in the news: weekend wedding round-up

July 4, 2011 in fashion, news

It was certainly a big weekend for big weddings. On Friday, Prince Albert of Monaco married South African Charlene Wittstock in a civil ceremony followed by a religious ceremony on the Saturday. (Monaco, like France, has a clear separation of church and state so religious wedding ceremonies are purely symbolic, while the legal marriage takes place at the town hall).

While I was quite a fan of Her Serene Highness’ blue suit designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the civil ceremony, I thought she looked amazing in her Giorgio Armani silk gown covered in 40,000 Swarovski crystals for the religious ceremony (right). The design on the front of the dress reminds me a little of another royal wedding dress, don’t you think? She also changed into another Armani gown for the reception.

Fashion royalty also had its own wedding on Friday, with Kate Moss marrying long time boyfriend Jamie Hince in the Cottswalds. Kate chose a gorgeous gown by her friend (and current fashion exile) John Galliano (above). The dress itself was inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald – which makes sense given Moss is also wearing Zelda’s engagement ring.

Apparently the bride had three outfit changes for the reception, all designed by Stella McCartney. Her first dance dress was an oyster silk chiffon dress with a diamond-shape, chain embroidered bodice and cut-out back, her party dress was a mini with micro bugle beads and a plunging back, and her going-away outfit was an alabaster off-white wool three-piece suit with a single-breasted, grosgrain peak lapel jacket and a wide-leg trouser.

What do you think of the weekend brides?

want george clooney’s pants?

August 31, 2010 in fashion

Look at George Clooney. Now look at your man. Now look back at George Clooney. He is not your man. But your man could dress like him (if he’s a size 40).

The man every man wants to be and every woman wants to be with is auctioning off two of his custom Giorgio Armani tuxedos for charity on Clothes Off Our Backs (which raises money for organisations including Feeding America, Malaria No More, Hope North, AbilityFirst, Villa Esperanza and Alex’s Lemonade Stand).

You can choose from one or two buttoned tuxes, both of which Mr Clooney wore to Golden Globes ceremonies. There’s also one pair of pants for auction as well. See your options here.

If you’d rather give to charity by purchasing something a little more glitzy, you can also bid on Modern Family star Sofia Vergara’s Carolina Herrera dress from this week’s Emmy Awards – check it out here.

lusting for: a bit of sparkle

August 6, 2010 in fashion

France’s elegant First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is expressing her love of sparkles and LBDs by serving as patron of the 22 Ways to Say Black charity auction next month in New York.

Swarovski Elements asked 22 designers – including Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood, Giorgio Armani Privé, Thakoon and Alber Elbaz (Lanvin) – to create their own crystal-embroidered little black dress for the initiative.

If you happen to be in New York, you can preview the dresses at the Phillips de Pury & Co gallery in the Meatpacking District from 7 September ahead of the auction on 20 September. If you’re not in New York, you can preview the dresses online here.

All proceeds of the auction and sales of its catalogue will go to the American Cancer Society and La Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer.

You know that auction takes place just a few days before my birthday. Just saying…

in the news: all the world’s a stage

July 5, 2010 in news, theatre

I stumbled across two interesting developments in the world of theatre over the weekend.

The first is that a musical version of Bridget Jones’ Diary is in the works. Author Helen Fielding, director Stephen Daldry and pop star Lily Allen are all collaborating on a musical version that they hope to stage in London’s West End early next year. Behind it all is the same production team responsible for the critically acclaimed screen-to-stage musical Billy Elliot. Rumour is actress Sheridan Smith recently read for Bridget’s role but no word yet on who will step into Hugh Grant and Colin Firth’s shoes to play the men in her life.

In other news, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Giorgio Armani are among the numerous designers working on the costumes for a new pantomime appropriately named Snow White and the Seven Designers. According to instyle.com, the story will be based on the familiar story but the seven dwarves will be replaced with seven designers (as the name suggests). Together they fight a battle against London’s biggest plight – ugly interiors. The show will be held at the Garrick Theatre, London from 12-16 October, with all proceeds raised donated to Dementia UK.

more best dressed in cannes

May 21, 2010 in fashion

How lovely it would have been to join Giorgio Armani on his yacht for a sail on the Mediterranean.

The designer hosted a cocktail party for Fair Game on Wednesday night and a host of fashionable beauties were there to support the cause including the film’s star Naomi Watts, Eva Herzigova, Karolina Kurkova, Natalie Imbruglia, Julia Restoin Roitfeld and Elizabeth Banks.

My best dressed award has to go to Emily Blunt – I love the nautical appropriateness of her laid-back white gown (with beading that shows she’s ready to party).

Check out all the outfits at wwd.com.