WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 7-9 Top 10 Best Dressed!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 7-9 Top 10 Best Dressed!

 Lace Queen: Actress Charlize Theron in custom Christian Dior Haute Couture at the 70th Anniversary of Cannes Event at 2017 Cannes Film Festival

Cannes isn't over yet...And Thank Goodness for that! I have discussed my Top Ten Favorites of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Day 1-3 HERE and Days 4-6 HERE  and there's been LOTS of fabulous Couture to satisfy fashionistas, fashion watchers, bloggers and flood the Instagram world. 

Printed and Sequined: (L to R) Fan Bingbing, Elle Fanning and Praya Lundberg--2017 Cannes Film Festival

I have already said this but it bears repeating, it's been a very Haute Cannes Red Carpet year, definitely solidifying the film festival as one of the most-watched-for "Fashion Shows" on Earth (sorry Oscars but you're standing is probably losing your red carpet fashion grip!). So, now, continuing with my "Who Wore What?" Cannes 2017 Blog, it's now time for my Top Ten Best Dresses of Days 7-9. Let's see who made the Cannes Cut: 

Fan Bingbing in Christopher Bu at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: One of my favorite Fashion Divas of Cannes is actress--and 2017 Cannes Jury Member--Fan Bingbing and she has been ON-POINT throughout her time at the Film Festival. This time, she wore this printed silk gown from her longtime stylist, Chinese designer Christopher Bu. I loved this design because of its bold sequined applique "print" (yes kids, it's all paillettes, crystals and sequins!), sculpted silhouette (very old school Roma Alta Moda). The gown featured an attached "Watteau"-back like cape, turtleneck collar and...

Her diamonds were FABULOUS! That ring and bracelet were BEYOND darlings!

Praya Lundberg in Rami Kadi Couture at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: Half Swedish, half-Thai actress/model Praya Lundberg (nicknamed "Poo"), was one of my Top 10 Best Dressed from Days 7-9 of Cannes 2017. She wore a beautiful ballgown from Beirut, Lebanon based Lebanese-American designer Rami Kadi and his Rami Kadi Couture collection. The halter neck gown was perfect for Cannes, featuring a navy blue silk base with distinctive hand-sewn encrusted silver paillettes and feathers toward the bottom of the dress. Beautiful, entrance-making and on-point with the Cannes 2017 "Prom Fab" style trend.

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Armani muse Jessica Chastain wore a GORGEOUS Armani Prive (naturally) custom gown and it was one of my Top 10 faves from Days 7-9. The golden silk satin gown was "inspired" by his latest Haute Couture collection shown in Paris in January...

Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2017

The collection featured lots of that Chinese lacquer-gold coloring as seen in this gown from the collection as seen in one of the photos above. I thought the color was impacting and right for red-haired Chastain. I also thought the fit and shape of her gown was perfect. I loved the simplicity and figure-flattering style. I would have done without the mini-pouf above the train/godet but that would be my only not-so-positive critique.

Fan Bingbing in Valentino Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at "The Beguiled" Film Premiere: Oh Fan Bingbing...how much do I ADORE you!! Bingbing has been the Cannes Film Festival Fashion "It" girl for years and this time as one of the Jurors, it's really her time to (Fashion) shine! I liked this red sheath of a gown she wore for "The Beguiled" Film Premiere. The gown is from the Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection...

The style- iconic "Valentino Red" seems simple enough but if you know fashion and fashion design, the simplest looks are usually the most difficult to pull off, technically. This red crepe gown is all handmade and features an "over-cape" hiding a sheath gown underneath. Bingbing looked UBER beautiful in this.

Svetlana Khodchenkova custom Alberta Ferretti Limited Spring 2017 at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova wore one of my other Top 10 Favorite gowns from Cannes 2017 Days 7-9: This gold lame plisse dress from Alberta Ferretti Limited collection; this is from Ferretti's Haute Couture arm of the business. The strapless gown featured dramatic volants cascading down the back of the gown. I thought Svetlana looked very 1930's/40's Old Hollywood Glamour-like.  The dress was "inspired" by a black silk velvet version shown on the runway:

Alberta Ferretti Limited Spring/Summer 2017

Jasmine Tookes in Georges Chakra Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at "The Beguiled" Film Premiere: U.S. model--and Victoria's Secret Angel--Jasmine Tookes looked gorgeous in this gown from Lebanese designer Georges Chakra and his Georges Chakra Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture collection. The lilac-hued crepe gown featured a one shoulder column design with over-the-shoulder draped details and dramatic back overskirt. Simple, elegant, gorgeous.

Izabel Goulart in Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: Another model in my Top Ten Best Dressed of Cannes 2017 Days 7-9 is Brazilian supermodel Izabel Goulart. She wore this gold and nude gown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The fitted dress featured hand-sewn gold sequined applique in a starburst design sewn onto see-through crinoline/organza. It also had a side cascade drape to add a little bit of drama. If you notice, the original runway look had pointed sleeves at the shoulders. This element was wisely removed (or un-pointed!). Izabel is a model so she may already be starting with an advantage (in terms of looking fabulous in Couture) but she did look EXTRA fabulous at Cannes 2017.

