'Valentino In Rome, 45 Years of Style'

The tribute to Valentino is believed to be the most sought-after ticket of the year. Trolling the red carpet were several hotties, but the standouts were Anne Hathaway, Uma Thurman, SJP, and Claire Danes.

Fashion, like Hollywood is a very fickle world. A person can become an overnight success and then fade into oblivion without a thought. Only a handful of designers ever make it into the history books, the ones who become legends in their own time. Valentino is one such designer.

The perennially tan gentleman whose style is delineated by clean lines, minimal detail, and elegant forms has taken these elements and built himself an empire, becoming a global icon in the process. It is these qualities of his that enabled him to dress women such as Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Renee Zellweger, Sandra Bullock and the late Princess Diana. He has designed the wedding gowns of two Onassis women: Jacqueline Kennedy for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis and Athina Onassis. Although it’s women’s couture for which he is most known, his fashion house also includes a ready-to-wear line, mens line, accessories and fragrances.

The tribute to Valentino’s almost half a century in the business is believed to be the most sought-after ticket of the year. The guest list is a who’s who of modern-day royalty, Hollywood glitterati and European designers, all of whom arrived to pay homage to one of Italy’s national treasures. Guests included Claudia Schiffer, Natasha Richardson, Elle MacPherson, Karl Lagerfeld, Elizabeth Hurley, Manolo Blahnik, Princess Caroline and Prince Ernst, Mario Testino and David Furnish. Trolling the red carpet were several hot stars, but the standouts were Anne Hathaway, Uma Thurman, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Claire Danes.

All Grown Up
Actress Anne Hathaway made her film debut in The Princess Diaries, playing a girl named Mia who learns she’s a princess by birth and finds her life turned upside down by this discovery. And while most young girls would find it hard to do, Hathaway gives it her all without coming off as OTT. Not an easy thing to do on film, much less the red carpet where the paps’ lenses are all on you. Her next film, The Devil Wears Prada, where she plays assistant to editor Meryl Streep, captured more of ingénue Anne’s simplicity, and that’s what we like about her- flawless skin and looks, but a head uninflated by Hollywood! No wonder she was one of 2006’s 50 Most Beautiful.

For the Valentino tribute, Anne goes for a time-honored fave with another black design. But at least she knows what works, and is one of the few young stars not to flaunt a thigh-high hemline or a recurring alcohol habit. Indeed, her inner and outer style can’t be beat. Back to the outfit, the short black-and-gold dress, gold clutch and ribbon-tie sandals give her an elegance above the rest. The styled hair and luminous glow all give her an ethereal quality that not many have in Tinseltown. Something to be said about not overstressing your liver! Lady Anne lights up the carpet, not with a flashy dress sense, but just good taste and great set of gams. Simply gorgeous.

Smoking Hot
Uma Thurman shares her name with a Hindu goddess, so we guess it’s only fair that she looks like one. The thirtysomething star of Dangerous Liaisons, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill has something of an exotic childhood. The daughter of a former model and a Buddhist scholar, she divided her time between India and the US and calls the Dalai Lama a family friend. Talented Uma then became a model herself and stormed Hollywood in one film after another. A current pitchwoman for Louis Vuitton, Uma married and divorced actors Gary Oldman and Ethan Hawke before a relationship with hotelier Andre Balazs, which ended just recently.

In this sleeveless high-necked gown with matching strappy sandals and slit on the side, Uma pulls out all the stops. What we love most, is how well the dress drapes to the side, giving her just enough definition but not so much that we forget who’s wearing it. When you’re a mother of two and still radiant on the red carpet, you must be doing something right! Not to be stopped by her past cinematic glory, she in the running for a Bollywood film with one of their brightest leading men. Well played, Uma.

Costume Drama
Sarah Jessica Parker can basically write her own ticket in the film industry. All because of a star turn as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. Watching Sarah in her Manolos week after week, we idolized her. Not just her character’s attitude, her dress sense, but the whole package. With a fragrance, her own clothing line, and Emmys as actress and producer under her belt, SJP can do no wrong. The fashionista seems to move from strength to strength. Star Sarah previously dated JFK Jr. (who was known for his love of leggy blondes), Robert Downey Jr., before marrying Matthew Broderick. She likes to split her time between homes in New York and Ireland, not a bad life we must say.

While our take on her career is positive, we’re not so sure about her outfit. It’s arguably the most unusual look in the entire tribute no doubt. But we guess that is typical Ms. Sarah, someone following her own heart. The short gold dress with long puffy sleeves and high neckline, make us recall a previous movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare In Love where the young blonde sported a costume not unlike what the Parkster is wearing here. All she needs is some frills around the neck and an out-to-there crinoline and she could play an extra in the next period film. But then again, it is a homage to Mr. Valentino, who loves grandeur so why not?


