Golden Globes: My picks

Tonight is the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards; where TV and movie actors come together to celebrate the best of 2009 (according to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.)

To quote Taylor from The Rachel Zoe Project: award show fashion is about "pleasing the masses." As a result we don't see many fashion-forward dresses on the red carpet.

However I have come up with my fantasy list of what the actors should wear on the carpet, masses be damned!

Carey Mulligan

I still haven't seen An Education (blasphemous, I know) but I have seen her rock the red carpet in quirky, fun dresses. She has an ethereal elfin look about her; so she can get away with wearing more avant garde clothing.

I chose her to wear this fun S/S '10 Gianfranco Ferré dress. Because Carey has such delicate features, I thought she should wear something a bit more edgy with strong shoulders and a cool print. It's not overpowering but it makes a strong statement.


Marion Cotillard

I recently became a huge fan of Marion's after watching Public Enemies last week. She is so gorgeous and an amazing actress. I'm in love with her. She has a great body so I think this S/S '10 Valentino jumpsuit would look really chic. She could let her dark hair fall around the shoulders and wear lots of diamonds. She would own the carpet. Anot many actresses would dare to wear a jumpsuit at the Globes (except for Tilda Swinton.)


Penelope Cruz

Penelope's obvious beauty usually outshines her dress, so I wanted to pick something a bit more subtle that would compliment her big eyes and that big, dark head of hair. This S/S '10 Nina Ricci is an interesting choice; I like the one-shoulder sleeve with the diagonal ruffle. And the slightly see-through dress make it sexy but not obvious. It's beautiful without being prom.

Nicole Kidman

Nic always wears figure-hugging, show-stopping dresses and this S/S '10 Miu Miu takes it one step further. It will show off her slim figure but the puffed up shoulders make it more fashion forward. I really love the blue, scale-like sequins.



Kate Winslet

I've always wanted to see Kate Winslet in something less matronly. She always goes for restrained glamour; and though she always looks amazing, I feel that she should go for something with more va-va-voom. This S/S '10 Lanvin dress has tons of glamour but also sex appeal with that slit down the leg. Lanvin was one of my favourite Spring collections and I think Kate embodies the sophisticated but fun woman the collection stands for.



Cameron Diaz

Cam likes to take chances with her clothes. Who could forget the hot pink Chanel from last year's Globes? This S/S '10 Nina Ricci would look banging on her body. I like the floppy bows, and the cute shoulders. It's quirky but glam.


January Jones

I've recently become obsessed with Mad Men. I bought the first season last weekend and became a hermit all week because I couldn't stop watching it. I just bought season 2 yesterday. God help me. January Jones (who plays Betty Draper) is a knock out. On the show she exudes old Hollywood glamour but in real life, she is more of a vixen. Last year she knocked it out of the park with a geometric Versace gown at the Emmys. This year I am also choosing Versace because I love the colour purple but I also like the cool sci-fi-ish pattern. It's a bit futuristic but sensual.



Tilda Swinton

Never one to conform to trends, Tilda Swinton can be counted on to wear the unexpected. Most people usually don't understand her style; but that's what so great about her. So I chose this S/S '10 Roland Mouret jumpsuit. The shiny blue will work well against her pale skin and peroxide blonde, short hair. And it just looks like so much fun to wear.



Olivia Wilde

I am one of those people who think Olivia Wilde > Megan Fox. She is a great actress and is super sexy but in a more natural way. She also wears hot clothes. I think this S/S '10 Alexander McQueen dress would be perfect for her. It's all about showing off the legs and the waist. It's futuristic but romantic. I think she would have a lot of fun wearing it.

Kate Hudson

Gold + Kate = party. We all know that woman loves to have a wild time, and she would have a ball in this sexy piece by Zuhair Murad. When I saw it, the first thing I thought of was Kate. It's young, it's flirty, it has a lot of cutouts to show off her body and it's not a prom dress. Perfection!


I am excited to see what the actors will actually wear to the Globes. Here's hoping it won't be too boring!

A Valentino surprise

A year after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, Valentino The Last Emperor is finally coming out on DVD Sept. 8 (I pre-ordered mine already!)

