10th Annual CFDA 2011 Awards Red Carpet--Models and Designers

10th Annual CFDA 2011 Awards Red Carpet--Models and Designers

Fashion A-List...

Last night's 2011 CDFA Awards Red Carpet was not only full of Hollywood's A-List ladies--but also, chock full of models and their designers. This event, as you saw from my previous posting is on par with many of the top red carpet events and is known delivering Fashion--with a Capital "F" (hello Miss Lady Gaga!). Anyhow, let's see if these gorgeous supermodels and their designers make the NY Fashion Grade. Let's begin with...

Miranda Kerr: Australian Victoria's Secret Angel Supermodel--and SuperMommy, Miranda Kerr, wore Michael Kors Resort 2012, a black tank dress with high sarong-silhouette slit, side cut-outs and gold low-slung belt. Very Michael Kors, very Americana Sportswear-meets-St. Tropez, and very Chic! I especially love the "Wonder Woman" gold cuffs. I bet those are to ward off any EVIL Fashion Spirits. I need those!

Karolina Kurkova: Miss Kurkova--one of my FAVE Supermodels wore an emerald green sequin HOODIE gown with pockets by Diane Von Furstenberg. Sequins, Hoodie, and Pockets? I am Done and Done! Only a model--or a Drag Queen--can get away with this! Love--even the "high-water" length of the gown. This Czech beauty knows how to WORK IT!

Hana Soukupova: Another fabulous model from the Czech Republic, six-footer Hana Soukupova, dazzled on the 2011 CFDA Awards Red Carpet in a one-shoulder ruffled and tiered gown by Marchesa Spring 2011. Love it all. Now this is how you wear a gown to the CFDA Awards Lucy Liu!

Marchesa Designers: Speaking of Marchesa, they were there--English-born New York-based designers Keren Craig (Left) and Georgina Chapman (Right), also dazzled in their own designs as they stepped onto the purple CFDA Awards carpet last night.

Doutzen Kroes: Dutch-born beauty Doutzen Kroes also decided to give SLIT (like several of the other models) in this fire-red (almost) one-shoulder asymmetrical gown from J. Mendel. The subtle diagonal draping and pleating is exquisite. And those PUMPS!!!! Hello!

Derek Lam and Liya Kebede: Designer Derek Lam, seen above with Ethiopian-born Supermodel Liya Kebede--wearing Derek Lam of course. She looked very "Easy-Breezy" Resort-esque, love the fresh, flowing side-parted hair as well as the mini clutch. Effortless. I also love the wine-colored slip-on's on Derek.

Chanel Iman: Speaking of "Easy-Breezy", Chanel Iman was at the CFDA Awards last night and wore a very relaxed turquoise-colored caftan with high center-front slit (a theme of the night?) by Max Axria. She was very Disco 1979 as well (like Karolina Kurkova, see above). This is also looking like a Theme. Ladies, better get that Saturday Night Fever album out of the closet and start dancin'!

Karlie Kloss and Jason Wu: Models loved those relaxed comfy dresses, don't they? Here model-of-the-moment Karlie Kloss wore a simple, spaghetti strap red gown with skinny black belt from Designer-of-the-Moment Jason Wu. I can see this gown on First Lady Michelle Obama like TOMORROW! Jason, seen above with Karlie, looked very dapper in suit and tie. This just could be the CUTEST Prom Date Photo.

Zac Posen and Sessilee Lopez: Designer Zac Posen arrived to last night's CFDA Awards with American model of Dominican descent Sessilee Lopez, who wore a gold-nude sweetheart neckline multi-seamed gown by Zac Posen, naturally. That gold-nude color always looks AMAZING on women with the fabulous skin tone of Sessilee. I also like the fact that Zac never met a cummerbund he didn't like. Bring back the cummerbund I say! Another example of a cute Prom Pic!

