British Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot 2012: The Fashion Hits and Misses

British Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot 2012: The Fashion Hits and Misses

Over The Top Hats, Colorful Ensembles, Kooky Costumes...no it's not RuPaul's Drag Race, it's Royal Ascot!

Team England: A Royal Ascot guest showing how much she loves sports, Royal Ascot, Ascot England

Every June, for five days, Great Britain celebrates Royal Ascot. Dating back to (wait for it) 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne, the Royal Ascot is one of Europe's most famous race meetings. it has become a national institution all these years, THE centerpiece of the British social calendar. What people wear to the Royal Ascot has become almost more important than the races themselves. First, it's all about the HATS. Then the ensembles; the more colorful, the better. This is not the place to be a "wallflower", it about getting noticed and standing out.  Let's take a look...

British Music and "Hollywood" Royalty: (Left to right) Dame Shirley Bassey decided to don a coral-orange hat with left-and-right over-sized organza flowers. I wished her outfit was just a teeny bit more COUTURE though (to match the over-the-top hat!)--a short-sleeved macrame sweater/cardigan over a dress? Not so much. But...Miss Helen Mirren looked AMAZING in this dark blue and white ensemble and blue wide-brimmed hat. Très Elegant!



The Royals:

 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II LOVES her pastels, we know that. Take a look at this coat and dress ensemble in a pale pink color with matching hat she wore on Day Two of Royal Ascot. It looks "Queen"-appropriate enough--in terms of its non-fashion dowdiness. However, take a look at that sleeve--it's a sign of whimsy and yes, Elizabeth might still have some Fashionista in her!

Princess Anne and Princess Beatrice: On Day Three, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal and her niece Princess Beatrice, arrives via Royal Carriage (naturally). Both looked great in their contrasting color flower-printed ensembles. Beatrice has become quite a Royal Fashion Icon of sorts (lest we forget that infamous Philip Treacy hat and Valentino ensemble she wore at Kate and William's Wedding.

Red and Gray: (Left to right) Carole Middleton, mother of Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in a red suit and matching colored hat and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward's wife) who chose a slate gray coat-dress and yes--a matching wide brimmed hat, of course.

Top Hat Chic: (Left to right) Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall arriving on Day One looking like the Picture Perfect Royal Ascot couple. Prince Charles made GQ's Best Dressed Men List for 2012 recently and he is living up to that title in his impeccable Morning Dress suit and black top hat. Camilla looks quite elegant in her vanilla coat-and-dress ensemble and hat. Recently hospitalized Prince Phillip--the Queen's husband of course--also could take "Best Dressed Man at Royal Ascot 2012" in his black Morning Dress suit with a grey top hat and waistcoat. Traditionally, the waistcoat is supposed to be matching the Morning Coat, but here, Prince Phillip dares to be a "Dandy" by bucking tradition and wearing a contrasting colored yellow-creme waistcoat.



The Hats:

Pearls and Lips: Royal Ascot racegoer shoes off her colorful over-the-top hat

Like I said in the beginning of the post, Royal Ascot is ALL about the HATS--here are some of the Standouts--in Themes:



Food:

Breakfast and Tea & Crumpets: I absolutely LOVE the racegoer with her "Breakfast is Served" hat consisting of a fried egg, sausages, beans...she definitely should get the "gays LOVES Brunch" prize! The ladies above went with the "Tea and Crumpets" food theme. very, very British.

A Blueberry Custard Pie: I also love this hat--why? Because I wanna EAT it. She gets a "YUMMY" Prize for sure!

UK Love:

Of course, it would not be Royal Ascot without some hats featuring a LOVE for Great Britain. Here are two good ones: A King's Crown with feathers and yes, the "Union Jack" flag over-sized bow-on-a-headband headdress. These should be the hats the British Airways Flight Attendants should wear--well--if I designed their next uniforms!



Ornithology Hat Chic:

Flamingo and Swan Ladies: I really hope none of these hats are "dropping" eggs! Here are two Royal Ascot racegoers giving you some "Bird Hat Style", Ascot England

At Royal Ascot, the dress code is strictly enforced. For women, only a
day dress with a hat is acceptable, with rules applying to the length
and style of the dress. In addition: strapless, off the shoulder, halter-style, spaghetti straps and dresses with straps that are less than 1" are NOT permitted in the Royal Ascot. There are even "Dress Code Assistants" walking around making sure that your ensemble is a "Royal Ascot Yes"; in other words, within their rules.



What do you guys think of these Royal Ascot looks: Yeay or Nay???