Last September, I was very fortunate to screen the movie, in the presence of Valentino himself, then party with him and his posse at the after-party, and finally, to cap off a crazy weekend, interview him, his partner Giancarlo and Emperor director, Matt Tyrnauer. That was probably the highlight of my career. How can I top that? Maybe if Karl Lagerfeld gave me a call...

So it goes without saying that if you are a fashion lover, then you must see the documentary.

And now I have some cool news! The team behind the movie, in partnership with Phase 4 Films and Decades Inc. are giving away a vintage Valentino gown! The winner will also receive the DVD.

All you have to do is send an email to valentinodvdcontest@phase4films.com with your name, address, phone number and email by December 31, 2009. You must be at least 21 years old.

Unfortunately this contest is open only to residents of the United States (sorry Canada!)

So fellow Canadians, even though we can't enter the contest, I strongly suggest getting the book Valentino Themes and Variations which has beautiful detailed photos of his couture gowns. It's almost as good as the real thing...right?

Couture loses another master?

The fashion world has been given another kick in their stylish pants with the news that Christian Lacroix, the french couture house, has filed for bankruptcy protection today.

The U.S.-owned company has been having major financial issues for years; never making a profit and barely breaking even. Customers have been cancelling or reducing orders and ready-to-wear sales for the fall season were down 35 per cent.

But it's not just Lacroix that's in trouble: Luxury behemoth LVMH just scrapped a plan to open a Louis Vuitton flagship store in Tokyo and earlier this year Chanel laid off 200 temporary employees.

The Times explains the impact of Lacroix's filing:

"The loss of Christian Lacroix to Paris haute couture is immeasurable. Although the designer hopes to hold a small presentation during the July couture season, this was the last house established under the formal couture rules. Even a restructuring would likely have severe implications on his 125-member staff."

But the haute couture market has been on the downturn for a long time; either closing because they didn't make enough of a profit or the great masters have stepped down (or died.)

I wrote an article about the decline of haute couture in Naked Eye magazine and related it to Valentino's retirement. My reason for saying that haute couture was a dying business was because of big business. Couture is not profitable. In fact just putting on an haute couture show can cost millions of dollars which the company will not make back. There are only a handful of people who can afford couture and their numbers are dwindling fast.

So it should be no suprise that Lacroix, renowned for its beautiful couture, is filing for bankruptcy protection. The real money is in accessories and ready-to-wear but even that market is taking a beating since people are realizing that it might be a tad bit insane to spend $1000 on a bag or $3000 on a dress.

The Times says:

"But just as royalty now has less attention than celebrity, so couture has lost its unique prestige, with the word bandied about by any high-end designer. And whereas fragrances produced from the mystique of haute couture once kept the houses afloat, now it is just as likely that a hip jeans brand like Diesel or a celebrity like Jennifer Lopez will have the perfume hit that has stubbornly eluded Lacroix."

So, with Paris Haute Couture week coming quickly in July, will there be one less House showing a collection? A friend of mine thinks that the company will be bailed out but I'm not so sure. Who would want to buy a company that doesn't make money?

But for the sake of fashion, I hope Lacroix will get help and is able to present a collection. We need beautiful clothes to look at now more than ever.

Photos from the Christian Lacroix Spring 2009 Couture show:

The emperor has arrived

I went to a screening of Valentino The Last Emperor last September for the Toronto International Film Festival. When the movie finished, the crowd of about 1000 people gave the designer a 10-minute standing ovation. The day after, I interviewed Valentino, his partner Giancarlo and the film's director, Matt Tyrnauer who's also a writer for Vanity Fair.

It was probably the highlight of my career meeting one of fashion's most influential; picking his brain about retirement, how fashion has changed since he started and what it was like being filmed for two years; I was shaking from nervousness and excitement.

And for a bit of self-promotion, my Valentino article is in the current issue of Naked Eye magazine so pick one up today!

Moving on.

Cathy Horyn did a great interview with the director that I have to share.

