Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2011, 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Red Carpet
Well Jean Paul Gaultier's PR team was working OVERTIME! They nabbed not just one big star on the 2011 Grammy Awards Red Carpet (Nicole Kidman, see posting below)--but TWO--with Rihanna! Both gowns from the same Haute Couture Spring 2011 "Punk Can Can" Collection. Rihanna just loves the whole intermittent transparency thing on dresses. And this gown has it. Placed between the transparent panels are also gradating layers of tulle gathered ruffles. It's a bit of a mess for me. I'm just not sure if it works. It just looks like someone might have taken the Christmas Tree garlands and used them to make a dress. But...her hair and make up look GORGEOUS!!! Just like Nicole, she was wise to go a softer more delicately pretty route.
Is it a 'Yea" or Nay" on Rihanna's Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2011 Gown? I would love to know what you guys think? Be sure to let me know!
Le Suit Punk: Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
Trends: Very fitted suitings; longer jackets; skinny pants; salmon pink, black, white, golden beige; high-low (short in front, long in back) gowns; pants under gowns.
Themes: Punk Couture; London; Sid Vicious (?); Can Can.
Old-School Couture Shows: Models holding Numbers, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
Front Row:French actress Arielle Dombasle
Pedro Almodovar and Catherine Deneuve
Highlights Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:
Salmon Trench: One shoulder trench coat double-breasted gown, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
High-Low Numero Un: Black-White Halter Gown with Chantilly Lace lining and skinny pants, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
High-Low Numero Deux: Black Off the Shoulder Gown featuring "Can Can" Ruffled Skirt and White Cuffed Trousers, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
Sexy Punk Mistress: Off-white fitted gown, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
Le Ball London: Black and white gown, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011
Click Below for Behind-the-Scenes and Edited Video of Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 :
Vacation ChicFirst Vacation Queens: Sasha Obama, King Juan Carlos, First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Sofia and Princess Letizia of Asturias
A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Europe and just returned. Well, I guess I'm not the only one thinking Europe is a nice destination for Summer 2010. As many of you may know (unless you've been living under a rock), the First Lady, Michelle Obama is in Spain--Marbella to be exact, on vacation with daughter Sasha, as well as to meet King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain at their Summer Palace. Yes, she's been taking a lot of heat because of this little ol' vacation. Over 40 guests, 60 rooms at the exclusive Villa Padierma (they should give the First Lady a HUGE discount for all the press she has given them!) , a cross-AtlanticAir Force Two flight that cost over $140,000...
But I'm not here to discuss that. I want to talk about how FABULOUS she looked while on her Marbella visit wearing a chic polka dottedJean Paul Gaultier one shouldered top (above photo).
As well as this printed dress/tunic over leggings. What a modern 21st century First Lady!
Speaking of chic: Check out my favorite Supermodel, Heidi Klum, while on vacation in Portofino in the Italian Riviera. Loving the handkerchief-hemmed printed halter dress, paired with subdued earrings and simple sandals. I bet that tourist in the back wished she would have NOT been out sightseeing in her fanny-pack on that day!
Haute Couture Creative "What Is That?": Haute Couture is all about one-of-a-kind creations meant for a rarefied few--either Top actresses who can borrow them for free to wear for Red Carpet events (to get the Designer some publicity) or the 400 or so (yep, that's all!) women from all over the world who can afford to fork up $30,000 for a pantsuit or $100,000+ for a gown. As in any type of fashion, there is a wide spectrum of designs ranging form the sublime and elegant to the "Are You Kidding Me?". Understandingly, a lot of Haute Couture is about designers having "no limits"; going "crazy" as it were and having no limits. With that being said, here are my "Nick Top Picks" for "I am not so sure about that...": Eric Tibusch, a Parisian--by way of French Polynesia--designer who worked with Jean Paul Gaultier, showed a collection for Fall/Winter 2010 that had Reptilian suggestions. Check out those rhinoceros headdresses. Even if you remove those, the ensembles still do not get any better, unfortunately. The light aqua embroidered lace cocktail dress above would certainly prevent you from eating that Caesar Salad you desire at that fabulous cocktail party. I guess it's one way of staying thin. Jean Paul Gaultier showed a fanciful collection--mostly good--but there were some missteps, that I doubt would make it to the Hollywood Red Carpet--or a party in Abu Dhabi for that matter, as seen by the photos above and below... The dead fox is KILLING ME! And maybe not in a good way. The Drag Queens in my 'hood would love this, but well, that's about the extent of it. John Galliano for Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010 did his part as well. I actually LOVE this voluminous violet coat-dress but again, not so sure if this would ever make it on Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie, or even Dior perfume spokesperson Charlize Theron. The ensemble does give you DRAMA. Points for that.Not sure about this Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010 deep red silk velvet cowl draped gown as well. For the red carpet, you might see that cowl completely removed, then it might not end up in the "What Was She Thinking" section. Finally, Chanel Fall/Winter 2010 Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld. The collection--for the most part--was amazing. But...then he showed this mess of a dress above. Bai Ling would be proud.
We'll see what makes it to the red carpet, and what does not!
Couture Spine, Dita Von Teese and Mink Breasts?Givenchy Haute Couture: Designer Riccardo Tisci decided to present his Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010 Collection--only 10 looks--in a more "intimate" stage, as opposed to a grand runway show. Therefore editors could look at the incredible workmanship and Tisci's dark eye for detail more closely. Zippers had bone pulls, jackets were carved out from leather as well as double silk duchesse satins to suggest a spine, or a skeletal structure.Black patchwork leather coat and Ombre feathered gown, Givenchy Haute Couture F/W 2010
Gowns were fitted and flared below the knee and over-embroidered with laces, leather and falling into cascades of feathers. Colors went from Winter White to Ombre metallics and grays as well as black. It was as if glorious birds had been in a storm and stripped of almost their entire feathered coverings only to reveal a stunning inner Couture structure with their feathered tails still intact. Front View: Back View: "Skeleton"-like embroidered lace and feather gown, Givenchy Haute Couture F/W 2010
Models will love these gowns for Met Opening events and the like. But I suppose those actual Couture-purchasing ladies in Russia, the Middle East and China will want to have the Atelier pack on a few more of the embroideries, well, to make it more "appropriate" for those private evening soirees in St. Petersburg, Riyadh or Beijing. Tisci, himself stated that 70% of the pieces that are ordered are altered to the customers specifications. Click Below for a Video of Givenchy Haute Couture F/W 2010 Presentation:
Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture:Liza Would DIE: Gold lurex and silk batwing ensemble, cigarette holder and turban extra; Gaultier Haute Couture F/W 2010
Paris' enfant terrible, Jean Paul Gaultier, capped off Paris F/W 2010 Haute Couture Fashion Week with a show that was all at once elegant, directional, kitchy, Parisian, had slight nods to the 40's and the 80's and "Old Hollywood Glamour" (there it is again!) of course. Almost every look was capped with an exaggerated twist-knot turban that would make both Norma Desmond AND Lady Gaga SCREAM! The Collection was full of Le Batwing; infusing it from everything from trench coats (a Gaultier "signature") jumpsuit gowns and even his finale wedding gown, a Batwing Trench coat, of course (see above photo). Gaultier even showed his signature cone bras in mink with one wool ensemble. Try walking into the Plaza Athenee in this get-up next time you are in Paris kids. One of my favorites was this gunmetal ostrich-feathered and sequined cocktail number that had Josephine Baker written ALL OVER it! The Close-Up detail is just incredible! Now, this is what you show up to the Grammys wearing! The show ended with special guest model, the one and only Dita Von Teese, who sashayed in a Couture Negligee as only she would, showing the new line of Jean Paul Gaultier lingerie for La Perla. Vive le Kitsch, Vive La France and Vive L'enfant Terrible Gaultier. Below for Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture F/W 2010 Edited Runway show:
Click Below for a Behind-The-Scenes of Gaultier Haute Couture Fittings:
Get Ready Boys: High-Waters, Speedos, Drop Crotch Pants and MandalsDsquared2 Spring/Summer 2011: Two Trends In One: Speedos and Mandals
As ever Gay Fashionista Male in this Earth knows, the Spring 2011 Menswear Collections are happening right now in Milan. Menswear trends and styles change and/or move at a much slower pace than womenswear. It's all about the DETAILS. However, in terms of some "new" style direction coming out of Milan, here are the Trends: The 80s Are Back; High-water cropped pants are staying (they look great on them 6'4" boys, maybe not so much on the rest of us); DROP-CROTCH pants that are lose and baggy up top but tight-as-tight can be around the calves will be the "new" skinny pant for men, if Jean Paul Gaultier has his way. (I kinda love them, especially on his HOT bearded models in above photos!)I also like the Stovepipe-shaped pants (above) from Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton. Incidentally, that trench is "TO D.I.E!!!" LOVE. The Speedo is BAAACK! Yep, dump the board shorts and opt for something more skimpy like the ones above from Dsquared2. Again, I suggest you have a body like Michael Phelps if you want to make that "Speedo" style plunge.Finally, it is all about the Mandals like the criss-cross ones from Louis Vuittonabove, or the ivory ankle-strapped ones from GuilianiFujimora. I am SO looking for these on Ebay next year!!!
Click BELOW for Dsquared2 Spring 20111 Men Runway Show: Part 1
Dsquared2 Show: Part 2
Click BELOW for Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Menswear 2011 Runway Show:
Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2011, 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Red Carpet
