18th Annual SAG Awards: Who Wore What? Rose Byrne in Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2009

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2009: Actress Rose Byrne is giving you a sequined hand-beaded pant suit! Yes, I said PANT SUIT--albeit a HAUTE COUTURE one, from Lebanese couturier Elie Saab and his Haute Couture collection from three years ago. It's got drop shoulder details, a pretty front cowl drape and it also looks as if she (or her stylist) added a white belt--to accentuate her teenie tiny waist--and so the jumpsuit silhouette wouldn't look so "boxy", like in the runway sample. I liked it, what do you guys think? Let me know...

Runway Report: Paris Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week--Elie Saab

Baby Got Couture Back

Ice, Ice Baby: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Elie Saab is criticized for making collections that are safe and often repetitive. Often you could interchange one season for another and not really tell the difference. This collection is no exception in that Saab sticks to his trademark of sending out beautifully crafted gowns and cocktail dresses that look as if they are floating down the runway.

I, for one, have no problem with his aesthetic and I am sure his many clients in Dubai and China don't mind it either. Yes, while watching the video you do get a bit glassy eyed from all the continuous hand beaded concoctions, but the House of Elie Saab is certainly giving all there couture clients (and Red Carpet Actresses) plenty of options, and letting them feel comfortable that their dress will be unique from the others.

Ballerina Chic: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

For Fall/Winter 2011 (Yes, this is Saab's version of Fall! No fur and wool for this client!) there were a few themes that stood out in the collection. Elie made the beading lighter and more transparent with breathtaking beading on the most delicate chiffon that he draped and pleated across the body. Also, there was a Ballerina feel to his cocktail dresses with short skirts that were pleated and full. This might be a Fall/Winter 2011 Haute Couture trend alert.

Caplet Queen: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Probably the most standout trend of the collection was the open backs on many of the dresses. Unfortunately not apparent in the photos (make sure to watch the video below), the gowns and cocktail dresses had stunning backs that were completely open, delicately draped or open with delicate shear caplets.

Below are more looks from the collection:

Bronze and Beaded: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Blouson Couture: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Blue Shear: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

One Shoulder Goddess: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Click below to watch the entire Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011 Runway Show:

Royal Fashion Minute: Princess Beatrice Hires Stylist

Beatrice The Fashionista...

Beatrice and The Hat, at William and Kate's Royal Wedding-pre-stylist

It was just announced that our dear Princess Beatrice--yes, the one of THE famous Philip Treacy hat at the William & Kate Royal Wedding has hired a stylist!! According to the Daily Mail, she has hired Charlie Anderson, who is represented by Naked Artists (and they confirmed the news by the way) Not sure why--personally, I think she was doing just fine. Supposedly, it had a lot to do with "The Hat" incident, but to tell you the truth A) I LOVED the hat and B) I think she looked FAB in that Valentino Haute Couture coat-dress ensemble. I think she "stole the show" that day (besides Pippa of course!). So, I'm at a loss as to why she would need to hire one. Also, she doesn't really work, so how can she afford to....hire a stylist? And one who charges 1,500 Pounds ($2,400) a day. Her father, Prince Andrew is footing the bill, one assumes.

Gown Perfect: Princesses Beatrice (left) and Eugenie (right) with mom, Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, White Tie And Tiara Ball

Anderson happens to be actress Emma Watson's stylist (as well as others) and is very connected with all the top fashion designers. One of her first assignments was to style Beatrice for the White Tie And Tiara Ball hosted by Sir Elton John.

$117,000 Perfection: Princess Beatrice in Elie Saab Spring 2011 Haute Couture

The Princess wore a blush-colored, completely hand-beaded gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2011 Collection priced at 73,000 Pounds--approximately $117,000 (yes kids, THAT'S what a COUTURE Gown costs!!). As you tell from the above, the gown was probably THE actual Runway sample (look how LONG it is on Beatrice!) since designers don't really make several samples of their Haute Couture gowns that cost over $100,000.

Beatrice's Elie Saab Spring 2011 Haute Couture Gown--on the runway

It will be interesting to see how much more of a "Fashion Gal" Princess Beatrice will be now that she has hired a stylist...Time and more Red Carpet events, will tell...

Red Carpet Report: Beaded and/or Backless Gowns

BACKLESS + Beaded = GORG!

Recently, lots of actresses, models, your "Usual Red Carpet Subjects" have been GIVING Backless and/or Full-on Beaded on the Red Carpet--here are some examples--including one from my own NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection...

Sequined Hilary: Hilary Swank in Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture at the 2011 International Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto Canada over the weekend. Why Toronto for the International Indian Film Academy Awards, you might ask? Well, kiddies, according to this, the Greater Toronto area has the second largest population of people of Indian descent in NORTH AMERICA!!!! Yep! Moving on...Miss Swank is wearing an absolutely stunning gown from the Lebanese designer's Haute Couture Collection--which means that EVERY single one of those beads was applied BY HAND and so were the seams that were sewn. NO machines darlings. That's why this gown would probably cost around $100,000 if you were to order it. It's a good guess Miss Hilary got it for free--lent that is...

Silver Goddess: Victoria's Secret Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Naeem Khan at the Germany Premiere of Transformers 3. Naeem has been in the news as of late because the US First Lady, Michelle Obama just LOVES wearing his designs. He is an American Fashion Designer of Indian origin who has a very good business creating evening gowns. Love the cap sleeves, love the back train, well done! It's both chic, and UBER glamorous. I also adore that side-knot-twisted hairstyle.

