Spring Fashion Ambushed by Street Fashion Sydney PS. the Art Too..

Spring Fashion Ambushed by Street Fashion Sydney PS. the Art Too..

It's Friday night in Sydney, it's spring and there is an art show at Ambush Gallery 'Capiche'. Of course you will be going out after, so it's time to shine to check out the art and social with friends, hell there's even a DJ - not in my day - this is it. The art stays, for a while at least, the fashion moves on, that's why, Street Fashion Sydney.. Mouse over for details, links below.

http://ambushgallery.com/
http://ambushgallery.com/capiche/

Telling Stories in Pictures all over Sydney..

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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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

GRAMMY AWARDS 2016: is this the worst red carpet of the year?

GRAMMY AWARDS 2016: is this the worst red carpet of the year?

Yes. 

I am not trying to sound mean, but that is a fact: the 58th Grammy awards wins #TEB's trophy as the most underwhelming red carpet of the year. 

Music on point, fashion...next.

Beyoncè skipped the red carpet, no Rihanna, no Nicki Minaj, no JLo, and I hate myself for saying this but no sign of the Kardashian/Jenners (however I would hide too after wearing those terrible creations at Yeezy season 3). All that is left is a bunch of generic (sometimes boring) outfits, except for Lady Gaga of course, I mean nothing is generinc when it comes to her.

Ready? Let's have a closer look to the Grammys red carpet:

ANGELIC VISIONS

Chrissy Teigen in Yousef Aljasmi; Beyoncè in Inbal Dror

We are borderline with the bridal territory, but we can not deny how effortless and classy these dresses look. Pregnancy is looking good on Chrissy Teigen, and fashion-wise I do love her glamorous maternity-style. As for my queen Beyoncè, I was expecting more from her: she has been wearing sheer dresses for too long, and it starting to feel boring, however I do like the tastefull design of this one.

SPLASH OF COLOR

Taylor Swift in Atelier Versace; Kacey Musgraves in Armani Privé Couture

Color-blocking looks good on ex-country star Taylor Swift, even if I have problems to call this Versace number a dress, I mean doesn't it look like a two-pieces swimsuit witha fancy sarong? Anyway this new shorter (Anna Wintour-inspired) hair-do sealed the deal, so gets my nulla-osta.
The actual country princess Kacey Musgraves choose something more elegant and nailed it: this Armani Privé Couture dress from the Fall 2015 collection looked flawless on her.

BOWIE TRIBUTES

Zendaya in Dsquared2; Lady Gaga in custom Marc Jacobs

Tributes are the highest form of respect to someone that has passed away: this year we have lost many big artists, among which the legendary David Bowie.
Lady Gaga had the honor to perform a tribute to the singer at the awards show, and given her personality and character it make sense to see her bringing her tribute also on the red carpet. If you don't stare at the shoes to much, it works, believe me.
As for Zendaya, I can not really decide whether I like the execution of the tribute or not: she took the androginus path, sporting Bowie's famous Ziggy Stardust mullet and wearing a black suit by DSquared2. This is another unexpected yet bold choice made by the young star and her stylist, that unfortunately failed to convince me. A++ for the effort.

IN CHARACTER

Janelle Monae; Florence Welch in Gucci

It's costumy, but I love it...on Janelle Monae: it's Grammys night at the end of the day, what did you expect?
Moving to Florence Welch..., well Gucci is on a roll this year: this is another A-list celebrity wearing an Alessandro Michele's design without looking like a cartoon. Good job.

DIVAS

Jazmine Sullivan in Micheal Costello; Adele in Givenchy

I could listen to their voices for days, but who wins the fashion game? Personally I love Jazmine Sullivan choice better: the RnB diva wore a feminine yet elegant piece by Michael Costello, which fits her like a glove. Adele went classy in Givenchy all night, however the ruby red piece she wore on stage totally outshined this black number on the red carpet.

(OLD) LADY LIKE

Demi Lovato in Norisol Ferrari; Megan Trainor in Micheal Costello

Take to beautiful young rising stars in their 20s...and dress them like they were 40. Pardon 35.

SEXY SEXY SEXY

Bella Hadid in Alexandre Vauthier Couture; Ciara in Alexandre Vauthier; Alessandra Ambrosio in Versace

Plunging neklines, slits, cut-outs, dark smokey eyes and lots of skin: girls you are beautiful, but I am officially bored. It is not even funny anymore. "Less is more"they say, but I do not belive they were referring to the amount of fabric...

1 SINGLE FLAW

Selena Gomez in Calvin Klein; Ariana Grande in Romona Keveza; Lianne La Havas in Vivienne Westwood

Everything was on point except for...

-Selena Gomez hair and make up. She is beautiful but she reminds me of JLo..and not in her 20s.

-Ariana Grande make up and hair: imagine a low ponytail and a softer make up. Is it better?

-Lianne La Havas shoes: too heavy for me.