And here is a definite Royal Ascot DON'T:

UK Hoochie: Ladies, if you are planning to attend next year's Royal Ascot, look above for the ensembles you should NOT be wearing! These tacky, hoochie iridescent blue jumpsuits are courtesy of the Tantric Blue Strip Club Girls. Needless to say, they were NOT allowed into the Royal Ascot since well, they did not really meet the "Dress Requirements" so they remained outside the grounds and handed out promotional material for the club. Bless their Hearts. Their parents should be so proud. This is a definite Royal Ascot Fashion DON'T.

Dexter Simmons - On The Runway @ Art Hearts Fashion NYFW 2017

Dexter Simmons - On The Runway @ Art Hearts Fashion NYFW 2017

Even after editing these 25 or so pictures of the DEXTER runway show from Dexter Simmons. I still can't decide how much of this range is wearable; and how much is the pure showmanship that helps sell the shorts, tee shirts, singlets, caps and jackets that are the backbone of Streetwear sales. And I'm not even sure any of this is for sale but I did see a woman in a DEXTER singlet shirt in the queue to go into the show so I imagine the basics will be out there - they are pretty out there already so you certainly wont miss them! Continues below..

 I love that Simmons seems fearless in his appropriations, I mean who mixes boxing shorts with Goth? I mean really, who? He's mixing on season Camo, Heavy Metal, Punk, freakey 70's Bubble Gum Card/Astrology, graffics illustrations by Caitlin Mattisson; patches from 1970's icons of rock and well, whatever.. that bondage/batman black jacket and hood - with little ears; was that JUST for GOTHAM? The red lips and fangs motif that appears as patches or large on hats, sleeves, shirts and very large on the back of jackets seems to riff on both the Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Rolling Stones..I certainly hope Simmons gets his trickier pieces off the runway and into the stores. I for one would love to see all these designs out on the street. Check the shots below - Big thanks to White Caviar Life for this superb engagement, go check them out straight after you are done here - Now on with the pictures! PS finally back on Instagram.. or Follow on Facebook!

http://dextersimmons.com/
http://caitlinmattisson.com/

Previously - Art Hearts Fashion -
http://streetfashionsydney.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/purvi-doshi-at-art-hearts-fashion-new.html
http://streetfashionsydney.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/a-captive-line-up-for-art-hearts.html

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Matiny Ng - The (new) Schiaparelli, of Geometric Fashion.

Matiny Ng - The (new) Schiaparelli, of Geometric Fashion.

Fashion is not art and art is not fashion. But is that really so? It's always such a tussle between the decorative and the profound; the amusing and the serious; the functional and the.. non functional, the sublime; the ridiculous! I first experienced Matiny Ng's designs at the Raffles Byzantium graduate show in December 2013; playful and bold, wearable if you were game, distinctive and creative; using the circle and the square motif. The Menswear there, perhaps being the more radically inspired of the designs.

This year she is back as part of the Raffles International Showcase at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia along with fellow students from that 2013 show and others. Matiny Ng showcases her new label 580 and her SS 15/16 range. The pieces again designed around circle and square motifs speak to me of Non Objective Abstraction in art. Meanwhile, in the men's range there seem to be some sort of Luis Buñuel surrealist clerics, or perhaps it's that fashion parade from Fellini's movie Roma; no no its more Non Objective art as fashion from Matiny Ng. Wearable? I mean really how dare you.. Who cares!

Cross motif, ecumenical inspiration? Matiny Ng's 580 label.  Photographed by Kent Johnson.

A Red Cardinal? Matiny Ng's 580 label.  Photographed by Kent Johnson.

The Padre? Menswear at Matiny Ng's 580 label.  Photographed by Kent Johnson.

I wonder if quite a few of the audience were wondering what the @#!! was going on with this show; but as you can tell I loved it; the colours the fabrics, the garments construction, and mostly the Ideas! More please Matiny Ng.


Book Street Fashion Sydney to cover your next event.

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Royal Wedding Minute: Wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Stephanie de Lannoy!

Royal Wedding Minute: Wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Stephanie de Lannoy!

Royal Wedding Couture

Sweeping Royal Train: Prince and Princess of Luxembourg--Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie de Lannoy

Yesterday was the Wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg to Belgium-born Countess Stephanie de Lannoy. In my last post, I covered the night-before Gala Dinner so now, it's the WEDDING! The tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was all-abuzz with Royal Wedding Fever over these last few days--if not weeks. The boyishly handsome and bearded Guillaume is the last remaining heir-to-the-throne to get married, amongst Euro Royals.

