Haute Couture Week: Highlights

Elie Saab
A collection fit for a fairy princess. As always, Elie Saab dazzled with floor sweeping, majestic dresses dripping with intricate applique and precious jewels. There were exotic feathers, floral embroidery and a mix of delicate colours perfect for Spring. Yes, you have to have some serious money to afford one of these creations and a proper party to attend, but just to watch a show such as this is such a honour if you truly appreciate fashion and the craftsmanship of couture. Magnifique!

Valentino
Purity, elegance and an artisan flair. Pier Paulo Piccolo and Maria Grazia Churi delivered an impressive show inspired by Mark Chagall, a Russian/French artist. Embroidered words were carefully sewn onto bodices, Aztec prints with matching capes and shirts were worn with style while the simple braided hair added a sense of tranquillity and simple beauty. It was a couture show the man himself Valentino Garavani, would have been proud of.

Atelier Versace
With Kate Hudson and mother Goldie Hawn sitting proudly front row, Donatella Versace kicked off Paris Couture fashion week with a very sexy show. Natasha Poly opened the collection, followed by a host of supermodels including Karlie Kloss, Amber Valletta, Jourdan Dunn, Eva Herzigova and Isabeli Fontana. Dresses were constucted of cut a way panels, showing off lots of daring leg while fun punchy colours such as electric blue set the show on fire. As always, a fantastic collection.

Christian Dior
The setting of this show was jaw dropping. Silver and black scaffolding covered the whole runway in a glittering mess of light which only added to the beauty when the models walked out. 1950's silhouettes popped up as always, sparkly bodices opened up into chiffon skirts while the waist and hips were accentuated with revealing pouf skirts. Not one of my favourite designers, but Raf Simmons knows a thing or two about good tailoring and this show was packed full of it.

Giambattista Valli
Valli are the best when it comes to couture. There was a mysterious sense of drama with headpieces made up of netting covering the eyes while the fabulous fur coats at the end of the show were incredible in pastel pink and emerald green. Floral decorations were sewn onto skirts, lace was beautiful and delicate with simple shift dresses covered in them while the pretty colours of the collection were magical. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these dresses were seen on the Oscar red carpet in a couple of weeks.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld has worked his magic once again. Very similar to the last Chanel couture show in regard to shapes and colours but nevertheless a show worthy of Coco Chanel. Set in a tropical green house, complete with huge flowers and plants, this show was so embellished and detailed you couldn't take your eyes off the clothes. I loved the white crop top paired with a floral gypsy skirt which just skimmed the ankles and the bejeweled hats were just amazing.

Armani Prive
Neutral tones, delicate embroidery and sweeping dresses; Giorgio Armani gave us yet another spell binding couture collection. The soft paint brush strokes splattered across white and beige dresses were gorgeous and luxurious while the overall styling of this collection was spot on - jet set glam with an Italian twist. There were plenty of boxy jackets and classic suits, a trademark piece of Armani's, but all the clothes had a vulnerability about them which gave the show a pretty after-glow.

Ralph Lauren: Master of Style

Ralph Lauren. The name doesn't really need an introduction because it speaks perfectly for itself. If you are someone who hasn't heard of the fashion emporium which is Ralph Lauren, who must have been literally hiding under a rock for the past 30 years! Synonymous with a classic English heritage style, pin stripe suits and the world renowned 'Polo' collection, Ralph Lauren has come a long way from the dirty streets of the Bronx. In fact, Ralph Lauren (as in the actual designer himself) is one of the richest men in fashion, with a fortune well exceeding the billionaire mark. And all of this from classic polo t-shirts with a horse.

Originally born Ralph Lifshitz in 1939, Lauren changed his name further down the line to make it more glamorous and less Jewish-sounding; he came from a family of Jewish immigrants. It wasn't until 1966 that his career really took off as he decided to venture into menswear, designing practical, stylish ties with a wider fit compared to the skinny style favoured by Americans at the time. He christened the collection 'Polo' and the rest they say is history. Now he has set up a specialist cancer hospital in New York named after him, built up a mega brand consisting of mens, womens, children, home, perfumes etc and was declared Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur by the French President in 2010.

I particularly want to talk about Ralph Lauren womenswear. Every season there's always one show that I wait for, and unfortunately its comes right at the end of New York Fashion Week. It is in fact Ralph Lauren. There is always glamour, a romantic storyline, beautiful clothes on the most slender and movie perfect models and the designs are absolutely exquisite. Ralph always dons the androgynous mens suit in a flattering wool type material, complete with a bowler hat and neck tie. It's all very English but done in such a stylish way you forget that you're watching a fashion show which could be mistaken for a timeless film noir. Lauren has always said the great Hollywood actresses of old have been a huge inspiration for him and that certainly comes across in his collections.

