Diamond Jubilee Concert: The Fashion Highlights...Kylie, Cheryl Cole, Grace Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey!!

Diamond Jubilee Concert: The Fashion Highlights...Kylie, Cheryl Cole, Grace Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey!!

Diamond Jubilee Music, Fireworks and Fashion...

Golden Queen: Queen Elizabeth II waves during the Diamond Jubilee Concert, London

London continued it's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations with a star-studded concert on Monday night in front of Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II smiled as she took her place.

The 86-year-old sovereign, wearing a black cape with gold buttons,
drew a huge cheer as she arrived for the second half of the concert.

She was escorted into the royal box by her son and heir Prince
Charles. Sadly, her husband and Prince Consort, the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip was earlier taken to hospital as a
precautionary measure with a bladder infection so she was there without him.

Later she would come on stage--along with all the concert's stars as well as her son, Prince Charles. There, one could see the fabulous gold sequined scoop-neck dress with elaborate embellishment which was hiding beneath that black cape. And correct me if I'm wrong but the Queen is wearing gold colored gloves. I thought the Queen only wore White or Black Gloves? Is this a landmark glove moment?!...or maybe just something she does on the most special of occasions.

Robbie Williams Diamond Jubilee Concert, London

The concert, in warm evening sunshine, kicked off with fireworks and
an energetic performance from Robbie Williams that got the crowds
rocking. After a pyrotechnics opening and music from a military
band, resplendent in their scarlet tunics and bearskin hats, Williams
jumped out from behind to join them for a high-octane rendition of his
song "Let Me Entertain You" (as seen from above photo). The concert was being
watched by more than 10,000 lucky ticket holders in temporary stands,
and tens of thousands more on The Mall. The ceremonial route to the palace was a sea of Union Jack flags, with people enjoying the one-of-a-kind Diamond Jubilee Concert on giant screens.



Members of the royal family were in the stands naturally, including
Prince William, his wife Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge and brother Prince Harry. Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice (yes, she of THAT Hat!) were right next to them enjoying the concert as well. Prince William and Prince Harry were more relaxed with open collared shirts.



Now, let's get to some of the Concert's Fashionable Highlights:

Hula Hoop Diva: Jamaican-born Music and Fashion ICON, Grace Jones, 
performed "Slave to the Rhythm" in a red-and-black laminated strapless bodysuit and overskirt--and kept a
hula hoop going throughout. PS: she's SIXTY FOUR YEARS OLD!!! Her ensemble was very Thierry Mugler old-school.



Biker Chic Kylie: Australian singer Kylie Minogue took the stage and did a mini-medley of a couple of her hits. She wore all black in her fitted motorcycle jacket and shorts--all with gold-and-silver crystal accents. Love the hat as well. She's very "Gay Biker Bar" in that ensemble! And look at those silver -clad Gladiator Gals. Kylie really is a Gay Man's Fashion Wet Dream (or at least mine!).

Later on she changed into a stunning ivory silk jersey Grecian Goddess gown with an asymmetrical neckline and high side-slit a la Angelina Jolie. She is soooo "Miss USA Pageant" contestant in this...and in a GOOD WAY!!!!



Now Onto a Hall of Fame Diva:

Drama Queen: Welsh songstress Dame Shirley Bassey sang "Diamond Are Forever" (of course!) and well, she looked DIVINE in an ivory gown with chiffon capelet sleeves that flowed in the London wind and made for dramatic effect as she belted out one of her iconic songs. She looked AMAZING and the gown was a Lesson on How To Dress In Front of THOUSANDS of people!!! Go on Miss Shirley Bassey!

Mermaid Cheryl: For the Diamond Jubilee Concert, British singer Cheryl Cole wore a design from Eva (or Ewa) Minge Spring 2012 Haute Couture--Eva Minge is a Polish fashion designer who has shown in Paris Fashion week and this must have been a nice PR coup for her and her pr team. The gown was a strapless black Mermaid-shaped number with ombre-dyed bottom full-skirted section. Very dramatic and very right for such an event.

