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Belles of the Ball: Who Wore What at the Met Ball 2012
Nicknamed the Oscars of the East Coast, the Costume Institute Gala, known colloquially as the Met Ball, took place earlier this month to celebrate the annual opening of the Metropolitan Museum’s fashion exhibit. With Vogue as its host, the ball promised to be a spectacular occasion and is considered by many to be the red carpet event for the fashion world. With celebrities, starlets and anyone who’s anyone on the fashion circuit in attendance, this year’s Met Ball showcased a glittering display of high class glamour and chic style to celebrate the launch of the Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations show. Plus size clothing brand Curvissa take a look at some of the best dressed celebrities from 2012’s ‘Night of Nights.’
Beyonce
Whilst some are of the opinion that Beyonce’s show stealing dress revealed a touch too much of her bootylicious derriere, we think the new mum struck gold with this seductively chic Givenchy gown. The figure hugging number clung to her coveted curves and fitted her peachy behind to perfection, whilst simultaneously making a fashion statement and remaining effortlessly stylish. The sheer black lace gown came complete with a purple feathered train, which the singer complemented with minimal accessories and a slick ponytail.
Emily Blunt
Star of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Emily Blunt stepped out in a stunning and on-trend coral floor-length gown. Looking demure and ladylike she finished the look off perfectly with a tiny silver clutch bag and simple earrings.
Solange Knowles
Beyonce’s younger sister Solange lost nothing to big sis in the style stakes by wowing all in a bright yellow strapless Rachel Roy gown. It wasn’t just the singer / actress who rocked bright, bold, block colours as many celebs choose to keep it simple and bright with one of this season’s must have trends.
Carey Mulligan
Leading the list of best dressed celebs was actress Carey Mulligan, who sparkled in a Prada gown adorned with thousands of shimmer pailettes. The gold fish scale dress heralded the return of the metallic trend to the fashion spotlight and cemented the young actress as one to watch on the style circuit. Acting as honorary co-chair at the event, Mulligan even gave photographers a shy flash of her wedding ring following her recent nuptials to Mumford & Sons singer, Marcus Mumford.
Scarlett Johansson
Dressed in a sparkling fishtailed Dolce & Gabbana gown teamed with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, Scarlett Johansson added a touch of old school Hollywood glamour to the proceedings, a look which she has perfected over the years. The incredibly feminine and intricately detailed dress clung to Johansson’s every curve before flaring at the knee in a flare of delicate mesh fabric. With all that detail in the dress, the actress made the wise choice to keep her neck and shoulders bare, creating a sexy but chic look and highlighting her enviable cleavage.
Suitcase of Style: 2012’s Holiday Wardrobe Essentials
Summer holiday season is almost upon us and as we begin to research which destinations to venture to this year, the high street is welcoming in rails of clothing designed for sunnier climes. But with so many fabulous trends emerging this season, it can be difficult to choose which ones should make it into our holiday suitcases. Get your summer holiday wardrobe set for the new season and take a look at our guide to this season’s vacation essentials, without lambasting your luggage allowance.
Red and yellow
When it comes to colour, make sure that precious suitcase space is taken up with summer’s hottest hues: red and yellow. From soft sorbet shades to neon brights, nothing says summer like glorious yellow. Featured across most runway collections for Spring/Summer 2012, yellow is this season’s best friend and will look great on everything from ladies dresses to retro hot pants. Meanwhile red, the signature shade at this year’s Oscars, should be worn in hues of candy apple with a lick of killer lipstick to match; perfect for those sexy summer nights.
Fancy florals
You don’t need to be Anna Wintour to predict that florals will be a strong feature for summer; but it’s how you wear your blossoms that will either make or break your outfit. To earn some serious style points, load your luggage with abstract patterns, painterly prints, and appliqué flower features adorned across 50s inspired dresses and palazzo pants, or take the trend to the beach and look for cheap bikinis decorated in fabulous fauna. To make a real fashion statement, take note from the runways and go all out in head-to-toe flowers.