Diamond encrusted gowns in soft baby pinks, halter neck red siren dresses, fluffy feathered capes and body con skirts with tasteful prints are all very Lauren. Timeless with an elegant twist to make it a little more modern for the 21st century women. Its no wonder he counts Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and Madonna among his legion of fans. Ralph knows how to make a woman look beautiful, on and off the red carpet. He creates a world which comes across even in his stores. Ever visited the amazing Ralph Lauren store on Old Bond Street? It is as though you are walking into an English country manner house, with roaring fire places, old oak tables, wide wooden staircases and a cosy feel which makes you feel completely relaxed. It's a real treat and well worth a visit, even if you can't afford anything - like myself!

Take a look through some of his most stunning ad campaigns and embrace the fantasy world of Ralph Lauren...

Golden Globes 2015

The Golden Globes are the warm up to the Oscars and a fun night full of fashion, big winners and parties! Some of the biggest stars hit Hollywood yesterday for the Annual Golden Globes Awards, complete with some stunning dresses. Jennifer Lopez stole the show in Zuhair Murad, Emma Stone looked majestic in Lanvin, while Reese Witherspoon, Keira Knightley and Diane Kruger all looked amazing. Amy Adams wore a beautiful blue, Grecian gown that matched her eyes perfectly and Amal Clooney went for a chic look in a monochrome outfit, with gloves and all. It was a glitzy night for brits too. Helen Mirrem, Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike and of course, Keira all flew the flag for us Brits, with Rosamund wowing crowds with her svelte post-baby body. Meryl Streep looked radiant, while Gwenyth Paltrow and Jessica Chastain went for simple, elegant glamour. Lorde arrived early wearing black Narcisco Rodriguez as did Lana del Rey, who looked like a mermaid just emerging from the sea in an emerald gown.

Golden Globes 2015 Winners List

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
Boyhood

BEST MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
The Grand Budapest Hotel

BEST DIRECTOR
Richard Linklater, Boyhood

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA
Julianne Moore, Still Alice

BEST ACTOR, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Michael Keaton, Birdman

BEST ACTRESS, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Amy Adams, Big Eyes

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

BEST SCREENPLAY
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman

BEST ANIMATED FILM
How to Train Your Dragon 2

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE
Leviathan

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Jóhann Jóhannsson, The Theory of Everything

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
"Glory" by Common and John Legend, Selma
TV

BEST TV SERIES, DRAMA
The Affair

BEST TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Transparent

BEST ACTOR, TV DRAMA
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

BEST ACTRESS, TV DRAMA
Ruth Wilson, The Affair

BEST ACTOR, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

BEST ACTRESS, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin

BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Fargo

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Maggie Gyllenhall, The Honourable Woman

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey

CECIL B. DEMILLE AWARD
George Clooney

Dolce & Gabbana SS15 Campaign

Dolce and Gabbana's new spring summer 2015 campaign displays not only insight into a very successful fashion house but a homage to the rich, flamenco style of Spain; in particularly bull fighting.

With models such as Irina Sharipova, Bianca Balti, Blanca Padilla ad Vittoria Ceretti taking centre stage throughout the campaign, Domenico Dolce and Stephano Gabbana adopt several poses reminiscent of Spain and the country's influential matador image. The spring 2015 collection's beautiful bolero jackets, polka dot skirts, black lace shirts and rose patterned accessories wow in every photo, with a little help from Jose Maria Manzaneres - who became the youngest ever bullfighter at 12 years old. And with a simple white washed wall backdrop, the fiery clothes certainly do all the talking. 

Following on from Stephano Gabbana's #dandgfamily incentive which encourages people to post images of themselves with their families on Twitter and Instagram to celebrate the love of the D&G family, not only does this campaign feature industry models but women from the older generation. Three old ladies look absolutely divine and elegant holding richly embellished bags with gold crowns upon their hair, showing that fashion is for everyone and is not restricted to just those who follow the trends. Style is timeless. 

In terms of styling, Oribe Canales is key to the campaigns tasteful style, with make up by Pat Mcgrath and photographs by the visionary Domenico Dolce. Overall, it would have been nice to see Dolce and Gabbana mix up their latest campaign with a different design aesthetic. For the last couple of seasons, their womenswear campaigns have featured the same set up with the same sexy, Italian heritage thrown in to tell their story. Yes, it is beautiful but it would have been nice to see something a bit...different.