Rihanna in Custom Giorgio Armani: Again, another "Custom Giorgio Armani"--but in completely different direction than what I last commented on in my Adele post. With Adele, he went "Retro Vintage 60's Demure", but with Rihanna, it's Halston-Meets-Studio 54 Sex! I guess, depending on the Star, Armani and his team will create anything for you!
When asked about the gown--which was a black plunging neckline halter style with a deep back and center-front slit--Rihanna said that she helped Armani design this and that it was a "collaboration". Let me get this right, Rihanna HELPED Armani design? Didn't know Mr. Armani needed help in that department...but regardless who did what, it was very sexy, simple and Farah Fawcett HOT--even her hairstyle vibed 70's chic. What did you guys think? Let me know 'cause I will be reading your comments!
Continuing with Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, the Italian Master--Giorgio Armani-showed his Armani Prive Spring 2012 Collection. It featured 44 looks all in varying shades of green. Now, something must be in the air--first Karl Lagerfeldshowed his Chanel Haute Couture Collection all in varying shades of blue, now Armani--but in green this time. What's next? Next season, another designer will show their Haute Couture Collection in all shades of purple?? (or maybe I should for my next NIKOLAKI collection!!).
Russian Dolls: Elena Perminova and Miroslava Duma at the Armani Prive Spring 2012 show
Present for the showing were a bevy of Armani-ites--from Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev's wife and part-time model, Elena Perminova andMiroslava Duma, former editor of Russian Harper's Bazaar and Russian fashion icon--to actresses like...
Jessica Chastain--who in fact, got word of her Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress as she was sitting down for the show. She had the nerve to answer her cell phone as the Armani Prive show was about to start: Mon Dieu!! Thank goodness she did (there were shrieks and claps being heard right before the beginning of the show). Well, I have a very strong feeling that Chastain might be wearing Armani Prive to the Oscars. I might even bet money on it.
Green Sea Creature: Armani Prive Spring 2012
Now, onto the show: The all-shades-of-green collection was called "Metamorphosis". Something about a woman who changes from being calm and elegant and slowly "comes out of her skin". As one can see from the photos in this posting, the varying shades of green--from hunter green, apple green, to chartreuse--were beautiful. In terms of fabrications, Armani and his Couture atelier always deliver stupendous modern fabrics with sci-fi elements such as metalized silk satins, gazar, organza and oversized paillettes and beading.
Shoulder Chic: Armani Prive Spring 2012
The show began with the incredible craftsmanship of Armani's suits; those architectural shoulders that slant ever so slightly upward and probably required hours upon hours of draping and tailoring to get it just right. His skirts were side-draped and folded in an original way, bringing life to the otherwise same-old same-old pencil skirt.
Princess Beatrice Is Calling: Armani Prive Spring 2012
Haute Milliner Philip Treacy, created the twisted miniature fascinators to help bring to life Armani's Metamorphosized "creatures of the sea" and there were some fingerless driving gloves that Madonna would LOVE. Here are more photos from the collection and take special note of the final gowns in this posting--these have Academy Awards Red Carpet written ALL OVER them! Hello Jessica Chastain!
Chartreuse Couture: Armani Prive Spring 2012
And The Nominees Are...Armani Prive Spring 2012
And The Winner Is...Armani Prive Spring 2012
Click Below for Armani Prive Spring 2012 Runway Video:
The 2011 American Music Awards was held in Los Angeles November 20.last night, and silver looks swept the red carpet. Check out the celebrities who sparkled in the event's red carpet.
Taylor Swift who won the Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Album, and Artist of the Year awards wore a sequin-covered gold gown by Reem Acra. Selena Gomez in a silver satin gown with a deep-V neck by Giorgio Armani, silver Armani bag, and silver Jimmy Choo shoes.
Nicki Minaj who won the Favorite Hip-Hop/Rap Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album awards wear an emerald silk taffeta gown with black lace bodice by Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen wedges. Jennifer Lopez received the award for Favorite Latin Music Artist in a one-sleeve, high-neck embroidered gown by Zuhair Murad.
Katy Perry in Vivienne Westwood dress. Katherine Heigl in a Roberto Cavalli gown with a plunging neckline and embellished straps.
Jennifer Hudson in a Jenny Packham metallic platinum jersey drape-front dress and Christian Louboutin gunmetal shoes. Heidi Klum in a laser-cut dress by Giles.
Anne Vyalitsyna in Emilio Pucci dress and Giuseppe Zanotti heels.
This weekend's "Prince Albert and Charlene of Monaco Royal Wedding" brought out all the top royals, from Europe, Africa, Asia...you name it, they were there huney! In addition, it was also a "Fashion Royal" A-List event--where several of Europe's top Fashion Designers and Models also somehow, got one of those prized invitations. It's Monaco, after all:
Euro Royals-Meets-Euro Fashion:
Giorgio Armani and niece Roberta Armani in Armani Prive Spring 2010: Armani, who designed the bride's gorgeous wedding gown arrived with his NIECE--and the director of VIP PR for the House--Roberta Armani. Giorgio, who is (wait for it) an unbelievable, 76 YEARS OLD (he's about to turn 77 next week!), looked very trim and dapper (and about 56 years old!!), while his niece Roberta wore a dress...
"Inspired" by an Armani Prive Spring 2010 black strapless gown with attached side cape detail. The version Roberta wore was "cocktail length".
Naomi Campbell in Alexander McQueen: Supermodel Naomi Campbell arrived in a one-shoulder flower-embroidered mint-green gown from Alexander McQueen Pre-Autumn/Winter 2009 Collection, with Russian boyfriend Vladislav Doronin, property tycoon and Russia's "Donald Trump", albeit a (little bit) hotter version (Naomi ain't no fool! She knows who does and who DOES NOT have private planes darling!).
