CFDA 2016: BEST AND WORST LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET

CFDA 2016: BEST AND WORST LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET

On Monday (June 6) A-list fashion designers, editors, actors and models gathered at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to celebrate this year's top talents in the fashion industry. 

The so called Oscars of fashion, aka CFDA Fashion Awards, finally announced its winners: as we previously wrote Italy took home the International Award thanks to Alessandro Michele’s work at Gucci, while the late David Bowie was honoured with the Tribute Award.

2016 CFDA winners list

Womenswear Designer of the Year

Marc Jacobs

Swarovski Award for Womenswear

Brandon Maxwell

Swarovski Award for Menswear

Orley: Alex Orley, Matthew Orley, Samantha Orley

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design

Paul Andrew

Menswear Designer of the Year

Thom Browne

Accessories Designer of the Year

Mansur Gavriel: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

Norma Kamali

The Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert

Donna Karan

International Award

Gucci: Alessandro Michele

The Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award

David Bowie

The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard

Imran Amed, editor in chief of The Business of Fashion

One of the highlights of the night has to be Diane Von Furstenberg presenting Beyoncé with the Fashion Icon Award: the superstar took the stage in an eye-catching Givenchy outfit and made a touching speech about her family and the power of fashion.

Among the past Fashion Icon honorees we have Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Iman, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman.

Read Beyonce’s full speech:

“I feel so much love and I feel so proud right now. Thank you guys for this incredible honor. As long as I can remember, fashion has always been a part of my life. Its effect on me actually started before I was born. Most of you guys don’t know this but my grandmother was a seamstress. My grandparents did not have enough money and could not afford my mother’s Catholic school tuition, so my grandmother sewed clothes for the priests and the nuns, and made uniforms for the students in exchange for my mother’s education. She then passed this gift down to my mother and taught her how to sew.

When we were starting out in Destiny’s Child, high-end labels didn’t really want to dress four black, country, curvy girls. And we couldn’t afford designer dresses and couture. My mother was rejected from every showroom in New York. But like my grandmother, she used her talent and creativity to giver her children their dreams. My mother and my Uncle Johnny, God bless his soul, designed all of our first costumes and made each piece by hand, individually sewing hundreds of crystals and pearls, putting so much passion and love into ever small detail. When I wore these clothes on stage I felt like Khaleesi. I had an extra suit of armor. It was so much deeper than any brand name.

My mother — who’s so fabulous and beautiful and is here tonight, I love you — my grandmother, and my uncle were always with me so I could not fail. My mother actually designed my wedding dress, my prom dress, my first CFDA Awards dress, my first Grammy dress, and the list goes on and on and this to me is the true power and potential of fashion. It’s a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength. It transcends style and is a time capsule of all of our greatest milestones. So to my mother, my uncle, my grandma, thank y’all. Thank you for showing me that having a presence is far more than the clothes you wear and your physical beauty. Thank you for showing me to never take no for an answer. Thank you for showing me how to take risks, work hard, and live life on my own terms.

I want to say thank you to every designer who works tirelessly to make people feel like they can write their own stories. Y’all are fairy godmothers, magicians, sculptors, and sometimes even therapists. I encourage you to not forget this power you have or take it lightly. We have an opportunity to contribute to a society where any girl can look at a billboard or magazine cover and see her own reflection. Soul has no color, no shape, no form. Just like all your work it goes so far beyond what the eyes can see. You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, to show people how to embrace their complications and flaws and see the true beauty that’s inside all of us. Thank you so much for this incredible award I’ll never forget this night. Got bless y’all.”

These words are truly inspiring, we appreciate that she took that moment to thank all the people that worked hard to support her career. Isn't this a true Queen? 

Ok, let's not forget the purpose of this article: what about the red carpet?

Best Dressed

Beyoncé in Givenchy

Demure, elegant, classic, costumy...call it as you want it, but this look to us is a win.

We all were expecting the next sheer embellished gown, but Beyoncé surprised all of us in a crystals-embellished Givenchy suit.

The hat is a reminder of the Lemonade's era, as well as a smart advertise for her Formation World Tour.

Fashion as a communication tool: the queen slayed again.

