from the Middleton camp, 2018 is sure to be a year to be remembered.

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Meghan Markle Champions The LBD At Women’s Empowerment Reception

We’ve always sung the praises of the LBD and it appears Meghan Markle concurs! Last night saw the princess-to-be champion the faithful little black dress at the Commonwealth women’s empowerment reception in London. Opting for a belted dress by Black Halo dubbed the ‘Jackie O’, paired with Aquazzura’s Milano Pumps, Gucci’s Dionysus suede super mini bag and 18-carat white gold diamond swirl earrings by Birks, Meghan was every inch of sophistication. Make-up was kept to a minimum while her hair was worn up in her signature messy bun. We love this look and it’s possibly up there in one of our top three faves to date. Needless to say we simply can’t wait for the Royal Wedding. Not long left to go!

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Choosing Simple Accessories That Say It’s All About the Dress

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day. Fabulous cakes, flowing gowns and rice being tossed at happy newlyweds are delightful daydream images. The bride’s wedding dress can be anything she imagines. Add too many accessories, however, and that pretty dress might be overwhelmed. When it comes to wedding dress accessories, simple is almost always better. In the interest of maintaining the star status of brides and their wonderful wedding dresses, we are pleased to present the following advice about how to choose simple accessories that accentuate but don’t take center stage. Accessories that work with wedding dresses If you think you need to wear a trailing veil, a sparkling tiara, dangling earrings and a sash on your wedding day, please think again. Don’t go “over the top” where your accessories are concerned, says The Knot magazine. If your gown is already embellished, go light on the extras. Make a note of your gown’s fanciest features, and let them be the attention getters. A dress with an ornate neckline may look delightful with an upswept hairstyle and pair of drop earrings, but you may wish to leave the fancy necklace at home. You don’t have to wear a veil at all, but if you do, make sure it doesn’t outshine your wedding dress. If your gown exposes your bare back, wear a veil that is super sheer. Also, ensure that the fabric of your veil exactly matches the color of your gown. A crown of flowers is an enchanting alternative to a traditional wedding veil. Something borrowed, something blue, something metal If your aunts and grandmothers offer to loan you a lovely old piece of jewelry to wear at your wedding, opt to borrow a ring or other simple blue sapphire bauble made with a metal that coordinates with your […]

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Candice Swanepoel for Free People, Vivienne Westwood’s Virgin Atlantic uniforms, and Stella McCartney confuses customers

Candice Swanepoel swaps the Angel wings and skimpy underwear for chunky knits in Free People pre-fall ad campaign! [Harper’s Bazaar] Not all of Stella McCartney’s customers know that her bags aren’t made of leather! [Refinery 29] George Bush hosts an Oscar de la Renta retrospective! [Fashionista] Vivienne Westwood unveils her Virgin Atlantic uniforms! [Telegraph] Pippa Middleton’s Royal Wedding bridesmaid dress was supposed to make her blend in, not stand out! [Vogue] Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne take a fashionable road trip! [Fashion Foie Gras] See how Christian Dior’s luxe new trainers were made, through the power of GIFs. [Marie Claire] Who is new model on the block Binx Walton? [Grazia]

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Angelina Jolie rocks Saint Laurent for Elle US June cover

With the highly anticipated release of Disney’s Maleficent this month, we had a sneaky feeling that an Angelina Jolie fashion glossy cover was on the cards. We had our money (and hearts) on American Vogue, but we certainly aren’t disappointed with the Elle US June cover either. Angelina was photographed by Saint Laurent’s Hedi Slimane, and is naturally exclusively rocking the brand’s pieces in the accompanying editorial. Sleek, slick and sinfully sexy – that’s Angelina Jolie and the new Saint Laurent brand in a nutshell which is why they fit together so seamlessly. Inside the mag, Angelia opens up about everything from Brad Pitt to her upcoming nuptials, i.e. the most highly anticipated wedding since the Royal Wedding (sorry Kim and Kanye!) among other things. “We have a very full life and a very passionate relationship,” she said about Brad Pitt. “We are still quite surprised that we’re actually more interested in each other now than when we met. We know it’s rare.” As rare as Angelina’s beauty, some (us included!) might say. You can read the rest of Angelina Jolie’s interview in the Elle US June issue.