Roberto Cavalli and his second wife, Eva Cavalli: Eva was a former Miss Austria and a Miss Universe 1977 Runner Up, and she is also Chief Designer and Business Partner for La Roberto! Miss Eva wore a navy blue pant suit with sequin top, HUGE hoop earrings and a FAB navy blue hat.
Karolina Kurkova in Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Haute Couture Fall 2009 (yes, it's three yrs old...almost "Vintage!")--Karolina looked smashing in...
the navy blue suit-dress made from silk taffeta with sequin crystal back "train". Inquiring minds want to know if A) She ordered it and had it "made to order" (and therefore payed the $50-75,000 cost, which I am sure Karolina can afford) or... B) Did she just borrow the Archive Runway Sample? Just wonderin' Finally...
Karl Lagerfeld and his (fill in the blank) Sebastien Jondeau--Karl was of course, present at the Monaco Royal Wedding as he is not only a close family friend but dressed Princess Caroline, her daughter Charlotte, Princess Stefanie's daughter Pauline as well as several others. Lagerfeld arrived with Sebastien Jondeau--who has been recently refered to as "Lagerfeld's "shadow" . Look at Karl's fingerless gloves! You. Do. Not. Want. To. Mess. With. Those...
Bar Refaeli, together with Giorgio Armani, will be featured in the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar. The photo shoot took place at the designer's 213-foot yatch as Bar modeled the elegant creations of Giorgio Armani. Photo Source: harper's bazaar
The Fall/Winter 2010/2011 ad campaign of Giorgio Armani portrays a fierce fashion. It features classic but futuristic pieces in red and black color palettes.
Aside from Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys will also wear Giorgio Armani as her concert costumes. For her "The Element of Freedom" concert tour, the fans will see Alicia Keys in four Giorgio Armani creations.
The first costume includes a glittering crocodile-printed military jacket with crystals and sequins and silk leggings with Swarovski crystals.
The second costume is a one-shoulder silk top with embroidery details and crystal-encrusted leather boots. The third costume is a sexy one-shouldered dark gray silk chiffon gown paired with black sandals.
The fourth costume is a flirty mini-dress with bold shoulders and ruffles.
COUTURE DAHHHLING!!!!!! Sarah Palin Couture: Belorusian model Olga Sherer in her "Going Huntin' " ensemble
This season, John Galliano was inspired by Charles James, Standard Oil Heiress Millicent Rodgers, Dressage and the Turn-of-the-Century Gibson Girl. It was VERY old-school Dior; Monsieur Dior would have proud (I think). The show began with 1900's Equestrian suiting that if they were made several years back, would have end up in a W Magazine spread featuring Madonna and her estate in England. Lots of folding, pleating and Galliano continued his obsession with the full-front/fitted back look reminiscent of his "Egypt/Pharoah Dior Haute Couture Collection" back in 2004.A Met Couture Exhibit: Polish Runway Supermodel Magdalena Frackowiak looking like something out of a John Singer Sergent Painting
The collection seemed to be stuck on this "Equestrian Costume Diva" theme for a while until the full gowns came forth. They were marvelous in their technical mastery, draping and UBER femininity. The final gown, worn by Brazilian model Goddess Thana Kuhnen was VERY inspired by... the 1949 Dior "Junon" Gown. The petal scallop shaped hem and the delicate crystal beading were a definite homage. Click below to see the entire runway show: Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture-- Part 1
Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture-- Part 2 Chanel Haute Couture: Love, Live, Silk Charmeuse...and Bermuda (Shorts)!For his Spring/Summer Haute Couture 2010 Chanel Collection, Karl Lagerfeld sent out heart-shaped hair with over-sized bows, fitted Bermuda shorts with the iconic Chanel jackets and lots of silk charmeuse/silk-back crepe. Asymmetrical cowl draping, lot of bias-cut, and hand-applied crystal embroidery throughout. Can't wait to see Chloe Sevigny try and work one of these $45,000 hand-made wonders in an upcoming Awards Show. I'm not so sure if any of Lagerfeld's jet-setting clients would go for the shorts-suit look but those silk charmeuse side cowl gowns are A MUST!!!! Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture--Preview
Armani Prive: Over the "Moon" with Curviform!I honestly think this was one of Armani's best Prive Collections. I have been following all of his Haute Couture shows, season after season. And it has been very "hit-and-miss". Editors are somehow afraid to just come out and say it, but... some of his last collections have been a MESS: Tricky Hair, trickier draping, a bit too "dated" and 80's...and not in a good way. BUT... this Spring 2010 Prive Collection was TRES CHIC! One of his best. At least in my humble opinion. There was a Moon Theme, using half-moon Mother-of-Pearl brooches and curved shapes throughout.It was all about under-stiffening, buckram-backed ruffles and flutters. With all that, it was still 100 % romantic, feminine and Boy, I could see half of it at the Academy Awards! Speaking of Oscars, when I saw this gown above, all I could think of was actress Tilda Swinton. I know she's a fan of Viktor and Rolf and the more Avant-Garde designers but this off-the-shoulder stiffened neckline ivory princess-seamed Gown is SO HER!!! Armani Prive 2010 Spring/Summer: Preview
Rihanna in Custom Giorgio Armani: Again, another "Custom Giorgio Armani"--but in completely different direction than what I last commented on in my Adele post. With Adele, he went "Retro Vintage 60's Demure", but with Rihanna, it's Halston-Meets-Studio 54 Sex! I guess, depending on the Star, Armani and his team will create anything for you!
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