Knightley discusses her two new films with David Cronenberg, who recently directed the 27-year-old in last year’s A Dangerous Method. First there’s June’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, co-starring fellow fashion plate Steve Carell, and an adaptation of Anna Karenina, in which she plays Tolstoy’s legendary literary heroine — out just in time for awards season in December.

Seriously, just throw that girl in a period piece and watch the Oscars fly.

Photos: Interview

Carefree and rebellious, this gorgeous fragrance was inspired by a new generation of Italian IT girls. This beautiful floral bottle might be the most gorgeous we've seen, holding inside a scent beaming with an air of the Mediterranean. Calabrian bergamot, white Alba truffle, wild strawberry, Amalfi orange blossom and cedar marry perfectly together.

Rich and daringly provocative, this darkly seductive, art deco-inspired bottle holds a curious creature and mysteriously sexy scent. Exotic, unconventional and poisonous flowers are blended together to form an elixir sure to cast a spell on your senses. The blend of Black Davana, Opium Flower, Belladonna, Poison Hemlock and Frankincense is feminine yet strong... and will stay with you all through the day.

A fragrance of enchantment, mystery and fantasy, this bottle says it all. With your feet on the ground and head among the stars, prepare for an imaginary journey through the world of Hermès. Woody with the warm scent of amber, this timeless perfume will take you from the constellations to the deep blue sea and back again.

Cute as a button tied up in a big pink ribbon - the bottle emulates this crisp scent from Ferragamo to a T. Fresh yet refined, this is the perfect perfume for the sophisticated woman who's young at heart. An unexpected mixture of elegant jasmine and sweet pannacotta make what's inside oh-so memorable.

We can't get enough of Mox Botanicals' bold yet simplistic packaging, the perfect match for what you'll find inside. Crafted from the highest quality essential oils, these scents are captured with a base of organic jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, Oregon beeswax and Vitamin E. We love Arsinoe for its wildly beautiful mix of jasmine, vanilla bourbon, sandalwood, ylang yang and wild orange.

A burst of florals mixed with bright and tart rhubarb - it's not difficult to understand what this bottle is saying. Lilac, rose and heliotrope bring the soft smell of a sunny spring day to the earthy air of this red root. Daring and sophisticated, you'll want to smell like this year after year.

Photos: Image Amplified

(In order of succession to the President)

President Anna Wintour

Vice President André Leon Talley

Secretary of State: Diane von Furstenberg

Secretary of the Treasury: Bernard Arnault

Secretary of Defense: Karl Lagerfeld

Attorney General Steven Kolb

Secretary of the Interior: Ralph Lauren

Secretary of Agriculture: Marc Jacobs

Secretary of Commerce: Valentino

Secretary of Labor: Nanette Lepore

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Glenda Bailey

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Mickey Boardman

Secretary of Education: Michael Kors

Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Carine Roitfeld

Secretary of Homeland Security: Calvin Klein

Chief of Staff: Simon Doonan

Environmental Protection Agency: Emmanuelle Alt

Office of Management & Budget: Donna Karan

United States Trade Representative Ambassador: Daphne Guinness

United States Ambassador: Grace Coddington

Secretary of Small Business Administration: Fern Mallis

And there, indies, is your political lesson of the day.

Now the question is, would you vote Anna Wintour for president?

The other question is, can you find our h McQueen? Happy Presidents Day off!

Via: USDish.com

Commentary: "She looks like she's slithering out of her own skin...and for good reason."

Lose the jacket and you've got yourself a stunner. And I'm talking to you Jessica Chastain

Commentary: "I didn't realize the circus was in town. Tell me, how many clowns can she fit under that tent?"

Perhaps a little too heavy on the beading, but the stars will be out once the cameras start flashing.

Commentary: "Gone with the picnic table. Even Scarlett O'Hara couldn't pull this one off."

Simple and chic but the sheer skirt keeps this from waltzing into comatose couture.

Commentary: "She's going commando! Literally, she skydived onto the red carpet, then wrapped the parachute around her and marched into the show."

It was hard finding anything suitable for the Oscars on Gaultuier's runway, but this scoop-back ditty hit all the right notes.

Commentary: "Looks like she came to her senses a little too late and was only half successful in taking her dress off in the limo ride here."

Pretty much everyone and their mother wants Rooney Mara in Givenchy and this is the closest thing to perfection she'll get.

Commentary: "Tilda you look amazing! Anyone else might receive a public stoning."

When in doubt, always go the ethereal route.

Commentary: "Did a hurricane sweep through every retirement community in Boca Raton and land directly on her?"

Black is always a popular choice on any red carpet so a stunning pale yellow like this will surely have heads turning,

Commentary: "Little ho on the prairie."

All this look needs is a high chignon, a Judith Leiber clutch, and a pair of statement earrings OR a statement necklace...not both.

Commentary: "The dress is wearing her. And it wants off."

It don't get no more chic than this. Give me a two-tone and I'll give you a star.

Commentary: When did the ghost of J.Lo's career show up?"

Miss Havisham knocked a few back and now she's ready to party.

Although it’s easy to be underwhelmed by any dresses coming before the Oscars, there are some ladies who really turned it out last night. We put our top 10 at the beginning of the gallery for your viewing pleasure. All photos from Huffington Post Style.

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

Gretchen Mol in L'Wren Scott

Jayma Mays in Reem Acra

Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham

Judy Greer in Collette Dinnigan

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Tilda Swinton in Lanvin

Viola Davis in Marchesa

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture

Tina Fey in vintage Verasce

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa

Shailene Woodley in L'Wren Scott

Sarah Hyland in Temperley

Naya Rivera in Naeem Khan

Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli

Michelle Williams in Valentino

Meryl Streep in Vivienne Westwood Couture

Melissa McCarthy in Badgley Mischka

Maya Rudolph in Naeem Khan

Lea Michele in Versace

Kyra Sedgwick in Pucci

Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga

Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza

Julianna Margulies in Calvin Klein Collection

Jessica Lange in David Meister

Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein Collection

Jenna Ushkowitz in Rebecca Minkoff

Jane Lynch in David Meister Signature

Jane Krakowski in Antonio Berardi

Glenn Close in Zac Posen

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera

Diane Lane in David Meister

Bérénice Bejo in Ralph Lauren

Angela Kinsey in Romona Keveza

Amber Riley in Badgley Mischka

- Breathable caffeine. It’s a real thing. Though for my money, there’s a much more effective, albeit illegal, way of snorting your way to a quick pick-me-up. [Nylon]

- Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, 69, wants to put those pregnancy rumors to rest! She may be getting married to “forever fiend” Willie Wilkerson this summer, but there’s no royal bun in that majestic oven. The Queen is reportedly considering Donna Karan, Valentino and Vera Wang to do the dressing honors. [People]

- “How you Zoe-in’?” After sending The Baby Skyler an Hermès tower of toys, Brad Goreski told Wendy Williams he never received a thank you note from former boss/current rival Rachel Zoe. [Jezebel]

- Ad Age didn’t think Rihanna‘s Armani ad was the sexiest of the year, though apparently everyone else thought they thought it was. [Ad Age]

- Remember that whole Marc Jacobs sexual discrimination case? Yeah, I don’t care either, but seems like it’s been settled out of court, “to the satisfaction of both parties.” [Vogue UK]

- Cosmopolitan is oversexed, Glamour’s definitely hiding something, and Vogue is surprisingly romantic. The buzzwords magazines used most on their covers for 2011 painted a telling portrait. [Fashionista]

Graciously Yours,

Lady Jessica, Indie of Fashion.

