Sunday, July 22, 2012

Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2012



The 18 Most Gorgeous Gowns from

Haute Couture Collection Fall 2012's was, for several houses, a momentous week of firsts. After saying goodbye to Jil Sander this past spring, Raf Simons debuted his first-ever couture collection for Christian Dior. Showing a collection that was deemed unique and unlike anything previously shown at Dior, Simons managed another first, while in the process changing the face of couture forever.

Donatella Versace showed her collection at the Ritz for the first time, an emotional and significant venue for the house and designer as it was previously used by her deceased brother, Gianni, for over eight years. One of the most noted collections at Couture week was Valentino, headed by Chiuri and Piccioli, who managed to produce a collection that broke off from the traditional designs and colors that had originally stifled and stiffened the house's image and natural progress. As expected, these many firsts produced some of the most magnificent gowns to date. 

Here are the 18 most gorgeous 
and 
jaw-dropping gowns seen in Paris at this year's 
Fall 2012 Haute Couture Week




Alex Mabille

While most critics were none too pleased with Mabille's Fall Couture collection as a whole, a few winners were singled out including this stunning body-hugging black dress that featured sexy lace appliques and mysterious bat-wing sleeves.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Christian Dior

Raf Simons debuted his first Haute Couture Collection for Christian Dior to a huge fashion crowd including Marc Jacobs, DVF, Donatella Versace, and Alber Elbaz. Like his opulent show which featured thousands upon thousands of flowers, his collection was magnificent and unlike anything ever shown. This stunning pink number was a crowd favorite as it showed off a classic Dior silhouette.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Christian Dior

Beyond luxe, Simons displayed a royal blue fur gown that appeared to have been made for the likes of royalty.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Christian Dior

Another gorgeous Dior number, this time in the form of a dramatic midnight blue ball gown with a sheer fitted black top.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Chanel

Deemed "New Vintage" by Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's Fall Haute Couture 2012 line was filled with the most decadent glamour from head to hosiery which included sparkling metallic tights. Anja Rubik showed off one of the night's most riveting looks which looked both futuristic and retro, a combination that worked fluidly into exquisite eveningwear.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Chanel

Lindsey Wixson closed the Chanel show in the most dramatic wedding gown to date which featured a huge feather skirt. Extravagant as always, the Chanel finale showed the fashion world its definition of killer couture bride.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Elie Saab

The fashion godfather of the celebrity red carpet, Elie Saab showed one of his prettiest and lightest collections to date. Using an abundance of delicate fabrics such as Chantilly lace and silk jacquards that looked gold leafed, Saab showcased soft shades of pink blue and gold. One of the night's prettiest numbers included this gorgeous gown that looked straight out of a fairy tale.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Elie Saab

Saab shows his talent for extravagant embellishments on this dress modeled by fashion's darling, Karlie Kloss, who also happened to open the show.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Giambattista Valli

Giambattista Valli employed bucolic prints to play up the house's over-the-top ruffles. Layers upon layers of organza ruffles felt surreal, dream-like, but more importantly, haute couture.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Giambattista Valli

While most of the looks from Valli's collection featured volume times more volume, a few gowns showed off the house's more sensual side. This forest green gown belted with gold leaves felt magical and dream-like.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Georges Chakra

Georges Chakra showed off his eveningwear chops with his Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection that was filled with exquisite gowns and over-the-top frocks. One of Chakra's favored hues of the night included a deep crimson red, as seen on this decadent gown.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Georges Chakra

Another stunning embellished gown from Georges Chakra's Haute Couture Collection. Sequins, tulle, and organza done in majestic black and purple makes for a seductive evening gown that can easily be seen on the likes of Anne Hathaway and Nina Dobrev.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Givenchy

Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, presented a Fall 2012 collection of intricate beading and detailing, inspired by gypsies of Southern Italy. The collection focused on structured shapes in earthy tones of chestnut, ocre, terracotta, and rosy red. Additionally, Tisci kept the collection thoroughly modern with sweeping capes.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Givenchy

Givenchy's Haute Couture collection showcased luxurious pieces that, while streamlined, felt decadent and regal. Monochrome separates in natural tones like this number kept the looks elegant and sophisticated.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Zuhair Murad