Tutankhamen Meets Buckingham: London-born singer Jessie J. rocked the Diamond Jubilee Concert wearing UK-based designers Falguni and Shane Peacock. They are originally from India and have dressed many a celebrity--such as Lady Gaga, Fergie and Britney Spears, to name a few (they have MAJAH PR money darlings!). The dress Jessie J. wore was from their Spring 2012 collection, It featured royal blue feathers, intricate "Tutankhamen"-inspired embellishment over a black see-through base. It was a very Stage-appropriate look especially if you want to get noticed beyond the tenth row of concert goers.

Even with all these Fashion Queens, the REAL Fashion Queen was the one and only Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her gold silk lame and Swarovski crystal ensemble. Kisses, and God Save The Queen...



Click Below to Watch Dame Shirley Bassey's Performance of "Diamonds Are Forever" Diamond Jubilee Concert:

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Salute Couture!

Soldier Girl: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Over the weekend, on Saturday, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge--and yes, new wife of Prince William--stepped out with her Prince, attending the Irish Guards Medal Parade, in the Victoria Barracks, in London England. As usual, Catherine looked FANTASTIC (does she ever get it wrong??) in a Military-inspired (how apropos?) navy wool crepe double-breasted coat-dress with brass buttons and epaulets from Alexander McQueen's Pre-Fall 2011 Collection. On the original model--in the McQueen Look Book (on the right) it is not a dress but a coat with an open "cut-out" section. Of course it was customized for the Duchess!

Try Not To Be Excited Boys: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, greeting the Irish Guards, Irish Guard Medal Parade, London England

Catherine accessorized her look with a golden Irish shamrock brooch, an Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch as well as a chic little matching pillbox hat with a looped ribbon and feather by Rachel Trevor-Morgan--the ribbon detail is VERY Korean Airlines flight attendant if I don't say so...(I just did!)

And lest we forget, Prince William also looked dashing in his Military uniform and coat!! Seriously! THAT is a COAT huney!!! It could have come straight from a McQueen Collection as well!!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Edition

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Edition

Fashion Duchess...

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been quite busy this last week and that only means one thing...MORE FASHION! Above we see Catherine wearing Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 to the Trooping the Colour. The Trooping of the Colour is the official commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday. She also wore a black Philip Treacy Hat. Loved that coat and the side draped cascade godets. This is from the same collection as the white blouse the First Lady, Michelle Obama wore when she visited London last month.

Later that day--yes, OUTFIT CHANGE!!!---Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, kept the Philip Treacy hat but switched into this black and white geometric print satin sheath dress by Zara to attend a wedding. Go Zara!!! Go Catherine--and GO Geometric Prints!!!

On Monday, Catherine wore a blue Jane Troughton brocade coat over a pleated Zara dress to attend Prince Phillip's 90th Birthday celebration. She really is looking like a Royal in 2.2 seconds; The printed three-quarter coats, the hats, the colors. Someone is schooling her right!

And then finally, to attend the Order of the Garter Ceremony, the Duchess wore a beautifully tailored light grey Katherine Hooker three-quarter coat (see, I told you!) over a silk cowl neck draped dress (also by Katherine Hooker). She finished the look off with a fantastic Rachel Trevor-Morgan fascinator. Her Press Office, her Stylist and Miss Catherine!....are WORKING OVERTIME! It seems that her Momma done taught her right--fashion and other-wise...

Royal Fashion Minute: Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge attend ARK Gala Dinner

Royal Fashion Minute: Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge attend ARK Gala Dinner

Steppin' Out...

Perfect Couple: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace

Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--Prince William and "Kate"--attended the 10th Annual ARK/Absolute Return For Kids Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace in London. Of course, what was on everyone's minds--at least we the Fashion Watchers--was what the newly-titled Duchess of Cambridge would be wearing. Well, kids, she did not disappoint.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing Jenny Packham to the 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace

She wore a rose-colored silk tulle and Swarovski-crystal beaded high-neck gown with fluttery sleeve details, by British Designer Jenny Packham. Packham, in case you didn't know, is a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art. Her designs are favored by many Red Carpet actresses (Sandra Bullock for example) and is a constant presence at the top Awards Shows.

