British Fashion Awards 2011

The annual British Fashion awards took place last night (November 28th) with a start studded guest list. Everyone got dressed up in their Monday best to celebrate the fun and daring British Fashion industry. Here is the list of the lucky winners.

Emerging Talent Award – ready-to-wear: Mary Katrantzou.

Emerging Talent Award – accessories: Tabitha Simmons

Emerging Talent Award- menswear: Christopher Raeburn

Model Award: Stella Tennant

Designer Brand Award: Victoria Beckham

Menswear Designer Award: Kim Jones

British Style Award: Alexa Chung

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Sam Gainsbury

Red Carpet Award: Stella McCartney

BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion: Paul Smith

Accessory Designer Award: Charlotte Olympia

New Establishment Award: Christopher Kane

Designer of the Year: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

And now some photos from the glitzy and glamorous evening…..

Alexa Chung

Kate Hudson

Stella Tennant

Amber Le Bon

Georgia Jagger

Kristen McMenamy

Colin and Livia Firth

Giles Deacon

Matthew Williamson

Poppy Delevigne

Henry Holland

Olivia Palermo

Marc Jacobs and Victoria Beckham

Sarah Burton

Daphne Guinness

Kate Moss and Stella McCartney

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Filed under: British Fashion Awards, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Sarah Burton, Stella McCartney, Style, Victoria Beckham, British Fashion Awards, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Sarah Burton, Stella McCartney, Style, Victoria Beckham

Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Top 5 Shows

Balenciaga – The seats may have collapsed before the show and the guests may have had to stand, but once the collection hit the runway it didn’t seem to matter. Nicolas Ghesquiére (Creative Director) sent out unusual shapes with a new silhouette. Couture techniques and denim pants. What more could you want?

Balenciaga

Haider Ackermann – The new kid on the block proved at his show this season that he knows how to rock a colour palette. Every colour in the rainbow and beyond were present as the models moved slowly and swiftly down the runway. I have big hopes for this designer….very big hopes.

Haider Ackermann

Chanel – For Fall we were among the rocks and soils as models floated down the graveled runway in a colour palette consisting of mostly grey and black. This season we dug even deeper through the rock and soil, reaching the magical mystery of underwater. Karl Lagerfeld created contrast with a colour palette of white and cream compared to last seasons grey and black. A light and refreshing collection for Spring. To top it all off, Florence Welch appeared out of a sea pearl to debut her new song.

Chanel

Alexander McQueen – A lot of pressure was on Sarah Burton this season. It is the collection after the Royal Wedding dress. Did she impress? Oh yes indeed! Burton, like Chanel, had an underwater vibe to it. The range of sea creatures expanded as more and more shapes started to appear. Bravo Sarah, you have done it right again.

Alexander McQueen

Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs always has a way to shock the crowd. As guests took their seats facing the plain white runway, the center lifted up to reveal a caraousel with each model on white wooden horses. The crowds reaction set the exciting atmosphere.  A collection of pastels, peplums,feathers, and the amazing Kate Moss made it’s way around the rotating carousel. What will Marc do next?

Louis Vuitton

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Filed under: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Haider Ackermann, Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Nicolas Ghesquiére, Paris Fashion Week, Sarah Burton, Spring/Summer 2012, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Haider Ackermann, Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Nicolas Ghesquiére, Paris Fashion Week, Sarah Burton, Spring/Summer 2012

The Job No One Wanted

As the first looks came down the glossy runway there was a sigh of relief. Bill Gaytten who is acting Creative Director for the house of Dior, has done it right. Unlike the couture show in July, the fashion show was a success as simplicity is the key. Yet again there is no word on who will become John Galliano’s successor, but sources have said we will know in the next few weeks. Does this mean the Dior directors have selected they’re future Creative Director from the pick ‘n’ mix of designers? We have guessed them all, Marc Jacobs, Sarah Burton, Tom Ford, Riccardo Tisci, Azzedine Alaia, but all the possibilities have been denied. Who could it possibly be? My final guestimate…….Giambattista Valli or Olivier Theyskens. Lets wait and see.

