Met Costume Institute Gala 2008 - The Superheroes

Since the $7,500-a-ticket event has set the theme as Superhero, then let's meet some beautiful superheroes! By the way, Marc Jacobs confessed that he was wearing Superman underwear beneath his tuxedo which I don't have any photo to show.

• Audrey Tautou, the latest face of Chanel No.5 Perfume, in Chanel Spring 08 Couture - The colour made her porcelain-like skin even more glowing, and the cut made her look stunning! Who said we have to wear long dresses? We are superheroes on the go!
  

• Anna Wintour in Chanel Couture (truely Superhero Coutour Look!) & her daughter Bee Shaffer in a beautiful Nina Ricci Gown - Comparing to Bee's outfit last year, I adore the colour of this dress much more. She's really a classic beauty, but the dress looked tiny little bit overpowering her.
  

Bee Shaffer in a beautiful Nina Ricci in Costume Institute Gala 2008


Bee Shaffer also in a beautiful Nina Ricci in Costume Institute Gala 2007

• Eva Longoria Parker in Marchesa aw08 - It is a controversial one. I like deep purple, and I also like the design, but I am not sure if the beautiful design in this rich colour really suits Eva.

• Claudia Schiffer in Valentino 08 Couture - the baby blue made her eyes even bluer and the made her skin light-reflecting. The shape is perfect for super-slim Claudia, great! However, I have to say that I still prefer her skin looks nature rather than this tan.
  

• Camilla Belle in Armani Privé ss08 Couture - Another blue superhero, great!

Just a Sketch?

I love looking at different fashion sketches, since they always reveal a lot about the designers… OK, I am not an expert on this, but still you can see the drawing styles and the really tiny details, e.g. whether they are neat, what sorts of image they try to portray, and etc. When we sometimes see a high price tag, we will probably understand that much more by just looking at from the first drawings to the runway show.

Here, I came across this sketch randomly. Hold on a minute, that’s the drawing of Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Haute Couture aw06. The beautiful sketch looks actually look pretty detailed, which, of course, ensures the very best Chanel quality for their handmade couture clothes. Interestingly, you can see that Karl likes to mix traditional Chanel elegance with some modern touch; teaming the skinny blue jeans with the tailored suit. Even the face of the model also shows the some edginess. I can actually imagine the tension and pressure that Karl’s staffs had when the drawing was made. If you watched the THE HOUSE OF CHANEL shown on BBC 2007, you know what I mean.

Rumour has it... it is ridiculously hard to get a smile from Anna Wintour for any collection. Then what can be more successful than two very important Anna both have worn the suits? Anna Wintour wore the suit for Chanel aw07 Ready-to-Wear, while beautiful Anna Mouglalis attended the opening of Chanel boutique in Moscow in Sept 2006. Guess what? I feel culturised, since I really didn't feel the same way as the first time I saw the suit..... Umm, more sketches to come.

photo: getty images

1950s Glamour

I was tidying up my wardrobe and realised many of clothes are sorts of influenced by 50s glamour. In case you want to read something about 1940s fashion, you can check out my the other post, 1940s Fascination.

If someone asks me what is so significant about 1950s fashion, I’d say the New Look of Christian Dior which dominated the fashion for almost a decade since 1947, was gradually taken over by Chanel boxy-cut suits (after Chanel reopen in 1954) and of course, the birth of the famous Chanel classic 2.55 bag, launched in Feburary 1955. However, I guess that the most important issue happened in the fashion industry is the arrival of the teenager fashion, which overpowered the fabulous fashion for mid-age ladies. It was the first time that teenager girls did not dress like their mothers.

Actually, 1950s fashion was a period of transition in fashion, since till mid 1950s, everything was still pretty much 1940s. Then, the arrival of the teenage cult mutated the fashion from much disciplined style to more flexible 1950s glamour – the defined waist line, the gorgeous full and voluminous skirt, the pencil slim tubular skirt and mid-heeled pumps. The detailing on the clothes in 1950s is very pretty – beading on the sweaters and occasional extravagance on the circle skirts. OK, let’s put an easier way: the first half of 1950s is more Grace Kelly (or even Anna Wintour) whilst the second half is moving toward Audrey Hepburn.