 Postcard Royal: Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie de Lannoy

The royals of Europe are that continent's "Hollywood Stars". They really don't "rule" a nation per se, but are mainly there for the PR and to bring Tourism to their respective countries. And yes, they make lots of money for all the Euro tabloids.



So, let's get to the WEDDING and the brides Haute Couture, as well as the guests--with my "Nick Fashion Scores" (Scale of 1-10):

Le Gown: Princess Stephanie's gown was designed by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab. During the previous night's Pre-Wedding Gala Dinner, LOTS of the royals (including the bride and the groom's Grand Duchess Mother) wore Elie Saab Couture. So, it was not a surprise when yesterday for her MOST IMPORTANT DAY, she wore Elie Saab. Count Jehan de Lannoy, her brother, accompanied her to the altar.

Fashion Designer Elie Saab

Princess Perfect: Stephanie in her Elie Saab Haute Couture Custom Wedding Gown--It took 3,200 hours for embroidery from a team
of 15 people and 700 hours from a team of 10 seamstresses. The dress featured three-quarter sleeves, a bateau/boatneck neckline in
the front and dipped in the back, and a belted waist above a full skirt
and 13 foot train.

The Gown DISH: Masses of fabric went into this creation: 76 yards
of silk crepe and tulle for the lining, plus another 33 yards of satin
organza, 55 yards of Chantilly lace, and 44 yards of Calais lace.
More silk tulle was used for the veil. The leafy pattern embellished all
over the ensemble included 50,000 pearls, 80,000 crystals, and almost 11,000 yards of silver embroidery thread. This is why custom wedding gowns--for royals--can cost as much as a small house in LA! And you can guarantee this one above did.

The Gown was inspired by these Elie Saab Hate Couture Gowns above--using similar sequin embroidery, full a-line shaped sweeping skirt silhouette and high neck fronts.

Gorgeous train, superb silhouette, out of control beading and handwork...Wedding Gown perfection. One the BEST Royal--if not just regular wedding gowns I've seen in recent history! 

I give her a 10 out of 10 as my Fashion Score.

Peach Chic: Stéphanie was attended by two older bridesmaids, her new sister-in-law
Princess Alexandra and her niece Antonia Hamilton. Both were dressed in
peach/orange dresses from Edouard Vermeulen of Natan.   

As far as Bridesmaid Dresses, they get a 8.9

Blue Flower Girls and Page Boys: Guillaume’s nephew Prince Gabriel plus a nephew and nieces of
Stéphanie’s made up the orange and blue clad younger party. Orange and blue are the
colors of the House of Nassau, so that is why they are wearing these colors. I think they look quite cute. Very Royal Wedding. Pages and Flower Girl ensemble scores: 10



The Veil and Tiara:

She wore a Lannoy family tiara, made of platinum and diamonds with a
large inverted pear shape diamond in the high center. It was made by
Althenloh of Brussels and was worn by Stéphanie’s sisters and
sisters-in-law at their weddings. So, it is a family wedding tradition.



The Family and Royal Guest Red Carpet:

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Prince Guillaume--Maria Teresa wore a coral colored coat and dress with a dramatic draped shoulder "shawl" held with a HUGE diamond brooch. Love her pillbox hat. Everything matched...except the shoes. Do you guys think she should have just gone "full-throttle" and worn matching coral-colored pumps? Or did we like these? 

Fashion Score: 9.2

Monaco:

Princess Caroline of Hanover and Hereditary Princess of Monaco: The always-chic Caroline wore Chanel Haute Couture (naturally!). Her bolero and sheath dress was Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010. 

It was camel colored wool crepe with hand-sewn sequins and beading with pleating detail. Just so you know kids, a Chanel Haute Couture dress/suit ensemble like this can put you back about $30,000-$40,000, especially anything with sequins and hand-sewn oversized jewels.

Score: 9.9

Great Britain:

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward--The Countess looked quite fab in this printed square-neck dress. The sleek hat with pheasant feathers is from Jane Taylor. The dress hits all the right points: three-quarter sleeves, right-at-knee length, a fitted drop-waist shape highlighted with a solid belt.

Score: 9.0

Spain:

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain--Letizia wore a light lilac-colored applique coat, solid dress underneath and a wide brim hat, everything matching--color-wise. It was a bit of a Yawn for me. She loves all that applique embroidery, but sometimes--if not done delicately (like the Bride's Wedding Gown), it can come off as dowdy, heavy and dated.