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen: Actresses, Designers and BILLION-DOLLAR Mega Brand, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen were Nominated for the Emerging Talent CFDA Award last night for their clothing design company "The Row" which has garnered both critical and editorial acclaim, the "Anna Wintour Stamp of Approval" and doing fabulously well at retail. They attended last night's event, of course, in style! Mary-Kate (Right) wore a gold Chanel jacket with a The Row (their own line) fishtail hem skirt and Louis Vuitton strappy heels. Ashley (Left), wore The Row dress, and Manolo Blahnik heels. Both accessorized it with great handbags from their line (naturally), The Row. The bags alone are estimated to retail for $5,450!!!

Royal Wedding Minute: Wedding of Princess Carolina de Bourbon-Parma

Royal Wedding Minute: Wedding of Princess Carolina de Bourbon-Parma

Ciao Italia and The Netherlands

The Happy, Rich, and Very Titled...Couple: Princess Carolina de Bourbon-Parma and Albert Brenninkmeijer, Basilica San Miniato al Monte Florence Italy

Today, Saturday June 16th, Princess Carolina de Bourbon-Parma, Marchioness of Sala, Duchess of Guernica (yes, from the Salvador Dali painting!) wed Albert Brenninkmeijer of the very wealthy German-Dutch Brenninkmeijer family--owners of the C and A Department Stores...

At the Basilica San Miniato al Monte in Florence Italy.

Princess Bride: Princess Carolina de Bourbon-Parma

First a little background on the bride: Princess Carolina is fourth and youngest child of Princess Irene of the Netherlands (sister to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands) and Carlos Hugo Duke of Parma. Carolina is a member of the Dutch Royal Family.



Royal Spain-Dutch DRAMA:

Wedding of Princess Irene of the
Netherlands and Carlos Hugo de Bourbon Parma at the Borghese Chapel at
the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy, 1964

When her mother, Irene of the Netherlands, married Paris-born Carlos Hugo de Bourbon in Rome Italy in 1964, no member of the Dutch Royal Family attended the wedding. Why? Well, here you go: the marriage caused a constitutional crisis in the Netherlands. Irene lost her rights of succession to the Dutch
throne because the government refused to enact a law permitting the
marriage (Ay Dios Mio!).

Fuchsia Mother of The Bride: Princess Irene of the Netherlands and her handsome son Prince Jaime, Count of Bardi

Her mother could not go to Rome to talk Irene out of the
marriage and of her conversion to Catholicism because the government advised her against it (seriously, these people needed to get a LIFE!). If that wasn't enough, there was the issue of the Dutch government seeing international
political difficulties arising from a possible heir to the Dutch throne
holding a controversial claim to the throne of a foreign state (keep up kids, it's complicated!): In the early 1950's, Carlos' father publicly laid claim to the Spanish throne as being a member of the House of Bourbon-Parma (a branch of the Bourbon's), but Spain's Dictator Francisco Franco ignored him and later chose King Juan Carlos as Franco's successor. Now, speaking of Juan Carlos...

A Who's Who of Blue-Blood Bridesmaids: Wedding of Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sofia, 1962 Athens Greece

In 1962--two years before she got married to el Escandaloso Carlos,  Princess Irene of the Netherlands just happened to be a Bridesmaid at Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sofía's wedding in Athens Greece. Check out the rest of the illustrious Bridesmaids (it reads like a "Who's Who of A-List Blue-Blood Royalty!): From left to right in the photo: Princess Alexandra of Kent, Princess
Tatiana Radziwill, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess Irene of
Greece, Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, Princess Anne of France,
Princess Irene of the Netherlands (second from the right) and the Infanta Pilar of Spain. Anyhow, Carlos and Irene of the Netherlands divorced in 1981 and Princess Carolina's father--Carlos Hugo de Bourbon--passed away almost two years ago.



Now that we got that out of the way, let's get to The Wedding, the fabulous Guests and the fashion. Let's begin with the Wedding dress:

The Gown: Designed by Dutch fashion designer Addy van den Krommenacker (above), who has been designing since 2002. For Princess Carolina's wedding gown, he incorporated the lace embroidery-- from Brugge Belgium...

