Dolce & Gabbana Debuts Alta Moda | A Couture Collection

Dolce and Gabbana finally debuts its first ever couture collection called Alta Moda. Having previously produced one-off gowns for Scarlett Johansson, Bianca Brandolini and Andrea Dellal, you would think taking the Haute Couture initiative was the next natural step.

So after 27 years of ready-to-wear, 6 years of planning and 6 months of production, Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana and their 35-strong design team have finally made history by showing their first-ever haute couture line –a whopping 73 looks– at the San Domenica Palace Hotel in Taormina, Sicily.

Only selected media were invited, namely The Daily Telegraph, Le Figaro and Corriere della Sera as well as editors of the various international editions of Vogue. Other notable guests included Monica Bellucci, Laetitia Casta, Scarlett Johansson, Isabella Rossellini, Francesco Scianna, Naomi Campbell, Marpessa Hennink, Stephanie Seymour and the current face of Dolce and Gabbana, Bianca Brandolini. No tweeting, filming or publication of any kind were allowed except for a few photo opportunities. Ultra secretive a la Tom Ford, but does it live up to the hype?

The debut Dolce and Gabbana Alta Moda Couture collection was nothing but full of classic Dolce and Gabbana signatures. Sicilian lace, embroideries, corset gowns, appliques, jewels, florals, bows, sheer fabrics and sheath silhouettes laden with Baroque elements. It was feminine flair as usual, nothing special or different from the ready-to-wear collections of late but perhaps more expensive craftsmanship and embellishments with a slight extravagant quality. Still, I can’t wait to see the full collection.

A first step nonetheless but it remains to be seen if Dolce and Gabbana will ever be inducted into the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and show at the Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris. Only time will tell.

“…is not because of us, but the customers. They really do not want to see their dresses in a magazine.” -Stefano Gabbana

“This is our style. It is not trend, I do not care if it is cool. Prêt-à-porter is different, it is about cool and how many covers will we get this season. Here, we are completely free. So for me this is not work but pleasure.” -Domenico Dolce

“Where Parisian couture riffs on French cultural tradition, this Alta Moda would look to all things Sicilian, from the ornamented excess of its Baroque period to the dress worn by Claudia Cardinale when she dances (to that same Verdi waltz) in The Leopard.” -Luke Leitch, The Daily Telegraph

“Lace and double satin tailleurs, embroideries dresses and simple sheath dresses, as well as redingotes and lambskin little coats and painted dresses…A new chapter in the history of Italian fashion was written today.” -Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Italia

Image Credits: telegraph.co.uk, tfs/@CameronDecades

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Mango Fall 2011 Video | The Great Escape

The promotional video entitled The Great Escape for Mango’s Fall 2011 collection features Kate Moss and Terry Richardson on the run in a van racing through iconic locations of Paris such as the Mini Palais, Place de la Concorde, Place de l’Alma, Champs Elysées and the Centre Pompidou. And yes they are wearing a mask with Terry’s face on it (say what?). The final scene -sees them arriving at their destination- was shot and broadcast live during the Mango Fall/Winter 2011 fashion show at the Centre Pompidou last month.

Mango Fall/Winter 2011 fashion show final walkthrough.

‘Working with Mango was incredible, as was working with Terry Richardson. I loved working with him in the video. It was fantastic both of us being in front of the camera, it’s a completely different sensation. I loved not being alone and having somebody to share ideas with.’ -Kate Moss

I think this was easy money in the bank for Kate and Terry. I totally don’t get the concept of the video, and the collection was only seen briefly, too briefly. With that being said, I think incorporating fashion with video is a lot harder than it seems. First of all, you got to have a clear concept, a good one and then find the perfect scenes to showcase the collection because let’s face it, it has always been about the clothes. Easy? What do you think? All glitz and no substance.

This was probably one of the worst videos I’ve seen ever. The concept and collection must go hand in hand and this one was way off. Kate Moss? Terry Richardson of all people? I mean at least the leading role should have gone to the face of Mango, no? Scarlett Johansson if I’m correct. It’s just common sense. And for the record, Terry didn’t have to be in it. Maybe Mango needs a shakeup in their creative direction.

Check out Prabal Gurung’s Resort 2012 video featuring Rye Rye’s New Thing and House of Holland’s Resort 2012 video featuring Eliza Cummings.

The 68th Annual Golden Globes

The 68th Annual Golden Globes happened this morning and I thought I might take a peek at what some of the stars are wearing. It’s been a while since I’ve seen red carpet looks so here we go.

Amy Adams in Marchesa. Of course a red carpet would not be complete without Marchesa. To be honest I’m quite tired of hearing that name.

Ladies rocking the full-sleeve look. From the top: Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive (this one has a bareback from Fall 2010) and Leighton Meester in Burberry Prorsum and Jimmy Choo shoes.

A ‘big’ and very curvy Christina Aguilera in Zuhair Murad. (she is big by her standards) Had to post this.

Super sexy soft curls. From the top: Dianna Agron in J. Mendel and Jayma Mays in Alberta Ferretti.

Simple and clean. From the top: Emma Stone in Calvin Klein and Tilda Swinton in Jil Sander (Jil Sander Spring 2011 is the bomb I’m telling ya!)

Designer cameos. From the top: Eva Longoria in Zac Posen, Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung, Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs (seen here with Seal) and Scarlett Johansson flying the flag for Elie Saab [only one ].

Kaley Cuoco in a lampshade Katharine Kidd.

Ladies and gays OOGLE NOW! Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Prada

Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf. I just want to pluck that rose off her cleavage. She’s here because of her naughty thank-you speech.

Jennifer Love Hewitt in Romona Keveza. She’s too short and stubby and loose the belt girl. The runway version‘s tons better. The label had a dismal showing here so I’m only posting one look. Their bridal collections are more fun. Check out Farah Angsana while you’re at it.

Ruffles ruffles. I like them all. From the top: Jennifer Lawrence in Louis Vuitton, Julie Bowen in Tadashi Shoji, Lea Michele in Oscar De La Renta and Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang.

January Jones in Atelier Versace. One for the guys! Even Ryan Seacrest admitted he was distracted when he interviewed her on the red carpet. Love her in Mad Men.

My favourites. From the top: Olivia Wilde in Marchesa and Christian Louboutin shoes, Milla Jovovich in Armani Prive (those soft curls are TO DIE FOR!), Megan Fox in a custom-made Armani Prive gown, Mila Kunis in Vera Wang and Mandy Moore (say WHAT) in Monique Lhuillier.

Last but not least, Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham. My favourite hairstyle on the red carpet because it’s the one I wanna have!

x fashionslop

Image Source: style.com

Amber Heard in Marchesa

Amber Heard’s star is on the rise and it’s not because she nailed it on the red carpet at the ‘Salt’ L.A. Premiere in a nude strapless Marchesa dress with matching nude peep-toe pumps and a gold clutch with her hair pulled back. I love everything about this look including the makeup. I keep staring at her and I just can’t find any thing negative to say. Her star is on the rise and not because of this flawless look but because she will appear opposite Johnny Depp in ‘The Rum diary’, slated to be released this year. It was reported that she won the role over Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley. I love seeing how young starlets step up on the big stage (she’s only 24) and can’t wait to see how she blossoms.

Just simply stunning