Juan Xiopong at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Juan Xiopong was one of my Top 10 faves because she just looked Red Carpet perfect. I have tried to Goggle her and for the life of me (trust me, I have spent HOURS!), I cannot find who she is, where she is from, why she is at Cannes, and most importantly, who did her dress. But...I still think she looked very pretty! I loved this hi-lo gown with pink/fuchsia, silver and light green sequins. The sequin work was exquisite and the finishing of the gown (the hand sewn invisible zipper on the underseam part of her sleeve) was superb! Beautiful gown, beautiful woman and gorgeous RING to top everything off! Let's hope one of my BLOG READERS educates me on who she is--and who did her gown!

Mystery Solved! A trusty reader (Kat from Portugal!!) let us know that Juan Xiopong's gown is Zuhair Murad Spring 2016 Couture. I LOVE my readers! Thank you!

Charlize Theron in custom Christian Dior Couture at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Next on my list is the gorgeous Charlize Theron. Charlize attended the 70th Anniversary Celebration at 2017 Cannes Film Festival in this black lace custom Christian Dior Haute Couture gown.

First off, we are starting with CHARLIZE THERON so as a designer, well, it's like "Done & Done!". This gown was very lingerie-like and ultra feminine with its soft, un-structured shape and fabrication. I thought the delicate hand pleated/gathered draping of the silk tulle'd torso was perfection (of course it is; it's HAUTE COUTURE!) and the fit was very flattering. The jewels were...OTHERWORLDLY! I wondered where the Jewel Bodyguards were because that ring--and those bracelets--LORD HAVE MERCY!

Elle Fanning in Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2017 at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Elle Fanning also wore Christian Dior Haute Couture and this was one of my Top Ten looks. I loved this dress when I saw it on the runway and I thought it was a great choice for Fanning...

The gown featured a "festival" of sequined flower petals (all hand sewn!), over a tulle under-crinoline and fitted/boned Dior Corselette. This reminded me of those old-school 1950's Dior gowns and was perfect for the young and sweet Elle Fanning. If she was to wear a $100,000 costing one-of-kind hand made Couture gown, this would be it!



Finally...

Tilda Swinton in Chanel Fall 2017 RTW at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: I don't think I am alone when I exclaim my LOVE for actress Tilda Swinton--both for her acting talent and her fabulous fashion sense. At Cannes 2017, she wore this black sequined jumpsuit from the French house of Chanel which I ended up putting as my last "Best Dressed" in my Top Ten of Cannes 2017 Days 7-9. The look is chic, modern, directional and Oh-So-Tilda! I just wish she would have worn the boots (as seen on the runway). Besides this, she looked like a Couture NASA Pilot of a Mars Space Mission...in 2055!

Night Life @ Ripponlea - A 1920s & 30s Fashion Exhibition

Night Life @ Ripponlea - A 1920s & 30s Fashion Exhibition

Thursday 11th May
A morning tea at Ripponlea followed with a chance to explore the exhibition and gardens on a Thursday morning in mid-ish May. Ripponlea has been on the list to explore for years! Though by the time we get around to making a tour booking it's winter and there's an exhibition on. And so only the kitchens downstairs are open.

An exhibition featuring Victorian (as in the state, not era) fashion over 20 years from the early 1920s to the Moderne style of the 30s. "A time where stars, sophistication and city lights influenced the fashion worn by the well-dressed." Nowadays it's about wonder how short you can wear it without being arrested for incident exposure XD Also going out in your underclothes like tights as pants and slips as dresses... look away.

Entering the exhibition you could play dress up and borrow a dress to wear around the mansion, there's adult and kid's sizes. Nothing in my size (12-14) though, when it comes to one size fits all the reference is to sz8-10. *sigh* Also I'm vertically challenged for the women's sizing.

Black is in! Though it's anything but plain with all those details!

Downstairs is all about the 20s Night Life, our favourite time of the day! For all the wonderful things happen at night, trips to the theatre, parties (assuming we were invited). Isn't everything just lovely?! It's often made locally or sent over from England too, nothing here was made with the intention of being worn a few times to end up in the trash after a couple wears, nor was anything made in bulk. It was the relatively good old days. When things were made with love and to last. 



Upstairs featured in the 1930s. There was a most definitely shift in style from 20s beading, sequins and jazz (for evening wear only) to the more embroidery and lace trends with waists of the 30s.

My favorite pieces? A camilla and marc-esque cape and the dark beaded dresses. 

After the exhibition we went for a stroll around the gardens, and climbing stone steps which may have been a mistake in city shoes. It's always a good idea to wear boots when going exploring!

You could hire these row boats for events I believe.

The trek back to the front gates, boots are a very good idea as the drive way isn't paved.

There's tea rooms at the gate house! Though as we just had morning tea, and are on our way to afternoon tea we'll have to return later on! The exhibition runs till the end of July, and we shall return to share a house tour with you all!

