Louise Gray Does Glittering Rave Garms for Topshop

I love Louise Gray. Her light hearted, colourful aesthetic is so fun and who doesn't love clothes that make you smile?  Her bold new six-piece clothing collaboration with Topshop, pictured above, is a riot of smiley sequinned rave culture pieces which you really have to see on to tell just how well they work, particularly the sequinned spotted cardigan/jacket. 

This happy little collation is bound to be a quick fire sell out as soon as it drops in stores and online at www.topshop.com this Thursday (23rd August) but if you miss out on the clothing and still want to grab yourself a piece of that unique Louise Gray style, she's also bringing out a beauty range for Topshop Makeup - more on that later.

Beautiful Ballgowns: V&A's British Glamour Since 1950 Exhibition Is Not To Be Missed

By now I'm sure you've all heard about the incredible Ballgowns exhibition which opens at the V&A this Saturday and seen all the twitpics of exquisite frocks from the likes of Giles Deacon, Ossie Clark, Marchesa and Gareth Pugh.  I'm not sure I've seen anyone post images of my favourite from the exhibition though which is this phenomenal silk satin Cindy Beadman number pictured here with matching jacket from the late 1970s. I appreciate the way she's combined evening chic with a snuggly, quilted style that doesn't look out of place today.  In fact, I wish I had this outfit so badly so I could wear it with these shoes.

With over sixty showstopping looks designed for the likes of balls, society and red carpet events, I can't recommend this stunning exhibition highly enough; the wonderful collection catalogues the rise of glamorous formal wear and charts its social influences - do stop and watch the old films showing early society girl catwalks which are projected onto the white walls of the exhibit's inner circle. It's more than worth a tenner of anyone's money.  

Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, 19th May 2012 - 6th January 2013 - for more information and to book tickets visit: www.vam.ac.uk 

Met Gala 2012 Fashion - Tiers, Trains and The Death of Pink Tresses

Last night New York's Metropolitan Museum played host fash pack plus a few randoms (James Cordon?? Apparently he's big on Broadway now) at the US Vogue-produced annual Costume Institute Benefit, aka the Met Ball, or as Vogue prefer, the Met Gala.

Called the 'East Coast Oscars', the Met Ball is a serious fashion occasion where the Red Carpet is EVERYTHING but more often than not this year's event, held in honour of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiapparelli, previewing the forthcoming must see Met exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, drew gasps in more of a hot mess kind of way, with only a few notable exceptions.

I adore the tasselled, tiered, look of Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen (as usual), pictured spinning to show off the dress' movement, above, and Scarlett Johansson's heavily embellished golden off the shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown was exquisite but - given the fuzziness of the livestream - I thought she'd already arrived when I saw blonde bombshell no. 2, Amber Heard, make her entrance in this dusky Zac Posen number.

As Twitter blew up over supercool supermodel Coco Roca working pink hair on the carpet I thought it was going to be so major, especially teamed with Liz Taylor's canary yellow vintage Givenchy trouser suit (complete with Liz-spilled wine stain, not yet removed) but ohhhhhh... what a shame Tulisa of all people got there first, and on Britain's Got Talent too. So not high fashion. I think this has officially killed off the pink tips trend for good.

Trains and feathered hems were everywhere and with varying degrees of success (I love you Beyonce so I'm not even going to go into it) - my favourite was Cate Blanchett in another McQueen creation (below) but this time in chic but camera-unfriendly black. How Rihanna got into her slinky, scoop back Tom Ford sheath dress made from one piece of crocodile skin is a mystery (she said it was stretchy - what sorcery is this, Mr. Ford?) but it was perfect for her - maybe she should give her stylist's number to Kristen Stewart? #justsayin

PS. The livestream from last night is still available to watch on the Met's website here - I totally recommend it, especially for the paparazzi and their hilarious shouts at people blocking their shots, "COULD YOU GO TEXT SOMEWHERE ELSE??" etc. and mistaking Florence Welch, Cate Blanchett and McQueen supremo Sarah Burton's group arrival for early 90s girl band, Wilson Phillips - "oh no, actually it's Rage Against the Machine". Brilliant.

All images above from www.nymag.com - check The Cut for a comprehensive collection of Met Gala 2012 red carpet fashions. Rihanna picture, below from www.justjared.com

Oscars 2012 - My Red Carpet Winners

Michelle Williams in coral Louis Vuitton

The TV coverage was absolutely shocking - if you're doing Red Carpet shows then please show us the red carpet! We don't want to see polls about who's going to win what taking up the whole screen, we don't want to hear what the kid off Modern Family thinks about anything at all, we want to see the outfits!  So simple but every channel seems to get it so wrong. Anyway, rant over and back to the dresses.  It wasn't a particularly great year for Oscars fashion for me, with no real WOW moments, but there were still some great looks, including...

1. Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton (above) - top spot for her attention grabbing colour choice and fashion forward gown with that on trend but entirely impractical for an Awards ceremony peplum. Gorgeous jewellery but could have done without that random pink clutch.

2. Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford.  A sleek and edgy choice from Gwynnie.  Nice to see her taking a bit of a risk and changing her hair up too with the floor length cape putting a red carpet twist on what would otherwise have been a very simple wedding dress.  Loving the cuff.

3.  Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace.  The overall look of this black velvet dress with the softer, blonder hair and glossy lips gave Angelina a softer look than usual but it wasn't without drama thanks to the gown's structured, asymmetric bodice and THAT slit.  Her right leg already has it's own twitter. Love it.

4. Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen.  Originally placed a lot higher in my Best Dressed list, The Help star's heavily embroidered McQueen creation was just exquisite.  Her softly waved half up - half down hair (which was beautifully coloured) and neutral make up kept her polished but let this statement dress do all the talking.  A great red carpet moment.

5.  Milla Jovovitch in Elie Saab Couture.  An early arrival, Milla was originally my number one red carpet choice, working the embellished bridal white trend so successfully and oozing old school Hollywood glamour from every supermodel pore. Her make up was divine and this was a true starlet look from perfectly coiffed head to crystal encrusted toe. Safe but still perfection.  And props to her for working that dress like a true pro - that thing must weigh an absolute tonne.

All images courtesy of The Telegraph Fashion - click here to see their full Oscars 2012 Red Carpet gallery.

Brit Awards 2012 Star Style - Adele, Rihanna & Jessie J WOW (didn't Cher Lloyd look nice too?!)

Image courtesy of www.holymoly.co.uk

The girls done good! Adele, who won two Brit Awards at last night's ceremony, stole the show - with the biggest, most perfect hair. Thankfully she changed out of the matronly, ageing Burberry number she walked the red carpet in, switching to the gorgeous custom Clements Ribeiro dress featured above for her performance.   

Images courtesy of www.guardian.co.uk

Image courtesy of www.guardian.co.uk

Red was the colour of the night with Lana Del Rey wowing in a Vivienne Westwood gown, Jessie J's show-stopping sheer lace Falguni & Shane Peacock frock (which kept getting ripped as guests trod on it..) and Emma Bunton looking cheerily stunning in a red lace shift. Front row fashion girls Rihanna and Florence Welch didn't disappoint either with Rihanna wearing a super sexy, floor length Givenchy Couture gown with long black leather gloves (disappointingly straw like hair though), and Florence working an intricate peach lace  train-trailing Alexander McQueen creation. Props to the Alexis Knox styling of Cher Lloyd too who scrubbed up remarkably well in a sparkly disco jumpsuit by Hasan Hejazi and zebra print Louboutins.  Chic high ponytail too - that's more like it!

 

Images courtesy of www.holymoly.co.uk

Performance of the night for me goes to Outstanding Contribution to Music award winners, Blur, who performed the longest ever Brits set - 5 songs (Girls & Boys, Country House with Phil Daniels, Song 2, Tender and the beautiful This Is A Low).  Check out the video of their performances here.

Image courtesy of www.holymoly.co.uk

DIVA ON DEMAND: ANOTHER CHANCE TO CATCH VALENTINO DOC

Great news for anyone who missed this 2010 BBC documentary about the legendary Italian designer and couturier, Valentino - Valentino: The Last Emperor is now available for a limited time on BBC iPlayer as part of the Storyville season.

The film crew follow the designer, who turns 80 next year, across the globe tracking his every move, documenting two of his collections, his spectacular 45th anniversary exhibition and celebrations, but it is his personal relationships which give the most insight into this notoriously guarded man.

Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino's saintly patient partner of over 50 years and the honorary President of the Valentino house, talks openly about both their personal and business relationships.  This is a man who has clearly taken on a hugely stressful supportive role, absorbing any anxieties on behalf of his partner so that he can truly shine.

It is fascinating to see the human, playful side of Valentino's character in their interactions as well as in his encounters with respected peer, Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld - not to mention his beloved dogs.  How cute??  I think they deserve their own show.

Despite its 90 minute run time - mostly involving the many takeovers and edgy business dealings of the company which lead to his retirement in January 2008 - I could easily have watched an entire series on Valentino alone.  It is just so warm and gripping for anyone with an interest in people watching regardless of their love of fashion.

From backroom seamstress tantrums and sneak peeks into the designer's many homes, to flashbacks from his career throughout the decades and some of the most exquisite gowns for both catwalk and from his archive worn by clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O, I just didn't want this delicious, humorous, diva-packed documentary to end.  Must see TV.

Click here for more images or to watch the show visit BBC iPlayer - available until 14th July.