Whether you're the Queen of the silver screen in Hollywood or King of New York, your highness will be high in these limited edition Christian Louboutin Highness-160 patchwork pumps. On the unseen left shoe, New York City is emblazoned in whatever material Monsieur Louboutin sought fit. He made only 20 and has signed them individually.

You can't be a Queen, or at least not a proper Princess without a bit of Alexander McQueen. With a curved heel and fine leather strapping, you're out for a regal afternoon high tea.

It seems I can't turn a corner without seeing a Guiseppe Zanotti shoe I'm in love with. If I didn't believe in brand fairness, you'd see approximately 7 of the 10 of the shoes on this list by Zanotti, and I'm sure Her Highness Lady Gaga would agree, especially custom, with next season Calvin Klein.

Double Duchess colors stripe a salute to your highness. Charlotte Olympia keeps you at Greek goddess status.

Make your feet fascinate with feathers. Diego Dolcini gets you ready for a royal wedding.

The neon hue will get you high on tip top colour. (Yes it's British, your Highness.)

For the modern princess, we have a sky high heel that will get down to the knuts and bolts of it. Spikes off the top that sparkle like diamonds top off these ZiGiNY heels.

Now for the mod young Duchess, give her a mary jane with some sturdy support. Named the "Sky High Society Heel", it means you're walking in the light.

Named the Trib Too High Heel by the Yves Saint Laurent tribe, be towering in ivory, majestically.

Your royal wedding might just take place above lace Valentino. The entire world will watch and sob/cheer you on as you kiss Prince Charming, your highness.

25. Beyoncé at the VMAs How does an internationally-renowned pop diva announce her alleged pregnancy with as little -- and yet as much -- fanfare as possible? Why in Lanvin and Dolce and Gabbana, of course. Cupping her burgeoning baby bump on the red carpet, Bey let loose the dogs of publicity war when she thew her mic to the ground, ripped open her Dolce jacket, and announced to the world the coming of the Messiah.

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24. Karl Lagerfeld's obsession with Blake Lively Blake Lively is Karl Lagerfeld's kind of girl. And he didn't hesitate to let everyone know, naming the Gossip Girl star Chanel's official purse ambassador, throwing her in print ads, parading her about the French Riviera and most terrifying of all, showing her something bearing resemblance to actual affection.

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23. The rise of the tween style icon -- Hailee Steinfeld, Chloe Moretz and Elle Fanning cover LOVE magazine The kids are more than all right, they're fucking fabulous. Hailee Steinfeld, Elle Fanning and Chloe Moretz showed that style knows no age limits, landing on best-dressed lists while barely in high school. Miu Miu tapped Steinfeld for its fall campaign and Rodarte had Fanning star in a short film, while all three graced the cover of LOVE magazine this summer.

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22. Emma Watson, style icon Emma Watson truly came into her own this year in a series of flawless looks both on and off the red carpet, some stunning editorial work, a capsule collection with Alberta Ferretti and a campaign with Lancôme. Hermione's not a girl, and very nearly a woman.

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21. Christian Dior's disastrous Haute Couture show 2011 had its share of disastrous runway shows, but none as disastrous as Christian Dior's fall 2011 haute couture show. Left to his own devices, poor Bill Gaytten offered up an overwrought and wildly incoherent mess that, despite being maligned by pretty much everyone, still wound up on at least one red carpet thanks to Katy Perry. Let's just say she didn't help matters any.

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20. Christian Louboutin trademark case Christian Louboutin tried, and failed, and is still trying to copyright its "trademark" red sole. By the way, I'm legally obligated to use trademark in quotations.

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19. Versace for H&M One of the most buzzed-about diffusion lines of the year, Donatella Versace's exclusive one-off collection reignited interest in the brand's sumptuous archives and had everyone from Anna Dello Russo to Kanye West clamoring for those Medusa heads and Miami prints.

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18. Karlie Kloss comes of age They grow up so fast! Karlie Kloss turned 19 this year, covered Life Magazine, shed her clothes on several occasions, became a Victoria's Secret Angel and got eye-banged by Leonardo Dicaprio -- in other words, she very publicly became an adult and a supermodel.

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17. Lady Gaga wins over Anna Wintour Anna Wintour embraced Lady Gaga with open arms this year, putting her on the cover of Vogue and presenting her with the CFDA Fashion Icon Award. And Gaga thanked her by calling her a bitch and showing up in a walking wardrobe malfunction to the ceremony. BFFs, y'all!

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16. Elizabeth Taylor's death and subsequent jewelry auction Elizabeth Taylor's death was the passing of a true legend and a style icon but her legacy lives on not only through her films, but also her impressive collection of jewels and haute couture that is being auctioned off by Christies this month.

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15. Michelle Obama's McQueen controversy Michelle Obama had jaws dropping in her Alexander McQueen gown for China's state dinner but it was the fallout from the dress by Oscar de la Renta and other American designers that made the dress truly newsworthy.

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14. Victoria Beckham, fashion designer This year Victoria Beckham lived up to her nom-de-Spice by gaining real credibility as a designer, and not just another celebrity with too much time on their hands, while simultaneously stepping out of her husband's sexy shadow. A win at the British Fashion Awards for Design Brand of the Year capped off a year of living poshly.

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13. The Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum Sneaking in at the end of the year, the virtual Valentino museum is an innovative and ingenious step by one of the world's most iconic designers that makes his formidable legacy available to anyone who wants it. A novel and forward-thinking concept that belies Valentino's 800 years.

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12. The rise and subsequent fall of the fascinator Trends come and go all the time in fashion, but rarely has one particular trend impacted culture so hard and been discarded so fast. The Royal Wedding inspired ladies everywhere to make it a say-something hat day, but it was Princess Beatrice's fascinator that may go down as one of the most infamous pieces of millinery in modern recollection.

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11. Marc Jacobs stolen spring 2012 collection Lifted from a train en route from Paris, the theft of parts of Marc Jacobs' spring 2012 collection was this year's biggest and most intriguing mystery. Besides, of course, whether Marc himself would defect to Christian Dior or stick it out with Louis Vuitton -- who, coincidentally, was also a victim of theft just two weeks later. Yep, big coincidence.