That was in her mother's Wedding Gown from 1964 (as seen above) and placed it in Carolina's gown and veil. According to his pr people, it took months to restore and make the lace embroidery "come to life" for 2012 standards.



Wedding Guests:

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands: One of the Richest Women on Earth, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands--the Bride's aunt--wore a mauve-colored silk jacquard suit with bell-styled sleeves with ruffles; the jacket also featured cascading ruffles down the front.Matching hat, gloves, shoes and hosiery of course, as only a Queen would do.

Feathered: the always stylish Princess Maxima of the Netherlands (far left holding on to her Mother-in-Law Queen Beatrix and her husband Willem-Alexander Prince of Orange, on the far right)--wore a taupe ensemble with a blouson top, feathered shirt and bell-shaped sleeves. The Argentinian-born Crown Princess to the Dutch throne finished it off with a fabulous hat.

Princess in Red: Princess Laurentien and Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands with their
children Countess of Orange Leonore and Count of Orange Claus-Casimir
leave the Princess Carolina Wedding with Mr Albert Brenninkmeijer
at Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

Fab Shoes Ladies--and Gentleman: Princess Marilene and Prince Maurits of the Netherlands (10th in line for the Dutch Throne) (left pic) and Prince Bernhard (11th in line for the Dutch Throne) and Princess Annette of the Netherlands (right photo). I LOVE the bejeweled ankle-strapped heels of Princess Marilene on the top left photo. And take a look at Prince Bernhard's silver shoes!! Those Dutch boys can really give it you...when it comes to "Yeah, I'm royalty but I'm still a Hipster Fashion Boy!"

Polka Dots, Prints and...OH HUNEY: Two guests on the left pic showing how it's done when attending a semi-royal wedding Florence Italy. I LOVE this woman in her orange-and-white bold polka dot printed chiffon dress and silver sandals. She's my new Best Friend! And speaking of friend, whoever is next to her is also working the printed dress look to no end. The colors are absolutely fantastic! On the right photo we have Margarita de Bourbon (the Bride's older sister), who decided to go "Tacky Wedding Party" in her baby blue ensemble featuring a too-wide notch-collared/lapel coat. Poor thing, she looks like she didn't get the COUTURE memo...those over-sized coat lapels are something straight out of a Fashion Student's sophomore-year project.

Congratulations and Happy Wedding to the Royal-and-Rich Couple of Princess Carolina and Albert Brenninkmeijer

Royal Wedding Gowns: A Look Back Through The Years!

Royal Wedding Gowns: A Look Back Through The Years!

Wedding Couture

In honor of Friday's Royal Wedding between Prince William and Catherine "Kate" Middleton, I have decided to do a posting on all the wonderful Royal Weddings of the past and, of course, what they wore! I hope you enjoy seeing all the wonderful ensembles as much as I did...plus I included a little Couture Dish!

Grace of Monaco: Helen Rose

Prince Rainer and Grace of Monaco--in a Helen Rose (an MGM Costume Designer) gown. Edith Head--Hollywood Costume Designer for the A-List of the time (and of Kelly) was reportedly saddened to not have been picked, for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. COUTURE DISH: The gown was worked on by six seamstress at MGM and 30 million people around the world watched it. The gown has remained THE SYMBOL--and ruler-- of what a "Royal Wedding Gown" should be. Elegant, timeless, classic, serene, and above all, royal. Guests of the wedding included actresses Gloria Swanson and Eva Gardner, the Agha Khan, and many others.

Princess Caroline: Christian Dior Haute Couture by Marc Bohan

Their eldest daughter, Princess Caroline wore Christian Dior Haute Couture by then House Designer, Marc Bohan, when she married Commoner--and French Playboy--Philipe Junot, in 1978. The gown featured a high neck, scalloped edge embroidered gown, bishop sleeves and blouson top. I especially remember (I was VERY YOUNG!) how modern she looked with ringlets of flowers--a la Princess Leia--in her hair--as opposed to wearing a tiara or crown.