Some great quotes:

That’s the thing, nobody ever sees the real Valentino. I told him before we started, “You’ve got to let loose a little bit and take a chance. Otherwise, you’ll seem over-privileged and unsympathetic and not human.” He didn’t want to hear it. He would listen to me for one second. I gave him the same talk, director to star, for a couple of years. You know, when Valentino and Giammetti first saw the movie they freaked out. They weren’t prepared. I had a contract that gave me final cut—a very hard-won contract. I wouldn’t have made the movie without it. I think it’s a warts-and-all portrait, but you see the warm soul of Valentino.

I think Valentino was ambivalent about retiring. One day he’d wake up and say, “Enough of this.” And then that evening he’d change his mind again. You know that he and Giammetti are Olympic mind-changers. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like. It can range from the type of pasta at lunch to a round-the-world trip that will be rescheduled minutes before takeoff.

We had to really plan and know what they were doing—and they don’t tell you what they’re doing. And when they know what they’re doing, they change their minds five minutes later. That was an enormous challenge. Then we’d get to Rome. I would go to see Giancarlo first in his office—that Italian dictator-size office—and he’d come in. They’re always trussed up in ties and perfectly fitted suits. I’d greet Giancarlo, and by this point he is someone I know extremely well. And he’d say, “Hello, my darling. So tell me what brings you to Rome?” Meanwhile there would be 15 metal cases in the hallway, a soundman, producers. Of course, Giancarlo knew what he was doing. I love the Italians more than any other people, but they have their ways. And both of them have the Italian terror of seeming overly eager. So we would have this minuet at the beginning of every shoot about the very fact of shooting. It was almost an existential thing.

The film is now opening in major cities in the U.S. such as New York, L.A., San Francisco and Chicago. To see more cities and show dates go here.
The PR company representing the film contacted me and wanted me to share with you guys that they have a huge announcement coming up so stay tuned!

I don't know whether it will be showing in Canada but if it does open here, I really insist that you go see it because it is a beautiful film.

Here are some pics of Valentino and Gwyneth Paltrow at the film's screening in NY.



More:

Valentino: The man, the movie, the party

Valentino the interview: continued

Valentino The Last Emperor

More Valentino The Last Emperor

It's been a while

I decided to take a break from writing on this blog because a lot of things were going on in my life that were keeping me very busy and preventing me from being inspired to write about fashion.

But it's been a while and I think I'm ready to start again and I'm regaining my excitement about fashion which means I will be posting again (hopefully) regularly.

To tell the truth I think I became a bit disillusioned about fashion and what it meant to me. I wasn't as excited about it and I felt I had nothing new to comment about. That and I've become obsessed with comics lately and I can't stop reading them and reading about them so fashion has been put on the back burner.

But in recent news, my Valentino interview was published in the Winter issue of Naked Eye magazine so grab a copy and check it out.

I've been pouring over the photos of the F/W 09 collections and I have to say that I am so over the 80s revival. 80s fashion was bad enough for a whole decade so why is it coming back? We don't need any Dynasty clones walking around.

Thankfully Paris did it (mostly) right with minimal 80s throwbacks. Loved McQueen, Givenchy, Lagerfeld and Margiela.

I spent way too much money on magazines yesterday and now have the whole weekend to drool at the photos of Lara Stone in Paris Vogue and Emily Blunt in British Harper's Bazaar. I love the clothes from the S/S 09 collections. I want to frame every photo in Paris Vogue; they are so beautiful. Peter Lindbergh's portraits of Lara are haunting. Makes me want to buy two copies so I can rip out the photos of one and put them up on my walls, and keep another pristine issue.

I've been trying to cut back on spending since I'm saving up for an apartment but it's hard. Whenever I walk past a store I see something that I must get like a giant black cocktail ring or a pair of snakeskin heels. I have to keep saying to myself that I don't need that black jacket with the diagonal zipper and I don't really need another schoolboy blazer. But it's hard.

I'm going to leave you with the Lindbergh photos of Lara. They inspired me to start blogging about fashion again.