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10. Fashion Week calendar controversy Tensions came to a head between the four fashion capitals, leaving the fate of upcoming fashion weeks up in the air. But if there's one thing we've learned from this is you don't fuck with the Italians.

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9. Kate Moss' fairytale wedding It was only a few years ago that Kate Moss was spiraling down a cocaine-encrusted rabbit hole, but fashion's favorite bad girl has finally settled down. Moss wed longtime beau Jamie Hince in an epic three-day long ceremony known cheekily as Mosstock. BFF Naomi Campbell was one of her bridesmaids, and in a show of solidarity, Moss chose a wedding dress by John Galliano. Kate Moss' wedding was not only front-page news, it garnered the most coveted cover of the year: Vogue's September issue.

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8. Bill Cunningham New York Originating and perfecting the art of streetstyle photography decades before The Sartorialist picked up a camera, Bill Cunningham finally got his time in the spotlight thanks to a heartwarming documentary that reveled a little of the man behind that ubiquitous lens.

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7. Kanye West shows at Paris Fashion Week Kanye West is a man of many talents, though fashion design may or may not be one of them. A true lover of fashion, West did his research and worked with the best people but in the end he let his usual over-zealousness get the best of him and the result? When prompted for her opinion on West's collection, Anna Wintour responded: "Ask someone else."

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6. Missoni for Target Missoni for Target took the high-low collaboration craze to a fever pitch, crashing Target's website and selling out shortly after hitting the shelves. That is, before those items appeared on eBay for several times what they had originally cost, thus negating the entire process.

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5. The rise of Lea T. and Andrej Pejic Transsexual lady Lea T. met Oprah and androgynous male model Andrej Pejic met the Queen of England this year. If that weren't enough of a moment, these two gals also shattered boundaries in fashion and modeling, and in the process became icons and role models to the LGBTQ community.

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4. The reinvention of Carine Roitfeld Quele scandale! Did she get fired? Did she quit? Are she and Emmanuelle Alt no longer friends? The rumors have been buzzing around Carine Roitfeld since she officially exiting Vogue Paris in February -- and in the process creating a future supermodel in Saskia de Brauw --  after 10 landmark, nipple-bearing years. But through it all, Carine has been the picture of calm and chic, hiking up her pencil skirt and reinventing herself as a brilliant and in-demand stylist/the coolest bitch on the planet. Stay tuned for another reinvention when Carine launches a new magazine and starts life as a grandmother next year.

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3. Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen wedding dress The speculation was unbearable for what was the biggest and most well-kept secret in an age of superfluous information. Though an unsurprising but nevertheless brilliant choice, Sarah Burton's handiwork cemented the Duchess of Cambridge (née Kate Middleton) as not only a bona fide style icon but a phenomenon on both sides of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Burton proved she was the right person to carry on McQueen's brilliant legacy and take it to the next level.

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2. Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty The most successful fashion exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's  history, Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty set records and inspired fashion lovers and neophytes alike. The exhibit proved so popular, in fact, the Met extended its run twice. Even then, there were still lines of people waiting hours to get into the museum, but for 661,509 people it was well-worth the wait.

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1. John Galliano stars in Gallianogate John Galliano's downfall has loomed large all year, particularly since Christian Dior has yet to announce his replacement, despite a neverending back-and-forth with a stubborn Marc Jacobs. Following a stint in rehab, a guilty conviction in Paris for making anti-Semitic remarks, and the general destruction of his reputation, Galliano at least had one bright spot this year: designing good friend Kate Moss' wedding dress. Galliano's dismissal also raised questions about the stress designers are under to deliver  multiple collections a year -- just ask Balmain's Christophe Decarnin. Everyone's still waiting to see who Dior picks to take the throne and if Galliano can make a comeback after such a devastating fall. As 2011 comes to a close, 2012 has the promise of even more scandals, breakdowns and breakthroughs that we cannot wait to cover obsessively for you. If we missed any epic moments or if you're particularly incensed over Lindsay Lohan's Playboy spread not making the list, leave a comment below.

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We took a tour for ourselves and were pretty blown away. Not only is the virtual museum well-designed and easy to navigate, there are no endless lines or annoying children to ruin the experience for you. Included in the Museum’s ten sections are: “Very Valentino,” an exhibit featuring the house’s signature gowns from the 60s through the 00s; a Library of original drawings, celebrity and editorial photographs, press, and fashion show videos from his first presentation in 1977 to his final bow in 2008; and “The Other Half,” chronicling Garavani’s 50-plus-year relationship with Giammetti. It’s an early Christmas present for any lover of fashion — just make sure you’ve got some extra time on your hands. Download it here NOW!

1. Paris Is Burning (1990) Set amidst the backdrop of 80s New York ball culture, Paris Is Burning is an exploration of beauty, race, sexuality, capitalism and the American Dream, all wrapped up in a dragtastic homage to the transformative powers of fashion. Also, where do you think Madonna learned to Vogue? See Also: To Wong Foo -- Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1994) Drag queens, yes; acute social commentary, not so much...but how can you argue with this? Oh, that's right, you can't.

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2. The September Issue (2009) Step inside the hallowed halls of the fashion Bible that is U.S. Vogue. We get a rare glimpse of the woman behind the bob and Chanel sunglasses, as Anna Wintour admits with a palpable hint of regret that the distinguished members of her family think what she does is "quite funny." But it's Grace Coddington's bleeding artistic heart that stays with you throughout. See Also: Bill Cunningham New York (2010) Bill Cunningham, legendary streetstyle photographer for the New York Times has a Puritanical simplicity to his life but a couturier's eye for trends and detail that is documented in this tender portrait, featuring the likes of Wintour, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Anna Piaggi and Michael Kors.

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3. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) Though not necessarily a film about fashion, Breakfast at Tiffany's is the quintessential fashion film. Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly continues to teach and inspire girls and certain boys everywhere on how to be chic, how to be urbane and how to live fabulously in New York -- or at least how to pretend. And there has never been a more iconic Little Black Dress ever put on screen. See Also: Darling (1965) Darling's Diana Scott is the British, unapologetically wanton version of Holly Golightly. A morally-suspect fashion model who sleeps her way to the top, Diana still manages to come off as a naïve and sympathetic character -- despite exhibiting behavior to the contrary -- thanks to Julie Christie's Oscar-winning portrayal.

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4. Unzipped (1995) Sure, there are other backstage, behind the curtain, beneath the bustle documentaries of fashion designers, but none are as stylish as Isaac Mizrahi's Unzipped. When Isaac was the new, young It designer on the block; when Naomi, Cindy, Christy and Linda ruled the catwalks; when Eartha Kitt was still alive and purring -- Unzipped documents the height of 90s fashion, right before the balloon went bust. See Also: Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) Whereas Unzipped follows a designer in the earlier stages of his career, The Last Emperor observes a master -- Valentino Garavani -- as he takes his final bow with his partner of 50 years by his side, Giancarlo Giammetti.

