Giddy'up!

My first experience riding a horse was quite memorable; mostly because the reason it was memorable was why it was also my last time on a horse. Let's just say it involved a fat horse called "Salt & Pepper" and me, a 10-year-old Girl Guide, flying off the saddle straight into the mud.

But that incident hasn't stopped me from loving horses and all things equestrian, especially where fashion is concerned.

John Galliano's haute couture collection for Dior today pulled from many references including equestrian dress with riding hats, nipped-in bright red blazers, ruffled blouses, long tartan skirts and even riding crops. Instead of riding boots, the models wore high leather boots with stiletto heels.

The second part of the show was less about riding and more about old Hollywood glamour. Lots of lace, pouffy taffeta and bows.

Maybe it's time to get back on that saddle.

The devil she doth appear

I just watched the Anna Wintour interview for 60 Minutes and it left me a little disappointed.

We see very little of Anna's creative process is making Vogue or her opinion of style and the recession.

What really comes through is how much of an influence she is in the creative process of all designers.

We see how she tells designers what colours to use for their collections (Dolce and Gabbana); we see how she picks which designers get to head which labels (John Galliano for Dior) and her complete power over new designers by featuring them in her magazine (Alexander Wang.)

It makes you realize that Anna Wintour really does control a lot of the fashion industry in all aspects. All designers owe their jobs to her and in return she controls them. Even Balenciaga creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere is scared of her!

It made me wonder whether that is really good for the fashion industry; the fact that this one person has so much power and is able to dictate her opinion to everyone and they obey.

But anyway, it was still fascinating to watch her. This woman scares me and I love her.

Here is the video:


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Watch outtakes here.

Want some naked with your shoes?

Now I have seen it all. Galliano used naked women as heels. Funny how these sculpted figures have rotund shapes: large breasts, butts and tummies. Unlike the models wearing them.
Would you wear these?
I am really into the pink version but it has more to do with the colour rather than the naked lady. What I really like about these shoes are the straps; they remind me of soft twisted metal. Very sensual and slithery.

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

Christian Dior Couture Fall 2008 soundtrack

Got this off Bryanboy. This was the music that played while the models walked down the runway. Listen to it and see if you can picture the models moving in their beatiful gowns to this haunting music. The effect must have been mesmerizing.

Click here (or right-click + save as) to download the file.

Dior Couture Fall 2008

John Galliano's inspiration for this collection was model Lisa Fonssagrives, the wife of photographer Irving Penn. And you can see Fonssagrives imprinted everywhere, from the cinched dramatic waist, the contrasting colours, the dark makeup and the arched eyebrows.
Critics such as Sarah Mower at Style.com, also saw Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in the clothes and indeed I could see the fashionable First Lady having luncheon with the Queen in these clothes (just as long as she remembers to wear panties underneath the sheer skirts.)
The architectural waists reminded me of the armour-like suits at Balenciaga Spring 2008 but instead of completing a solid look, Galliano paired it with flowy and sheer dresses making it very romantic and elegant. This is what couture is supposed to be: Dramatic, fantastical, dreamy and beautiful. (Photos: Style.com)

Edit: Here is a wonderful behind-the-scenes video of the show from the Telegraph.

Straight off the runway: Dior Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Collection

Christian Dior supporters took their Sunday off to attend the Dior Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Collection which was held as part of Paris Haute Couture fashion week at the Rodin Museum in Paris, France, on Sunday.

Wow. Eva Mendes looks stunning in this orange and pink Christian Dior dress from he Fall 2008 collection. The colors look amazing on her skin and the dress fits her so much better than it does on the runway model.

Liv Tyler kept in simple in a elegant black dress which is a modification from Dior's 2008 Pre-Fall Collection. Tyler she accessorised with a black clutch and Givenchy boots. It would have been more interesting if she added some color to her outfit through her clutch and shoes.

I'm sorry Claudia Schiffer, you beautiful but the dress is making me yawn. I would have loved to the original version on her, it would have look much better.

Source: celebutopia, style, dior.com

Straight off the runway: Zooey Deschanel

Singer and actress Zooey Deschanel attended the premiere of her latest flick The Happening at the the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York last week. Deschanel wore a beautiful raspberry strapless Christian Dior dress which was a modification of the original from he Fall 2008 collection. The actress complimented her bubble hemmed frock with a white gold clutch and heels.



A day later, Deschanel was photographed visiting the 'Late Show with David Letterman' at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City. For this apperance Zooey opted for a more romantiv look in a cream chiffon frock which was also a modification from Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2008 collection. Zooey finished her look off with red lips and black pumps.

source: celebutopia, TFS