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Pradasphere lands in Harrods, J Crew’s new London store, and Anna Wintour’s breakfast with Kim Kardashian

The Pradasphere has officially landed in Harrods! [Vogue] Kristen Stewart’s Chanel Métiers d’Art ad campaign images are finally revealed! [Styleite] J Crew is launching its fourth London store! [Telegraph] The moment Anna Wintour met Kim Kardashian and little North West, all captured on Instagram! [Fashion Foie Gras] Everything you need to know about the “normcore” trend revealed! [Marie Claire] Apparently, according to a Royal “expert”, Pippa Middleton wore a fake bum to the Royal Wedding! [My Daily] Ebay has seen a 95% increase in “yellow dress” sales thanks to Kate Middleton’s Roksanda Ilincic Australian Tour dress! [Fashionista] Jourdan Dunn  and Lily Allen have had a bit of a falling out over Twitter! [Glamour]

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Ellie Goulding covers Marie Claire UK February, says Wills and Kate are awesome

She caused quite a stir with her risqué sartorial choices last year, and it doesn’t look like 2014 is going to be any different if Ellie Goulding’s shoot for Marie Claire is anything to go by. The Burn singer was shot by David Roemer for Marie Claire UK’s February issue, staring seductively into his camera lens for a series of saucy poses. What a babe! She also opened up to the mag about some juicy topics, including her love life, her childhood, and the one and only Royal Wedding which she performed at! “In the weeks before, everyone I know was talking about the wedding, and I was sat like [puts knuckles in her mouth], trying not to say anything. I kept it to myself for so long – but no one would have believed me anyway,” she said. “I talked to William and Kate quite a bit. They’re just a really awesome couple, lovely people, so I understand why people are fascinated by them. It was a really beautiful night – but then, I haven’t been to many weddings.” We can’t imagine many weddings would top the Royal Wedding, can you? You can read the rest of Ellie’s interview in the Marie Claire UK February issue which is out now!

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Beyonce steals the Halftime Show at the Superbowl 2013

It was the most highly anticipated televised event since the Royal Wedding – or at least it was for us – but last night we finally got to watch the one and only Beyonce entertain the world during the Superbowl’s Half Time Show. And boy was it worth the wait! Not only did Queen Bey blow us away with her high energy dance routines and super-powerful vocal range, but she also surprised us by bringing on her former Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams to confirm their reunion. Basically, it was a lot to cope with in 15 minutes, which is the excuse we’re giving ourselves as we try to justify watching the performance more than 20 times already. And then there was the fashion! Last year Madonna strutted her stuff on the stage in some custom Givenchy, but Miss Knowles, or should we say Mrs Carter, also went for something showstopping don’t you worry about that. She paraded around the stage in two sexy leather outfits by New York designer Rubin Singer, as did Kelly and Michelle when they later joined her on stage. You’ve probably seen the video a handful of times by now, but just in case you want to watch it again, you can check it out below. All together now: “uh uh oh, all the single ladies… now put your hands up!” http://youtu.be/AwYwUs4EQ-0  

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Princess Beatrice wows in Berlin wearing Jonathan Saunders

People might still be talking about (and shaking their heads at) her Royal Wedding wardrobe blunder, but we reckon Princess Beatrice’s latest look in Berlin should get people talking for all the right reasons. She looked absolutely gorgeous in a green dress from the Jonathan Saunders autumn/winter 2012 collection, which she accessorised perfectly with a waist-cinching black belt and black tights. The runway look is a bit racy with its low-cut neckline, but Princess Bea definitely made it more demure with her accessorising – major props! Princess Bea and her sister Princess Eugenie are currently in Germany on an epic one-year tour, as part of the government’s GREAT initiative to promote the country… and what better way to do it than to champion British fashion eh? (OK, we know Jonathan Saunders is a Scottish designer, but we have more or less adopted him since he shows at London Fashion Week!) Do you love Bea’s look as much as we do?

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50/1 odds that Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian will give birth on the same day

Following all the wagers that were made about the Royal Wedding, it doesn’t surprise us to learn that bookies have released odds surrounding the birth of British and Hollywood royalty. So if you like a cheeky punt every now and again, maybe the ones regarding Kate Middleton’s and Kim Kardashian’s respective pregnancies will interest you. The Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be expecting their little royal bundle of joy in July, but bookies are also reckoning Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s little’un might not be that far along behind. You could get yourself some extra pocket money if the babies are actually born on the same day, as the odds are currently at 50/1 at Ladbrokes and 66/1 over at Paddy Power. Will Kim be pleased to share the spotlight with the British royals or will she want all the attention? We never can tell with those Kardashians… Click here to check out what other Kate and Kim related odds you could wager on, including name, hair colour, gender and more.

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Kate Middleton lands Best Dressed of the Week in Alexander McQueen

Since the royal wedding, every time we’ve spotted Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen, it’s safe to say our heart’s skip a beat. Although nothing quite matches the magic of that wedding dress, the future queen looked resplendent in another stunning McQueen creation at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year awards. Wearing a green crepe wool gown with a centre slit, the Duchess of Cambridge accessorised with Jimmy Choo heels, an Asprey pendant necklace and beautiful Kiki McDonough earrings. Her first appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago, Kate looked suitably radiant and even showed off a tiny baby bump! Papped here sharing what appears to be a rather funny joke with a dapper-looking David Beckham, the Duchess elegantly brings our 2012 Best Dressed of the Week to a close. Catch us in the New Year for another round of unmissable fashion! Merry Crimbo!

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Five minutes with Aruna Seth

Aruna Seth is an inimitable force in the luxury shoe market. Her designs have adorned the feet of new royalty, most famously Pippa Middleton, who wore one of Aruna’s designs at the Royal Wedding; Kate Hudson and Julia Roberts to name a few. But it is her background, rich in design and paired with an unmatchable work ethic that has driven her to create a brand rolling off the tongues of Hollywood’s elite. My Fashion Life caught up with Aruna to talk about the perfect shoe, favourite holiday destinations and what it takes to make it in the industry. What makes the perfect shoe? The perfect shoe is one you can fall in love with.  I’m a shoe lover so I very much appreciate fine design.  For example, the Swarovski signature bow adorning my designs has crystals inside the bow, and I am the first designer to do this and pay such attention to detail.  My designs feature a lovely curve on the side to help elongate the leg. The perfect shoe is something to treasure, comfortable and something to love. How did you get started in this business? My father has been making shoes for over 40 years and he is my biggest inspiration He has worked extremely hard over four decades to build up a successful shoe empire, so creating beautiful shoes is in my blood.  My father encouraged me to work within his company from a young age, and I spent a lot of time travelling with him to all his factories around the world.  I remember working in the office over the summer holidays, helping out at the warehouse, in the factory and with shoe orders.  My father has a tremendous work ethic – he has built up a multi-million pound shoe empire in Russia, India, Europe and the […]

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Sponsored Video: Get Ellie Goulding’s ASOS look!

Not only do we love Ellie Goulding’s music (a view we share with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – she was invited to play at the Royal Wedding, remember?) but we can’t fault her unique, youthful, contemporary and generally fabulous sense of style either. Ellie’s looking particularly stylish in the video for her brand new single Only You which you can see below, and ASOS has made channeling the indie-electro singer’s style just that little bit easier. You can shop Ellie’s look from the video if you head over to ASOS, but you can also have a bit of interactive fun with the video too. If you’re looking to kill time, you can play ‘Want it, Pin it’ while watching the video, which basically means you can choose your favourite look from the vid and then be in withy a chance of winning some tickets to see Ellie live on her upcoming tour. Pretty cool! This post is sponsored by ASOS.

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BFC names eBay as new Fashion Forward sponsor

Good old eBay – it gives us great bargains all year, but now it’s going to contribute to the fashion industry in a whole new way, as the British Fashion Council has welcomed it as a sponsor of its Fashion Forward initiative! “Fashion Forward is one of the British Fashion Council’s talent support initiatives; designed to help emerging British designers show and develop their businesses here in London,” said Caroline Rush, a spokesperson for the BFC. “eBay’s sales statistics are overwhelming and we hope they will help to bring opportunities to the designers they support.” Fashion Forward supports seven designers each year, with the current recipients including Mary Katrantzou (you can see one of her creations above), Henry Holland, James Long and Louise Gray. We can also look forward to eBay’s Save the Children Born to Shop initiative, an online charity auction which will sell one-of-a-kind designer pieces during London Fashion Week. One of the items you can get your hands on is the teal Burberry dress Samantha Cameron wore to the Royal Wedding last year, which we have to admit is kinda cool. Keep your eyes peeled for more deets when we get them! [Retail Week] 

