Rachel Gilbert: RAFW Spring/Summer 11/12 Collection

The 10am show on day two of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was that of designer Rachel Gilbert, who launched her Spring/Summer 11/12 collection she called “Binding Measures”.

To a room full of fashion editors, TV personalities, media, and local celebs - including Sally Obermeder (that belly!), Kate Waterhouse (that jacket!), Emma Freedman (that dress!), Erika Heynatz (those legs!), and Laura Csortan (ditto!) - Rachel Gilbert presented a collection showcasing her signature style, as well as the brand new and highly anticipated Ready-to-Wear collection, all inspired by the sexy female silhouette.

Luxurious fabrics and embellished, hand-beaded red carpet-ready designs were the mainstay of the parade, styled up and dripping in diamonds, with hues of choice a fresh sorbet palette of crisp whites, citrus limes, and apricot accents, balanced with neutral nude undertones.

Rachel Gilbert’s S/S 11/12 collection saw a sexy show of hemlines lengthening - and necklines rising. The combination of structured paneling, sequins and silks juxtaposed against each other to create a unique feminine silhouette. While the Ready-To-Wear collection demonstrated our continuing love for all things 'tough', with defined trimmings and structure combined with hardware, spikes and open zip detailing.

The show saw a collaboration of violinist Jane Cho and DJ Simon Pongrass - playing a fusion of classical and hip-hop music - and striking models gliding down the runway with clean, neutral and shimmery faces by Napoleon Perdis, with Goldwell's Christopher Hanna designing a soft hair style, neatly drawn back from the model's faces and plaited creating a feminine and defined look.

Models were adorned with all the finishing touches: from shimmering silver Blixz nail foils, to Jan Logan's timeless diamonds.

Rachel Gilbert demonstrated why her garments are so highly sought after (even by royalty - the Rachel Gilbert gown worn by Princess Beatrice recently sold out the next day!).

For more, see: http://www.rachelgilbert.com/

Photo credits: Mark Stanley (colour), and Gavriel Maynard (black and white).

Anne Hathaway: Nars lips and large specs at Rio premiere

There are two things I love about these red carpet photos of Anne Hathaway at premiere of the highly anticipated movie Rio.

One is Anne's new specs. Not only that she is wearing glasses on a red carpet, I especially love the frame's look, shape and lens size.

It's kinda old school geek, early 1990s large-ish frames, with a modern twist.

I had a pair of sorta similar specs in the 90s - they were considered very cool way back then. Then something happened - all frames took on that rectangular-framed look.

I wear specs daily - a gorgeous gold-rimmed Dior pair with teeny jewels on the arms. I love them. But I've been wanting to upgrade for a while. I spied a new Alex Perry for Specsavers pair I love, sporting this new shape. So I am loving Anne's tortoiseshell number.

The second thing I love about this pic is Anne's lips.

Specifically, her lip colour. A little snooping has revealed it is the handiwork of cult makeup brand Nars; Nars worked with Anne Hathaway’s makeup artist Molly Stern, who played up her eyes and kept her lips nude with the aid of new Summer 2011 products Bolero Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, and Mayflower Lipstick.

“The new Bolero Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is the perfect apricot nude, with a dash of baby pink,” said Molly about Anne’s lip colour. “We wanted to keep it balanced, but fun and fresh. We were listening to Patti Smith while getting ready – so we incorporated a bit of a rock ‘n roll edge!”

For beauty addicts, here is what else Molly used: Nars Copacabana Illuminator (which is new for Spring 2011) and NARS Sex Appeal Blush. On the eyes, Nars Daphne Eyeshadow, Nars Exotic Dance Duo Eyeshadow (new for Summer 2011, Nars Coconut Grove Eyeshadow, and Nars Larger Than Life Volumising Mascara.

All products are available at www.narscosmetics.com. Summer 2011 products are available from April 15th.

Nars is exclusive to Mecca Cosmetica in Australia; call 1800 007 844 for stockist details, or visit www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Oscars 2011: Red Carpet, Part Three

Oscars red carpet, part three.

The fave here is... Reese Witherspoon's ponytail. And Celine Dion's tight-fitting sheath.

On another note: what is Sharon Stone doing there? And when will Gwyneth Paltrow succumb to the pleasures of a full, hearty meal?

(All photos courtesy: http://www.cocoperez.com/)

Oscars 2011: Red Carpet, Part Two

Oscars red carpet, 2011 and there are only two words... Mila Kunis.

This actress has really come into her own this awards season. Every dress she's worn has been heaven. This one is no exception: a lavender, lacy concotion from Elie Saab Haute Couture.

Another fave is the dress worn by Jennifer Lawrence, the actress from the movie Winter's Bone.

She wore a bright red Calvin Klein Collection dress, made for her by Francisco Costa and it is so on the mark for one reason alone: it's simple. She lets the dress - and her luminous beauty and killer bod - do that talking. A winner.

Who are your favourites?

(All photos courtesy: www.cocoperez.com)

Oscars 2011: Red Carpet, Part One

The Oscars 2011 red carpet is here!

This year's offerings are the same as last year, ie, the stars are styled within an inch of their lives so they rarely set a foot wrong.

What do you think? Who is your fave?

Mine are mummy-related: the va-va-voom Penelope Cruz and the mum-to-be gorgeousness of Natalie Portman.

Another fave is ScarJo. I know she will be panned, but that new blunt haircut and bold makeup is such a winner...

Funnily, all three chose a hue from the same colour family of purple... guess what the hottest trend will be this winter...?

(All photos courtesy: www.cocoperez.com)

E! launches Facebook Red Carpet App

A bit celeb-obsessed? You'll love this new Facebook app E! has just launched.

The app takes a photo from your Facebook account and puts your name and image in an Oscars red carpet video (accompanied by Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ track).

It even takes one of your friend’s photos and involves the two of you in a ‘mock’ scandal!
See the “My Red Carpet” Facebook App:

http://eonli.ne/MYREDCARPET

Red Carpet fever will culminate with the 2011 Academy Awards, and the E! channel will present the "Countdown to the Red Carpet: The 2011 Academy Awards" on Monday, Feb 28th at 6am AEDST.

Then, E! will broadcast "Live from the Red Carpet: The 2011 Academy Awards" – Monday, Feb 28th at 10am AEDST (the actual Oscars ceremony will be broadcast live on Starpics 1 from 12.30pm, repeated on Starpics 2 from 2.30pm, then later in the evening on free-to-air, on Channel Nine - Anne Hathaway and James Franco will be co-hosting the event).

The "E! After Party: The 2011 Academy Awards" will screen on Monday, Feb 28th at 4pm AEDST, with "Fashion Police: The 2011 Academy Awards – Wednesday, Mar 2nd at 11:10am AEDST.

More on the "My Red Carpet" Facebook app:

By playing the app from within your Facebook page, you will be able to see yourself getting ready for your 'big moment0'. Users will see stylists fussing around them, choosing their shoes and offering them the right accessories. The app then reveals the user getting out of the limousine on to the red carpet that features top celebrities, all from their POV. Within the video there are five points where either the user, or one of their friend’s, images are used, along with a variety of accompanying headlines.

Once you have downloaded the app, you can share it with friends, who in turn will have their own chance to indulge in the red carpet experience.

Nick Price, Head of Content, MPG said of the app “It’s been great to work on something as creatively challenging as this – by creating an engaging campaign using content and social media to deliver something genuinely different, we are able to better and more convincingly speak to the young female audience with whom E! Entertainment has a strong relationship.”

Sounds like fun! Not as much fun as critiquing the red carpet looks I am dying to see next week, but right up there...

(E! is available on FOXTEL, OPTUS and AUSTAR on Channel 121)

Grammy Awards Red Carpet 2011 - part four

Grammy Awards red carpet shots - I left the best until last.

Every single one of these dresses is either dripping in sequins and/or delightfully fashion-forward.

Kim Kardashian is a bronze goddess, Nicole Kidman works the fishtail, and Jennifer Lopez could wear anything frankly. She looks ridiculously hot in everything these days. While Rihanna wears a straight-0ff-the-runway Jean Paul Gaultier (worn on the runway by Australian male/female model Andrej Pejic) peek-a-boo number.

For more, see: http://www.cocoperez.com/