Valentino: Themes and Variations book

I was at Nicholas Hoare a few weeks ago and went on a mad book shopping spree; I ended up buying more than $400 worth of books. Most of them were Christmas presents but I picked up a couple for myself. One is this gorgeous hardcover coffee table book called Valentino: Themes and Variations. It lists the designer's most beautiful looks from all the way back to the 60s, to his last collection in 2007. I thought the photos were so beautiful that I had to share them here.
Since most people aren't able to see haute couture in real life, this book makes us feel as if we are with the garments. You can see all the beautiful details that make up the dresses and appreciate all the hard work and endless hours that went into making them.
There isn't that much text; Valentino writes a short introduction and there is a biography of him at the back of the book, followed by photos of the designer's numerous campaigns.
But it's basically a catalogue of his most beautiful and famous dresses. There are some great backstage shots with models like Natalia Vodianova and Sasha P as well as shots of seamstresses putting together the clothes. Some sketches of the dresses and the finished products are shown side-by-side.
It's a beautiful book for anyone who loves Valentino or for anyone who appreciates haute couture.

Review of Lagerfeld Confidential

A friend of mine from my former job gave me an advance screener for the documentary Lagerfeld Confidential which I took from him with glee.

Like the doc Valentino: The Last Emperor, Confidential follows Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld around the world, into his homes and in his studio, but unlike Emperor, this documentary is more like a long interview than a insight into the mind of one of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The filmmaker, Rodolphe Marconi, tries to get inside Lagerfeld's head through a series of interviews, and although we learn a lot about Lagerfeld's philosophies on life, sex, fashion and relationships, I was left feeling that I didn't really learn who this man really is.

In Emperor, director Matt Tyrnauer doesn't ask Valentino any questions but follows him around quietly so we get to see the designer show his true nature. But in Confidential, we get a censored version of Lagerfeld.

There are neat insightful parts in the documentary that reveal Lagerfeld's little quirks like the 14 iPods he has laid out on a desk, the dozens of white collars filling his drawers, the thousands of rings on his dresser and the neat racks of black suits filling up a whole room.

Lagerfeld isn't portrayed as an eccentric genius as many interviews claim him to be, but we understand why he is seen as such: His sunglasses he wears everywhere even in the dark (although when Lagerfeld is unaware of the camera we do see his eyes a few times); his admission that no one knows who he really is, even his closest friends, because he wants to be an illusion for people; his ultra-liberal views on relationships, marriage and love; and his honest and sarcastic sense of humour.

Unfortunately we don't see him make a collection which I was hoping for. We don't really get to see his creative process. Instead, we see him design a few sketches and he tells us what kind of pencils he likes to use. I would have liked to see him at the Chanel atelier going through the process of making a collection from start to finish. We do however get to see him backstage at a Chanel show but it's very brief and I didn't get much out of it.

Certainly it's an interesting documentary to watch for Lagerfeld and Chanel aficionados, but I was left wanting more.

Breaking: Facchinetti exiting Valentino

So the rumours are true. WWD is reporting that designer Alessandra Facchinetti is done at Valentino after only two seasons. Her S/S 09 show today will be her last.

Sources tell WWD that longtime Valentino accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli will replace her as head of design.

But rumours also said that Giambattista Valli, who gave a stand-out collection yesterday, is still in consideration for being the company's creative director. The board of directors has to approve the creative director still so is time for another shake-up.

I do wish that Facchinetti was given more time to establish herself within the company rather than be given the boot so quickly. Her haute couture show was a great success and I thought she created beautiful clothes that were perfect for the Valentino woman.
I hope that the company won't suffer as a result of this.

More Valentino: The Last Emperor

A couple days ago I posted a clip for the movie Valentino: The Last Emperor with his adorable pugs. There are two more clips that I'm excited to share with you.
One of the clips features a funny moment between Valentino and his business partner (and former lover) Giancarlo Giammetti. They are arguing playfully about where they met; both insist that they met at a different location. It really feels like you are a fly on the Parisian wall watching these two.
Enjoy!

Valentino: The Last Emperor

I went to the screening for this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival and got to interview Valentino himself a couple weeks ago. But I want you guys to see a clip of the film itself. I think it's hitting theatres at the end of the year so definitely check it out. The movie is really about his relationship with Giancarlo Giammetti. The movie's director, Matt Tyrnauer, told me that their connection defies modern ways about thinking of relationships and marriage. It's so touching to watch these two work, play, fight and be affectionate with each other.
Here's a cute clip featuring his adorable pugs!

