Karl Lagerfeld Made Custom Chanel For Cate Blanchett’s Latest RoleAnd Cate Blanchett’s designer friends certainly weren’t going to let her stint on the character’s wardrobe.
When the film’s director, Woody Allen, envisioned his lead character in real Chanel jackets, Karl Lagerfeld himself delivered.
As far as brands go, for [Cate’s character], it was all about Chanel and Fendi,” said Suzy Benzinger, who put together the wardrobe for the flick.
“Woody loves to have costumes in his films that speak volumes about history and fashion. As soon as I mentioned ‘Chanel jacket’ his eyes lit up and he said ‘Do you think we could actually get a Chanel jacket?'”
And they did – but not just any Chanel off the rack.
Apparently Benzinger politely got in touch with Karl Lagerfeld himself, and was “astounded” by the result – two custom-made, bespoke jackets just for Cate’s character, within two days. “It was right during the fashion shows and everything,” revealed a still-stunned Benzinger, “and he turned them around and sent them to me. Cate put it on and it was perfect.”
The reason? Lagerfeld explained in his enclosed note: “I’d do anything for Cate.”
Including producing couture at a moment’s notice. Would that we all had such friends.
Image: Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine.
Who Was Best-Dressed At The LOVE Ball 2013?It’s all in aid of Natalia Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation, to raise money for her pet causes back in Russia. She was born in poverty, and the galas every year raise huge amounts for children in similar circumstances.
But talk about a way to celebrate a cause – every year the ball is held in exotic locations, from French chateaux to this year’s ballroom in Monaco.
And the auctions, which included an Yves Saint Laurent for Dior dress and tickets to the Oscars and Vanity Fair after-party (with private jet ride), raised over $4 million.
The fashions were also suitably over-the-top. Vodianova herself, who wears red every year, was this year in scarlet Christian Dior Couture, with a mesh high neckline and giant real pearls.
We also loved rising Russian fashion designer Ulyana Sergenko in one of her own designs. She’s increasingly famous for mixing high fashion with Russian folk inspiration, and her mix of high-necked, puff-sleeved textured cotton with an intricate cameo brooch was definitely a success.
The Monaco royals, who were the official hosts, also showed up in style. Princess Charlene, wearing Versace, looked glowing but perhaps under-accessorised in her clinging strapless peach gown with lace edging. She likes to keep it simple, but when you’re competing against Karl Lagerfeld and Bono in leopard print, you really have to amp it up.
More successful? Princess Caroline, one of Princess Grace’s daughters and working a Chanel Couture dress worn on the runway at the last couture shows. It was long and summery white lace paired with an unusual black ribbon neckline. We vote ‘yes’ for glamour past the age of 30.
But we have to say that Margherita Missoni, heir to the fashion house and approximately 8 and a half months pregnant, looked absolutely tremendous in her silver-scale, long-sleeved Missoni dress with chandelier earrings. Not all heavily-pregnant ladies can put on couture and dance all evening.
Who do you think was best dressed?
Image: Fashion at the Love Ball, from left – Princess Caroline, Natalia Vodianova, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Say It With Clutches: Big-Talking Bags
It was a Sophia Webster ‘Say My Name’ clutch in the shape of a speech bubble, and fun, cartoony clutches are definitely the hit of the season.
Want in on the action? Here’s RESCU’s top guide to your next evening bag purchase that does the talking for you.
Olympia Le Tan’s clutches are some of the most-seen on the red carpet. Everybody from Natalie Portman to Alexa Chung has been seen with them – and with good reason.
They’re hand-embroidered with old book covers, from Lolita to old lost paperbacks, and are fastened with a cute clasp. Look like you’re carrying around a brilliantly intelligent book AND have major fashion cred? We’re in.
If you’re more into photography than cartoons, Mario Testino For Mate is a gorgeous new line that prints some of the fashion photographer’s most beautiful, abstract pictures onto textured satin. The best bit? They’re seriously affordable and part of the proceeds go to charity. There are three clutches to choose from, but we love the Uru one, with its close-up on Lima tribal head-dresses.
Worship Karl Lagerfeld? He’s got a speech-bubble clutch all his own. He’s collaborated with Japanese label tokidoki on a range of Lagerfeld-signature designs, including an adorable little clutch with a silver speech bubble saying – you’ve guessed it – ‘KARL’. And it’s inexpensive enough to go on your Christmas list.
Or, if you want to get in on the Sophia Webster action for cheap, ASOS has two speech bubble bags – one saying OMG, the other SHHHH – on cute striped and polka dot backgrounds, made of faux leather. And they’re on sale – what are you waiting for?
More of a comic book lover? The Comic Book Strip clutch by Jo Wi on Etsy is a cotton square slice of epic old-style comic punch-ups, with pows, whams, kabooms and whooshes galore in old, 1950s-dot print style. It’s handmade by an artist and can even be custom-made.
The Kotur eye clutch is also for fans of pop art. It’s a print of one black eye on a white background, on crepe – an unusual material for a clutch. Or, if you want to go really eye-popping, get a Kotur moustache one instead (a floating moustache on a painted sky, with the legend ‘He might not say much, but he holds my stuff’).
If you want really intricate cartoon designs, though, it has to be Sylvia Toledano’s clutches. We’re in love with her beading, which covers entire bags in Swarovski crystals and is unbelievably delicate. We’re loving her Looks clutch, covered in Art Deco eyes in radiant blue. All eyes will be on you, and that’s only half a joke.
Image: Clutches galore. Clockwise from top left: ASOS, tokidoki, Sophia Webster and Kotur.
