Ladies Who Lunch: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Met!

A true artist in every sense of the word, Alexander McQueen was a prolific designer whose untimely death in 2010 shocked the fashion world.  Recognizing his creative genius, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has curated an exhibit that is a tribute to his talent.  Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty is one of the largest and most elaborate costume exhibits that the Met has ever presented.

Having trained and worked on Savile Row in tailoring before going on to receive his masters in design from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Alexander McQueen had the reputation for creating an impeccably tailored look.  He was so skilled in his craft that he could drape, make the pattern and sew any of his creations all by himself, and he often did.

The exhibit starts with his graduation collection from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, inspired by Jack the Ripper and placing encapsulated hair in the linings of the garments.  The collection was bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow and after her death it was purchased by heiress Daphne Guiness.  Beginning with this first collection and continuing throughout his career, McQueen’s presentations could shock, titillate, repulse or delight his audiences.  But no matter what the reaction that they elicited, no one could deny his extreme talent.

One whole gallery, the “Cabinet of Curiosities”, is devoted to hats and accessories created for McQueen’s collections by designers like Phillip Treacy.  Hats made of forest twigs formed into a bird or a flurry of butterflies, metal decorative headpieces, and sculptural shoes are all presented in cubby holes that line the walls.  Above, television monitors play videos of McQueen’s most dramatic presentations, including one in which robotic arms spray paint a dress while it is being worn by model Shalom Harlow.

Exploring Alexander McQueen’s inspiration for his collections takes us on a journey through Sado-Masochism, Scottish Heritage, Asian motifs, Romanticism and Naturalism.  Evident throughout is McQueen’s genius and technical skill, but we also get a glimpse into the tormented soul that brought all of the fantasies of his collections to life.

An incredible talent, McQueen’s work dazzles in the exhibit as it did in his presentations and he will most certainly be remembered as one of the most important designers of our time.  This is a must-see exhibit for anyone who loves fashion and for anyone who loves art.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

May 4 - July 31, 2011

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Ladies Who Lunch: Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala 2011

It was Alexander McQueen’s legacy that triumphed this week.  First, McQueen’s design house made the wedding dress for the future Queen of England, Kate Middleton, a wedding that is being called the wedding of the century.  Next, the week saw the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, one of the most extravagant and extensive costume exhibits we have seen at the Met, opening to the public on May 4.  LadiesWhoLunch was privy to an early press preview  and we can tell you that it is so extraordinary we will be going back again once it opens to the public.

The opening of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit was celebrated by The Met’s annual fete, the Costume Institute Gala, a star studded event that is oftentimes referred to as the Oscars of the East.

The stars poured out from Maybachs, black Cadillacs, and even a Prius in what seemed like the biggest celebrity event in recent memory to honor the late Alexander McQueen.

The entry stairs of the Met museum were covered with red carpet and with a nod to McQueen’s Scottish ancestry, young, handsome men dressed in traditional kilts stood at the entrance to greet the celebrity guests.

Models who defined ‘supermodel’, like Naomi Campbell, Giselle Bundchen and Iman looked stunning in outfits (Iman in a gold sequined jumpsuit) that were couture worthy and keeping in the spirit of Alexander McQueen.  Model of the moment, Doutzen Kroes, dwarfed the red carpet with her massive flowing red dress with an endless train.

The erstwhile and yes, my favorite editor from Vogue, Hamish Bowles, was easily spotted in his red plaid caped suit, running from Barney’s New York with the diminutive yet powerful socialite heiress, Daphne Guinness.  We had just come from seeing Ms. Daphne change into her vintage McQueen gown for the evening in  the Barney’s NY windows, a brilliant PR coup for Barney’s NY.  

Tom Ford flashed his devilish smile and somehow made the tuxedo sexy again as he escorted his date up the stairs and Christian Louboutin arrived dressed in a red velvet jacket, black hat and plaid Oxford shoes.

Designer Stella McCartney was sited arriving, as was her father Paul McCartney and even Yoko Ono attended the exhibit.  Florence, without the Machine, made a grand entrance, resplendent with  her red hair and a massive white furry coat.  Later in the evening, the coat made a hasty exit on the arms of an assistant, proving perhaps too bulky to carry around all evening.

The very pregnant Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba showed off their beautiful bumps in floor length gowns, while the always gentlemanly designer, Oscar De La Renta, escorted new mom, Penelope Cruz, carefully up the stairs. 

A collective sigh went up for the tanned and handsome Orlando Bloom. But it was his gorgeous model wife and new mom, Miranda Kerr, that caused the women in the crowds to gasp at her razor thin waist and mile high heels. Apparently the laws of gravity and nature do not apply to pregnancies of model types. Sigh….

Miss Semi Homemade, Sandra Lee, was a surprise of the evening in cream chiffon gloves and a sparkly matching cream strapless gown.

Jennifer Lopez was immediately swept up into the crowd of arrivees, in a red floor flowing gown with a little jacket that just covered the shoulders seemingly made all of flowers.

Amy Poehler looked like silver screen platinum legend, wearing a black fitted dress with a sheer chiffon neckline. Christina Richie was very petite in person but looked stunning in her cobwebby embroidered mermaid gown with designer Zac Posen as her escort.

Twilight girl Kristen Stewart showed up sans Robert Pattinson, but did arrive with her designers Proenza Schouler and accompanied by Ashley Greene looking chic and elegant in her blush colored dress with silver sequin streaks.

Beyoncé and Jay Z were late arrivals in a Maybach.  Beyoncé’s figure hugging fishtail gown was so form fitting that her gallant husband and assistant had to help her navigate the stairs.