Have you been to Ripponlea? Which era is your favourite?

RUNWAY REPORT....Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior Fall 2017

RUNWAY REPORT....Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior Fall 2017

Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

WHAT: Christian Dior RTW Fall/Winter 2017. It was all about BLUE at Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2017. Dior Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri said she was inspired by a quote from Monsieur Dior in which he said "Among all the colors, navy blue is the only one which can ever compete with black, it has all the same qualities". The runway was covered in all shades of blue. the clothes ranged from blue denim overalls, indigo blue velvet suits, blue-and-black plaid elongated culottes to A-line Midi-length midnight blue dresses. 

TRENDS: Blue is the new Black; Midi length; berets; combat boots; relaxed elegance; "feminist" femininity.

Collection Photos:

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                           Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                           Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017

                                                          Christian Dior RTW Fall 2017



Click below to watch Christian Dior RTW Fall/Winter 2017 Fashion Show Video:

Wardrobe Staple: Denim Jackets

Wardrobe Staple: Denim Jackets

WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE JEAN JACKET ALL YEAR LONG

A denim jacket has been an essential part of my wardrobe for as long as I can remember. I can’t imagine trying to dress for spring and fall without it. A denim jacket is a basic wardrobe staple which makes every outfit look totally differently. That's a very versatile piece, as you can wear it over a laid-back sweatshirt, plain white cotton tee, denim pants, wear with simple long necklace, or you can go for a girlish and chic look, wearing cocktail dress and sparkling, trendy accessories.

Thanks to its versatility and practicality, you can wear it for various events, day or night. Denim jackets are hailed as an essential for your casual wardrobe, and if you haven’t quite figured out the various ways of styling this outerwear staple, here are a few awesomely simple ideas:

Personally, I like a denim jacket that is slightly cropped and has some shaping through the waist area. The piece can easily be layered up to combat the cold or left open and loose to sit as a comfortable top layer in a spring ensemble.

Just like jeans, denim jackets come in all shades of blue. (And other colours, although blue is definitely the most common.) A jacket in a medium wash denim is the most versatile and can be dressed up or down. If you're looking for "smarter" autumn and winter jacket, try a dark wash. Due to the darker colour, they usually look more polished.

You can wear double denim, but it definitely comes with a warning note. Make sure the tones of blue are different, so you are not matchy-matchy. It also helps if your top is longer in-between so it breaks up the denim.

Pair it with a white lace dress and boots to put a classic boho touch on a feminine look or To make your denim jacket more fancy, you can wear it with sequins and heels. It’s a fun mix for going out.

Make a maxi dress work for spring or fall by wearing it with a cropped denim jacket or Paired with a turtleneck and a maxi skirt, your jean jacket can easily give your outfit a ’70s vibe. 

Pair your denim jacket with stripes, plaid shirts, and colourful pants – any of them is a classic spring look.

A classic denim jacket hits at hip length, which is ideal for pairing with jeans or pants, since it won't cut you off at the waist. A cropped denim jacket is a good choice if you want to wear it with skirts and dresses, as the shorter length visually raises your waist and elongates your legs. Just don't go too short, as it can look a little dated! Ideally, the hem will hit right around your belly button.

Comfort is key. You want your jacket to be tran-seasonal and have enough room to layer underneath. If you are always on the run, picking up kids or chasing the dog, ideally choose a jacket that has a touch of stretch (elastane) in the fabric. 

SHOP MY PICKS

1. H&M Denim jacket R 429

2. Mr Price - Embroidered Denim Rider R180.00

3. Mango Decorative rips denim jacket - R949 (on sale)

4. Forever New - Zoe badged denim jacket vintage R899.00

STREET STYLE INSPIRATION

ZANDO - LEVI’S ® ZIP FRONT TRUCKER RECORD BLUE  R 1599

ZANDO - LONDON HUB FASHION DENIM JACKET DARK WASH R 699

ZANDO - London Hub Fashion Denim Jacket Light Wash  R 699

ZANDO - All About Eve Zeggie Bomber Blue R 1449

Available @ Superbalist - Chris badge denim jacket R699

Available @ Superbalist - Miri denim destroy jacket R899

Available @ Spree - Denim Jacket with Chain and Pearl Details Blue

Photo credit: theimpression.com

Photo credit: @timuremek_photography 

Photo credit: showpo.com

Photo credit: elleapparelblog.com

Photo credit: theteacherdiva

Photo credit: tesschristinexo

Photo credit: Fashion Anarchy

Photo credit: little blonde book

Photo credit: Kristy Who

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo credit: Stuff She Likes

Photo credit: Babes In Velvet

Selena Gomez denim jacket street style

Photo credit: Rose and Ivy journal

Photo credit: Chic Wish

Photo credit: Feed Puzzle

As you can see, the possibilities for styling a denim jacket are virtually endless. I love denim – it’s so easy just to throw over pretty much any weekend casual outfit.


Till' next time xo





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