Queen Elizabeth: Norman Hartnell

Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth of York) and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh (then Prince of Greece and Denmark--he's actually German and Danish but born in Greece). Her wedding gown was designed by British designer Norman Hartnell. COUTURE DISH: The Queen Mother had specifically asked that Hartnell should use an unusually rich, lustrous stiff satin which was made at Lullington Castle. The satin was ideal for the train, but Hartnell thought that the dress required a more supple material of a similar tone. He ordered the similar fabric from the Scottish firm of Winterthur. Difficulties arose when rivals put about the rumor that the Scottish satin was made from "enemy silk worms", either from Italy or possibly Japan. A telephone call to the town where Winterthur was based, settled the scandal. Mr. Hartnell was assured the silk worms were from Nationalist China and were not "enemy silk worms". Good to know...

Princess Diana: Elizabeth Emanuel

Continuing with the Brits: Prince Charles and Diana in 1981: Her gown was designed by British designer Elizabeth Emanuel is iconic, of course, especially for its infamous 25 foot (wrinkled) silk taffeta train. COUTURE DISH: The entire gown--including the train and veil--were comprised of (wait for it), 275 total yards. The gown epitomized the excess that were to be the 80's.

Princess Anne: Maureen Baker

Another gown I loved was the one Princess Anne (only daughter of Queen Elizabeth) wore when she wed then-Lieutenant Mark Phillips (he was soooo handsome!!) in 1973. The gown was inspired from the Medieval and Tudor styles. It was very "Lady Macbeth Gets Married".

The gown--designed by Maureen Baker, head designer for Susan Small--featured Trumpet sleeves that hid inner Bishop Sleeves (FIERCE!), as you can see above. COUTURE DISH: Fifteen women worked on the dress and each worked on a different section, and they didn't know what the final outcome would look like--this was done for fear that the design would be "leaked" to the press by one of these girls.

Wallis Simpson: Mainbocher

Of course, when speaking of Wedding Couture, we can't leave out the Mainbocher gown worn by Wallis Simpson when she married Edward, Duke of Windsor (also Prince Edward, King Edward XIII of course) in 1937. This pale blue gown and hat--have gone down in history as the epitome of understated chic. The groom wore a Morning Suit, of course. There were only sixteen guests, not one a member of the royal family.

Princess Margaret: Norman Hartnell

Then , there was the Fashionista and "Party Girl" Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (Queen Elizabeth's sister) and her wedding to Anthony Armstrong-Jones. Her gown was designed and created by the house of Norman Hartnell--same designer who created her sister's wedding gown.This was also the first royal wedding ever televised, and was watched by over 300 million viewers worldwide!Empress/Shahbanu Soraya of Iran: Christian Dior by Yves Saint Laurent

I also absolutely LOVE the wedding gown worn by Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari (of German-Persian descent) , who would become Empress and Shahbanu Soraya of Iran when she married the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (his second marriage) in 1951. She wore a a custom gown designed by Yves Saint Laurent for the House of Christian Dior.

COUTURE DISH: The gown was a silver lame gown studded with pearls and marabou stork feathers (!). To finish the gown, there was a cropped shawl-collar jacket AND a full-length white mink cape which she removed for "let-me-sit-down-and-breathe" photos. Poor Soraya (who was rumored to always have been the Shah's love of his life) soon discovered she could not give him a male heir (she was infertile) and therefore, divorced seven years after their wedding, but was left with a nice you-can-live-forever-in-style bank account.

Queen Sofia of Spain: Jean Dessès

Next of note was Queen Sofia's (then Princess Sophia of Greece) Wedding Gown--designed by Egyptian-born of Greek descent fashion designer Jean Dessès--when she married the future King of Spain Juan Carlos in Athens Greece to much fanfare.

Marie Chantal of Greece: Valentino Haute Couture

Speaking of Greeks, here's Crown Prince Pavlos and his bride, Marie Chantal Miller. Marie Chantal is of US-Ecuadorian ancestry and Pavlos, the son of the exiled King of the Hellenes (Greece), Constantine II, is well, of Danish-German (and not so much Greek) descent. Constantine II is Queen Sofia's (see previous wedding gown pic) brother--yes, keep up!! By the way, the Bride's gown was from Valentino Haute Couture. Don't mess with them darlings!