Jaw-dropping eveningwear was seen at Zuhair Murad's Fall 2012 Haute Couture Collection. Embellishments abound, amid heavenly fabrics, including organza and lace. Murad presented exquisite gowns such as this royal blue dress encrusted with jewels and brilliant stones.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Zuhair Murad

While Murad's talent heavily lies on embellishments and luxurious fabrics, for this collection he also showed off gorgeous and lively prints like this stunning evening gown that was enhanced in beauty by the fluidity and movement of the gown's silhouette.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Atelier Versace

Donatella Versace kicked off Fall 2012 Haute Couture Week with a bang, displaying show-stopping gowns meant for Hollywood bombshells like Jennifer Lopez and Sophia Vergara.  Most of the gowns felt very Versace, with hip-high slits, pastel chain mail, and a silhouette meant for svelte figures that tightened at the waist while cupping the breast. Karlie Kloss showed off one of the collection's biggest and most seductive numbers, a beaded evening gown that revealed more than just a hint of skin with nude chiffon fabric.

Photo: IMAXtree

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Valentino

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, for their Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection, showed off a darker and more mysterious side to the Valentino woman. Explained by Piccioli as "sensual but severe," the collection felt decadent, romantic, but more importantly, moody. Full length lace and chiffon dresses were adorned with jewel-encrusted capes that felt both lush and sober. Dark colors, especially the midnight blue, gave the clothes a sense of introversion that was different from anything seen in the past.

Photo: IMAXtree

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The Best of Couture Beauty Fall 2012

Bright Lips and Shady Lids

Beauty is never the primary focus when it comes to couture.  After all, what’s a cherry on a sundae worth tens of thousands of dollars? Nevertheless, this season’s short week of shows was not without trends, and here are three that really stuck out for us and how you can make them work for you at home.




Naturally Neutral

Often, more natural looking makeup looks are flat and lack dimension but this season’s nude is multi-tonal and sculpted. Designers such as Bouchra Jarrar and Elie Saab defined their models’ faces with warm contour shades and subtle highlights. Natural makeup doesn’t have to be one-note, take your cue from them and use warm neutral shades to your benefit.


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Bright and Bold

“More is more” . While designers usually subscribe to the 'less is more' mentality when it comes to bold beauty (highlighting one feature at a time), this season they went with 'more is more'. Bold and bright lips were paired with wild and wonderful hair styles, like at Alexis Mabille, or dark smoky eyes, at Jean Paul Gaultier. Now this one is a bit harder to pull off at home but experiment with a new lip color and bright eyeliner for a more wearable version.


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Shady Styles

We are not saying that couture level designers have been reading a certain (poorly written) erotic novel that’s made waves the past few months, but there were many shades of grey on the runways in Paris. Frosted silver, slate blue, and shimmering pearl were key shades in the looks at shows like Chanel and Armani Prive. Where you have to be careful when trying this look at home is you don’t want to highlight any ashy tones in your skin. Opt for a blue or purple tinted grey for the most impact.


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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Stars in Red Carpet, Sparkle in Sequins


Wearing sparkly dresses, a fine line between acing the trend and looking like a Las Vegas showgirl. Here are 22 dazzling celebs who pull off shimmering sequins on the red carpet in style.
Carly Rae Jepsen in Marchesa, Malin Akerman in Marchesa, Charlize Theron in Christian Dior, Doutzen Kroes in Elie Saab, Kylie Minogue in Dolce & Gabbana, Kelly Brook in Project D., Jane Fonda in Roberto Cavalli, Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney, Katharine McPhee in Elie Saab, Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior, Carey Mulligan in Prada, Jessica Paré in L'Wren Scott, Elizabeth Banks in Bill Blass, Carrie Underwood in Randi Rahm, Sara Evans in Channel, Salma Hayek in Bottega Venetta, Denise Richards in Alice + Olivia, Selena Gomez in Emilio Pucci, Clare Grant, Ashley Tisdale in The Population, Maria Sharapova in Antonio Berardi and Chrissy Teigen in All Saints:









Malin Akerman 

in 

Marchesa



Malin Akerman, at the Rock of Ages UK premiere, wore a nude colored Marchesa dress with silver sequin leaf appliqués.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com


















