It’s a week of fashion hits and misses – the chaos of the Twilight premieres, a Victoria’s Secret broadcast that went badly wrong, a Hugo Boss opening in Sydney, and some very unexpected CFDA Fashion Fund winners. Read on for all your gossip….
It was the last outing for the Twilight franchise, and Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattison and their castmates pulled out all the stops.
There were some successes and some risks, but at least nobody was boring.
The big splash of the night? Stewart’s Zuhair Murad dress, which was sheer and layered over a cream bodysuit. She paired it with Veronica Lake hair and impeccable dark make-up – the burgundy lipstick is very in this season – but fashion commentators weren’t sure it suited her pale skin.
Ashley Greene, who’s the spokeswoman for Donna Karan, wore a delectable Karan custom creation in show-stopping pale pink. It was girly, but with enough on-trend structuring and corsetry to make a statement.
Nikki Reed went for a more minimalist look, with a silver sheath with sparse beading detail – but went big on the earrings, proving yet again that statement earrings are where it’s at this season.
The other major fashion players on the night were the Fanning sisters, Dakota (who’s in the film) and her younger sister Elle. Dakota sported dark hair and a vivid emerald green dress, while Elle, who’s 14, wore Japanese-inspired Prada – including Japanese shoes, which instantly divided critics between ‘avant-garde’ and ‘ugly’.
For the men, it was a definite night for deep, rich colours: Pattison went for an emerald green suit, fitted tight to the body, but our pick for menswear goes to Edi Gathegi, who stole the show in a dark suit with leather lapels.
What did you think of the fashion of the night – and who got it right?
Image: The Twilight premiere.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is an anomaly in fashion – it happens a month before it’s broadcast on television, rather than happening live.
Why? So they can advertise, do a lot of post-show editing, and – in the case of this year – take out clothing that offended or made people uncomfortable.
Victoria’s Secret has had to ‘pull’ supermodel Karlie Kloss’s outfit from the broadcast after it offended Native Americans (she was wearing a large feather headdress and moccasins).
Kloss and Victoria’s Secret released statements saying they were massively apologetic, but the storm largely blew over – most people are now interested by the fact that singer Justin Bieber’s behaviour at the show seems to have led his girlfriend to break up with him.
Bieber, who sang at the show, was apparently “hitting on” most of the models, including Barbara Palvin, Kloss and Aussies Jessica Hart and Miranda Kerr (who both received huge cheers from the crowd).
The photos ended up on Twitter, and a day later Selena Gomez dumped him.
We suspect Victoria’s Secret will keep the Bieber segments – if only to satisfy gossips, rather than fashionistas.
Image: Karlie Kloss on the catwalk.
The Council Of Fashion Designers America’s Fashion Fund winners have been announced.
It’s a big deal – these are names that go on to be cult favourites, and climb the ranks of fashion into the big leagues.
The big winner? The Elder Statesman, a knitwear-based line by Greg Chait. He wins $300,000 US and mentoring from Vogue – a priceless chance for a young designer trying to make a break.
The most surprising winner for the press, however, was Jennifer Meyer – a jewellery designer who also just happens to be married to Tobey Maguire.
Meyer was a runner-up, winning $100,000 and the right to say she hasn’t ridden her husband’s coat-tails anywhere. Her line is enamelled, a practise she apparently learnt when she was six years old.
Tabitha Simmons was the other runner-up – she produces gorgeous shoes, full of Art Deco inspiration and sure to go supernova fast.
The CFDA’s biggest success last year wasn’t even its winner – it was nominee Pamela Love, whose witchcraft-inspired pentagrams and voluminous earrings became commonplace in every editorial worldwide.
The whole event was hosted by Christopher Bailey, the newly-engaged head of Burberry, who said that fashion isn’t for glamour – it’s for people with a passion, since the whole business can be cut-throat and talent can be difficult to sustain.
Watch these names – they’ll be all over the cutting-edge magazines within the year.
Image: The CFDA Awards.
It’s a good time to be in pursuit of menswear in Australia.
First TopMan opened, bringing a dose of British streetwear and sharp suiting down under, and now Hugo Boss has had a chic breakfast to celebrate the complete revamp of their Sydney store.
And Boss isn’t the sort of brand to go by half-measures.
The revitalising of their flagship store, on King St, cost them $4 million – and they invited the cream of the crop to the re-opening.
Boldface names like Emma Booth and Phoebe Tonkin, both cutting-edge starlets, were on show, but the big news was the industry players who came out to celebrate – the managing director of Hugo Boss Australia, and an executive from David Jones.
Hugo Boss is carving a name for itself as a more luxury-oriented brand; it’s still top-tier, but is fighting off tough competition from suit makers like Tom Ford and an increased interest in bespoke creations.
One thing we do love: a good lady’s tuxedo. So we’re all agog to see what the new store has in store…
Image: Hugo Boss Sydney opening.