Gold
Introduce a touch of decadence to your holiday wardrobe with gorgeous gold garments. To get this trend spot on, channel 70s Hollywood screen sirens and blend gold hues with rich black and dark browns on bold maxi dresses and full length playsuits. Keep it subdued during the daytime in a muted hue or make a statement after sunset in a shimmering shade. For subtle metallic touches, opt for gold jewellery such as bohemian drop earrings, bangles or chunky gold and wooden beaded necklaces.
Oversized Hats
If you were in on this trend last year then hold on to your hats as oversized floppy headgear is still very much in fashion favour for 2012. Unlike most fashion trends which start life on the catwalk, this popular hat was borne of celebville and spurned a resurgence of this retro accessory. Wear with everything from maxi dresses and cute frocks to jeans and swimwear for a look that will not only put you heads above fellow holidaymakers, but also keep your face protected from those harsh sunrays.
Bring spring into your life – home decor ideas for the new season
Spring is here. Blossom is dancing in the wind, flowers are blooming and the smell of freshly cut grass sweeps through the air. Change is all around, so for many of us this means we’re stepping out in the new season’s styles. But it’s not just our clothes that need a little revamp for the warmer months; it’s also time to bring a little spring into your home life.
Whether you’ve moved into a new home fresh for the season or you’re revamping your existing living space, now’s the time to get started. After all you want to be ready so when summer hits, you can enjoy it to the full.
Spring clean
Fortunately if you’ve moved into one of the many new homes all around the country you won’t need to do a spring clean as you’ll have a blank slate ready to move in to. For the rest of us though, it has to be done. Not only that; it’s time to be ruthless. Now is not the time to have our homes full of clutter. A clean break is needed. If you don’t use it, get rid now.
Three second scan
De-cluttering can be difficult. But there are a few tips and tricks to find out exactly what you need to get rid of. If you’re not sure where to start, walk into the room with your eyes closed. Open them and scan for three short seconds, choosing the three items which bother you the most. That’s your starting point for change.
Bright statement colours
Spring is all about bright vivid eye-catching colours. They’re all around us, so it’s time to add a little bright and shine to our home lives too. Make a statement with bright colours that suggest the idea of nature in spring; green, pink, sky-blue, and lavender. They instantly give your home an airy and fresh atmosphere which in turn will create a sense of optimism and energy.
Add white accents
It’s not just about bright colours in spring though. White accents immediately brighten up any space. Using a plain white canvas on the wall can really tie the room together. If you get the right balance it will be perfect.
Bring the outside indoors
There’s no better symbol for spring than flowers. Bringing their gentle presence indoors is so simple but will instantly freshen up the space you have. Not only that, you can dress up any pot or vase you keep them in. Adding some cherry blossom is quick and easy, but will instantly transform a vase and immediately conjure images of spring. Leave no corner of the house without a decorative pot or vase.
To really hit the spring style notes quickly and cheaply, buy a no frills creamware jug and grab yourself armfuls of fresh flowers. It’s simple, full of rustic charm and perfect for spring.
Accessorise
Livening up your home for spring can be a very easy process. Once you’ve got rid of the clutter and cleaned things up a bit you can transform a space with a few simple accessories. This season it’s all about lemon and lime accessories, or those with a nautical touch. Following what’s going on in the fashion world where neons and a desire for coastal tranquillity are the big inspirations; it’s time to adopt this in your home.
Whether a new home or an old tired space; bringing spring into your life couldn’t be simpler.
A-list celebs let pregnancy fashion do the talking
Actress Sienna Miller must have been taking lessons from singer Beyonce in how to make a baby announcement with style. Well, with fashion to be exact!
Posing for the cameras at a recent A-list party in New York, Sienna slipped off her jacket to reveal a gorgeous black halterneck dress that flowed elegantly over her baby bump. At the MTV Video Music Awards a few months ago, Beyonce appeared onstage in a Dolce & Gabbana purple blazer and black trousers, proudly rubbing her tum.