The gown--which retails for 3,147 Euro (about $6300) is currently SOLD OUT in the UK (of course). Her side-bow detailed pumps were by LK Bennett (see close-up above of the shoe--and the rolled-up hem of her beaded gown).

Also in attendance were Elizabeth Hurley, who wore a light gray one-shoulder side-gathered gown by Italian Designer Roberto Cavalli. She looked AMAZING! The gown with that side-slit, hair and those platforms did look a bit "Miss Universe Evening Gown Competition" but well, as you guys know: I LOVE THAT!!

Prince Pavlos of Greece with his wife Princess Marie-Chantal Miller: Wearing what clearly was the color of the night.

English model Laura Bailey wore Valentino Spring 2011. You may remember her from way back in the day when she first became famous as actor Richard Gere's girlfriend.

British model Saffron Aldridge wore a beautiful "Mermaid"-shaped lemon-yellow gown with drop-shoulder sleeves. Interesting Family Side Note: Her half-sister is Victoria's Secret Model Lily Aldridge (who is married to Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill), and her half-brother is Miles Aldridge who is a fashion photographer married to Kristen McMenamy.

Wackiest Outfit Award goes to:
British actress Katrine Boorman, wearing this bright yellow get-up and flower-detailed hat. One word: Mess. Is she going to spend a week in Positano in this bright yellow cotton sun-dress? Or is she going to a Garden Party in West Hollywood? I don't think she even knows. And I haven't even begun on those shoes! Oh Katrine....

Worst Dressed Award goes to:
Sophie Dahl: When you are going to an event that you know Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will be attending, don't you think you need to step it up a teeny-weeny bit? Would you like to greet William and Kate in this ensemble? Here's the answer: NOPE! Poor Sophie, she looks like a shop girl at my local H&M who is just about DONE with her 10-hour work day!!!

The Always Picture Perfect Award goes to:
Tom Ford: Seriously. Just look at him! That deep-purple velvet jacket of his (Tom Ford I assume?) is scissor-SHARP! The cummerbund (it's officially BACK!!!), the pants, the patent leather shoes and that perfect bow tie! Jesus, does this man EVER get it wrong?? I doubt it.

Royals Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II at the Epsom Derby

Royals Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II at the Epsom Derby

Proper Kate...

Just today, Prince William and his lovely wife, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge stepped out to the Races--They went to Epson England, in the UK of course, for the 2011 Epsom Downs Derby.

The "Peacock" Dress, from Reiss

All eyes were on Catherine as she sported a very proper ensemble which included a cream dress with mesh and cording embroidery by British brand Reiss. I absolutely LOVE Reiss and own several items--from the Men's section of course--they are elegant yet fashion-forward clothing, and (somewhat) reasonably priced.

It's not for the "I'm broke" College Crowd but more for the "I-just got-a-really good job in a Fashion PR company" kind. Now, if you go to the company's site, you can't even find the dress she just wore (well, in the cream). I'm sure it's another case of "It's SOLD OUT!". Leave it to Miss Kate. Reiss should send her a TRUNK-FULL of free clothing. I'm sure they already have...

The "Nessie Tweed Jacket" from Joseph, at Selfridges

Over the Reiss dress, she wore a modified Nehru collar jacket with patch pockets, also in cream. The cotton jacket (seen above in navy) was from the brand Joseph and it can be found at UK retailer Selfridges & Co. The entire look was elegant, Derby-proper and most of all, she wore British! Loved the hat as well.

Of course, we cannot forget Prince William and how dapper he looked in his top hat and suit! I love the carnation boutonniere especially. It's all about boutonnieres kids!!! They are not just for Proms.

Pink Queen: Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the 2011 Epsom Derby

Finally, we have THE QUEEN! No, not Elton John, but Queen Elizabeth II. She was there and naturally, she GAVE it to you! She wore a bright bubblegum pink 3/4 length coat with contrasting white banding, printed dress and her ubiquitous white gloves. The Queen loves her colors! And I do too!!
For more on what Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wore (shoes, purses, etc.) click HERE!