(Dior New Look dominates the fashion industry 1947 - mid 50s)

(Grace Kelly & Elizabeth Taylor in early 50s)

(Audrey Hepburn's cropped fitted trousers and relaxed jumper influenced mid 50s fashion)

(The reopen of Chanel gives the 50s suit a new definition)

The movie, Walk the Line (2005), is a perfect example for the fashion during that era, since it goes through the whole 50s. Particularly, I do think Reese Witherspoon has the perfect early 50s style.

There is one interesting dress worn by Reese Witherspoon looks like Zac Posen ss06 dress worn by Hilary Swank in P.S. I Love You (2008). Here we have it that mordern fashion is influenced by this fifties feel.

What’s good about fashion is that there is always something new, the chic ones will remains as "style" and the ambiguous ones will become a short trend. For me, what's more interesting is the new modern 50s influnced fashion. Many talented designers are able to indicate the past, but the silhouette gives much fashion-forward picture.

Blumarine ss07 - shows its best chic clothing

Christian Dior ss07 - the mix of late fifties boxes cut & modern sleeve detailing


Bottega Veneta aw08 makes late fifties fitted cut much more effortless!

In the mood of dressing up, I thought I'd play with some my outfits that are sorts of influenced by fifties but shows much more of my own definition... I was going to model myself, but God, I don't why I'm useless in front of camera. I like mix & match, which is really important for 1) I cannot afford keep buying new things, so I have to "utilise" them ; and 2) I have kept too many clothes (so if I don't play with it, it will sleep in my wardrobe).

• My Early 50s influenced Wardrobe

Top: Gucci Mohair Jumper
Skirt: Chanel Polka Dot Silk Skirt
Belt: Alexander McQueen Padlock Belt

Do you like this little brooch? That's my Chanel clip-on earring.

Top: Burberry Prorsum

Skirt: Chanel

• My Mid & Late 50s influenced Wardrobe

Top: Gucci Mohair Jumper
Skirt: My cutiest Moschino

Hello u!

Top: Chanel
Skirt: Alexander McQueen

Top: Chanel
Skirt: Paul Smith Women

Top: Chanel
Skirt: Louis Vuitton
Brooch: Prada

Top: Matthew Williamson
Skirt: Louis Vuitton with the beautiful little bow at the back

Top: Moschino Jacket - always pick me up in the morning
Skirt: Louis Vuitton

Let Me Be Your Fantasy!

I was reading InStyle magazine (UK May 08 issue) the other day and here it comes - a huge page about shopping and new season Chanel. I am not a weak-minded person who can be easily influenced by an advertisement, but I am not that strong facing Chanel. That's why a full page advertisement on a best-selling magazine can cost a firm almost 5-figure cost per month. This one even better, not just an simple advert, but full hands-on simulation. The thing for Chanel is that it is hard to just purchase only 1 item. They just have so much connection between products, but before that we need space for my wardrobe, seriously!

I really train myself to do this since my wardrobe has not much space left for this new season. However, it is such a hard process, I mean mentally. I love my clothes truly, deeply and madly, especially my Chanel – they are my style savers. You know, when you need to but are not really in the mood of dressing up, they are the easiest thing to pick you up and lots of fun. On the other hand, I tell myself that I should be more disciplined, so many of my beautiful things are simply sleeping in my wardrobe. God, should I, could I, would I? Therefore, I'm thinking to "sorting out" these beautiful Chanel fantasy jackets.

• The famous Chanel 04p Fantasy Jacket - I love everything about it, the black and white lace contrast; the tiny sequins going through the boucle fabric and the classic cutting.

• Chanel 04p Red, Pink & Black Fantasy Jackets with tiny black sequins all way through, with its matching cute dress!
  

• Chanel 05p Fantasy Jacket - for me, the comfort and rich details are the true luxury. Look at this cute babe. I can wear team it with jeans for a easy afternoon tea; or my Chanel silk orgnaza skirt for theatre. That's why I love about Chanel, super easy lux!

• Chanel 05A 50th Anniversary Camellia Wool Coat and its pretty Camellia brooch
  

My right brain has been trying to convince myself, saying that "enough is enough", but my left brain keeps thinking "they are sooooooo pretty, lovely and forever"! And Chanel says to me "Let me be your fantasy!"