For most of us, the right maternity wear isn’t about red carpet dresses, but it can be the way to feel great as we start to see our bodies change shape dramatically. To save you from the nightmare of having to find something in the wardrobe that still fits around the waist, today’s high street names have set about creating affordable everyday pregnancy glam that’s fashionable enough to wear right into motherhood.
The five rules to buying the right maternity wear
1. Stick to your pre-pregnancy size
There’s no need to go up to a bigger size unless you’re expecting more than one baby. That’s because a size 12 maternity skirt, for example, has been designed with extra panelling so it fits better in all the right places.
2. Layer light fabrics
Look for comfortable light fabrics and layer your outfits. You tend to feel hot more easily when you’re pregnant because your body is burning energy at a higher rate, and because you have more blood flowing around your system. Make up outfits from layers that you can whip off easily.
3. Get a maternity bra
Even if you don’t have big boobs, during pregnancy your ribcage moves to accommodate your growing bump, and this affects the kind of bra you need. Bras with cotton cups, no underwiring and more fasteners at the back are recommended for comfort and good support. Don’t worry though, you can still look sexy with brands like Panache and Freya extending their gorgeous lines into nursing bras.
4. Be yourself
Long gone are the days when maternity dresses meant big pattern designs or huge sailor collars to distract from the bump. These days it’s easy to find maternity jeans with elasticated waistbands in all the regular styles you love, pretty dresses for daywear and special occasion outfits that don’t cost the earth.
5. Don’t go mad
It’s true that your favourite maternity clothes will last you into motherhood, but there’s no need to replace your whole wardrobe.
What to Wear for Wedding Season 2012
Spring is just around the corner and with the arrival of better weather and longer days comes the chime of wedding bells. For some, that sound means weeks of fretting and searching for the perfect outfit. But, instead of last minute panicking over what to wear, check out our plus size fashion guide to wedding attire and ensure you are the best dressed guest on the big day.
Loved up in lace
Lovely lace has a tendency to trend in Autumn/Winter, but this year sees lace continue right into Spring/Summer, making it a fantastic choice for wedding season. Keep your finger on the fashion pulse and opt for candy colours in shades of blue, pink, yellow and green, which are set to be huge news for the warmer months. Complete the playful look with a preppy cardigan and cute ballet pumps or, for something a little more grown up, team with a pair of demure kitten heels and a pashmina.
Black and white wedding
If the bride and groom to be have opted for a classy black tie event, this should at least save on stressing over which colour palette best complements your skin tone. If the occasion is calling for monochrome glamour, then monochrome glamour it is; however, that still leaves finding the ideal style to suit your shape. Curvissa offer some gorgeous black and white dresses as well as fantastic advice on which cuts and shapes will look best on your body type.
Informal and intimate
A casual no-frills ceremony can be just as tricky as the lavish affairs as it can be difficult to strike the balance between too much and too little. Whilst jeans are almost definitely no-go (unless specifically requested by the bride), it’s fair to say that you needn’t worry about traditional wedding wear such as fascinators. These weddings provide the perfect opportunity to wear something a little more ‘you’, so wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, perhaps glamming up a casual day dress with pretty jewellery, or wearing a slightly dressier number with sandals instead of heels.
Gatsby Glam
With the upcoming movie release of The Great Gatsby, the fashion-sphere is abuzz with 1920s inspired apparel and the great news is that the style is ideal for wedding guest attire. Dropped waists, deco prints, shift styles and feather trims are all over the high street, all finished off with a smattering of sequins for a glitzy 20s twist. Be careful not to take the trend too far or your outfit could start to look a little costume-y and remember to pair a retro dress with contemporary shoes and accessories.
City chic
A sophisticated wedding ceremony requires a chic, modern outfit, either with a simple but elegant shift dress, or a fashion forward trousers and top combo. If you opt for a dress, go for a sculpted number that offers a sleek silhouette and cinches in the waist or, if dresses aren’t your thing, look for palazzo pants teamed with towering heels. Either way, add a little glamour with sparkling accessories, such as embellished hair bands and chandelier earrings.
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