WORST

Medison Bier; Wiz Kalifa in Thom Browne; Tove Lo

The ultimate cheap-looking party dress, an embellished shrunken three-piece with tails and a beautiful lace nightmare. Impressive.

Sorry, I need to heal my eyes: maybe it's better to look back at the BAFTA red carpet.

Written by: Stella

***

58th annual GRAMMY AWARDS

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Really Love” – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes

To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

Traveller – Chris Stapleton

1989 – Taylor Swift

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

BEST NEW ARTIST

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

“Heartbeat Song” – Kelly Clarkson

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Ship To Wreck” – Florence + The Machine

“Sugar” – Maroon 5

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Piece By Piece – Kelly Clarkson

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence + The Machine

Uptown Special – Mark Ronson

1989 – Taylor Swift

Before This World – James Taylor

BEST DANCE RECORDING

“We’re All We Need” – Above & Beyond Featuring Zoë Johnston

“Go” – The Chemical Brothers

“Never Catch Me” – Flying Lotus Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“Runaway (U & I)” – Galantis

“Where Are Ü Now” – Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

Our Love – Caribou

Born In The Echoes – The Chemical Brothers

Caracal – Disclosure

In Colour – Jamie XX

Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack Ü – Skrillex And Diplo

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE

“If I Don’t Have You” – Tamar Braxton

“Rise Up” – Andra Day

“Breathing Underwater” – Hiatus Kaiyote

“Planes” – Jeremih Featuring J. Cole

“Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)” – The Weeknd

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

“He Is” – Faith Evans

“Little Ghetto Boy” – Lalah Hathaway

“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan

“Shame” – Tyrese

“My Favorite Part Of You” – Charlie Wilson

BEST R&B SONG

“Coffee” – Miguel

“Earned It” – The Weeknd

“Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan

“Really Love” – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

“Shame” – Tyrese

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

Ego Death – The Internet

You Should Be Here – Kehlani

Blood – Lianne La Havas

Wildheart – Miguel

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

BEST R&B ALBUM

Coming Home – Leon Bridges

Black Messiah – D’Angelo And The Vanguard

Cheers To The Fall – Andra Day

Reality Show – Jazmine Sullivan

Forever Charlie – Charlie Wilson

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

“Apparently” – J. Cole

“Back To Back” – Drake

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Truffle Butter” – Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake & Lil Wayne

“All Day” – Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

“One Man Can Change The World” – Big Sean Featuring Kanye West & John Legend

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Classic Man” – Jidenna Featuring Roman GianArthur

“These Walls” – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat

“Only” – Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown

BEST RAP SONG

“All Day” – Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Energy” – Drake

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap

BEST RAP ALBUM

2014 Forest Hills Drive – J. Cole

Compton – Dr. Dre

If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late – Drake

To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Empire: Season 1 – Various Artists

Fifty Shades Of Grey – Various Artists

Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me – Various Artists

Pitch Perfect 2 – Various Artists

Selma – Various Artists

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“Earned It” – The Weeknd

“Glory” – Common & John Legend

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth

“Til It Happens To You” – Lady Gaga

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Jeff Bhasker

Dave Cobb

Diplo

Larry Klein

Blake Mills

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

“LSD” – ASAP Rocky

“I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” – The Dead Weather

“Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar

“Freedom” – Pharrell Williams

BEST MUSIC FILM

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown

Sonic Highways

What Happened, Miss Simone?

The Wall

Amy

SAG AWARDS 2016: The Red Carpet

SAG AWARDS 2016: The Red Carpet

The SAG Awards are the second key moment of this awards season, and style-wise a warm-up between the Globes and the Oscars. As the winners of the night rehearse their speeches for their big time at the Oscars, let's have a look at the best (and worst) fashion moments of the night:

STAR OF THE SHOW

Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl/Ex-Machina) in Louis Vuitton

Bow down to the most beautiful Louis Vuitton dress I have ever seen on a red carpet: simple in the design and dazzling in the details. Swedish actress Alicia Vikander definitely looked like the star she will become. Best look of the night.

BREATH-TAKING

Viola Davis (How To Get Away With Murder) in Zac Posen_Brie Larson (Room) in Atelier Versace Couture

As I always say, "you can never go wrong with a Zac Posen's design" and Viola Devis is another proof of that: the color of the dress is amazing on her skin, the feminine shape on the gown enhanced her figure and that smile..well that was the cherry on top! Actress of the year Brie Larson got the couture treatment directly from Atelier Versace, as she wore a couture piece straight from the house's spring 2016 couture collection. The dress proved to have "red carpet" potential on the runway, and I am glad to see how beautiful it looks on Brie. My only side note has to be the shoes: WTF???

SISTERLY LOVE

Kate Mara in Valentino_Rooney Mara in Valentino

The Mara sisters had a Valentino moment on the red carpet. Kate Mara wore a piece from the spring summer 2016 collection, while Rooney Mara opted for a couture piece from the fall winter collection. Same designer, different interpretations: I have to say that Rooney looked regal (even if I wanted to see some major jewellery piece with that gown), while Kate definitely brought some sensuality to her dress. 