Elsa Hosk in Naeem Khan, Shanina Shaik in Givenchy, Jessica Hart in The Row

Elsa Hosk stole our hearts wearing a custom Naeem Khan gold jumpsuit. 

This look could have easily looked messy, if overstyled: fortunately this is not the case, because at the end of the day it's not simple to deal with net, sheer patterns, metallic emebellishments and fringes at the same time! 

The new Victoria's Secret angel completed her look with statement earrings, light make-up and elegant waves.

Australian beauty Shanina Shaik opted for something less flashy, as she wore a light Givenchy dress. At first sight it felt too simple for the occasion, but it is impossible to not appreciate the proportion, the silhouette, the cuts and drapes of this beautiful design. Shanina styled her outfit with a dainty necklace, which matched the triangular shaped cut-outs of the dress, Tamara Mellon sandals with clear vinyl inserts and a fur Lanvin purse.

Jessica Hart was all about minimal designs last night, as she wore a three piece silk ensemble and Alexandre Birman 'Clarita' velvet sandals. 

Worst Dressed

Taylor Hill in Thakoon, Constance Jablonski in J. Mendel, Adriana Lima in Marc Jacobs

It hurts to see such beautiful women wearing expensive looks that do nothing for their figure: let's get a closer look...

First we have Taylor Hill in what we could easily describe as Granny-chic or Hamish couture: this Thakoon's design definitely needed a bit more drama.

Costance Jablonski seems to have borrowed Taylor's stylist for the night: just another beautiful design...by aprons' standards.

Last but not least one of the most beautiful models in the indutry, Adriana Lima, trapped in a Marc Jacobs suit, that simply does nothing for her bombshell figure.

Written by: Stella & MsD

6 Times Kate Middleton Served Us Complete Canadian Open #OutfitGoals

6 Times Kate Middleton Served Us Complete Canadian Open #OutfitGoals

While most of us spend our weekends shoreside in a white tee and cutoffs, or eclectically dancing to the vibrant sound of Piknic Electronik at Parc Jean-Drapeau, tennis adorers will be seen strolling around the Uniprix Stadium these next couple of days, sporting their classiest style courtside at Rogers Cup. And although the Canadian Open hasn't quite mastered yet the perennial put-together chic of Wimbledon's royalty, or the big winner’s well-suited fashion moment at Roland-Garros, there is a certain je-ne-sais-quoi about Canadian tennis style… If you have no idea of what I am talking about, but somehow have managed to score an invite to the Central Court this year, here's a go-to playbook for the best fashion moments of the ultimate tennis tournament style queen(!), Kate Middleton, and how you can get her looks right on time for Rogers Cup.

1) ZIMMERMANN 'ROAMER DRESS, 2014

The Dutchess of Cambridge was the image of summer chic back in 2014 when she donned a superb Zimmermann white eyelet frock as she soaked up the action at Wimbledon. She accessorized her knee-length broderie anglaise frock with a red and neutral Anya Hindmarch 'Fan' bag, which she also previously carried on Canada Day in 2011, when she, along with Prince William, were on their first tour. She teamed this with her trusty nude Sledge pumps from LK Bennett and her Cartier 'Ballon de Bleu' wristwatch, which has barely left her wrist ever since she got it. Such a cute, refreshing style for an afternoon match!

2) ROKSANDA ILINCIC 'RYEDALE' DRESS, 2016

Middleton is no stranger to going out in standout outfits but when she was spotted in a yellow Roksanda number, a few months back, the whole world felt the urge to clap! Paired with drop earrings and beige heels, this was quite the daring look for the duchess, who often prefers pastel and neutral coat dresses, but since considering yellow is often associated with Summer, we can see why she broke it out; it's the perfect colour for the season!

3) JOSEPH 'VANESSA' DRESS + JOSEPH 'NESSIE' TWEED JACKET, 2012

In the Summer of 2012, Kate wore a suitably Wimbledon-esque cream Joseph dress with a cream Joseph jacket, which she cleverly paired with her leopard-print Diane von Fürstenberg clutch and Givenchy sunglasses. Far from new, style recycling star Kate's clothes have all been seen before; the jacket at the Epsom Derby and the dress during her royal visit to Canada, back in 2011.