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5. Funny Face (1957) Audrey Hepburn makes a return to the list, but this time she is the unlikely model Jo Stockton, a bookworm with an unconventional look that inspires love in photographer Dick Avery, played by Fred Astaire. A fantastic set of photoshoots and gowns by Hubert de Givenchy are the main attractions, but Kay Thompson as salty editrix Maggie Prescott could give Miranda Priestly a run for her money. See Also: The Women (1939) Though Funny Face features a climactic runway show, The Women spared no expense in shooting its nearly 10-minute fashion show in color, despite the entire film being in black and white. Do not mistake this classic with that awful remake Diane English regurgitated a few years ago.

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6. Mahogany (1975) Arguably Diana Ross's greatest cinematic achievement -- if only for this -- Mahogany chronicles the rise of supermodel Mahogany from the slums of Chicago to the runways of Paris and finally to international acclaim as a designer in her own right, only to give it all up for the man she loves...a move Ms. Ross would openly spit upon, but which she plays with considerable believability. See Also: Gia (1998) While Mahogany is a fictional supermodel who dabbles on the dark side, Gia Carangi was the real thing whose excesses eventually got the best of her. The film is best remembered, however, for launching Angelina Jolie to stardom, thus ensuring Jennifer Aniston's lifelong ire.

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7. Clueless (1995) What can one say about Clueless? The perfect teen movie, it's infinitely quotable -- "You're just a virgin...who can't...DROIVE." -- and is there a character with as enviable a closet as Cher Horowitz? Bonus points for first introducing me and perhaps a majority of the world to Azzedine Alaïa. See Also: The 2nd Season of Gossip Girl (2008-2009) With the possible exception of Mean Girls, there hasn't come along a teen movie as smart or as witty as Clueless. But in terms of style, the second season of Gossip Girl rose to the challenge, making fashion icons of Blair Waldorf and Serena Vanderwoodsen, as well as their real-life counterparts, Leighton Meester and Blake Lively.

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8. Blow-Up (1966) Michelangelo Antonioni captures the mod mood of 60s Swinging London as a hedonistic fashion photographer -- played by David Hemmings -- tries to figure out whether or not he accidentally snapped a murder. In the film's most famous scene, 6'1 supermodel Veruschka writhes around the set of a photoshoot as Hemmings makes love to her with his camera. See Also: La Dolce Vita (1960) If Blow-Up swings, La Dolce Vita sways. Federico Fellini's romantic portrait of Rome is as sleek and stylish as protagonist Marcello Rubini's suits.

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9. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) It's a matter of public record that Lauren Weisberger's roman à clef was based on Anna Wintour -- who famously wore Prada to the film's opening -- but what the film accomplishes (okay, let's be real, what Meryl Streep accomplishes) is creating not only one of the greatest villains, but also one of the greatest fashion icons, in modern cinema. See Also: Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) A completely unnecessary production and by the loosest definitions an actual "movie," Sex and the City also benefited from Pat Field's brilliant styling. But unlike The Devil Wears Prada, there was no Oscar nomination for attiring Carrie and Co.

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10.Zoolander (2001) Everything benefits from a parody -- rather, everything benefits from a good parody, Though Zoolander is far from perfect, it's a fun and funny romp through fashion's ridiculous playground; complete with walk-offs, an evil Galliano-esque designer in Jacobim Mugatu and the introduction of Blue Steel into the cultural lexicon. And lucky for us, there's a sequel in the works thus righting everything with the world. See Also: Brüno (2009) Taking off where Ben Stiller catwalked off, Sacha Baron Cohen's flamboyant character traipsed through America, spreading his questionably fashionable and gratuitously gay, booty-shorted self from sea to shining seaman.

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“The Great Designers” will also be accompanied by the book The Great Designers: Fashion’s Hall of Fame from A to Z, highlighting 500 of the museum’s masterworks by 100 of the 20th- and 21st-century’s most important designers. Publishing in April 2012, the book will include an essay by museum curator Valerie Steele on the history of fashion museums and exhibits,  along with short bios on the 100 designers. Click through the gallery for some of the designs featured and to keep you occupied until you can make your way to the FIT Museum to see them in person. [WWD, FIT]

Boudicca, Fall 2006

Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, 1986

Givenchy by Alexander McQueen, Fall 1997

Thierry Mugler, c. 1987

Rick Owens, Fall 2008

Prada, Fall 2011

Gareth Pugh, Fall 2007

Elsa Schiaparelli, Fall 1935

Valentino, Spring 2008

Gianni Versace, 1991

"His look is an extremely conscious metaphor for his philosophy of fashion and life: Here, watch as I bring together the old, in my tall eighteenth-century collar and bizarre powdered hair, with the new, as seen in my ponytail and $2,500 Agatha leather pants, 'the most expensive leather pants in the world,' he declares, with a laugh exactly like Count Chocula's in its length and ridiculousness."

—on Karl Lagerfeld and how to craft a professional image from Karl Lagerfeld, Boy Prince of Fashion, Vanessa Grigoriadis

"There [at Vogue] Talley will sometimes perform a kind of boss-man theatre—throw papers about, slam telephones down, noisily expel the incompetent. 'This is too much. What story do we need to be working on, children? What story? Let's get cracking, darlings, on fur. Fuh, fuh, fuh. One must set the mood around the fuhand the heels, the hair, the skin, the nipples under the fuh, the hair around the nipples, the fuh clinging to the nipples, sweat, oysters, champagne, régence!' "

—on André Leon Talley and the importance of a strong work ethic from “The Only One,” The New Yorker, Hilton Als

"There's a stir at the entrance of the terminal as a silver Mercedes-Benz pulls up, followed by a minivan. Valentino emerges from the car in a Prince of Wales–plaid suit under a shearling coat, with a flowered scarf around his neck, and enters the terminal, walking slightly ahead of his retinue. His tan is rich and close in color to his chestnut-brown hair, which is blown out to immobile perfection. He has a warm smile and bright, heavy-lidded eyes, which are partially hidden behind rose-colored aviators. After he and Giammetti greet each other with a kiss on each cheek, we proceed to the airplane. Three buses are needed, one to move Valentino, Giammetti, and staff, another for luggage, and a third to transport five of Valentino's six pugs—Milton, Maude, Monty, Margot, and Molly."

—on Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti’s love of economic travel from “So Very Valentino,” Vanity Fair, Matt Tyrnauer

"The morning of this summer's haute-couture show, Galliano put on a pair of carefully distressed bluejeans with perfectly frayed cuffs—which covered his sandals but not the toenails he had recently painted a glossy shade that he calls 'cosmic blue.' Galliano's personal hair-and-makeup team had been briefed in advance on the look he wanted to achieve, which was inspired by the evolution of dance. "I am feeling very Spanish tango dirty creepy with oily black hair," he said. His stylist got the message: he glued a stringy goatee onto Galliano's chin and trimmed it to a neat triangle; after that, he spent half an hour curling Galliano's hair and then applied a thick coat of mascara to the lashes beneath his dark-brown eyes."