Valentino continued: The interview

I wasn't nervous this morning about meeting designer Valentino. I had my questions written down with stars beside the most important ones. I had rehearsed them several times so I would remember them. I had new batteries in my tape recorder and an extra tape in case the first one ran out. I even had my outfit picked out. On my way to the lounge 99 Sudbury St. aka the Green Room, where the interview was going to take place, I even fell asleep on the bus; that's how relaxed I was.

And then I got to the lounge, saw Giancarlo first and then there he was. Valentino. I took a deep breath and went inside where I was instructed to sit in a booth and wait for him. I got a bottle of water which I gulped down and then texted three friends asking them to help me relax. The friend who gave me the interview said "Don't be nervous. Look at his skin!" That made me laugh because Valentino does have very orange skin. I waited for about 45 minutes and then Giancarlo came to talk to me. He was very pleasant, wearing a nice suit, perfectly combed hair and he had big brown eyes. He was obviously very intelligent as we talked about the business of fashion but he got a bit annoyed at my questioning as I wanted to talk about fashion whereas he wanted to talk about the movie. I don't want to reveal too much about the interview, since that will be in the article I'm writing about, but I will tell you that he is not very pleased about large businesses buying up luxury labels, as was done with Valentino.

Not wanting to displease Valentino's partner, I talked to him about the movie and it all went well.

About 10 minutes later, He arrived. I had to share the interview with another reporter since Valentino had to leave precisely seven minutes later, so we were a bit rushed. I have to say it was the most amazing experience. He was very kind and polite, touching me on my arm and looking me in the eye, saying how pleased he was to meet me. He was very charming; of course he's been charming journalists for decades so the man has practice. He was dressed impeccably. Not a strand of hair on his head was out of place (and he had a full head of hair. Quite a feat for a 70-year-old) and he wore tan leather shoes and a beautiful suit. He also wore jeweled bracelets on his left wrist which he says were a gift and beneath them, a watch. He was soft-spoken but well-spoken. The man knows how to give a good sound bite. He talked about how he still wakes up with design ideas in his head, how he has witnessed the change in fashion and how he is keeping busy. He is working on a retrospective of his work and he says he will be designing costumes for the opera and ballet. It is obvious that he loves his work and is very passionate.

Today is a day I will not forget.

Once the article is published I will post the link here so stay tuned!

Valentino: The man, the movie, the party

(Valentino waving to the audience at the Winter Garden theatre)

I have to say that this experience has not only been the highlight of my career, but of my life.
Meeting Mon. Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti was a pleasure and an honour.
This is how it happened...

Yesterday a co-worker of mine phoned me up and asked: " Are you coming in to work tomorrow?" I said no because I normally have Mondays off but told her I could come in. She said: "Do you want to interview Valentino?" I didn't scream but I paused for a moment, digesting this information and hurriedly said: "Yes! Of course!"
My co-worker had the interview pitched to her by Naked Eye magazine, since Valentino is in town for the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, but since she doesn't know anything about fashion and knew that I was obsessed, she knew I would want to do it. I owe her big time!

She told me that I had to go to the screening of the movie ( no problem!) which started in three hours and I was invited to the after-party in Valentino's honour. By this time, I was freaking out. What to wear?? What to ask him?? WHAT TO WEAR???

I went on my computer and Googled the shit out of Valentino, jotted down a dozen questions and then began my task of finding the perfect outfit. Two of my friends from work couldn't come to the party with me since one was at the ET Canada TIFF party at Casa Loma and the other was attending the DSquared fashion show. Tough life, huh? So I called up my friend: "Are you busy tonight?" "Noooo...." "How would you like to go to a party...for Valentino?" "Ummm...YES!"
And so it was decided. I would go to the screening of the movie at the Winter Garden theatre, meet my friend after it finished and together we would head to the party at the Green House.