4) JONATHAN SAUNDERS 'EVELYN' DRESS, 2014

The Duchess of Cambridge‘s look, back in 2014, a recycled blue-and-green Jonathan Saunders design, was the perfect frock to wear to the Gentlemen’s Finals at Wimbledon. It was breezy, the fun pattern photographed well and she looks stunning in those colours. On the accessories front, Kate carried her Avona clutch from LK Bennett and added some glam with Givenchy sunglasses. The Cartier wristwatch also made a reappearance that day.

5) TEMPERLEY LONDON 'MORIAH' DRESS, 2011

For her first Wimbledon trip as a married woman, Middleton was accompanied by Prince William as she wore her take on a tennis dress by Temperley London, teamed with a Stuart Weitzman clutch, a blow dry, and the charm bracelet she'd received from Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as a wedding present. You really can't go wrong, sporting your freshest whites at a tennis tournament. On top of looking very polished and classic, your sense of style will be kindly noted and appreciated by the tennis etiquette purists among the crowned ;)

6) ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 'OBSESSION' PRINT DRESS, 2016

Only a few weeks back, Kate made an eye-catching appearance at SW19 in a short-sleeved Alexander McQueen number that certainly was no ordinary royal dress... It was decorated with images of lipstick, butterflies, and even skulls; a secretly daring choice for the Dutchess. True to herself, Kate reproduced three features in the form of her accessories from her recent tour wardrobe on her visit to India and Bhutan with William in April: her versatile LK Bennett Natalie box clutch, Brora Gold Charm earrings and her Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.

The post 6 Times Kate Middleton Served Us Complete Canadian Open #OutfitGoals appeared first on PBTH **

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Aamir Liaquat Hussain Summer Anchal Lawn Collection by Amna Ismail 2015

Aamir Liaquat Hussain Summer Anchal Lawn Collection by Amna Ismail 2015

Summer Summer !! yes, its Summer days. Searching to new Collections? Want new designs? Don't Worry at all. We are mindful.The Pakistani Fashion industry is updating every time with new & recent Series launched by Designers. Some famous Celebrities also launched their brands to provide new collections to fashion lovers. After hadiqa Kiani, Junaid jumshaid, and Shaista Lodhi, now, Aamir Liaquat also come in fashion designing and launched its brand named as "Aamir Liaquat Hussain". Aamir Liaquat is a famous & well-known anchor, politician and broadcaster of Pakistan. After Aalim Online on ARY Digital, now he hosting the show "Inaam Ghar plus" and "Subha e Pakistan on GEO Tv.Aamir Liaquat Hussain is also religious scholar turns into news anchor being showbiz celebrity. Aamir Liaquat Husain got huge fans and right now he is getting into in the marvelous world of Pakistani fashion clothing world. Recently, Aamir  liaquat Hussain and Amna ismail join hands to launched their Collection named as "Aamir Liaquat Hussain Anchal Summer Lawn 2015 by Amna Ismail". As Summer is the season of lawn then how we neglect the lawn collection. Girls !! I know you will never overlook this group because this Collection is especially for a summer season, and you are also seeking for your fashion clothing. This Collection is incredibly unusual, Created with both light and dark shades..Blend of colors give a beautiful look and mostly focus on prints, Embroidery is also utilized and designers also focus it.. Overall, this Assortment is looking brilliant.


Freshly, Amir Liaqat Hussain ladies embroidered lawn clothes 2015 by amna ismail are already released. First of all, we might prefer to discuss concerning the short note of Amna Ismail as a brand. Well, Amna Ismail is aware to be most famous and preferred fashion brand in Pakistan. This fashion brand continues to be doing work as the past couple of years ago. Amir Liaqat Hussain collections were based on time of year like spring or summer 2015.Pakistani women particularly like amna Ismail outfits. Now for summer days, Amir Liaqat Hussain is back in the market with its new assortment of lawn for the summer season. Recently, Amir Liaqat Hussain women embroidered lawn has released its latest and unique spring-summer wear selection 2015 for ladies.. If we talk about shades, then Amna Ismail used vibrant colors like reddish, glowing blue, orange, magenta and a lot more. Check this Collection and Enjoy !!