Maria y Carmen Martinez-Bordiu: Cristobal Balenciaga

Now onto another fabulous Royal Wedding Gown of note. This gown is from Maria y Carmen Martinez-Bordiu y Franco when she wed Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cadiz and Grandson of King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1972. General Franco made him Duke of Anjou and making him a Royal Highness, thereby making her a Princess: Can you say "At-a Girl!" in Spanish?? Momma didn't raise a fool!
COUTURE DISH: Her gown was designed by Cristobal Balenciaga. The Spanish Couturier ended his business in 1968 but came out of "retirement" to design her gown. It featured 14 meters of Abraham silk, 20 silk thread spools, 10,000 pearls, and over 5,000 sequins. It also had the Bourbon "Fleur-de-lis" embroidered into the front of this one-of-a-kind Haute Couture hand-made gown.

The future Queen Noor of Jordan's wedding dress is notable for it's elegant simplicity. It was a blouson gown, with no crinoline, no petticoat, no tulle. This is how you do "restrained" and unfussy, but still beautiful.

Queen Rania of Jordan: Bruce Oldfield

At the opposite end, was Queen Rania of Jordan's wedding gown to King Abdullah II. Her gown was designed by British designer Bruce Oldfield (a name that has been thrown around as a possible candidate for Catherine Middleton's wedding dress designer) and not by a Middle Eastern designer, which was odd.

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands: Valentino Haute Couture

Moving on to the New Generation of Royals--and their Wedding COUTURE: A gorgeous Valentino Haute Couture creation can be seen on Princes Maxima of the Netherlands when she wed Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, and heir apparent to the throne of the Netherlands. Maxima is from Argentina darlings, in case you weren't aware. South American girl done did good, as they say...The Netherlands will have an South American-born Queen sometime in the future.

Princess Mette-Marit of Norway: Ove Harder Finseth

Staying in Scandinavia: There was the wedding gown of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Ove Harder Finseth was the designer. I loved this gown for its elegant simplicity. The shape was perfect for Mette-Marit's lean figure and again, as one of the "Next Generation Royals", I love that she chose to do without the Disneyland Princess Crinoline-and-Petticoat Ball Gown "Princes Diana" silhouette. Norwegians know how to give you "Directional Modern Brides" for sure!

Princess Letizia of Spain: Manuel Pertegaz

I also LOVED Princess Letizia of Spain's wedding gown when she married Crown Prince Felipe in 2004. It was designed by 93-year old (yes, 93!!) Spanish Designer Manuel Pertegaz. I'm sure his "staff" had a lot to do with this and he probably sat there and said "Si!" and "No!". Letizia’s beige Valencia silk wedding dress was graceful and Medieval in its silhouette. It featured long sleeves, a decorative stand-away collar, veil and skirt embroidered with flower-de-luce and ears of wheat. Her wedding dress was 4.6 meters long!!

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden: Par Engsheden

And last but not least in my Royal Wedding Couture Nick Verreos Hall of Fame, I have to include the gorgeous gown worn by Victoria Crown Princess of Sweden. The silk fit-and-flare gown was designed by Swedish designer Par Engsheden. Simple. Elegant. Sublime. The stunning crown and lace veil finish it off. THAT is a future Queen ladies and gentlemen.

Now....Which one was your FAVORITE Royal Wedding Gown???

Virgin Australia Fashion Festival (VAMFF) 2017

Virgin Australia Fashion Festival (VAMFF) 2017

Wednesday 16th March

Front row on the runway, we're loving all the shoes! Everything nice feels like plastic to me. Btw how do you clean flurry shoes? Set on the Next Runway was the UK Show (hence the unusual diversity in skin colour), in the great outdoors! It's five degrees warmer than outside in the hall and so we were glad to be outside. A warm but gloomy day - my kinda day! There's been a heat wave lately.

