beyond addicted: June 2011

Sunday, June 19

Oh, Lola! Oh, Dakota!

I’m in the mood to discover some more of the newest fragrances about to hit our shelves. This time we turn to one of the busiest men in fashion... MARC JACOBS!

Juicy and youthful Oh Lola! will be launched this September. Based on Marc’s last big hit Lola, this new rendition accentuates the dark, sultry notes of the original, but adds a fruity twist. Oh Lola! is designed to be worn on a summer days, described as lively, playful, irresistible, stylish and cheerful.

The fragrance, created by Ann Gottlieb, is blended from fresh and sweet fruity tones, together with floral accords of peony and velvety background of vanilla. The notes include wild strawberry, raspberry, pear, peony, sandalwood and vanilla. The signature Lola bottle has retained its original design, updated with pink color palette.

Actress Dakota Fanning is the face of Marc Jacobs’s latest fragrance, which was shot by Juergen Teller in Los Angeles in February. Although the Teller-shot campaign isn’t officially unveiled until August, the images of Fanning channelling Marc Jacob’s Lolita have been leaked online. The decision to cast the young actor isn’t a stretch for Jacobs– the 17 year old epitomises a combination of both innocence and allure.

“I’ve been a big fan of Dakota since the first time I saw her in a movie, and we made her a wardrobe in her size when she was 12, which was pretty incredible. When we were speaking about whom to use in the Oh, Lola fragrance ads — I had recently seen ‘The Runaways.’ Dakota was in it, and I knew she could be this contemporary Lolita, seductive yet sweet.” Jacobs told wwd about the young actress.

All I can say is BEYOND STUNNING - FRAGRANCE & CAMPAIGN... I am in love with the combination of fragrance notes and I think Dakota looks beautiful . Her eyes are sooooooo POWERFUL.

Another scent on my Christmas list...

Have a lovely week all...

Ciao!

Luciana

Vera is Lovestruck by Leighton!

Vera Wang has created a multimillion dollar fortune through perfect brand extensions and correct product associations. The new union of Vera Wang and Leighton Meester is BEYOND FLAWLESS.

Vera and Leighton hit Harrods, London, on June 9, to celebrate the exclusive launch of Vera’s new fragrance ‘Vera Wang Lovestruck’, which Leighton is the new face of.

The Gossip Girl actress looked sexy yet stylish in a striking rock chic outfit . Leighton paired a sleeveless pleated nude blouse with tight black leather trousers from the Vera Wang Autumn 2011 collection, which she styled with Brian Atwood “Rina” platforms and amazing Dannijo jewellery.

On the other hand Vera Wang wore cropped black trousers paired with a grey sweater also from her Autumn 2011. I LOVE Vera’s style, she embodies simplistic elegance.

Casting is especially important for Wang, who said she takes great pride in the fact that her runway models — not to mention her fragrance ads “don’t look model-y.” This is Leighton's first perfume campaign and Vera's third: her two scents, Vera Wang Signature (2002) and Princess (2006) have been popular among audiences. “I think this is the hardest we’ve ever worked on an overall fragrance concept,” said Wang of the Murano-inspired floral cap, the enamelled script on the bottle, and the scent itself.

The scent was concocted by Givaudan’s Stephen Nilsen in collaboration with Doreen Bollhofer. The top notes of pink guava and angelica flower transition to a heart of tuberose and lotus blossom and a dry down of precious woods and sheer musk. Those who know me well know that “I KNOW PERFUME”... and I can’t wait to try this stunning fragrance. The sheer musk finish will make “Lovestruck” the perfect romantic floral fragrance that will remain on the skin for hours...

Shot on a chilly November day, the gorgeous ad campaign has Meester fitted in a maroon couture Vera Wang gown. “Everyone else was in three parkas, and Leighton stood there in a strapless evening gown,” said Wang. “I was above it all — literally,” said Meester, referring to her fourth-floor perch on the Mercer Street building’s fire escape.

“When I heard tourists saying, ‘I want to look like her,’ I knew we were right on the money,” Vera said on the day of the shoot. “There’s nothing like the real client in the street, and I mean the street literally — and in windows literally.”