Magnificent
And now, the best for last. Claire Danes refreshed us with this stunningly classic look, a sleeveless white-on-white polka dot dress with tied black bow and T-strap heels. Not only does the dress shine on her, but she wisely pairs it with natural makeup. Who says summer frocks have to be revealing? All this outfit says is “hot!”

The former Golden Globe winner starred in tv’s “My So-Called Life” before moving to the big time with flicks The Hours and Terminator 3 and The Mod Squad. Danes in one of the few young stars who can drift between comedy and drama, making her a rare commodity in H-wood. Her affairs with actors Billy Crudup and Matt Damon behind her, Danes is now with Hugh Dancy, her costar in Evening, according to a recent showing on Letterman. The actress seems to prefer boyish-looking men, but she could do a lot worse than Dancy, whom she attended the tribute with.

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Celebrity Watch: The Musical (and Sartorial) Stylings of Norah Jones

Norah Jones, with her sultry looks and even sultrier voice, was born for the stage. The young artist and second daughter of sitarist Ravi Shankar, has made her mark in a very short time.

Jones’ debut album Come Away With Me in 2002, won over fans and critics alike with its original music, and soulful performances. NJ walked away with no less than six Grammys for her first effort. What’s truly remarkable is her ability to soothe the tired ear with just one song.

An even harder feat to accomplish is making the next album just as hot but the Jonester scored again. Her latest work, Not Too Late, made its debut this year at number one on the charts.

Proof positive that Miss Norah is no one-hit wonder, but a hard-core talent that kills us softly. And what would be better than a hit album, but a live performance to cool off from the summer heat! NoJo recently rocked Bryant Park, New York City, as part of Good Morning America’s series of concerts. The concerts are without charge and open to the general public. With such A-list artists on the program, it’s no wonder the city is so packed this season.
Nightingale Norah

In this recent photograph, songstress Norah inspires in a low-cut black-and-white polka dot summer top with cool blue denims. ‘Cause when you’re playing to a large audience in one of the steamiest venues in the world, it helps to stay chic and comfortable. She’s been giving sister Anoushka plenty of competition with her own music. Not to mention a full-fledged acting debut opposite Jude Law in My Blueberry Nights, which kicked off the Cannes film festival. Singing, writing, acting, is there nothing you can’t do, Miss Jones?

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Kate Moss dropped from Burberry campaigns

Supermodel Kate Moss has received another blow, for she has been dropped by Burberry from their latest advertising campaign in favor of younger British faces.

Upmarket fashion label Burberry originally dumped Moss following allegations of cocaine-snorting in September 2005, but became one of the first brands to rehire her last year.

But now Burberry bosses have revealed that their next campaign will feature models who are more than ten years younger than Kate, reports The Sun.

The cast of the new Burberry campaign, shot by Mario Testino, includes 21-year-old Agyness Deyn, and 20-year-old Lily Donaldson, who will both feature in a series of ads along with up-and-coming indie brands The View and The Paddingtons.

Kate makes 30million pounds from her contracts with trendy brands and her Burberry deal is believed to be worth around 1million pounds alone.

However, a Burberry spokesman insisted that Moss, who has featured in 11 of its past 15 campaigns, was “still part of the Burberry family”.

This news comes just days after saucy undies firm Agent Provocateur dumped Kate, also in favour of a younger face. The underwear company paid Moss 500,000 pounds last year but has decided not to renew her contract.

Celebrity Watch: Lindsay Lohan in Malibu

Most people celebrate the fourth with an outdoor barbecue and fireworks at night. But when you’re a big star, that just doesn’t cut it! Everyone in young Hollywood rocked the Fourth, including Lilo.

Most people celebrate the fourth with an outdoor barbecue and fireworks at night. But when you’re a big star that just doesn’t cut it! Everyone in the young Hollywood crowd went wild on Independence Day at a party in Malibu, one of California’s biggest hot spots.

Lilo, who is on hiatus from her time at Promises, a Californian rehab facility, celebrated the American Independence Day with close family and friends. The actress, along with her mother and siblings Ali and Dakota, reached the place around two in the afternoon. They stayed at Polaroid Beach House, a summer rental property meant for hosting events and celebrity guests, worth an estimated $30 million, according to People magazine.

La Lohan had an eventful day and gave one to the paps as well. She had quite a scare when she thought brother Dakota was missing in the water and apparently rushed off the balcony of her house to the beach, urging onlookers to help her find him. While the scene turned out to be a false alarm, with lifeguard-wannabe Lohan running across the sand, people were taken by how well she played the doting big sister.