My favorite item? A navy blazer with white lines. Something practical. I've never bought anything I've seen on runway, I've been inspired by a couple headpieces though. Wedding runway is what I really love.

We came upon the UK Show on tickettek and were delighted to discover it was free! We rarely buy tickets for runway, preferring the performing arts, also I don't get as much value out if it as others. There were also other runways that you could get tickets for if you know someone.

The cheapest runway tickets are $65 though with Optus $45, and there would be other clubs offering discounts too. Only the premium shows have showbags, even at $40 I didn't find it worth it as I wouldn't use most of the products. But if you love runway and the products $30-40 is my ideal price.

The UK show was interesting, while I've never been to the UK I was under the impression that they had asians and Muslims too and not just people who are either black or white? Though we all know runway/media represents the ideal and not the average. After all if you were happy with the way you are, we can't sell you things that will make you "runway ready".

Front row on the runway, first and second row received different showbags, the second smaller and I'm not sure what's inside. We loved that there was two different bags, one for her and one for him! He rarely ever gets anything in the bags :P As they're always for girls.

My perception of Next? Another H&M.

What an awesome idea to spice up a denim jacket! Pins, sequins, pompoms and cheap beads. It's amazing how something so easy can we so awesome.

Fairy floss! In a few shades of purple, I do love purple!

Those three girls spent the entire evening taking pictures of themselves and each other. Though the event was designed to indulge camwhores. I'm surrounded by girls kissed the air and a sea of cameras. I've yet to take many pic as I'm not a selfie person and was deeply offended yesterday when the camera guy at Ted's asked if I mainly took selfies, as my primary use for the camera. 

Trending - Monochrome 

Something strange, new and wonderful I discovered is that I don't experience outfit envy at mainstream events. Sure I love your dress, but on you and not me. I'm more of a ballgown kinda person.

While we had a glimpse of the next big thing, 360 camera for now they're settling on gifs/animations, though I still prefer polaroids. I feel so lost, I was born in the wrong century and have nothing in common with anyone around me...

Plenty of photo ops with swings, a mirror room, tinsel background. A beer bar, the professor's second favorite. We didn't get into the VIP one this year, but I'm working on it! I mightn't like fashion nor approve though we love being invited places!

The official coffee sponsor, powering the event.

Priceline's four shipping container pop up has transformed into a building! Inside you could get your hair or makeup done, and a new photo area with prints! The latest trends is a roving camera but before that gifs, I prefer Polaroids. Unlike last year there were no showbags, only premium runway ones. So if you're in it for the freebies it's probably not worth going. 

Outside there's $2/$5 cash only vending machines. Being 8pm when we got there a lot of things were sold out. There was mainly nude by nature products and two french ones. There was Neutrogeana sunscreen too! At $5 everything was of good value.

The main venue, though there were shows outside and in the car park too.

There were two food trucks, the majority of which are more expensive than in-stores, convenience fee. Burgers and Vietnamese tonight. Skipping dinner for now we went straight to dessert with a $22 platter from Burch and purchase.

Two tubes (smaller than normal) a cake pop and wheel. Loved the ginger and passionfruit tube! A classic and best seller. The cake pop was a pop of salted caramel encased in a ball of white chocolate. Though the highlight and event exclusive was the B&P x Lavazza Coffee Wheel: coffee marshmallow and hazelnut cream sandwiched between chocolate cookies, dipped in Lavazza Prontissimo crunchy milk chocolate.

In this picture there is a screen, live from the show inside.

The gardens of fake grass was a very nice touch and upgrade from last year (just concrete blocks), simple but cheap deco - milk crates with plastic the tops lit inside with battery operated twinkle lights! Damn overhead street style lighting meant stupid yellow glow. This is why you go early and make full use of natural lighting.

What's new? Seating. Live screening on facebook. Priceline's vending machine.
What's gone? Free showbags from Priceline. More interactive activities.
When's the next show? September MSFW at City Square.

Did you go to fashion week? What were your highlights?