28.1.14

The 2014 Grammy Awards Best Dressed: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Chrissy Teigen

Couples got married, Katy Perry stole Lady Gaga's white horse from last year and painted it black, and Lorde was just as quirky as we all expected her to be, the 2014 Grammy Awards took place last night and good thing they lifted that dress code from last year because musicians took risks and some paid off.

My choice for best dressed goes to, in no particular order, Taylor Swift in a Gucci dream, Chrissy Teigen in a Johanna Johnson gown, and Beyoncé's performance ensemble which was comprised of Saint Laurent tights, a custom bra, a Nicholas de Carle bodysuit, Stuart Weitzman shoes and Jennifer Fisher earrings.

Taylor Swift

Image via E!

Chrissy Teigen

Image via E!

Beyoncé


Images via Us Magazine

20.1.14

The 2014 SAG Awards Best Dressed: Katrina Bowden

No stranger to this blog, 30 Rock's Katrina Bowden has landed her number one as my pick for best dressed at this weekend's SAG Awards, wearing a beautiful Badgley Mischka number. The award ceremony celebrated its 20th year and it was evident in every aspect of the show, from the opening presentation to the acceptance speeches, that the SAG-AFTRA union is extremely important to the industry and to be honest it is my favourite awards ceremony because I feel that it is the most organic. Every attendee always seems so at ease and respectful of their fellow actors. This year the competition was fierce so get to the theater if you haven't seen the amazing films that have been nominated.

Katrina Bowden 



Shout out to Anna Gunn for her amazing Breaking Bad clutch that I'm sure super fans can't wait to get their hands on!


Images via Huffington Post

19.1.14

Blush: This Season's Most Wanted Hue

The Pantone colour of the year might be radiant orchid but pink is having a moment thanks to the oversized pink Carven coat every editor adored. 

Although pink is an ultra feminine colour there are ways to incorporate the popular shade into your everyday wardrobe. My advice? Pick one item, whether it be an accessory, a pair of shoes, or even a nail polish, and let the colour speak for itself without making it the focal point of your outfit to create an effortless chic look.

Images via: Fashionista, MiuMiu, Pantone, WeHeartIt, Song of Style

Vince Long Sleeve Crew Tee, $95, Shop
Zara Masculine Studio Overcoat, $200, Shop
Stella Mccartney Falabella Bag, $895, Shop
Topshop Wrap Skirt, $84, Shop
Soft Joie Wyoming Top, $64, Shop
Alexander Wang Malgosia Lace Up Sandals, $625, Shop
MINKPINK Heartbeat Dress, $92.87, Shop
Pantone Universe Case for iPhone, $30, Shop
Charlotte Olympia Arm Candy Clutch, $1,295, Shop
 

14.1.14

The Golden Globes Best Dressed: Tom Ford

You're right! Tom Ford was not in attendance last night, although I wish he was for a few reasons. The 2014 Golden Globes aired last night, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did funny women everywhere proud and once again were wonderful hosting the show.

Highlight of my night: Andy Samberg winning Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical for Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Brooklyn Nine-Nine winning Best Comedy Series. The show is one of my favourites and it is seriously funny, it truly deserves the recognition it received last night!

Now the fun part, who was best dressed? Well for starters, and I know I am not alone on this one, I felt that there was more bad than good on the red carpet, but of course this is all a matter of opinion. Also, I've watched every episode of Project Runway and Project Runway: All Stars so I feel as if I've picked up how to properly critique a la Michael Kors and Nina Garcia.

My best dressed top three include two red carpet newbies: Margot Robbie from Wolf of Wall Street Lupita Nyong'o from Twelve Years a Slave, and the always radiant Olivia Wilde. Margo was a vision in Gucci white, Lupita rocked a cape by Ralph Lauren which has not been done since Gwyneth wore the white Tom Ford number, and Olivia shone bright like an emerald in a Gucci dress.

Margot Robbie


Lupita Nyong'o 


Olivia Wilde


Special shout out to Jared Leto's man-bun and Rashida Jones fun tropical palm tree print!


Images via WWD

10.1.14

How Ethical is Louis Vuitton?

Image via WWD.com
Lately I’ve been questioning the implicit ethical guidelines that govern the fashion community. Let me explain why. We have labels that only use vegan leather and other organic materials, we have beauty companies that will not test on animals, and we have brands and fashion icons that donate to charities all over the world. However, even the most socially conscious brands run into PR nightmares, which for the most part, are borne out of sheer ignorance rather than conscious unethical behavior. A recent example of this situation that I’d like to examine is the Louis Vuitton trunk erected in Moscow’s Red Square that has managed to stir up a tremendous amount of controversy, so much so that the trunk has since been dismantled.

I will admit, when I first saw a picture of the structure I was in awe, it was marvelous! In my opinion it receives perfect marks for evoking brand awareness and creativity, concurrent with creating a sense of nostalgia, as it is meant to replicate a vintage trunk, while also making it modern and very avant-garde due to the large size of the monument, coming in at 102 feet long and 30 feet high. It was created to house “The Soul of Travel” exhibit, which would put 30 iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases on display, the suitcases are associated with icons such as Great Garbo, Catherine, Deneuve, and many more. The show was part of a long line of glamorous events planned for this year, to mark the 120th anniversary of GUM, a Russian retail center.

Representatives from Louis Vuitton state the company received all necessary authorization to build the temporary venue in the center of the Red Square and claim the exhibit’s purpose was to strengthen the already strong relationship the brand has with Russia. So what was the problem? From a marketing perspective, it appeared as if this was a perfect opportunity for Louis Vuitton- located at an extremely popular location, the monument would receive tons of press and international recognition due to both its size and creative appearance, and there was even a star-studded party organized last Friday to kick off the exhibit. It appears as though the issue lies within its main attribute: the location, the giant suitcase blocks the iconic view of the Saint Basil’s Cathedral, which has caused outrage from both Russian civilians and political leaders.

In response, Louis Vuitton immediately began to dismantle the temporary venue and representatives are currently scouting other locations to house the magnificent exhibit that I’m sure had taken months to plan and execute. So who is at fault? Louis Vuitton for appearing to be insensitive to the Russian people? The retail company they were celebrating? Or the officials who granted permission for the temporary venue to be built?

In theory, both the officials and the Russian retail company should have been fully aware of how sacred this location is to both the Russian people as well as to local politicians, however, Louis Vuitton, whether deserved or not, is the one receiving the backlash from this controversy.

So the question remains, how far is too far in fashion? Should luxury brand giants, like Louis Vuitton, receive a carte blanche when events like this occur? Obviously Vuitton has not “won” this one but this is not the first time nor is it the last that a well-known brand will be under scrutiny for its marketing tactics. Furthermore, I wonder what would happen if we looked at this from an artistic standpoint, many respected artists have done such things where they erect large and temporary monuments all over the world, sometimes without permission, and yet they may get a slap on the wrist. The art for the most part is not meant to offend people to such a degree as this suitcase apparently has and many admire the art especially when it is put on such a large scale. Is the suitcase not just a giant art piece? An expression of art from a brand that has given artists themselves, such as Stephen Sprouse, the opportunity to meet the masses and become instantly respected within both the art and fashion world.

Of course I’m not a representative from either party so my opinion is simply from the perspective of an outsider reading about the event, however I do think this occurrence is a perfect opportunity to examine the implicit ethical guidelines that govern the fashion community. Art will always evoke feedback, sometimes negative and sometimes positive, so perhaps the suitcase fulfilled its duty as a piece of art.