I love how the ad has no words... The romance between the actors is whimsical and fantasty like. Their body language says it all...

Also take a look at the behind the scenes footage of Vera & Leighton at Harrods!!! These two stylish ladies sure know how to pull a crowd...

Lovestruck will be available in the US from August so I assume it should arrive in Australia by September/October - Just in time for Christmas!!

Ciao!

Luciana

Monday, June 13

Princess Kate - The newest style Queen!

Even before she became the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton has perfected a royal style that has never been seen before. Kate is feminine, sleek & modern, whilst her choice of designers is always attainable for the average style stalker.

Kate shopping in London last week...

From before the wedding, Kate’s choice of outfits has been simply perfection. When the couple’s engagement photos were shot at St. James’ Palace in London, the extravagant background was the perfect background for the modest couple.

In the casual shot, Kate wears jeans and a white Whistles blouse while the Prince wears jeans, a white Turnbull & Asser shirt, and a brown Brunello Cucinelli jumper supplied by photographer Mario Testino. The second shows the Prince in a suit, shirt and tie from royal outfitters Turnbull & Asser. Kate wears a white $325 Reiss dress with just a single pearl earring visible. The demand for the stunning white dress crashed the Reiss website as demand flooded the high street designer. The best thing about these photos is that Kate did her own make up. She obviously isn’t one to be fussed over, which makes her even more relatable. The couple are BEYOND IN LOVE in these photos!

When Kate Middleton stepped out of the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom, she stepped straight the pages of fashion history, finally revealing her wedding dress to a waiting world audience, estimated at around two billion people. She carried a small bouquet of flowers which bore a secret love message to her future husband.

Nearly 200 years of British royal history were incorporated into the wedding dress of the century which Sarah Burton created for Kate Middleton 's marriage to Prince William . Its exquisite hand-embroidered and appliquéd lace, while the classic and graceful lines were inspired by the romantic style of Princess Grace. The English Cluny lace was hand worked in the Carrick across tradition, which originated in Ireland in the 1820's, and was mixed with French Chantilly lace. BEYOND REGAL!

The wedding dress was a model of sumptuous simplicity, perfectly suited to the sweet and serene style of the woman who is now Duchess of Cambridge and is destined to be the future Queen of England.

The design was fabulous, fashionable and fairytale, perfectly in tune with Ms Middleton's desire that it should combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Britain's most famous fashion label, established by the late Lee Alexander McQueen, in 1994.

"It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton, to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every minute of it," Sarah Burton said.

BEYOND STUNNING!!

When the happy couple returned from their amazing honeymoon in the Seychelles, Kate looked bronzed, fit, and regal in her first official visit since the wedding. Wearing another creation by Reiss, this fitted mushroom dress called the “Shola Bandage Dress” is a neutral and sleek choice with a cinched waste and modest cap sleeves. Kate’s choice of dress again crashed the Reiss website. Kate is becoming a designers dream with her “KATE-EFFECT”... To add a contemporary edge to the outfit, Kate chose an Anya Hindmarch’s Maud clutch in black silk to top off the look.

Again in Reiss, Kate wowed attendees of the Epsom Derby last weekend as she stepped out in a gorgeous, white knee-length “Reiss Peacock Dress” with matching jacket, beige pumps and a BEYOND FABULOUS taupe hat.

To complete the look, Kate styled her hair in a refined ponytail. Soooooo stylish for our modern princess. As expected, retailer Reiss reported that their Peacock Dress is sold out. The KATE – EFFECT hits again!

Cameras went ballistic on Thursday (June 9) night, as Kate and William made an appearance at a glamorous London fundraiser.

The gorgeous Kate wore a floor-length blush organza Jenny Packham gown at the 10th annual Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) gala dinner. William was comforting to Kate as she laughed while stopping on the purple carpet and posing for photographers.

As soon as I saw this dress I knew I had seen it before... and then I remembered I had seen it on Blair (Leighton Meester) in Gossip Girl Season 4 during Episode 20: "The Princesses and the Frog." Blair was playing the modern fiancé of royalty and then as luck would have it our modern princess wore the same gown. BEYOND PERFECT for our PERFECT PRINCESS!!