Spanish actress Paz Vega at the Shanghai Film Festival in an all-over sequined backless gown featuring long fitted sleeves and (gasp!) shoulder pads! (yes, ladies, they are back...and have been for a while!). Interesting that when I looked at the photo on the right--doesn't it look as if the back of her gown just came undone? Or it's about to. Or maybe, it was hooked way beyond the edge of the back closure....who knows. (sorry too much "Fashion Terminology"). I still LIKE it. Fits her well, the oversized paillettes are great, good job Paz.

She Loves a Mini: Cameron Diaz in Emilio Pucci Fall 2011 at the Moscow Premiere of Bad Teacher. All over sequins in gold and black work well with Cameron Diaz. And she loves a mini--16-18" below her natural waist seems to be her favorite hem length. I do like that the rest of her is covered--the three-quarter sleeves the bateau neckline.

Finally...there's model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011: My NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul and I just love this gown and because it fits this blog's "Category", of course, we had to add it!!! No one has worn it yet and many, many actresses and stylists have "pulled this dress" but no one has used it yet--maybe there's still time for a FAB Red Carpet Moment for this gown...

64th Annual Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Report: Le Divas-- A Fashion Report Card!

Cannes Queens:


Penelope Cruz in Marchesa Fall 2011: Attending the Premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in a lavender colored embroidered silk tulle Marchesa gown from one of my favorite collections from that design firm. We saw actress Rachel McAdams, during the Opening Ceremonies and "Midnight In Paris" Premiere, also wearing a gown from the same collection. Penelope looked stunning--as usual. Her hair, pulled-back with only bangs showing was perfect for "topping off" this gown. She loves a "Mermaid/Flamenco" silhouette and this was a new way of showing this. The simple drop earrings and small clutch finish the look impeccably. Olé!
Grade: A

Soonam Kapoor in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Haute Couture: Attending "The Artist" Premiere at the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Indian Bollywood actress Soonam Kapoor became an instant COUTURE DIVA at the Cannes Film Festival, wearing this silk organza with MAJAH Horsehair hem detailed ivory-and-black gown from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2009 Haute Couture Collection--from two years ago. Since probably no one actually ordered this hand-made gown--it makes sense to get it out of the Gaultier Couture Archives and have it be worn...One word: WORK!
Grade: A.

Li Bingbing in Georges Chakra Spring 2011 Haute Couture: The beautiful Chinese-born actress wore an Haute Couture (one-of-a-kind/hand-made) creation from Lebanese fashion designer Georges Chakra attending "The Artist" Premiere. It was a strapless "Princess Ball Gown" in baby-blue tulle with original torso and bustier applique. This gown could easily have gone into Disney and Quinceañera mode, but it still somehow, did not.
Grade: B.

Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2009: Attending the "Polisse" Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Chinese-born actress and singer Fan Bingbing has quickly positioned herself to be the Cannes Red Carpet DIVA!!! Here, she wore a white Elie Saab Fall 2009 Haute Couture Gown from one of my favorite collections from this Lebanese fashion designer. The elongated and VERY exaggerated lace re-embroidered sleeves are FABU-licious!!! No need to eat with this gown (can you imagine getting one of those sleeves in your mushroom soup!), it's all about stepping onto the Red Carpet, posing and SERVING IT to them!!! The only thing she--and/or her stylist--did wrong: The earrings and necklace. They were SO not needed. Therefore...
Grade: A-

Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2011: Oh Fan, you are my new Red Carpet Obsession! Either you have a FAB stylist with LOTS of connections, or your PR Department is working OVERTIME, but seriously, you have become a COUTURE DESIGNER'S new "Wet Dream". Here is Chinese-born actress/singer Fan Bingbing (and new-found fashionista muse!) attending the "Wu Xia" Premiere in a Versace Atelier Spring 2011 ombre silk "Mermaid" gown. It's a GORGEOUS gown but something happened from her hotel limo ride to the red carpet--and the wrinkles show it! It's very difficult to keep silk Habotai pressed darlings. Hand-held steamer anyone?
Grade: B-

Fan Bingbing in Versace Atelier Spring 2011: Attending "The Artist" Premiere, my new favorite girl, Fan Bingbing wore a Versace Atelier Spring 2011 purple ombre strapless bustier and crinkled organza ruffle gown. Since the gown itself--estimated at about $50,000 if she were actually to buy it--is so "Costume-y" and reminiscent of the late 19th/early 20th Century, I would have advised her to do a more modern hairstyle (like in the Look Book Photo above). But she didn't, and therefore , it sort of threw her entire look off, and made her look almost--dowdy.
Grade: B-

Fan Bingbing in Chris Bu Kewen: Finally, during the Opening Ceremony Red Carpet earlier in the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Miss Fan Bingbing wore a red silk printed strapless gown with a Watteau back designed by her stylist, Chris Bu Kewen. It's very Christian Dior by John Galliano "Madama Butterfly" Spring 2007 Haute Couture Collection, and therefore: I LOVE it! This is the first "Cannes Red Carpet Impression" lots of "Who-is-Fan-Bingbing" folk got of her, and well, WOW: That's a great First Impression!
Grade: A.