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2011 in news: 10 things that shook the fashion world this year

Among the clinking glasses of endless mulled wine toasts, pre-Christmas mince pies and secret peeling of presents under the Christmas tree, there’s just one more thing left to do this year: reminisce. 2011 has been a significant year for the fashion world. Craze-inducing collaborations, a royal wedding remembered more for the dress than the extra public holiday and fashion losses so large the entire industry collectively wept. And what have we done with all that? Rounded it up, of course. Below, we bring you fashion’s best and most moments shocking of 2011. 1. The royal wedding dress April 29th will forever be marked in our minds as a date that made unparalleled fashion history. Alexander McQueen’s creative head, Sarah Burton, was spotted entering the Goring Hotel merely hours before the royal wedding took place, sparking rumours she’d designed the dress. Indeed, she was bestowed with this burdensome duty and boy, did she deliver! The exquisite appliquéd lace dress acquired Burton deserved acclaim in the fashion world, culminating in an unsurprisingly big win at the British Fashion Awards last month.  A big year for Sarah Burton – an even bigger year for fashion. 2. John Galliano – Dismissal from Dior and namesake label Probably the most gulp-inducing, tear-jerking headline to emerge from the fashion world this year was the dismissal of Dior design master, John Galliano. Arrested in a Parisian cafe after allegedly assaulting and racially abusing a couple using anti-Semitic remarks, the allegations against the couture creator were all founded in court, resulting in his rapid fall though the echelons of the very industry that homed him. His immediate suspension from Dior, and later from his namesake label, sparked an emotional outcry amongst Galliano’s closest industry friends. Whilst the hunt for his replacement is said to be in its final […]

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All the winners of last night’s British Fashion Awards (plus what everyone wore) right here!

Hosted by George Lamb and Lauren Laverne, last night’s British Fashion Awards at London’s Savoy Hotel received a star-studded turn out, with guests including BFC Ambassador Samantha Cameron, as well as Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, Colin Firth and even Stateside celebs siuch as Kate Hudson, Olivia Palermo and Marc Jacobs (who, by the way, is officially not taking the creative director job at Christian Dior!) 

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is kate middleton pregnant

Is Kate Middleton pregnant?

We’ve all been on baby-bump watch since the day after the Royal Wedding, and even though the palace hinted Kate Middleton and Prince William want to wait a while before they present the world with the pitter patter of tiny feet, we never stopped anticipating the announcement. 

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Inside Valentino’s atelier: how couture is created

Down an unsuspecting cobbled street and inside ancient unassuming architecture in the heart of Rome’s over-subscribed city lies the life of one of Italy’s most iconic couturiers – Valentino. It’s not every weekend one gets asked to visit what is, perhaps, one of the last remaining real couture ateliers, but then again, it’s not every weekend one gets whisked off to Rome with the aforementioned luxury label for company. And as experiences go, this was certainly on par with visiting Santa’s Grotto as a six-year-old girl. But we’ll warn you now, there’ll be no visual candy in this post (on the request of Valentino and for reasons we hope are rather obvious). An introduction from the atelier’s manager in the courtyard tells us when we step inside the surrounding stone walls, we’ll witness girls, as the dressmakers are referred, creating the clothes we see on the catwalk; we’ll see the materials and feel the fabrics; we’ll learn the secrets of made-to-measure sizing and the art of structuring; we’ll hold some of Valentino’s most iconic creations. It’s rather amusing, really, that for us the above sounds like something straight from a sartorial dream – we can touch the dresses? – but for the atelier’s girls, it’s just another piece of silk organza, another stitch, another day at work. For all Valentino’s great elegance, these women, crowded around several small tables on the second floor of a warm rustic building, sharing jokes about the over-excited group of foreigners that have come to see them sew a sleeve to a blouse, are really rather ordinary. But their work, well, that’s quite a different matter. Everything you know from Valentino’s couture collections is created here in this humble home. The cream lace dress Jackie O wore to get wed in 1968; a replica of […]