Lohan treated the paps to some action when she openly embraced mom Dina and sister Ali outside and met little bro Cody after his watery adventure. The beach party was as happening as it gets with plenty of stars in attendance, including: Maria Menounos, Dave Navarro, Amy Smart, Jennifer Finnigan, Jonathan Silverman and others.

Lilo, fresh from rehab, and Paris, fresh out of jail, avoided running into each other during the event. Later in the day, la Lohan caught some hot tunes- a remix of the song “Shake That” by Eninem and “Since You’ve Been Gone” by American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson. She capped it off by watching thirty minutes of fireworks with the rest of the Lohan family. Not a bad way to spend the fourth!

Sisters in Style
In this recent picture of her and sister Ali, Lilo shows a tanned and relaxed side to her. She dons a white bikini top to offset her long blond hair, jean short shorts and trendy red flats. She tops it with a pair of her well-loved designer glares.

Sister Aliana is a little less revealing, wearing a striped blue-and-white sundress which perhaps captures the patriotic spirit of the day. Clearly, the gene pool runs deep in the Lohan family, as seen from the photograph.

Lilo, who just observed her 21st birthday with a quiet party on Monday, received guests and pretty much kept a low profile. The Hollywood star showed her generosity when she sent her bodyguard to deliver five boxes with pepperoni-and-cheese pizza to the paps outside, who were informed they were from Lindsay herself! The paps shouted thank you to her while enjoying the unexpected feast.

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Power dressing opens Paris menswear run

Top fashion designers Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano were in combat mode as they brought military flare to the opening day of the Paris menswear shows for next summer.

Gaultier paid tribute to the Beatles' legendary Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band, celebrating its 40th birthday this year, with his collection, unveiled here on Thursday.

Just like the Fab Four on the album cover, his models were got up in military tunics with mandarin collars, epaulettes, and guardsman's trousers with gold braid trim. Some of them even sported the moustaches and long-hair of the epoch, but the punk touches of chains slung from the waist or shoulder were more reminiscent of Gaultier in his Eurotrash presenter days.

Favorite fabrics were inky black and indigo denim faintly spangled with lurex and liquid silver satin, for shirts rippling across the pectorals and flowing trench coats.



Among the more whimsical combinations he showed a denim jacket with sleeves like classic beige driving gloves with brown leather elbow patches while a midnight blue satin dressing gown was styled like an army greatcoat with gold chevrons.

The sarong, as braved by David Beckham, was draped round mock military uniforms: incongruous or sexy, depending on one's point of view.

For swimwear Gaultier moved into high camp, with sailors' peaked caps, jackets festooned with frogging and gilt buttons over slippery black satin trunks laced up the side, straight out of the Village People's "In the Navy."

Against the calming arches and windows of an old church on the outskirts of Paris, Galliano's rough and ready soldiers of fortune donned beige military pants over camouflage-covered blousons.

Bearded and with blackened chalky eyes, the heavily pierced models wore kaffiyeh-style scarves on their head or face, berets and caps. The British designer offered baggy North African-style trousers, while straps criss-crossed black leather jackets and long parkas and coats were equipped with plenty of big pockets.

More laid-back was Yohji Yamamoto's take on masculine style for next spring-summer, where a dove spreading its wings across a dark jacket set a more peaceful tone. The veteran Japanese designer offered comfortable ample trousers, perhaps zipped at the calf, punctuating the wardrobe with white and red stripes for a shirt.

Other big names on the busy four-day lineup of menswear designers include Louis Vuitton, Ungaro, Kenzo, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Dior Homme where all eyes will be on Hedi Slimane's successor, Kris van Assche.

Shows wrap up on Sunday.

©AFP

Adidas At London’s Fashion Week

Stella McCartney will present the new Adidas collection for spring/summer 2008 at the London Fashion Week.

Stella’s collection for yoga, tennis, and equipment for running and gymnastics will be presented on the catwalk on the 20th September during the night fashion show, which will close the five day event.“With Stella McCartney, Adidas will add a designer dimension to sports clothing at London’s Fashion Week.

The collection is an excellent way to end the upcoming end of an exciting and fulfilled week”, said the main director of the British Fashion Council, Hilary Riva.

Source: javno.com

Trend Alert: Metallic Heels

Metallic sky high stilettos are making their way into some of Hollywood's most fashionable closets.

These shiny silver pointy-toed stilettos were all over the "pink carpet" at the 2007 MTV Movie awards earlier this month.

Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham were both sported the style with micro mini dresses. Victoria choose a pair of Christian Louboutins for her outfit, while Diaz opted for Sergio Rossi.

If you want the look without breaking the bank, you can get a pair of BCBGirls Katchen pumps for a fraction of the price.