Carly Rae Jepsen



It’s hard to look right at Carly Rae Jepsen, baby—in all those sequins. The singer wore a silver-spangled dress to her surprise performance at the Capital FM Summertime Ball in London.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com


















Charlize Theron 

in 

Christian Dior



Charlize stunned at the Prometheus premiere in London wearing a tiny Christian Dior dress that faded from royal blue sequins to mesh.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com



















Doutzen Kroes

in

 Elie Saab



Doutzen Kroes, the wellknown model, wore an emerald Elie Saab gown at the Cosmopolis premiere.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com




















Kylie Minogue 

in

Dolce & Gabbana



Kylie Minogue’s Dolce & Gabbana gown was solid gold one, at the Holy Motors premiere.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com



















Kelly Brook 

in

Project D.



Kelly Brook brough a whole lot of glam to the Cannes red carpet in a metallic one-shoulder dress by Project D.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com



















Jane Fonda 

in 

Roberto Cavalli



Jane Fonda walked the red carpet at the Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted premiere in a burgundy sequined Roberto Cavalli gown.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com

















Cameron Diaz 

in 

Stella McCartney




Cameron Diaz was dripping with diamonds in a long-sleeved, figure-skimming Stella McCartney gown at the Met Ball.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com



















Katharine McPhee 

in 

Elie Saab



Katherine McPhee wore a tangerine belted dress by Elie Saab with a deep neckline and all-over beading.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com


















Marion Cotillard 

in 

Christian Dior



Marion Cotillard’s black mesh and beaded gown glittered like the night sky at the Met Ball.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com




















Carey Mulligan 

in 

Prada



Carey Mulligan wore a metallic Prada dress reminiscent of fish scales at the Met Ball. She later auctioned it for charity on eBay for almost $3000.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com


















Jessica Paré 

in 

L'Wren Scott



Jessica Paré, The Mad Men actress, shimmered in a gold dress by L’Wren Scott at the Met Ball.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com



















Elizabeth Banks 

in 

Bill Blass



At the premiere of Hunger Games, Elizabeth Banks stunned in a sequin-covered canary yellow gown by Bill Blass.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com


















Carrie Underwood 

in 

Randi Rahm



Carrie Underwood dazzled in a silver and black sequined cap sleeve dress by Randi Rahm at the CMT Awards.



Photo: 
Judy Eddy/WENN.com




















Sara Evans




Sara Evans channeled the disco days in a silver sequined dress, at the CMT Awards.



Photo: 
Judy Eddy/WENN.com























Salma Hayek 

in 

Bottega Venetta



Salma Hayek went light on the sequins but heavy on the style in the lilac Bottega Venetta dress with embellishments she wore to the London premiere of Prometheus.



Photo: 
Lia Toby/WENN.com


















Denise Richards 

in 

Alice + Olivia



Denise Richards kept it short and sparkly in a sequined LWD by Alice + Olivia at the CMT Awards.



Photo: 
Judy Eddy/WENN.com



















Selena Gomez 

in 

Emilio Pucci



Selena Gomez worked it in a glitzy neon pink Emilio Pucci dress with fiery embellishments at the Katy Perry: Part of Me premiere.



Photo: 
Apega/WENN.com



















Clare Grant

At the

Katy Perry: 

Part of Me premiere



Actress Clare Grant channeled the sixties in a silver sequined shift dress.




Photo: 
Apega/WENN.com














Ashley Tisdale 

in 

The Population




Ashley Tisdale wore an attention-grabbing multi-colored sequin dress with mesh panels from The Population at the Rock of Ages premiere.



Photo: 
Brian To/WENN.com



















Maria Sharapova 

in 

Antonio Berardi



Maria Sharapova, the tennis star, shined off the court at a pre-Wimbledon party. The white Antonio Berardi number featured glittering bird-like embellishments.



Photo: 
Daniel Deme/WENN.com

















Chrissy Teigen 

in 

All Saints



It’s not all dresses—Chrissy Teigen kicked it up in a sequined skirt by All Saints at the What to Expect When You’re Expecting premiere. This is definitely a look you could steal for a night out.



Photo: 
C. Smith/WENN.com








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