 Red Embroidered Dresses 2015 by ALH 

 Light Blue Mix Color Lawn dresses by Amir Liaqat Hussain 

 Open shirt & Colorful lawn dress by Amir Liaqat Hussain 2015-2016

 Embroidered Neckline Printed Lawn Summer Dresses 2015-2016 by Amir Liaqat Hussain

 Embroidered Summer Suits by Amir Liaqat Hussain For Girls 2015 

 Printed & Embroidered Amir Liaqat Hussain Collection For Summer 2015

 Lawn Collection 2015 for girls by Aamir liaqat 

 Frock Lawn Dress 2015 | Straight plan simple Dress 

 Embroidered Neckline Printed suit by Amir Liaqat Hussain

 Summer Girls Dresses 2015-2016 lawn

 Printed & Simple Embroidered Suits For Summer | Gown style Dresses 2015-2016

 Gown style baby pink color dress. Green Embroidered Suit 

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017: Top 10 Preliminary Gowns

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017: Top 10 Preliminary Gowns

Best In Gown: Miss USA 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown portion of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

Last night was the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries, which occurred at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Preliminary Competition is very important because it's when the Top 10 Semifinalists are decided that will go on to compete in Sunday night's Final Miss USA 2017 pageant. 51 contestants representing the 50 states plus District of Columbia competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Naturally here on my Sashes and Tiaras blog, I'm interested in the EVENING GOWNS!

Satin and Sequins: Miss USA 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown portion of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

The Preliminaries give pageant fans a "glimpse" into what the contestants will wear for the Evening Gown portion and their taste level and more importantly, who went the "Pageant Betty" route or tried to be at least more Fashion Runway Fab. As a fashion designer--and beauty pageant fan--when commenting on the Evening Gowns, there are several things I'm looking for...

Exhibit A, B, C, D & E: Fashion-forward, Red Carpet Fab and...Pageant Gown Gorgeous--Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown at last year's Miss USA 2016 Finals

My criteria for judging a gown is based on my desire to see an element of Fashion-forward/Fashion risk-taking designs combined with the understanding that these dresses are primarily for stage and have to somehow be "Pageant Appropriate"--which inherently has their own set of "Dress Criteria". A perfect example of how one can bridge Fashion & Pageant/Stage Impact would be last year's Miss South Dakota USA  Madison McKeown who wore this cape-fab gown from Lebanese designer Tony Ward and his Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015 Collection seen in above photo. With that said...



Here are my TOP 10 Best Gowns of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries--in order of Highest to Lowest:

Miss Massachusetts USA Julia Scaparotti: Julia's black gown was probably my favorite of the night. She wore this black halter neck gown featuring gorgeous sequined lace applique in a smooth fit-and-flare "mermaid"-like silhouette with Open Back. The gown fit her perfectly, defined her figure and best features and was the correct length (hiding those tacky nude platform pumps!). This is a nice example of a fashionable style that was Pageant Perfect as well--and notice lack of HOOCHIE-licious too-high slits and no breast-a-licious cleavage (Thank You Julia!). I also liked her modern hair and the earrings. I hope, though, she lightens up on the too-heavy makeup. Score: 9.9

Miss North Carolina USA Katie Coble: LOVED this gold gown worn by Miss North Carolina USA. It was my second favorite. The gown featured gold lame pleated fabrication and great criss-cross torso draping detail. The style gave me a definite "Old Hollywood" vibe, harking back to the 1930s and 1940's days of Lauren Bacall, Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich with a nod to Cleopatra. The look was unique and stood out, for all the right reasons. Score: 9.89

Miss Kansas USA Catherine Carmichael: Catherine was a STUNNER last night during the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. When she came out in this coral colored gown, I was like "OK, NOW we're talking!". The crepe gown--which fit her perfectly playing up her 6' 1" tall statuesque beauty--featured a multicolored sequined bodice and DIVA-like dramatic chiffon back cape which she modeled as if THE RENT WAS DUE! Every pageant girl worth her sash needs to watch her modeling this to learn and take a lesson on how to work a gown with a chiffon cape. ASAP! She looked like a QUEEN. Score: 9.8

Miss Louisiana USA Bethany Trahan: Miss Louisina USA Bethany Brehan comes in fourth position of my Favorite Gowns of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries. She made quite a fashion statement with this black sequin applique-over-nude gown with iridescent organza back overskirt. The base gown was GORGEOUS: The sequin work was outstanding and it fit her to a 1/4" of her life! To be honest, I would have done without that back overskirt. I understand why it's there (drama, stage presence, etc.) but it needed to be re-thought. It did not seem organic with the beauty of the dress. Score: 9.65