—on John Galliano’s morning beauty regimen from "The Fantasist," The New Yorker, Michael Specter

"Balenciaga possibly thought that Dior got too much sheer pleasure out of high fashion, which in his own view was an art on a par with painting, sculpture, and architecture, to be taken with the utmost seriousness. It was not something in which you could faire le ponchinelle, 'do a Picasso' (in those days Picasso often called himself the 'clown of art'). But Balenciaga certainly did not regret the success of the new look. He was a businessman, and a very astute one, and he recognized that it had done wonders for the Parisian fashion industry and that everyone involved in it, himself perhaps most of all, had benefited from the publicity. He certainly did not see Dior as a rival, and he had no fear that his own claims to excellence would be overlooked. Dior dressed the rich, Balenciaga the very rich."

—on the fundamental difference between Cristóbal Balenciaga and Christian Dior from "Cut Against the Bias," This Recording, Paul Johnson

Go head, queens!

Link Love: Slate

[Fashion Gone Rogue]

“It is an idea that I had many years ago,” Giammetti told WWD, “after going through a great museum site and being able to navigate through these rooms full of paintings…I asked myself if it would be possible to recreate a vast computer-generated museum. We started designing and nothing really appealed to me. I wanted to have the light of Rome without looking old. I wanted to show not only the dresses but the history behind them, from the drawing to the women who wore them.”

The resulting museum — comprised of 107,500 virtual square feet of exhibition space – will include some 300 dresses, as well as accompanying anecdotes, photos, sketches, ad campaigns and editorials, with over 5,000 images and 95 fashion show videos.

“I see it as part of my legacy,”  said Valentino. Noting the importance of the past, Garavani wanted “to review the fashion that has shaped our lives,” referring to it as “Future Memory.”  Among the memories mined from the vast Valentino archives are the 1961 haute couture dress Elizabeth Taylor wore to the Roman premiere of Spartacus; Jacqueline Kennedy‘s 1968 couture wedding dress for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis; and the 1992 haute couture gown Julia Roberts wore to collect her Oscar in 2001.

Garavani and Giammetti will be in New York to announce the launch of the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum — rather appropriately — via a press conference live-streamed on YouTube. Until then, there’s this awesome preview video. [WWD]

Photos: W

Photo: Zimbio

“In order for something to mean something you have to part with things you really love. It doesn’t take much effort to ditch a pair of naff old boots now does it?”  – On a pair of boots she sold to a charity, which FIT purchased.

“Valentino is a nice man and a very gentle soul. What’s wonderful about him is that when you talk to him about art his eyes light up! And I really get that.” - On her good friend, Valentino.

“I’ve been wearing motorcycle rings since I was 16 then I began wearing crisp white shirts- And all of a sudden Karl Lagerfeld and I started morphing into each other.” -On how she and Lagerfeld dress in similar fashions. But which came first?

“Before my wedding I got 2 feet cut off my hair and I was so mad because they gave me this huge horrid hair. But it was the 80s so it doesn’t really matter does it?”- On her wedding to Stavros Niarchos.

“The dandy aspect of my of my dress stems from my love of literature – Wilde, Proust and Gide. It is also since I didn’t get to go to Eaton! Also, the way a jacket is constructed is very geometric and I like to adjust things a very small amount so I work very closely with the tailor. I like the idea of being a bit androgynous.” – On the Dandy section of the exhibition at FIT.

“It was really hard to get gold chain male made! It took five years!” –On working with Shaun Leane on her chain mail glove.

“A cat suit is so great to wear for a shoot because you can get into any position and they just don’t tear!” – Need we say more?

Photo: Zimbio

Link Love: Vogue.com

A chic, asymmetrical camel coat gets even better with a beautiful oversized collar.

Give your best blue steel in this steel blue, double-breasted beauty.

A statement for sure, this coat will brighten even the dreariest fall day.

As classic as the trench can get, sit down to high tea in this belted version.

One of the handsomest we've seen, this military-style wool coat boasts swanky gold buttons.

Navy and black have never looked this good together, and the shawl collar is sure to keep the fall chill at bay.

Plaid at its finest, we like it in graduated blue and trimmed in leather.

This navy wool coat has a removable black collar for maximum versatility.

Channeling pre-Raphaelite romanticism, this draped wrap coat is reminiscent of the lust and drama of a Bronte novel.

In the warmest paprika hue, this contemporary coat has just enough adorable retro details.

Like a chic, oversized boyfriend blazer but tailored for you young lady.

Three-quarter sleeves and a waist-dusting length make this the perfect fall faux fur.

Orange may seem too trendy, but this burnt, retro shade will keep you warm for years.

Tobacco brown leather cinched at the waist is oh so sophisticated.

This bright red statement coat will perfectly complement your fiery, attention-grabbing personality.

Become a vision in voluminous draping with this lightweight, wool tweed swing coat.

Gaga wore it and you can too - luxe green leather is a contemporary fall statement.

Wrap yourself in a cocoon of blue and see the future of spacey prints.

Satin and cashmere turn up the volume on this classic, military-inspired pea coat.

Utilitarian pockets, short sleeves and a drawstring hood make this the perfect lightweight coat for a fall shower.

An investment you surely won't regret, it doesn't get more classic than this belted black trench.

Not quite a coat, but a stately fall cape like this belongs in every lady's closet.

Neck frills give this cotton number an innocent edge.

Get the luxe English look for less from our favorite Japanese retailer.

Double-breasted with hand-warming flap pockets, this coat comes in seven different colors and patterns.

- And speaking of weddings between imaginary people, Kim Kardashian‘s new husband Kris Humphries, found himself on an airplane sitting next to Ray J –  also known as the reason we have for Keeping Up with the Kardashians. No notes on their respective performances in the boudoir were exchanged, though Kris kind of has an unfair advantage. [Gawker]

- Valentino Garavani is planning on turning his life into a musical. Picture it, red gowns on 40 dancing pugs descending a spiral staircase. Hello, Tonys. [Telegraph]

- Chick Beer, beer for girly girls, comes in a  purse-like box that you can use to throw up into since you clearly can’t handle real booze. [Refinery29]

- Carine Roitfeld, in her new tome Irreverent, reveals that she thinks fashion “isn’t as much fun as it once was.” Other things that aren’t as fun as they once were: everything. [The Cut]

- And in other things that Carine Roitfeld thinks — Tom Ford, not that gay: “Ask each woman that ever met Tom, and they will tell you that they were under the charm of Tom. O.K., Tom, unfortunately for the woman, is gay. But he is very not so gay. Even the way he touches a woman, the way he puts his hand on your back or the way he opens the car for you, he’s a gentleman. You’re dying that he likes everything you’re wearing, everything you’re doing, because his taste is very important to you. You want to seduce him all the time.” [NYT]

Zoe looked perfectly futuristic for the Avatar L.A. premiere in a metallic mini chain dress from the Versace Spring 2010 collection.

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 10: Actress Zoe Saldana attends amfAR's New York City Gala to Kick Off Fall 2010 Fashion Week at Cipriani 42nd Street on February 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic)

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 16: Actress Zoe Saldana attends "The Tree Of Life" premiere during the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2011 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

For the Pretentious Art Snob:  You’ve been there, done that, own everything and everyone so even the most avant garde installations leave you bored. But that doesn’t mean you have anything else to do.

Ladylike Fall 2011 runways: Monique Lhuillier, Jason Wu and Nina Ricci

“His look is an extremely conscious metaphor for his philosophy of fashion and life: Here, watch as I bring together the old, in my tall eighteenth-century collar and bizarre powdered hair, with the new, as seen in my ponytail and $2,500 Agatha leather pants, ‘the most expensive leather pants in the world,’ he declares, with a laugh exactly like Count Chocula’s in its length and ridiculousness.”

—on Karl Lagerfeld and how to craft a professional image
from Karl Lagerfeld, Boy Prince of Fashion, Vanessa Grigoriadis

“The popular image of this jail is linked to the silk suits of godfathers and we need to cancel that image,” says Governor Barbera. But Barbera is an equal opportunity killjoy; in addition to the finer threads in life, she has banned Nike and Adidas. ”We need to cancel class differences and the showing off of status, power and wealth,” she emphasized.

The mob wives, for their part, are taking it as calmly as can be expected. “My husband will be left naked,” remarked one wife. ”He only has designer clothes, and that’s not because he’s flashy but because they last much longer and are better quality. Why humiliate him? Why force us to buy clothes at street markets?” She then tipped over a table, threw her drink in someone’s (anyone’s) face and lunged after the governor’s neck screaming about said naked husband.

The Ucciardone prison, known to inmates as “The Grand Hotel,” has been witness to mobsters holding lobster and champagne birthday banquets as well as a formal wedding in the prison chapel.

Why deny the sacred — and stunning — tradition of mobsters openly flaunting the law and looking great while doing it? I wouldn’t be surprised if Governor Rita Barbera wakes up next to  Raquel Zimmermann‘s head one day. [Guardian]

- “Visitors to Alexander McQueen‘s ‘Savage Beauty’ exhibit exceed 500,000.” Meanwhile, the exhibit ends August 7. If you don’t see it by then, kill yourself. [Telegraph]

- Go behind the scenes of V Magazine‘s Liz Taylor inspired editorial. Bring your electric blue eye shadow and your  flask of vodka. [Stylelist]

- The Queen thinks that the display of Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress at Buckingham palace is “horrid.” Jealousy is not a good color for a monochrome skirtsuit, Queen. [WWD]

- Gaga does not own an iPhone because her nails are too long to use one… Tranny. [Glamour]

- Valentino was doing red soles in the 60s. Guess what? Case closed. [Stylelite]

 Jason Wu Cream Lace Detailing Flounce Dress With Belt $1,700 – A-line, cream, lace -  need we say more?

Borsalino Black Ribbon Straw Hat $160 – Every Southern lady needs a handsome sun hat.

Valentino Couture Bow d’Orsay Pump $645 – Coral patent leather revs this classic shoe.

Kate Spade Bixby Bag $495 – Delightful golden leather brings the sun to rainy days too.

ASOS Tortoise Cat Eye Sunglasses $20.69 – This classic paring of tortoise and cat-eye won’t wreck your wallet.

Recommended Cocktail: Sazerac Reborn

Sadove joins a long and prestigious list of Superstar honorees including Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan and Valentino Garavani.

FGI will also honor some Stars who aren’t quite as Super such as Raf Simons, recent haute couture hero Giambattista Valli and Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte in the fashion category and Jules Moore will get her dues in the entertainment category. Guinness, meanwhile, will receive the Fashion Provocateur award.

Loveable mo Simon Doonan will host the event at Cipriani on Wall Street and Ruben Toledo will handle the award artwork. [WWD]

- These are no doubt the ugliest pants ever created. Shame on you Roberto Cavalli. [Refinery29]

- Kate Moss‘ 13-year-old sister, Lottie, is Pippa Middleton-ing the Moss-Hince wedding by capturing the hearts and imaginations of model scouts. [The Cut]

- French designer Roland Mouret is Robert Clergerie‘s new creative director. [WWD]

- Bulgari continues its naked actress with lion theme, this time nabbing Oscar winner Rachel Weisz. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

Rose will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 4

Trendiness: 3

Styling: 4

Shoes: 5

Hair: 4

Makeup: 5

Pose: 4

Confidence: 4

This look is very lovely on Rose, although I would have loved to see a maxi hemline on this dress. The metallic accessories are great, and purple lipstick really suits her. But the hair is a little bushy, I wish she would have worn it up. And maybe it’s me, but she looks a little uncomfortable no?

Photo: Daily Mail

Never a conventional lady (cocaine scandal anyone?), model (a 5’7″ super among the 90s Glamazons) or celebrity (she’s notorious for not giving interviews), one would expect Kate Moss to be an unconventional bride:

Alexander McQueen – Resort 2012

Kate’s dear departed friend would be an obvious choice, but not even Moss could compete with the Duchess of Cambridge’s gorgeous gown by Sarah Burton.

Vera Wang – Fall 2011

Vera would be an obvious choice, but Kate would wear the Wang in a non obvious way, like this almost Victorian number from Vera’s Fall ready-to-wear line.

Marc Jacobs – Resort 2012

This jumpsuit from buddy Marc’s Resort collection is too casual for a wedding, but I would nonetheless love Kate in a pant and a sky-high heel.

Louis Vuitton – Fall 2011

Or perhaps a look from Marc’s futuristic-by-way-of-Blade Runner BDSM Louis Vuitton show, which Kate naturally stole, would be more her speed.

Lanvin – Resort 2012

Short but sweet, this little flirty Lanvin dress would be a modern turn for the bride-to-be, or a chic possibility for her bridesmaids. God knows Naomi loves to show some gam.

Valentino – Resort 2012

Kate would look lovely in Valentino, especially when dropping it like it’s hot to musical guest, Snoop Dogg.

Stella McCartney – Resort 2012

BFF and definite wedding guest Stella McC is another frontrunner for Kate’s wedding gown. This look from her 2012 Resort collection is a little on the old maid side, but chop those sleeves off and either shorten or lengthen it and now we’re talking.

Chanel – Resort 2012

Kate’s good ole Uncle Karl would probably jump to dress his little girl in Chanel like the lady she really isn’t but we can all pretend that she is.

Versace – Resort 2012

Throw a 40-foot train on this Versace number and you’ve got yourself one sexy bride, not to mention an updated Stephanie Seymour à la “November Rain” thing going on.

Christian Dior – Resort 2012

The likelihood of Kate wearing Dior is slim to none, but this simple asymmetrical dress would be a classy and understated choice. But this is motherfucking Mosstock and thus neither the time nor place to be classy and understated.

Which look is your favorite?

Photos: Style.com

MARC JACOBS RESORT COLLECTION 2012

Maintaining a zen-like calm amidst a flurry of phone calls, text messages and BBMs, I was lucky enough to sit down with Unik and he was lucky enough to find time to eat. Turning 40 this Sunday, Unik revealed to me that among the things he’s learned is that with getting older, there’s no need to stress. “It doesn’t help anything.”

How he maintains that calm is a wonder, however. A highly in-demand promoter, Unik has worked for brands like Nike, Diesel, La Perla, Valentino, and Microsoft, while organizing events for the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals as well as New York Fashion Week. But the subject closest to his heart is his home country of Haiti.

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Unik settled in America permanently in 1990 and immediately got to work. He parlayed his love of partying into a successful career and uses his high-profile contacts to help out his native land. For his 35th birthday, instead of gifts, he asked his friends to donate to any foundation that helped the children of his country. After raising $15,000, he decided to keep the tradition growing and the following year Edeyo was born.

Tonight, Unik once again gathers his celebrity pals to raise money for the children of Haiti and bring light to their cause. Naomi Campbell and her boyfriend Vladimir Doronin donated their custom Lotus for the event’s auction, which also includes two trips to the Caribbean. But when I asked Unik what the night’s  biggest surprise would be, he responded in his Unik Ernest manner: “Raising $100,000.”

Here’s hoping he gets his birthday wish.

Gaga will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 4

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 5

Styling: 5

Shoes: 5

Hair: 4

Makeup: 5

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

It would be impossible to give Lady Gaga anything less than an A for this very green look. I died when I saw how fantastic the shoes look with this covetable Valentino coat. From the claw, to the hair to the attitude, this queen has got it going on (obviously).

1. Princess Diana – Diana Spencer

Title: Princess of Wales
Prince Charming: Friend, confidante and designer of choice, Gianni Versace, particularly since Prince Charles proved more frog than prince.

2. Princess Grace – Grace Kelly

Title: Princess of Monaco
Prince Charming: Longtime BFF, Josephine Baker, whom she met in 1951 after standing up for Baker against The Stork Club’s racist practices

3. Princess Jasmine – from Disney‘s Aladdin

Title: Princess of Agrabah
Prince Charming: Street urchin turned Prince Ali, Fabulous He Ali Ababwa

4. Princess Ann – Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (1953)

Title: N/A
Prince Charming: Co-star Gregory Peck and Hubert de Givenchy whom she wore to accept her Best Actress Oscar for her performance

5. Princess Charlotte – Charlotte Casiraghi

Title: Princess of Monaco (she’s Princess Grace’s granddaughter)
Prince Charming: Gucci’s Frida Giannini who exclusively designs Princess Charlotte’s equestrian wardrobe.

6. Princess Sirivannavari – Sirivannavari Nariratana

Title: Princess of Thailand
Prince Charming: Fashion. She’s designs her own fashion line and is a regular at Jean Paul Gaultier‘s shows.

7. Miss Chi Chi Rodriguez – John Leguizamo in To Wong Foo

Title: Drag Princess, “P to the R to the In to the Cess”
Prince Charming: Julie Newmar, who crowns the princess a queen while wearing a Mugler catsuit.

8. Princess Leila – Leila Pahlavi

Title: Princess of Iran
Prince Charming: Barbiturates. A former Valentino model, Leila had her share of demons including anorexia, depression and drug abuse, which ultimately claimed her life.

9. Mia Thermopolis – Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries

Title: Princess of Genovia
Prince Charming: Julie Andrews, whose spoonful of sugar helped make the royal medicine go down as Mia’s grandmother, Queen Clarisse.

10. Princess Catherine – Kate Middleton

Title: The Duchess of Cambridge, Her Royal Highness Princess William of Wales
Prince Charming: Sarah Burton, whose Alexander McQueen wedding gown propelled Kate from lady to Lady.

To the office – There is nothing like a crisp, white shirt to show the world you’re in control. Pair it with a pencil skirt, power blazer and sexy heels to maximize its workplace potential.

Balmain Single Breasted Blazer $2,316, farfetch.com
Matthew Williamson Blu Pencil Leather Skirt $795, stylebop.com
Pierre Hardy Ankle Boots $1,190, thecorner.com

At the beach - Cute and comfortable, a breezy white shirt worn open over your bathing suit is a super chic beach look. A colorful bikini, embellished sandals and protective sun hat are perfect for a light lunch outside by the water.

Nine West Straw Floppy Hat $36, ninewest.com
Mara Hoffman Embroidered Bikini $334, matchesfashion.com
Steve Madden Guesst Leather Sandal $90, heels.com

Weekend brunch – What’s more adorable than putting a vintage spin on your favorite weekend dress with a loose white shirt? Take the shirttails and knot them around your waist for a carefree look. A bright pair of heels and cool sunglasses will top it off.

Topshop Black Rounded Flat Top Sunglasses $36, topshop.com
Valentino Lace Trimmed Dress $5,468, farfetch.com
Zara Satin Platform Sandal $99.90, zara.com
What are your favorite ways to wear a simple white shirt? How do you make it yours?

Mia will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 4

Trendiness: 2

Styling: 3

Hair: 5

Makeup: 2

Pose: 2

Confidence: 4

I am not feeling Mia’s look at all. Everything is too neutral for it to work, as the dress matches her skin, matches her makeup matches her hair. Plus, this Valentino dress looks like it belonged to someone’s nana in the 1860s. Mia needs to put some color in her life and act her age while she can.

1. Paris Is Burning (1990)

Set amidst the backdrop of 80s New York ball culture, Paris Is Burning is an exploration of beauty, race, sexuality, capitalism and the American Dream, all wrapped up in a dragtastic homage to the transformative powers of fashion. Also, where do you think Madonna learned to Vogue?

See Also: To Wong Foo — Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1994) Drag queens, yes; acute social commentary, not so much…but how can you argue with this? Oh, that’s right, you can’t.

*Andre Leon Talley wins the award for best purple tent. As always, his volumes are amazing.

Let’s take a look at the Best Dressed of the night. This category has quite a bit of people, as it should, for fashion’s biggest event. These were the As and high Bs, the working girls.

Shalom Harlow is my pick for BEST DRESSED in Marchesa. This is what the Met Ball is all about – she looks breathtaking in that gown.

I almost fell over when I saw Christina Ricci in Zac Posen. She never ages a day and looks super sexy in this sheer number.