SHOCKING PINK

Emilia Clarke (Game Of Thrones) in Dior_Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) in Vera Wang

Only the brave. Emilia Clarke wore the second decent Dior design of this year awards season, while Sofia Vergara (as always) favored a mermaid-like dress: the designs were not original, but the color sealed the deal. 

THE MICHAEL'S ANGELS

Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn) in Michael Kors_Queen Latifah (Bessie) in Michael Costello

Ok, let's forget the bad title-joke. But I have to admit that Michael Kors and Michael Costello gifted Saoirse Ronan and Queen Latifah with two beautiful elegant and timeless dresses. In both cases the styling was kept to the minimum, I could not agree more.

EYE-CATCHING TOPS

Sarah Paulson (ASH: Hotel) in Armani Privé couture_Kristen Wiig (The Martian) in Roland Mouret

Couture make over also for Sarah Paulson, who turned to Armani to find the perfect dress for the evening. Usually I am not a fan of her on the red carpet, but this time I love the injection of color. Kristen Wiig brought back my love for jumpsuits, wearing a modern number for Roland Mouret. I would wear it in a heart-beat.

YOUNG HOLLYWOOD

Maise Williams (Game Of Thrones) in Ermanno Scervino_Sophie Turner (Game Of Thrones) in Carolina Herrera

This time I am not really impressed by the fashion choices of the two British stars: they looked ready for prom rather than for the red carpet. Maisie Williams wore an Ermanno Scervino's dress, that in my opinion looked too heavy for her petit frame; Sophie Turner was lovely in Carolina Herrera, but she was not memorable. I am a "dress to impress" kind of person, so this is miss for me.

Ariel Winter (Modern Family) in Romona Keveza_Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) in Erdem_Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) in J Mendel

Keeping up with the young hollywood section we have Ariel Winter in a bombshell attire by Romona Keveza, Kiernan Shipka in a youthful and elegant Erdem design, and Sarah Hyland in a blue J Mendel. Kiernan looked the best, as it was easy to find some flaws in both Ariel and Sarah's styling choises: Ariel's frosty rose lipstick and Sarah's poor hair style were definitely a total let down. 

SPARKLING COUTURE

Julianne Moore in Givenchy Couture_Nicole Kidman in Gucci

This is a hard one: two Hollywood royalties wearing the designs from two major fashion houses...and the result is not that good. Julianne Moore's lime green Givenchy dress was doing nothing for her body; however the color was beautiful on her. As for Nicole Kidman...well, that Gucci number was simply not made for her. Let's start by saying that this is a tricky dress: I could see a younger celebrity rocking it and I can imagine a model wearing it for an editorial, but in my opinion this gown has no red carpet potential, and Nicole dear, that styling is not helping either.

CLASSIC ALLURE

Anna Faris (Mom) in Naeem Khan_Rachel McAdams (Spotlight) in Elie Saab_Marisa Tomei (Empire) in Zuhair Murad couture

I see 3 beautiful dresses that needed a bit more of drama in the styling.
A red pout for Anna Faris and that gorgeous red Naeem Khan gown; a sleek hairstyle and a darker eyeshadow to upgrade Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab. Marisa Tomei disappointed me in the shoe-department and she definitely needed to pay more attention to her hairstyle, if she wanted to match that lovely teal Zuhair Murad.

NOT CONVINCING

Priyanka Chopra (Quantico) in Monique Lhuillier_Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) in Prabal Gurung_Eva Longoria (Telenovela) in Julien MacDonald

What do we have here? A bridal gown, a terrible pose and a hot mess. Wow, three beautiful ladies that did not manage to stand out in the crowd: Priyanka Chopra's Monique Lhuillier was a camouflage bridal gown; Laverne Cox was actually wearing a nice Prabal Gurung, but she killed off all the magic with that questionable pose; Eva Longoria  basically wore a dress that was meant for a taller person, and despite the fitting it is still very clear. BTW that hair style is a NO.

TOO MUCH FABRIC

Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) in Christian Siriano_Sola Bamis (Mad Men) in Lola Wusu

Usually I appreciate a bit of drama on the red carpet, but not in this case. One of the basic rules in fashion is to make sure that your client looks smoking hot in your design, and I dare you all to say that Christian Siriano or Lola Wusu accomplished that request. Sola Bamis should fire her stylist, while Christina Hendricks could have upgraded her dress with a pair of scissors: that piece of fabric on the shoulder was pointless. Chop it off next time! 

SKIN SKIN SKIN

Susan Sarandon in Max Mara_Eva Amurri in Gabriela Cadena_Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) in Romona Keveza

Where should I begin? Susan Sarandon should have worn a white corset under that Max Mara tuxedo, and those pants needed to reach the floor. I do not have much to say about the Gabriela Cadena dress that Eva Amurri wore, if not "burn it". Kaley Cuoco dress could have been a good choice for the Grammys, but that sheer panel that does not match her skin-tone is a let down. Next.

Written by: Stella