The most naturally beautiful star for me was the radiant Michelle Williams, wearing a simple black dress with gold sparrow appliques.

Finally, the red carpet show ended with Madonna late arrival, nearly two hours after the event was slated to start. She nearly tripped when her heel caught in her long star spangled satin train.  Madge kneeled down to detangle herself before being escorted by Guy Oseary up the stairs.  

Maddona appeared to be the last of the arrivals and as the handlers began to leave their posts it seemed to signal the beginning of the ball and the end of the show for us.

Reported by Ritika Wahal and Mdivani Monroe

 Photo credits: Lia Toby/WENN , Telegraph UK, 

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Ladies Who Lunch: Save on Nicky Hilton Style and Give Back!!

The amount of suffering in the world due to poverty, disease, birth defects and natural disasters is overwhelming.  When we truly look around ourselves, we can see how fortunate we are in our lives.  And recognizing that, we have the choice to do nothing or to use that good fortune to help those less fortunate.  Nicky Hilton, Socialite Celebrity, Style Icon and Designer, has chosen the latter and is giving back and urging us to do the same!  One of Ms. Hilton’s causes is the Race to Erase MS, a campaign dedicated to the treatment of and ultimate cure of Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.  

Nicky Hilton has partnered with YouCeleb.com, an e-commerce company offering daily deals inspired by celebrity fashion from POSHGLAM’s designers each Friday.  This week, Nicky Hilton’s gorgeous Bypass Spike Bangle bracelet is being offered for $50 less than it’s retail price, making it a steal at only $150!  Even more exciting than getting a beautiful new bracelet to rock your style, you can feel good about your purchase knowing that 15% of all proceeds from the sale will go directly to the Race to Erase MS cause, a win/win situation!

So go to YouCeleb.com, take advantage of this incredible deal and help the cause to eradicate MS, aiding those less fortunate and finding away to prevent future suffering from this crippling disease.

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Ladies Who Lunch: L.A. Fashion Weekend 2011 Part 3

Having previously reported on the womenswear and handbag portion of my evening at L.A. Fashion Weekend at the Sunset Gower Studios, it is time to move on to the two menswear collections!

The first of the men’s collections to hit the runway was Z-Brand, a line that offers clothing for a relaxed casual lifestyle.  Z-Brand originated from the designer’s travels around the world and the effects that travel had on his clothes: a worn-around-the-edges relaxed and on-the-move look.

For Fall 2011, Z-Brand took its inspiration from Jon Krakauer’s novel “Into the Wild”, bringing an even more rugged masculine feel to the collection.  Presenting a good mix of denim, knits, plaid shirts and bulky cardigans, Z-Brand can easily and stylishly fill your needs for casual wear.  And let’s face it, people are dressing more casually than ever.

Next of the men’s collections presented was Civil Society, designed by Brad Schwartz.  While Z-Brand goes after that casual “I don’t care about my clothes” look, Civil Society is more for the man who wants to make a statement with his clothes.

Civil Society combines European craftsmanship with American sensibility, blending old-school tailoring with modern textiles and trim details.  Citing its inspiration as “the creativity and original style of musicians and everyday people”, Civil Society’s Fall 2011 collection has more of an urban dressier appeal.  The collection includes a variety of jackets, sleek pants, vests, dress shirts and hoodies, suitable for everyone from rock stars to more relaxed office attire.

Seeing two lines back to back like this empahsized how different they were and how they both not only were viable as LA lines, but could also have a broader universal appeal.  I can easily see hanging both in my closet to suit different activities and moods!

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Ladies Who Lunch: L.A. Fashion Weekend Fall 2011 Part 2

The second evening of L.A. Fashion Weekend featured 6 different companies on the runway, 4 women’s wear and accessory companies and 2 menswear companies.  Since they all appeared on the runway one after the other, I will report first on all of the women’s wear companies.

The first label to hit the catwalk was Biatta, a company that not only has its own line of lingerie/intimate apparel, but also does private label for companies like Victoria’s Secret, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s.   Lace, animal prints and floral prints ruled the runway with lingerie that is definitely not intended to stay under wraps.  This is lingerie that you want to wear for that special someone in your life. :)

Next up, Nicole Lee, USA, an LA based handbag company.  Models dressed in black leggings and black tops with colorful scarves sported the latest collection of handbags on the runway.  Obligatory blacks and browns were shown together with a gorgeous teal colored bag and a mixture of prints, tassels, faux fur, giant logos and even feathers made for a trendsetting collection of handbags.

Then back to apparel, we experienced the world of Nuvula.  Inspiration for the design team at Nuvula is a mixture of art, poetry and theater, combining to create what they describe as “The circus of life, the circus of performing, and the circus of the surreal”.  A color palette of black, white, red and purple was presented with large houndstooths, bohemian prints and bold color-blocking.  Silhouettes also took on a futuristic avant-garde approach with an emphasis on exaggerated shoulders.

Fittingly closing the evening was DINA BAR-EL’s evening creations.   The DINA BAR-EL collection of cocktail dresses and gowns lived up to the obligatory glamour necessary in a town where the red carpet rules.  Although there were a few pieces that relied on sequins and embellishment for their allure, the majority of the collection focused on sleek almost art deco lines reminiscent of 1930’s Hollywood.   Designed to show off the body to its best advantage, DINA BAR-EL also proved that she is not afraid of color, offering bright emerald green, royal blue, fuschia and a luscious mango.  Of course there were also blacks, pewters, animal prints and lace, rounding out a collection that we will most definitely be seeing at award shows and premiers.

Despite being such a mixed bag of design companies, there was a nice flow to the show and each line seemed to compliment the next.   Stay tuned for the 2 mens collections that were presented!

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