Giambattista Valli Fall 2011

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Filed under: Azzedine Alaia, Bill Gaytten, Dior, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Giambattista Valli, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Olivier Theyskens, Riccardo Tisci, Sarah Burton, Tom Ford, Azzedine Alaia, Bill Gaytten, Dior, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Giambattista Valli, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Olivier Theyskens, Riccardo Tisci, Sarah Burton, Tom Ford

McQueen’s Next Step

Finally Alexander McQueen has started advertising. This really shows how Sarah Burton will bring the brand into the future. What’s next for the most talked about brand of the year?

Alexander McQueen Fall 2011 campaign

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Filed under: Alexander McQueen, Autumn Winter 2011, Fall/Winter 2011, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen, Autumn Winter 2011, Fall/Winter 2011, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Sarah Burton

Dior Declined

Top couturier Azzedine Alaia has been offered the eponymous position at Dior replacing John Galliano, but the offer has been declined. “Mr. Alaia wasn’t interested. Flattered, but not about to pursue. The story of what happened with John was a sad story, he said when I asked him”, stated journalist Vanessa Friedman,”and he didn’t want to be part of the next chapter. And that’s even before you got to the other stuff.” If the job was accepted, it would have caused complete shock in the fashion industry, who where expecting designers like Riccardo Tisci or Sarah Burton to take to the helm of Dior. This makes the waiting even more exciting.

Azzedine Alaia fitting one of his designs

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Filed under: Azzedine Alaia, Christian Dior, Dior, Fashion, Gavin Norton, John Galliano, Riccardo Tisci, Sarah Burton, Azzedine Alaia, Christian Dior, Dior, Fashion, Gavin Norton, John Galliano, Riccardo Tisci, Sarah Burton

The Met Ball

Last Night the fashion crowd glitzed and glamoured themselves for one of the most important events in the fashion calender, The Met Ball. With a preview of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition and a performance from Florence and the Machine, it seems like the night added up to its expectations. Here are some of the photos.

Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

Stella McCartney in her own design with Alasdhair Willis

Sarah Burton in Alexander McQueen

Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture with her Daughter Bee Shaffer in Balenciaga

Tom Brady with Gisele Bündchen in Alexander McQueen

Naomi Campbell in Alexander McQueen

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen

Blake Lively in Chanel Haute Couture with Karl Lagerfeld in Tom Ford

Christina Ricci in Zac Posen

Florence Welch in Yves Saint Laurent with Stefano Pilati

My best dressed award has to go to Vogue’s west coast editor Hamish Bowels, who arrived in Alexander McQueen’s signature tartan print. It even matched the invitation!

Hamish Bowels in Alexander McQueen

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Filed under: Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, AMerican Vogue, Anna Dello Russo, Anna Wintour, Balenciaga, Bee Shaffer, Blake Lively, Chanel, Chanel Haute Couture, Daphne Guinness, Fashion, Florence and the Machine, Florence welch, Gavin Norton, Gisele Bündchen, Hamish Bowels, Karl Lagerfeld, Metropolitan Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art Institute Gala, Naomi Campbell, Nina Ricci, Sarah Burton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stefano Pilati, Stella Mc Cartney, The Met Ball, Vogue, YSL, Yves Saint Laurent, Zac Posen

The Bride Wore McQueen

As Kate Middelton stepped out onto the long and luxurious red crapet at Westminster Abbey, the designer was revealed. It was the best kept secret, even for the embroiders of the dress were not even told that it was Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. It could not have been any better. It had a timeless look to it, mixed with a modern feel.

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

The dress was made of hand cut English lace and french chantilly lace used on the bodice and on the skirt which was also made of silk gazar. It reminded me of Grace Kelly’s royal wedding dress, which also consisted of lace on the bodice. Not only did Burton design the wedding dress, she also designed kate’s shoes and bridesmaid Pippa’s long, lean and simple gown with a cowl neck. It was pure Alexander McQueen.

Pippa Middleton in Alexander McQueen

At a wedding of course there has to be guests. If there’s guests, then there’s a best dressed. It was hard for me to choose one person out of  2000, but in the end, it had to go to someone who really stood out from the crowd, and who I remembered after seeing Kate step out in true British masterpiece. Through all the tweed, Top hat’s and tiara’s, I finally came to a conclusion. Tara Palmer Tomkinson (TPT) looked electrifying in kingfisher blue. With the hat by Philip Treacy (of course), shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood and an unknown dress designer, she really pulled a perfect outfit together. Well done TPT!

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Tara Palmer Tomkinson

Filed under: Alexander McQueen, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Grace Kelly, Kate Middleton, Philip Treacy, Pippa Middleton, Sarah Burton, Style, Tara Palmer Tomkinson, The Royal Wedding, Westminster Abbey, Alexander McQueen, Fashion, Gavin Norton, Grace Kelly, Kate MIddleton, Philip Treacy, Pippa Middleton, Sarah Burton, Style, Tara Palmer Tomkinson, The Royal Wedding, Westminster Abbey

The Time Has Come

Tomorrow is the day we have all been waiting for. The Royal Wedding. As Ms. Middleton takes her first steps down the aisle, revealing her dream dress to the whole world, I hope it lives up to everyones expectations. It could make or brake the day.

The Engagement Picture

Almost More importantly, who will the designer be? For a while it was rumoured to be John Galliano, but after he hit a personal low earlier this year, the rumours suddenly disappeared. After that it was Stella Mc Cartney, but that did not last long. When Alexander McQueen’s collection at Paris Fashion Week consisted of mostly white and ending in wedding dresses, everyone tipped Sarah Burton (Creative Director of Alexander McQueen) as the lucky designer. I must admit for quite a while I thought it was Burton too. Even Editor-at-Large of American Vogue – Andre Leon Talley – said she is the designer to do it. As it is getting closer to the day I now feel the designer might be unkown.

Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2011

There are so many questions to be answered. Will it be big and flamboyant or simple and elegant? Will she have a vail or tiara? Who is designing the shoes? What about make-up and hair? I just hope her dress compliments her well and is as beautiful as we hope and please God do not let her trip down the aisle!

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Filed under: Alexander McQueen, AMerican Vogue, Andre Leon Talley, Autumn Winter 2011, Fashion, Gavin Norton, John Galliano, Kate and William, Kate Middleton, Paris Fashion Week, Sarah Burton, The Royal Wedding, Alexander McQueen, American Vogue, Andre Leon Talley, Autumn Winter 2011, Fashion, Gavin Norton, John Galliano, Kate and William, Kate MIddleton, Paris Fashion Week, Sarah Burton, Style, The Royal Wedding

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Autumn/Winter 2010

On May 4th, something magical and inspiring is coming to the Metropolitan Museum. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, is an exhibition celebrating McQueen’s contribution to fashion. Featuring 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from the brilliantly disturbing designer ‘s 19 year career. From his Central St. Martins collection bought by the late Isabella Blow, to his final presentation held 2 weeks after his death.

Spring/Summer 2001

Autumn/Winter 2010

The exhibition’s opening night will be held at the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Institute Gala on May 2nd, with honorary chairs Francois-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek and Co-Chairs Colin Firth, Stella McCartney and Anna Wintour. “His mind was extraordinary. His influence was everywhere. He inspired designers to become daring. Runway was not about a nice Beige suit, it was about expressing yourself and exploring the imagination” said Ms. Wintour about the tremendous, talented designer.

Spring/Summer 2006

Autumn/Winter 2009

“He was not afraid to push the boundaries” said Alexandra Shulman, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. “He was a huge force in digital technology. He always wanted to investigate the new and did not want to play around with the old and excepted.”

Spring/Summer 2007

Spring/Summer 2010

I would suggest booking a flight to New York, if you are not there already, and experience this imaginative exhibition of a man with a mind extremely talented. I can kindly agree you will not go home dissapointed. However, if you can not make it, then why not buy the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty book out now. With interviews from Sarah Burton who was appointed Creative Director at Alexander McQueen after his death and Photos of the exhibition from Sølve Sundsbø. It’s time to celebrate a true legend.

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Filed under: Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, Alexandra Shulman, Anna Wintour, Autumn/Winter 2009, Autumn/Winter 2010, British Vogue, Central St. Martins, Colin Firth, Fashion, Francois-Henri Pinault, Gavin Norton, Isabella Blow, Metropolitan Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art Institute Gala, Salma Hayek, Sarah Burton, Sølve Sundsbø, Spring/Summer 2001, Spring/Summer 2006, Spring/Summer 2007, Spring/Summer 2010, Stella Mc Cartney