Along with the Met Gala, the annual amfAR event during the Cannes Film Festival is one of the biggest events on the calendar. Unlike some of the big award ceremonies that can often be a bit hit and miss, amfAR always attracts a good red carpet and last night, with the exception of Kate Upton, was no exception.
Diane Kruger continued her reign as one of the best dressed women at this year's event, sporting a dress from the Chanel Resort 2013 collection that was unveilved recently. Karolina Kurkova continued her love of all things gold in a beautiful Roberto Cavalli sheer sequin dress with a matching jacket but you'll pleased to know that it came sans gold blingy hat.
While the economy in Europe might look better today than it did six months ago, there's no denying that we're not quite out of the storm just yet. On the contrary, things aren't all doom and gloom for it is this storm that is serving contemporary brands really well. Today accessible brands like Zadig & Volatire, Sandro, Maje and Comptoir des Cotonniers that are gaining serious traction. Sandro, for example, is expected to take in €200million this year compared to €15 million back in 2007. Not bad for a brand that has been criticised for not breaking new ground, eh? Along with Mother of Pearl, Gallery 4 is helping to fly the flag for the contemporary accessible brand on this side of the pond.
Recently I caught up with Louise Rhodes, the brand's head designer, to find out more about the line and see the full collection and was instantly I was sold. 'When I was given this opportunity I really wanted to create a high-end product with accessible prices,' she said - and she is definitely onto something. As the wealthy pull back on their spending and the former high street purchaser looks for quality and a return on their investment, it is brands like this that are really helping bridge the gap. 'All of my friends want something like this because we don't necessarily have the money to get the pieces we want.' And it's true. As a fan of all things Scandinavian I was instantly drawn to the boy-meets-girl minimalist aesthetic of Rhodes' clothes. Unlike other brands like this who are riding the minimalist wave at the moment, Gallery 4 is available at a fraction of the price without compromising on quality.
At a recent talk in Browns L'Wren Scott said that for her, it's all about helping her customers build their wardrobes rather than indoctrinating them with trends and that's a sentiment that Rhodes clearly proscribes to. With Louise it's not all about tapping into trends. Instead she plans to rework their prints whilst building on their signatures. With that said, expect wardrobe staples like simple blouses, blazers and shirt dresses to come reworked with a modern twist that will hold you in good stead season after season.
Last night the Lincoln Centre in New York played home to the 2011 CFDA Awards. As we knew, Marc Jacobs picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award, Phoebe Philo was presented with the International Award and Lady Gaga collected the big 'Fashion Icon' gong at last night's ceremony.
Other big winners of the night include the Proenza Schouler duo who picked up the award for womenswear designer of the year. Accessories designer of the year went to Alexander Wang, Menswear Designer of the Year went to Michael Bastian and Eddie Borgo recieved the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design.
Penelope Cruz is usually flawless when it comes to Oscar looks but this season she disappointed. Last night she chose this red sequin L'Wren Scott dress and Jimmy Choo heels to attend the event.
The Awards season has officially begun. Last night the Beverly Hills Hilton played host to the 2011 Golden Globe Awards. 'The Social Network' was a bigger winner on the night receiving the award for Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director for David Fincher, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score. Colin Firth and Natalie Portman won the big awards of the night for best actress and actor respectively in a motion picture drama.
Donna Karan, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sarah Brown and Arianna Huffington
Fashion leaders came together for a cause this week, as Sarah Brown joined forces with Donna Karan and Arianna Huffington this week to host the first-ever Women: Inspiration and Enterprise Symposium in New York. The goal of the event? To celebrate female leadership in business, all while raising funds for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
A global patron for the alliance, Brown brought together a group of innovators ranging from Ashley Judd to Tavi to inspire other women from across the country. The event culminated in a rooftop fashion show featuring one-off gowns from women designers, including Vivienne Westwood, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa, and L'Wren Scott. Next step? Auctioning the pieces online for the White Ribbon Alliance.
To top it all off, Estelle made a guest appearance to sing a few hits, which left the model representing Chloe dancing her heart out. A bit of inspiration, some solid fashion and a chance to let loose - not a bad combination for an autumn night in the city.
The Council of Fashion Designers 2009 included the likes of Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Oscar De La Renta and the Olsens but this time round there are some newer additions to the table. Sophie Theallet, Steve Allen and L'Wren Scott form part of the 2010 class, which has a total of 25 designers. The newer members are welcomed at a party in October at Vera Wang's house where they can get to know the good company they are in, even better.
Rick Owens usually likes to stay within a four-hour radius of his Paris home, and he estimates that he's been in New York just twice in the past seven years - once when his store opened in 2008, and now, for about a week. Although Owens has been making himself comfortable at the Bowery Hotel since Sunday, he ignored his invitation to the Costume Institute Gala, which he told WWD was for "reasons he'd rather not discuss." However, he did go to Mick Jagger and L'Wren Scott's after-party at The Carlyle.
Owens adds that he's been recognized more times than normal for this visit. "It surprised me because I usually consider myself pretty obscure. I get it if I’m in SoHo. I mean, people are really into fashion and stuff. But even so, I mean I was just kind of surprised. Maybe I’m not quite that obscure anymore.”
He added: “I love being commercial. I love making banal everyday things with my particular aesthetic. I almost feel like it’s corruption.”
I was raised to be very self-sufficient. I did those survival treks. You go camping with me, you don’t have to worry. I can make fires, get it myself, shoot it myself, cook it myself.
