The Met Ball 2013

The Met Ball in New York took place last weekend, the fashion industry’s annual opportunity to show off the most beautiful gowns on the most beautiful people.  This year designers created outfits inspired by ‘punk chaos’ so safety pins, colour clashes and stud embellishments were key in creating some of the most show stopping gowns....

Above:  Cara Delevigne perfectly punked in a plunging Burberry dress armoured in tiny gold spikes.  Hands down the  best dressed of the night.

Above:  The saying goes, 'Go Hard or Go Home' and Sarah Jessica Parker went Hard as NAILS!  SJP accessorised her voluminous Giles Deacon ball-gown (and lace knickers!) with thigh-high velvet TARTAN Louis Vuitton boots and a Philip Treacy Mohican headpiece!  

Above:  Some celebrities really embraced the theme with punk hairstyles and make-up, particularly Anne Hathaway who, wearing vintage Valentino (1992) with yellow nailpolish, took the opportunity to debut her new peroxide hair. I LOVE punk Anne!

Above:  A little safe and not particularly 'punk chaos' but I will NEVER tire of Rooney Marawearing white on the red carpet.  The actress contrasted her dark lipstick with her delicate white lace Givenchy gown.  Otherworldly. 

Above:  Errrrrrrm... Yup. That would be a floral upholstered Kim Kardashian in a Riccardo Tisci designed Givenchy gown, complete with 'gleeves' (glove sleeves).  Dreadful. 

Gwyneth Paltrow Flying High at the Oscars

My favourite look from this year’s Oscars was undoubtedly Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. Despite Angelina’s left leg trying its best to pull focus, Gwyneth was stunningly statuesque in a white column gown with matching cape. With natural make up and a soft, relaxed ponytail (an unusual red-carpet trend at this year’s awards) Gwyneth looked breathtakingly fresh, modern and elegant amongst the annual swarm of frills and fluff.

Gwyneth revealed, “I saw a pic of Jackie O in a white dress with a cape and it's been a while since anyone's worn a cape, frankly, except for Superman." The picture she described (left) was of Jackie O in the cream chiffon gown and sweeping cape she designed herself and wore to the inaugural ball in 1961.

Coming a close second to Gwyneth was Oscar nominated Michelle Williams (below) always a red carpet favourite of mine, wearing a pomegranate-coral coloured peplum gown by Louis Vuitton. I loved her clashing pink clutch bag, bright pink lips and the adorable diamante bow brooch attached to her waist.

A special style mention should go to Natalie Portman (far left) the picture of timeless elegance, who chose to wear a 1954 Christian Dior vintage couture polka dot gown despite having her choice of every new dress off the runway. Also, the Oscar nominated Rooney Mara (left) who wore a unique, backless Givenchy structured dress with origami folds and lace details – the white gown along with her porcelain skin, deep red lips and blunt, raven hair created a startlingly striking look on the red carpet.

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Right: Cameron Diaz, who rarely ever puts a foot (or Choo) wrong on the red carpet in my opinion, shone in both her contrasting dresses on the big night; a beautiful and shimmering, pale pink Gucci dress for the awards, followed by a dazzlingly bright orange dress by Victoria Beckham for the Vanity Fair party.

Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue 2012

It’s that time of the year where we ask ourselves: Who is the Vanity Fairest of them all?

The annual March Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair is now available and features the ‘fresh stars of 2012’ on its cover, photographed by Mario Testino.

Chosen for their impact on film in the last year, the lineup of 11 actresses includes two Oscar nominees, Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and Jessica Chastain (The Help) alongside Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Lawrence, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins and Brit Marling.

“This group has solid acting credentials. Some have already taken on great roles, and I think that all of these girls are on the go-to list for every film currently being cast,” explained Vanity Fair features editor Jane Sarkin.