Cocktail Hour LBD | L.K.Bennett

Cocktail Hour LBD | L.K.Bennett

Shoes: L.K. Bennett Alma Print Sandals

 

Dress: L.K.Bennett Star Embellished Cocktail Dress

A couple of weeks ago I was treated to a MAGICAL evening by one of my favourite occasion wear brands L.K.Bennett. Myself and five other lucky girls, got the chance to dress up in L.K. Bennett's new Little Bennett Dress - LBD - collection, thoroughly indulging our every cocktail hour fantasy with pampering and dinner at The Savoy's seafood restaurant, Kaspar's.

L-R: Anna | Lucy | Julia | Alex | Me | Fred

The cult status of the LBD is well earned. Beautifully timeless, elegant and chic, it's no wander it's every girl's fall back. I chose the L.K.Bennett star embellished cocktail dress for our fancy occasion, and couldn't wait to unwrap my be-ribboned box when it arrived in the mail. I was BESOTTED with the delicate embellishment, and easy shape on first glance. Extra oo'ing ensued when I caught a glimpse of my Alma print sandals! Major. Shoe. Lust. Blow Ltd. were on hand to match our hair and beauty looks to our dresses for the evening. After consultation, I went with a majority vote, and opted for an undone chignon and dramatic evening makeup look. I was SO in love with the hair-up/jewelled neckline/feline eyes - I ended up sleeping in my up-do with the hope I could wear it into the following day. 

NB: it didn't work - but it was well worth a cricked neck go.

Read on for my styling notes, and a tonne more pictures of my turn in the Little Bennett Dress . . .

In makeup . . . 

. . . the finished result!

Notes on the LBD: My advice on buying a little black dress is to go for quality fabric, in a cut which you feel a million bucks in. This is the kind of piece which you will pull out for weddings, parties, dates, balls, Birthdays, graduations . . . yep it's a keeper.  Importantly you'll want to wear your LBD in your own unique way and I loved seeing how all of the other girls styled their L.K.Bennett dresses for the evening. For me, I like a pop of colour, which I got via my heels, and some face-framing jewels. I didn't need a necklace on account of the embellished neckline, but I always think that chandelier earrings are a fabulous after hours accessory. My dress naturally hung straight, and so I added a complimentary belt to nip the waist in. 

Once dressed, a couple of glasses of champagne down, and with our photos snapped by the fabulous Kris Atomic and team, we headed for a decadent dinner at Kaspar's. And so the Little Bennett Dress got it's turn out on the town . . . !

L.K.Bennett has produced the most beautiful collection of little black dresses and I think it's testament to their versatility that each of us six girls were able to wear, love and party in our own spin on the Little Bennett Dress. Check out the full collection here. 

My sisters in crime for the evening were Alex, Fred, Julia, Anna and Lucy - be sure to pop on over to their sites too to see just how gorgeous they all looked in their LBDs.

Are you guys excited for the party season to start? Are you a little black dress devotee too?! Or will this year be your first purchase?!

Tell me all . . . 

Love, 

MB x 

Thank you so much to L.K.Bennett and Pitch & Post for a wonderful evening, and for partnering with The Elgin Avenue on this article. My gorgeous readers, your enthusiasm for our sponsors is always noted and appreciated - thank you!

What To Wear To a Dinner Party

What To Wear To a Dinner Party

Dinner parties are amongst our favourite sort of social occasion: good food (at least when we’re not cooking, ahem), lively conversation, and free-flowing booze. But what are appropriate dinner party outfits for guys?

Smart Dinner Party

If your host has requested that you dress smartly – often known as cocktail attire – then they will be expecting you to wear a suit of sorts. Mid grey and darker dyed suits are most appropriate for the evening, although you could opt for a khaki coloured suit if the event takes place during the day. Wear with a slim fit shirt in a plain, light colour, leather dress shoes and a matching belt if you want to stick with the classics (just don’t wear your work clothes: invest in a party suit that is slicker and sharper).

Unlike the more formal white tie and black tie, however, a dinner party dress code does leave some room for interpretation. Whilst you should stick with a suit as the foundation for your outfit, you don’t necessarily need to be traditionally turned out. How about replacing a shirt with a turtleneck sweater, for example? Choose a roll neck in a dark, neutral colour – black works, though darker blues and maroons are less severe – and layer a blazer over it for a not-too-dressy, not-too-casual take on cocktail wear. Or why not replace suit trousers with smart jeans (dark, not light) for a meticulous medium? Ideal if you’re unsure about the dress code.

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: