Feat! -- Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen, 2011 Guinness literally made an event out of her getting ready for the ball and it payed off with a fitting and flawless tribute to the designer whose "Savage Beauty" was just beginning its historic run.

Fail! -- Madonna in Louis Vuitton, 2009 Louis Vuitton had a banner year in 2009 for providing the worst looks per celeb capita than any other brand, but Madonna's woefully mistaken, thigh-highed misstep best represents the entire lot.

Feat! -- Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs, 2009 Marc Jacobs did better by his girl Kate Moss, however, and the two were the clear belles of the ball. Crafty, crafty, crafty.

Fail! -- Katie Holmes in Giorgio Armani, 2008 While everything is wrong with this look -- the makeup, the bob, the dress, the shoes, the necklace, the shoulder purse in the shape of Tom Cruise -- Katie tried to pawn off responsibility on the blue pumps to her daughter Suri, whom she claimed picked them out. Based on Suri's exquisite taste, I highly doubt it.

Feat! -- Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture, 2008 A controversial choice, I know, but hear me out. Anna Wintour so often goes the very safe and classically chic route, but for the Met's "Superheroes" exhibit, the editrix showed a whiff of whimsy by way of Wonder Woman. However, never one to not keep it real, note that she's still in Chanel and it's still haute couture.

Fail! -- Serena Williams in Oscar de la Renta, 2011 I'll preface this by saying the Royal Wedding had recently happened at this point, so fascinators were just beginning their ascent into the pop culture atmosphere. Williams opted for the burgeoning trend, thus sending this outfit into costume, not Costume Institute, territory.

Feat! -- Gisele in Versace, 2008 Gisele came to the ball in 2008 for one reason and one reason alone: to serve sex on a platter and have the world take a good long taste. So what better dressing than Versace and its history of jaw-droppers?

Fail! -- Shalom Harlow in Bob Mackie, 2009 Sure it looks like Shalom Harlow just rolled out of the dumpster and into a mutated Hefty bag, but dammit she's committed to it and for that I say, "Respect."

Feat! -- André Leon Talley being escorted by Alber Elbaz, 2007 I'm assuming this cape was by ALT's go-to haberdasher Chado Ralph Rucci, but if I'm mistaken who cares because this scene is all one needs to know about the Met Gala. Or anything.

Fail! -- Christina Hendricks in L'Wrenn Scott, 2010 Christina Hendricks has the best kind of problem because of her, shall we say, ample assets. You know, her giant cans. Therefore it's hard to find a dress that accentuates without advertising and the girls are on a mutli-season campaign in this number. But at least they serve as a distraction from whatever's happening with the hair and makeup.

Filling in the cut outs, Rucci frames the form in sheer workings. Chado Ralph Rucci

Give us those giant shoulders and we're happy, but that skirt layering kicks it up. Sally Lapointe

Business sheers take it back and forward decades. Thom Browne

Take it to the plastics, this sheer will hit the beach. Cynthia Rowley

Ocean sheer up top sets a scene for the trailing print to tell. Peter Som

Cut out are supplemented with a Wang size mesh. Faster by Mark Fast

Loose knit mesh shrouds the body in sportswear. Just make sure your pockets are clean and tidy. Alexander Wang

Take this look clear across to neons. It's how you catch it from a distance. Rebecca Minkoff

Full length hollow striation lace becomes new world basic layering. Theysken's Therrorist

Cascading reds in layers of mesh glimmers slightly translucent. Oscar de la Renta

Shiny sheer uses metallics to cover up. Philosophy

Maximizing the use of white space, Calvin remains minimal. Calvin Klein

Shimmering sheer, this dress sees and feels in water. Marc Jacobs

This first episode explores the versatility of the trench coat and André lays down the law while cradling baby Tyra on his Chado Ralph Rucci-cape-covered knee:

A: When you put on a coat you suggest high-octane mystery.

T: But why not put on a pea coat or a–

A: TOOOO SHOOOORT!

Next Tyra gives advice on how to JAZZ UP a trench coat and for any advice regarding the jazzing up of anything I am strictly ON. BOARD.

She suggests a wide cincher belt that she wants you to know — by yelling it over and over again — that it costs $12 at Payless. Doesn’t it feel good? And by wearing said trench with a statement necklace you’ll add a “little sex appeal” as well as some “snap and sass.” Finally zhush those sleeves and suddenly your trench has gone from “blah” to “Rrrr”  – it’s like Tyra is the poet laureate of our generation. Her or Nicky Minaj…

Anyway, André — sensing a lull — returns to discuss the history of the trench coat with Tyra still on his lap and along the way we’re introduced to the Word of the Day, “kicky.”

T: What is a kicky?
A: KICKY IS UP!  YOU’RE UP! YOU’RE UP! KICK! KICK! KICK! UP! UP! UP!

Scratch that, ALT’s had a choke hold on poet laureate since the 80s.

Finally we’re left with a disturbing conversation about whether ALT grooms “down there” — for the record he does not and for the record I feel as scarred as a child who first learns their parents have sex.

I just thought there was a secret portal into a magical haute couture world where Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington argue all day under all those capes…thanks Tyra.

Though I’m totally signing up for Type F now…mostly because she told me to.

If you are over winter and already looking forward to all the things that spring and summer bring, then get started with these three trends for the warmer months of this new year.

A drastic change from the bright and often neon colors that we saw this time last year, neutrals ran the runways. Designers like Erin Fetherston and Nina Ricci used a very soft color palette throughout their collections, so expect to see these simple colors around for awhile this year.

Max Azria’s and Marc Jacobs’ collections for the spring both incorporated cut-out designs. This peek-a-boo trend gives a very subtle sexy feel to an outfit. It also leaves room for a great layering effect when these cut-outs are worn above other pieces.

From brightly colored to more natural—feathers were seen in many designers’ collections. Chris Benz had a few pieces that featured multicolored feathers, while Chado Ralph Rucci used the feathers in a more elegant shade. Feathers can give a great and playful texture to an outfit. They can also be used to make a statement, like Chris Benz’ feather skirt seen here

The Spring/Summer 10 shows have been full of slicked back hair. You know what that means: hair stylists have been through an unimaginable amount of gel and are sporting some very sticky hands upon their exit of the tents. Will you be joining the force of sticky fingered fashion folk this spring?

SOURCE: The Cut

Rucci killed it this season, delivering nothing less than stellar for his upcoming spring collection. Besides this being my first fashion show at the tents, I was beyond impressed by Rucci’s Japanese-inspired interpretation of elegant eveningwear. Every piece that floated down the runway was infused with a delicate balance of femeninity and architecture. His was a mixture of semi-structured sillouhettes, bold details, and fabrics that somehow give off the illusion of depth.

Layers of chiffon, silk and tulle were an omnipresent feature throughout the collection, showing up in dresses, skirts, gowns and daycoats. Eye-catching accessories such as obi shawls, and beaded tulle neckpieces were the proverbial icing on the cake. Not bad for a first show…

See more pics at nymag.com

Any thoughts so far? Hearing Alexander Wang and Chado Ralph Rucci a lot…

Pratt Institute’s senior class of fashion designers will present original works at the Pratt Fashion Show on May 14, 2009 at 2 and 5:30 p.m. at The Altman Building at 135 West 18th Street in Manhattan. The Pratt Institute Fashion Icon Award will be presented to world renowned fashion designer Ralph Rucci at the start of the 5:30 show. Funding for the 2009 Pratt Fashion Show was awarded in part through a competitive grant presented to Pratt by the Importer Support Program of the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated.

5:30 p.m.
The Altman Building
135 West 18th Street
Contact kunver@pratt.edu for tickets to the Pratt Fashion Show.

LINKAGE: party crasher

VILLAGE CARE OF NEW YORK’S 8th ANNUAL “TULIPS & PANSIES – THE HEADDRESS AFFAIR” will be on Thursday, May 14, and I can’t tell you how excited both Daniel and I are. We had such a great time last year (photos above). And this years designers are top tier: Tory Burch, Chado Ralph Rucci, Pamella Roland, Cynthia Steffe, Lilly Pulitzer, Alvin Valley, Thierry Mugler, Zang Toi, Michael Vollbracht, b.michael and others.

Each designer will be paired with NYC’s finest floral designers including Preston Bailey, L’Olivier, Ovando and Zezé in order to create a high-fashion runway show of elaborate floral headdresses made entirely from living plants and fresh cut flowers. The event, which raises funds for Village Care of New York, a non-profit organization providing vital health care programs to people living with HIV/AIDS, is Chaired by Jack Curry, Editor of USA Weekend and TV Guide and Kelly Cutrone, Founder of People’s Revolution.

Date: Thursday, May 14th from 7 PM to 10 PM
Ticket Price: $250 (Tickets are $300 after May 4th, 2009)
Venue: Edison BallRoom, 240 W. 47th St. New York, NY
For Reservations/ticket information/online auction: please visit www.vcny.org or call Shannon Lavin at 212-337-5743.