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Is it Pippa or Kate? The younger Middleton sister steps out sporting big sister’s style

Pippa Middleton shot to fame for two reasons: firstly, she’s the fortunate sibling of Kate Middleton, who happens to be married to the future king of this country; secondly, she has a much applauded derrière, which revealed its perfect form to 2 billion watching around the world in a perfect McQueen bridesmaid dress, on April 29. Having seen her sister splashed across every possible medium; fashion critics poring over her every sartorial choice, never-ending legs and over-kohled eyes, it’s refreshing to see Pippa jump on the dress-and LK Bennett style wedges- bandwagon. Spotted in London, Pippa skilfully echoed her older sister’s style in a cropped leather jacket and black dress. She accessorised with a beige clutch and what appear to be the tan versions of older sister Kate’s black patent LK Bennett wedges – she so happily recycles. Pippa looked relaxed, her ‘Royal Mocha’ tan glowing perfectly, but a clutch in the day? After getting accustomed to Pippa’s casual tote-clutching appearances, it’s slightly dressy for an a.m. appearance. Although Kate wins in the height section, Pippa looks equally as good, but I’d like to believe she won’t take to repeating her sister’s wardrobe choices. She’s the ‘hotter’ younger sister with a world-renowned behind and a string of admirers including Prince Harry, who quietly but definitely stole a big chunk of the limelight at the Royal Wedding. I want to see her rebel in her style choices, not to become a permanently papped style icon, and to make her own mark in this land of newfound fame she now belongs to.  

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Top stories this week: Balmain launches new line, Princess Beatrice’s hat breaks records on eBay, Christopher Kane launches handbags and MORE!

Balmain launches new clothing line Good news, fashion fans – Balmain’s launching a new clothing line named after the label’s founder, Pierre Balmain. It’ll be designed separately from the mainline, but will still be overseen by new creative director Olivier Rousteing, and is likely to launch in September. Fingers crossed for lower prices? Read more here! Princess Beatrice’s royal wedding hat sells for £81,101 on eBay Well, what do you know? Princess Beatrice’s Phillip Treacy-designed hat has been called many things, but record-breaking probably pips the post. The infamous head piece she wore to the royal wedding sold for £81,101 on eBay, beating all previous records of designer hat prices on eBay. Don’t worry, it’s for charity. Read more here! Fashion favourites come together to help aid Japan What do Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Lady Gaga and Blake Lively have in common? They’re each designing a charity T-shirt in collaboration with Conde Nast and Uniqlo, where proceeds will go to the Japan Relief Fund in a bid to support tsunami victims. Read more here! Topshop launches secret pop-up store-in-store Ssh! Topshop has launched a brand new pop-up shop – the first of its kind by a high street brand – in the stores of its Oxford Circus and New York branches. For the next two weeks, shoppers should look for a secret door, signalled by a Meadham Kirchhoff-commissioned florist, which will lead to a hidden room of limited edition designer trinkets. Read more here! YSL says Christian Louboutin didn’t invent his trademark red sole Since Christian Louboutin announced he was suing Yves Saint Laurent for using his signature red sole on one of its designs, YSL’s fighting back. According to the French fashion house, Louboutin didn’t invent the colour red and, more specifically, wasn’t the first to it on a […]

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WATCH: five minutes with Louise Roe

The last time we spoke to Louise Roe was back in 2008 when, unbeknownst to her, she was eyeing up TV jobs in America that would become her biggest career move to date. But that was three years ago – now, she’s a regular on the fashion circuit in the US, after hosting countless TV shows and appearing on endless others. When she’s not reporting live from the Oscars’ red carpet or fronting royal wedding coverage for one of America’s leading entertainment channels, she’s supporting brands, penning articles, appearing on the party scene with aplomb and dishing out style advice. Which reminds us – she’s just become a new ambassador for Weight Watchers. To celebrate the lifestyle brand’s ProPoints plan (the most successful to date in its 15-year history), Louise has shared some of her best-kept style secrets to help women look and feel fabulous no matter what their shape and size. We caught up with her at the press launch yesterday to find out more about the collaboration, her top style tips for the season and who, out of Britain and LA, has the best style… Filmed on a Flip Cisco UltraHD www.theflip.com

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