The movie:

It was moving, intimate, funny and passionate. It told the story of Valentino and his life long partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, and Valentino's last year as a couturier. The filmmaker, Matt Tyrnauer, followed the two as Valentino prepared his final Haute Couture collection and threw his 45th anniversary party. Valentino is an immensely funny man who obviously cares about his work and Giancarlo. The two bicker constantly about who is right and wrong, where they met, whether a dress should have an extra fold, and that Valentino is too tan. I laughed through the whole movie. It was very touching.
Valentino and Giancarlo watched the movie with the rest of us in a box seat and when the movie finished, the audience gave him a standing ovation for ten minutes and he loved every second of it, waving his hands to us, blowing us kisses and bowing. It was incredible.

There was a question and answer period afterwards with the director, Valentino and Giancarlo. Valentino said that the Toronto premiere is his favorite so far (flatterer!) and that he wants to design the clothes for the Toronto ballet. He was very thankful to be there and was very polite.

Valentino at the podium and Giancarlo to his right.

The party:

I met up with my friend and we headed to the Greenhouse for the party. We got there around 7 p.m., walked down the small red carpet and headed straight for the free champagne. The venue was intimate but beautiful; it looked like an Italian house, with antique furniture and detailing on the wall. The place was full of PR people, the media and hangers-on. We went on the patio and I found three friends that I went to university with who were working there for a production company. At least I knew someone!

(Me at the Valentino party)

There weren't any celebrities there (I guess everyone was at Casa Loma or Spice Route for the E! party) but I did see the Wedding SOS host, Jane Dayus-Hinch! My friend and I chatted to her and she was really nice and talked about a wedding she filmed in Whitby on Saturday.
Valentino and his entourage arrived at around 8:45 and were herded to the VIP area where three bodyguards closed him off. We were all allowed in the room with him but we couldn't go to speak to him. Giancarlo did come out and talk to a few people and Valentino also stood up and chatted with some people but he didn't leave the area. I tried to get photos but people kept blocking the way; it was packed with an enthralled audience. We were in the presence!

I also have a story about my friend and National Post columnist Shinan Govani's butt, but I won't repeat it here...

The party ended at 9 p.m. since the VMA afterparty was being held there so we left.

I'm about to write up more questions for Valentino, and I will update you guys with what happened at the interview once I get home.

Stay tuned!

Oh. My. God. I'm interviewing Valentino tomorrow

Today I'm going to a screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor, a documentary by Vanity Fair special correspondent Matt Tyrnauer. The film documents the designer's career, which ended in January when he staged his last Haute Couture show before retiring.

Tomorrow, I get to interview the designer about the movie and any other questions I can think of!

Do you guys have any questions for Valentino??

I am so excited I feel like I'm going to vomit. This man is like a celebrity to me; he's a fashion genius. I hope I don't faint!

Straight off the runway: Diane Kruger in Christian Dior Haute Couture

Diane Kruger attended the Jaeger Le-Coultre Gala Dinner at the Palazzo Cini during the 65th Venice Film Festival last Sunday in Venice, Italy. Kruger added a touch of old Hollywood glamour in a stunning black sheer Christian Dior haute couture dress which she accessorised with her beautiful Valentino heels. Amazing!

source: style, celebutopia

Straight off the runway: Valentino : The Last Emperor' Screening

Famed fashion designer Valentino made his first red carpet debut to the screening of documentary Valentino, The Last Emperor, which follows his 45 year fashion career. It was no surprise that many devotees of the high fashion label attended the event which was held overlooking the Grand Canal.



Diane Kruger looks amazing as usua,l channeling a Grecian look in a one shouldered Valentino Spring 2007 Couture gown.



Eva Herzigova works the lace trend in a white Valentino Spring 2007 Couture strapless gown. I must say this gown looks so much more better on Herzigova than it does on the model.



Miss Claire Danes went for an unusual choice in this Valentino Spring 2008 Couture cocktail dress and she wears it with so well. She really does stand out from the rest.



Charlize Theron did not wear Valentino but opted for a rich purple Gucci dress from the Fall 2008 collection.



Liz Hurley reminded me of a modern day Cleopatra in this stunning champagne coloured gown. A very daring choice with the plunging neckline but if anyone can get away with it than it would be no other than Hurley.

Natalia Vodianova was a bit more modest in her white gown, that had a beautiful trail.

Source: celebutopia, style