Six weeks after gracing the world with a Royal kiss, Kate and William returned to Buckingham Palace on Saturday to celebrate the Trooping of the Colour and celebrate the 85th birthday of the Queen.

All eyes were on the newlyweds, as Kate’s style was in full force, wearing a double-breasted cream coat and black hat, as she travelled through the streets of London in a carriage with other members of the Royal family. William however was participating as an honorary colonel on horseback.

Moments later, Kate and her sister Pippa had headed to Berkshire for the wedding of their mutual friend jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and Annabel Ballin. The Duchess of Cambridge went for a monochrome printed dress worn with the very same hat from the morning’s duties and classic black pumps; it was BEYOND PERFECT wedding attire.

I hope you enjoyed my style stalking of the most naturally beautiful woman.

Kate Middleton will forever be the epitome of “Less is More”...

Ciao!

Luciana

Wednesday, June 8

Beyond Addicted Fashion Police - The 2011 cfda Fashion Awards!!!!!

2011 CFDA FASHION AWARDS

For the tenth year in a row, the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards - sponsored by Swarovski – were held at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Centre on Tuesday (June 7). Always a delight for the eyes, I have wrapped up all the winners, best and worst dressed from the star studded NYC event. If you can’t tell I’m BEYOND ADDICTED to ANY fashion event and EVERY RED CARPET.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) paid tribute to Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler as they were honoured with the 2011 “Womenswear Designer of the Year” award , presented by Naomi Watts.

I have fallen in love with Proenza the past couple of seasons… Especially the ps1… Love at first sight…

The BEYOND SEXY Gerard Butler presented the award for “Menswear Designer of the Year” to Michael Bastian.

The ADORABLE Alexander Wang took home the Accessory Designer of the Year Award, presented by Iris Apfel.

Supermodel Karolina Kurkova presented the three Swarovski Awards, which honor and recognize emerging talent. The Swarovski award for womenswear was given to Prabal Gurung, the menswear award was presented to Robert Geller and the accessory designer award went to Eddie Borgo. The well deserving winners in each category receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative crystal products and applications for fashion. Can’t wait to see the sparkles that they produce…

Robert Geller, Nadja Swarovski, Eddie Borgo, Karolina Kurkova and Prabal Gurung

In celebration of Swarovski’s tenth year of sponsoring the event, 21 past recipients of the Swarovski Awards for emerging talent - now top names in the industry - appeared on the stage to honor Swarovski’s nurturing of American talent. What an array of talent??!! (sorry can’t find a pic of them all on stage)

When the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Marc Jacobs by Sofia Coppola for his consistent & creative influence on fashion I got chills… Two power houses on stage at once, one a fashion power house and the other of film. In a special closing segment of the Awards, Marc Jacobs incorporated a career retrospective followed by a live presentation of looks from his Fall 2011 collection shown on models that appeared on a custom-built stage by Scott Pask.

Lady Gaga was accompanied by her parents Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta to the event and was the recipient of The Fashion Icon Award, given by Stephen Gan of Harper’s Bazaar, Visionaire, and V Magazine. Lady Gaga’s award has been overshadowed by her boob flash on the red carpet as she leant forward.

One of the most feminine and romantic designers on the planet Phoebe Philo of Céline was recognized with this year’s International Award presented by Kanye West. Kanye West looked very sleek all in white but Phoebe shined in her stunning black suit.

Vogue’s Grace Coddington (the most fashionable 70 year old I know) bestowed the Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award to photographer Arthur Elgort, for his indelible contribution to fashion over the years.

In addition to the nominees and honorees, some of the most influential names in American fashion were in attendance including CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson, Brad Goreski (My favourite male stylist), Chanel Iman, Derek Lam, Donna Karan, Francisco Costa, Jason Wu, Kenneth Cole, L’Wren Scott, Michael Kors, Phillip Lim, Vera Wang and Zac Posen.

Now for the “Beyond Addicted Fashion Police – CFDA 2011 EDITION”…

BEST DRESSED GOES TO…

#1 Gwyneth Paltrow in Michael Kors