Score: 8.3

Italy:

Prince Emanuele Filiberto and Princess Clotilde of Venice and Piedmont--French Actress Clotilde Courau looks chic in her Elie Saab Ready-to-Wear Fall 2012 Collection suit with 3/4 sleeves, side peplums and attached pencil skirt. This look is perfect for that fashionista girl attending a fab wedding.

Score: 9.6

Sweden:

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland and her husband, Daniel Duke of Västergötland and her very handsome brother (the "Brad Pitt of Euro Royals") Prince Carl Philip of Sweden--I liked Crown Princess Victoria's unusual chappeau, but I though the rest of her look (coat with dress) was rather dowdy and unexciting. It made her look 15 years older than she really is. I think MY MOM has coat just like that.

Score for Victoria: 8.2

Score for her brother Carl Philip: 10 (How do say "Hottie McHottie" in Swedish?)

Denmark:

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Prince Consort Henrik--Queen Margrethe wore a purple long-sleeve suit featuring a very on-trend peplum, below-the-knee skirt, matching belt and matching hat. The pearls, diamond brooch, gray gloves and purse finish the look. She's ultra conservative and appropriate for a Queen, but the peplum tells me there's still a little "Fashion" in her still. But there's something about the whole outfit that looks a bit as if she had gone to a vintage store and found it. The princess seams on her upper torso are so Pattern Book 101. Now, Henrik, God bless him--first, look at his pooch. I love that his jacket fits him perfectly and obviously had to be custom made to fit his not-so-symmetrical body frame.

Queen Margrethe Score:  8.0

Prince Henrik Score: 8.9

Denmark 2.0-- Here are the "New/Young Blood" of Danish Royalty--Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark (Margrethe's heir) and his wife, Australia-born Princess Mary--she chose a maroon dress/suit--again with the on-trend peplum detail, long sleeves, v-neck, at-the-knee pencil skirt--and that great hat. Not sure about this look for her however (minus the hat). The color is too dark and macabre and she looks as if she took no time in really trying to find anything semi-interesting to wear. He looks better--and definitely far more interesting- than she does.

Princess Mary Score: 8.0

Crown Prince Frederik Score: 9.8



Greece:

King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece--Both are always the definition of Style; they could give a lesson in it. Anne-Marie of Denmark wore a lovely boucle coat and matching-color pleated silk dress, belted with a bow-waist tie. She also gets sartorial "Nick Points" for her pill box hat as well.

Score: 9.8



Norway:

King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway--The Queen wore a silvery/lilac suit. Nothing wrong with this ensemble. It's respectable, conservative and non-fashion threatening. It's a nice suit one could find in the "Mother-of-the-Bride" section a very upscale department store.

Score: 8.4 



Netherlands:

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands: Three words: You Go Girl. One of the wealthiest monarchs in the World (before Bernie Madoff took a lot of it away!), Queen Beatrix never dissapoints when it comes to her "red carpet" moments. She loves BIG hats, prints, ruffled sleeves...and color. For yesterday's Luxembourg Royal Wedding, she wore a lilac colored jacquard ensemble with a cascade neckline, oversized ruffled-hem sleeves and yes, a BIG OL' Hat. She looks like the fun Grandma who will join you at the bar for some extra whiskey...without even battling an eyelash. PS: loving her gold-toned Ferragamo shoes.

Score: 9.8

Fashion Diva Award Goes To: Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, here with her husband, Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange and Heir to the Dutch throne. Argentina-born Maxima has taken a lesson from her Mother-in-Law Queen Beatrix and has become a Fashion Plate in her own--sometimes outshining the Queen with some of her over-the-top getup's. For the wedding, she certainly wanted to make a statement. It's all very High-Fashion; the UBER tight high-waisted pencil skirt (above the knee--Mon Dieu!); the bell sleeves, the hat with oversized pheasant feathers; the stacked platform pumps.  

Score: 9.9



Morocco and Japan:

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, Princess Consort to the King of Morocco wore a traditional Moroccan caftan or takchita, in a bright royal blue color with white embroidery.  I think she looked great and I especially love that she's representing her country as a "Style Ambassador" wearing something native to her country.

Score: 9.0

Crown Prince Nahurito of Japan: Nahurito wore a traditional tuxedo with tails--or "Morning Dress" suit. Well done.

Score: 9.5 

The Royal Wedding Photo: Wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie de Lannoy

The Royal Kiss: Newlyweds give their county a "William-and-Kate at the Balcony" Moment

Click Below to Watch Video of the Royal Guest Red Carpet and Bride in her Wedding Gown Emerging from Her Limo: