0 Runway Report: Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week--Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

  
Caped and Fringed COUTURE Gypsies:

Givenchy Tableux: Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Designer Riccardo Tisci showed his Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012 Collection this week in Paris with a Look Book-like presentation with close-up viewings for editors and fashion glitterati alike. Tisci, who has become the go-to guy for Gothic Gorgeousness (hello Rooney Mara!) and elegant warrior princesses with dark, mystic touches. For this season, the imagery went into a Gypsy-like world. There were sumptuous capes, lined in painstakingly hand-beaded sequins and sable mink (it's Haute Couture after all!). Fringe was the "special guest" star in this COUTURE show, making its "appearance" in various forms: from dangling sequins and beads to napa leather. The small, but impressive collection was gorgeous in its simplicity but still taking the art of hand-made Haute Couture to a forward-thinking level. Fashion has to look back but it can only survive by moving forward.

Haute Fringe: Model Joan Smalls featuring a hand-beaded degrade sequined sweater-top (note that this little beaded top probably costs as much as a Couture Gown--approximately $100,000), skinny pants and open-toe sandals. Modern Couture, Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Fringed Warrior: Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Gypsy Queen: Sable trimmed bell-sleeved coat and creme gown, Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Suede Red Carpet: a cappuccino-colored suede gown with intricate embroidery detail at the high-hip/back midriff and high side slit, Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Halter Diva: a black halter gown with built-in cape completely embroidered with sequins on the inside lining, Givenchy Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012

0 84th Academy Awards: Who Wore What? Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture

Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture Spring 2009: Rooney Mara wore a Givenchy Haute Couture Gown that seems to be inspired by this dress from Riccardo Tisci's Spring 2009 Collection.

Rooney was easily one of the most anticipated Fashion Moments for the Oscars and many were expecting her to wear another Black Dress. I was hoping and praying for a Bright Color, but she did neither and instead chose this angelic white gown.

She looked beautiful as she always does, and although I would have liked to have seen a bit more drama either with color or beading, I am just thankful she chose not to wear black!!!

Let me know your thoughts!

0 18th Annual SAG Awards: Who Wore What? Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture Spring 2012

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture Spring 2012: Another actress lucky enough to wear Haute Couture at the SAG Awards was Miss Zoe Saldana.

She wore this white beaded gown with sheer top section, embroidered waist detailing and side slit. It seems that they made the dress slightly tighter at the hips to give it a more blouson effect, which works well on Zoe.

Was this the best she's ever looked? I'm not sure, but she certainly gets points for always being Fashion Forward and for wearing Haute Couture!

Let me know what you thought? Was she a Haute Hit or Haute Miss?!

0 Red Carpet Report: Rooney Mara, Star of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

The Newest Fashion "It" Girl:

Rooney Mara in Givenchy Pre Fall 2011 for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Madrid Photo Call

Every year, Hollywood crowns a new Fashion Red Carpet "It" Girl. Last year, it was all about Miss Cate Blanchett and Lord knows she solidified her status when at the 2011 Academy Awards, she showed up in the Givenchy Haute Couture creation that made everyone's "Best Dress of 2011" List, including mine. So, who is the new Red Carpet "It" Girl: Rooney Mara, the actress who stars in "The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo", of course!

The much-anticipated film--based on the best-selling book--was finally released late last year to much critical acclaim. And naturally, Rooney, with her stunning looks, became the girl that all the Fashion Designers (and their PR Agencies) were dying to dress. And why not? From her perfect sample size figure, her jet-black hair, porcelain skin, she's the vision of a modern, directional, fashion muse. But it wasn't always this way. Take a look at a past red carpet image of hers:

Pre Stylist Pre Goth: Rooney Mara All-American Girl

Awww, how sweet...but What the heck is she wearing? Is that grandma's dress??? Well, that was then...She may have been born very "All-American" in New York to professional football "royalty" (she is the great-granddaughter of both the founders of the Pittsburgh Steelers AND the New York Giants) but she has transformed herself--by the help of interesting dresses and a FAB stylist (supposedly Ryan Hastings) into a very "International"-looking girl. She will be the "Red Carpet Girl To Watch" at this year's Awards Season. So with that in mind, let's take a look at what she's worn, as of late:

Rooney Mara in Louis Vuitton Pre Fall 2012 for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Paris Premiere: Gorgeous black wool crepe cocktail dress with bugle-beaded detail, belt and simple strappy heels. Simple, chic and very elegant; almost classic as opposed to this:

Rooney Mara in Givenchy Couture Fall 2011 for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" World Premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London: At the London Premiere of the film, and one of her first "Red Carpet Coming Out" for the movie, she went very directional with the Forward Looking "It" Brand: Givenchy. Givenchy is designed by Riccardo Tisci. It makes sense her stylist (and Rooney) would choose this brand since it did so well for Cate Blanchett and it will help solidify Rooney as a modern fashion girl. Wouldn't surprise me if all of a sudden she becomes the Face for Givenchy Perfumes.

I have to admit that I am not such a fan of this gown. She looks a bit "Bridal Goth" in this and, the gown (which is all hand-sewn and up-close features delicately beautiful details), looks, how shall I say this, unfinished--like a really well-made toile/muslin. But I do LOVE the back of the gown, as seen in photo above.

Rooney Mara in Prabal Gurung Spring 2012 for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" New York Premiere: Another "Oh, Alrighty Then" red carpet look which Rooney wore was this black ensemble from American designer Prabal Gurung. Gurung is one of Anna Wintour's "NY Fashion Darlings" and therefore, it makes a lot of sense, she would wear him. In this, she looks dark, moody, and yes, directional. I'm not sure if this dress works but I'm sure all the fashionistas out there LUUUUVEEEDDD it. By wearing this, especially at such a high-profile premiere of her film, she is sending a message that she takes risks with fashion and won't be "boxed" into the conventional. I give her points for that.

Rooney Mara in Roksanda Ilincic Resort 2012 for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Stockholm Premiere: Another unconventional look for her was this pant ensemble from London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic (one of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's faves). She is again, consistent with the pseudo "Goth Couture" look she's been wearing as of late. The black color works well against her pale skin and dark hair, and the asymmetrical lines of the torso keep an interest up top.

Rooney Mara in Rodarte for Opening Ceremony on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon": Finally, to a recent appearance on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon", she wore (quelle surprise) BLACK again! Well, this time, with a white attached mock-neck accent piece, from Rodarte for Opening Ceremony. Interesting design, but again, I admit, not a fan. Especially with those clunky pumps, she is a bit 1940's Housewife who must be austere in her looks because there's a war going on. Let's hope she will "bring it on" for high profile award shows such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars. I have a feeling she will...and please let it NOT be black!

0 53rd Annual Grammy Awards: Who Wore What? Florence Welch in Givenchy Haute Couture Spring 2011

Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine in Givenchy Couture Spring 2011, 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Red Carpet

I LOVE Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine--Love Love Love!! And I love her even more for choosing this Givenchy Haute Couture Spring 2011 gown by Designer Riccardo Tisci for the 2011 Grammy Awards.

The gown is from Tisci's "Japanese Robot" Collection which he recently unveiled during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week and features incredible "Winged" applique over silk organza, fabulous Swan designs in the front and a "Shocking Orange" back detail. She, of course, knew to turn around and let the photographers get some shots of that amazing back detail. Smart girl!

0 Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011: Givenchy Haute Couture

Nippon Robot Couture

Tokyo Goddess: Gown--and Phillip Treacy-designed Headdress--from Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Next up on the Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week Calendar: Givenchy Haute Couture. Designed by the House's Creative Director Riccardo Tisci, the Collection was said to have been inspired by Japanese Robots (therefore the exaggerated "Wing" headdresses and wing detail of the jackets and gowns) as well as dancer Kazuo Ohno, who passed away last June and became a Muse for Tisci. To highlight this incredible collection, Tisci used a cast of ONLY Asian models including Liu Wen, Shu Pei Qin and Tao Okamoto (hurray for the ASIANAS!), who looked absolutely GORGEOUS from these photos.

Trends: "Winged" appliqué and embroidery; blush colors, light rose, "pops" of neon orange, bubblegum pink, and "Highlighter" yellow; gowns with both "hard" and "soft" detail; plissé fabric; evening gowns with SLEEVES and STRONG SHOULDERS; silhouettes that are fitted up top, flowy and loose from the waist.

Themes: Japanese Robots, dancer Kazuo Ohno (above), Wings, Body Armour; Skeletal Study.

Highlights from Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

The Back: Back of previous gown at beginning of this post; Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Strong-shouldered jacket and gown, Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

The Back of above ensemble; Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Oscar Dress: Strong-shouldered Lilac gown, Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Feathered Robotica: Ombre feathered gown with sheer illusion (for the Red Carpet this will be lined for sure!) and appliquéd "wings", Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011