Miss Nevada USA Lauren York: Lauren--who is one of the favorites to win the top crown (according to many pageant followers/missosologists on the internet) didn't disappoint in her choice of evening gown for last night's Preliminaries. She wore this very pretty column-style gown featuring a side nude illusion panel, white crepe base and unique geometric sequins and pearls. It was from Venezuelan fashion designer Dheymid Galaviz who has created many a sequined-and-crepe gown for many Miss Venezuela contestants and last year's Miss World Venezuela. Sometimes they can look similar to one of his design compatriots Gionni Straccia and at first I thought it was an Straccia gown because the sequin work looked like this: Score: 9.6

Mariam Habach Miss Lara (and eventual Miss Venezuela) at the Miss Venezuela 2016 Pageant wearing Gionni  Straccia

Miss Ohio USA 2017 Dinaleigh Baxter: One of my other Top Ten favorite gowns from the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries was this black and fuchsia dress worn by Miss Ohio USA 2017. One of my all-time favorite color combinations are black and fuchsia mainly because Cristobal Balenciaga utilized this combination in a lot of his super stunning Haute Couture creations back in the day (Lower Photo above). So when Dinaleigh came out, I was like "You Go Girl!". Her gown had a very fitted black velvet base gown with plunging sweetheart neckline and a GORGEOUS satin cape that was precariously knotted and twisted into these tiny shoulder straps. It was dramatic, entrance-making and yes, VERY fashionable and Cristobal Balenciaga-like. Score: 9.55

Miss New Hampshire USA Sarah Mousseau: Nice gown. BAAAD shoes. Let's discuss the dress first (please!). I liked this gown so much that yes, I included it here in my Top 10. I thought the style was impacting, suited her well...I admired the unique silver sequin work and I even liked the back overskirt. Here, in this gown it seemed a bit more natural to the rest of the gown. I also thought her hair and styling were on-point. But then, she wore those nude platform pumps!!! One question: WHY??? Where there no silver strappy shoes available? I just don't get it. It baffles the mind. NO ONE would be caught wearing these type of shoes with this type of a gown on the red carpet, black-tie gala, Haute Couture fashion show...ANYWHERE! Score: 9.3

Miss Montana USA Brooke Bezanson: I included Miss Montana USA's gown here because of its elegant simplicity and chic style. It was giving a little bit of a nod to what Miss South Dakota USA wore last year in the Finals (go to the top of this post). It was also a nice breath of fresh (Gown) air to see NO SEQUINS, NO SLIT and NO tacky platform pumps (she still made a wrong color choice in wearing NUDE shoes!). The white satin crepe gown featured a column shape highlighted by a dramatic hi-lo cape. While I liked this gown, I'm not so sure it was the right gown for Miss Montana USA. Brook is a lovely looking woman but I think this might have been more effective and had more "Diva" stage effect if it was worn by an olive-skinned or darker skin toned contestant...a "Miss Venezuela" or "Miss Curacao"-type.  It also needed to be just 1" longer. Score: 9.25

Miss Tennessee USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat: In 9th place of my Top Ten Favorite Gowns was this golden/Blush-colored sequined gown worn by Miss Tennesse USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat. In terms of style or silhouette, there was nothing really Earth-shattering Fashion Diva about it, but it looked beautiful nonetheless. The halter-style gown fit her well and the sequin-over-nude fabric looked expensive and nice. From head to toe, this was a perfect Miss USA look. Score: 9.2

Miss Washington USA Alex Carlson-Helo: Finally, I want to give MAJOR props to Miss Washington USA Alex Carlson-Helo. While I liked her black sequined gown and thought it was impacting, I just about FELL OFF MY COUCH when I saw that she was NOT wearing those tacky nude platform pumps that EVERY OTHER contestant wore: She wore the PERFECT strappy black heels! Who knew that these women actually had other choices?? And for her perfect shoe choice, Miss Washington USA belonged in my Top Ten list! Score: 9.2



**UP NEXT: The UH OH/Oh No She Didn't/Could Have Been Better...of Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gowns