I found Mary-Kate’s dress underwhelming, but Ashley Olsen looks ravishing in vintage Dior Haute Couture. The whole look is perfect.

Elle Fanning looks like a little couture doll in Valentino. She is so outshining her sister, it’s not even fair.

Rihanna has been looking haggard lately, so I was pleasantly surprised at how elegant she was in this striking Stella McCartney gown.

Iman, also in Stella McCartney, turned it out in a metallic gold jumpsuit. A little draggy, a lot amazing.

Karolina Kurkova in a spring 2011 Jean Paul Gaultier lace legging-dress creation. If the models can’t do it, who can?

I love this Prabal Gurung gown and funky jewelry on Ciara. White could be difficult to pull off at the ball, but she did it right.

Even though Crystal Renn is too skinny for my taste, she is an absolute vision in Alexander McQueen. I need my hair to look like this.

After getting ready in a Barneys window yesterday, Daphne Guiness showed up in McQueen. Perfect, amazing, stuns.

I loved Ginnifer Goodwin‘s look from the moment  I saw it. Then I realized it was custom Topshop. Damn she makes it look good.

Naomi Campbell looks like the queen she is in custom McQueen. She wears the sedatives well too.

Hamish Bowles looks like a true gentleman in custom McQueen. Love it from head to toe.

I always wait with baited breath to see what Blake Lively is wearing. She obviously did not disappoint in a Chanel toga.

New York’s best couple showed up looking better than ever. Beyonce is working that Emilio Pucci gown like whoa.

Queen Bitch Anna Wintour gave her best smile to the camera and looks like a shiny grandiose statue in Chanel.

On to the Most Boring of the night. On any other occasion, these folks would have looked great (probably). Unfortunately, this also means they’re the Cs of the Met Ball.

I’m sleeping. Zoe Saldana is usually among the best dressed. Why did she choose this boring Calvin Klein for the biggest fashion night of the year?

Leighton Meester is amazing, but she has trouble getting it right. Different shoes and hair would have done this Louis Vuitton dress more justice.

I love this Michael Kors dress on Emma Roberts, but she has the body to wear something more over the top on a night like this.

Madonna, the Material Girl herself, definitely could have done better than this Stella McCartney dress. Pretty, but boring.

I’m actually quite obsessed with this Miu Miu dress Michelle Williams is wearing. But I would wear this to a nice dinner, not a gala.

And now ladies and gentleman, the Worst Dressed of the night. These are the Ds and Fs of the Met Ball, the creme de la creme of mistakes.

ARGH! Christina Hendricks used to dress so well! This Carolina Herrera gown is an unflattering fit and color on her.

Oh dear. Hate to say it Alicia Keys, but it looks like you’re wearing a giant turd instead of Givenchy. Brown jacket AND dress is NOT fly.

Jennifer Lopez looks like a halfway plucked bloody chicken. Matchy-matchy lipstick, bag and Gucci is a no go.

I thought Chloe Sevigny would make McQueen look good, but I was wrong. The hair is awful and the dress fits like she grabbed it off some rack.

Sorry to say it Kate Hudson, but this Stella McCartney is not a cute pregnant lady dress. And whatever is on your head isn’t working either.

Nooooo! In the rush of preparing for the gala, Lucy Liu forgot to get a wax! Oh wait, that’s just her looking blech in Vionnet.

I hope everyone enjoying looking at the red carpet photos from the 2011 Met Gala as much as I. Who was your best and worst dressed of the night?

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

Model Crystal Renn poses on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, in New York, May 2, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT FASHION)

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

Carmen will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 4

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 1

Styling: 3

Shoes: 3

Hair: 2

Makeup: 3

Pose: 3

Confidence: 3

This look is very Carmen Electra, so I have to give her props for being consistent. But she just looks like a trashy prom court attendee, so I’m having trouble calling this anything more than average. The Valentino sandals are an interesting feminine touch… what do you think?

- A test shot of Julianne Moore as Hillary Clinton for the HBO movie, The Special Relationship, proved so strikingly similar to the real Mrs. C, I had to do a double take. Though the part ultimately went to Hope Davis after Moore dropped out to do The Kids Are All Right (good choice), I can’t help but wonder what could’ve been. Much like everyone who voted for Hillary in the 2008 election. [Blackbook]

- Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman, a documentary about the luxury retailer, is set to begin production this month. A party was held for the movie this week at Bergdorf’s, which has given writer-director Matthew Miele full access to shoot in the store. Miele’s wish list of interviews include Valentino, Sarah Jessica Parker and the reason I get up in the morning, Liza Fucking Minnelli. [Page Six]

For the beachy boho babe - from left:

Roxy “Shore Nuff” Dress $39.50 – amazon.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Summer Dress $366 – farfetch.com

American Eagle Printed Sundress $29.95 – ae.com

Warehouse Paradise Stripe Maxi Dress $161 – warehouse.co.uk

Delia’s Ruffle Dress $44.50 – store.delias.com

For the graphics-loving lady – from left:

Etro Printed Silk-Blend Mini Dress $2,000 – net-a-porter

Mara Hoffman Bow Back Dress $595 – jades24.com

Bensoni Croc Block Dress $725 – barneys.com

Diane von Furstenberg Adalvino Sleeveless Print Dress $398 – neimanmarcus.com

Billabong Island Dress $36 – buckle.com

For the chic minimalist mama - from left:

Maison Martin Margiela Kaki Silk Dress $769 – shopmrsh.com

Topshop Petite Cream Sleeveless Tuck Detail Dress $80 – us.topshop.com

Alexander McQueen Fitted Jersey Dress $1,555 – harveynichols.com

Cacharel Textured Knit Dress $495 – lagarconne.com

Elie Tahari ‘Marissa’ Dress $295 – farfetch.com

For the sexy girlie-girl - from left:

Topshop Polka Dot Dress by Wal G $74 – us.topshop.com

Gucci Knot-Front Two-Tone Silk-Satin Dress $2,115 – net-a-porter.com

Temperly London Mini Silvana Cutout Embellished Silk-Georgette Dress $1,095 – net-a-porter.com

Valentino Lace Trimmed Dress $5,376 – farfetch.com

Herve Leger Bandage-Dress With V-Neck $2,061 – jades24.com

While Haute Couture is highly celebrated on the red carpet, many fashion insiders seem confused over the true concept of the term.

In order to best understand, I like to refer to the designer pyramid, where haute couture is positioned above all else. While haute couture designs that are featured on the runway, may sometimes resemble artwork more than wearable fashions, they are in fact the inspiration for almost every piece of clothing you will ever purchase. When these collections are created, they set the standards for what will filter down to designers such as Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg, who then create prêt-a-porter (ready-to-wear) collections. Many designers have couture departments; an example would be Atelier Versace. An extension of Versace, the atelier (tailoring workshop) creates many of the long evening gowns and one-of-a-kind designs that are made to order to fit an individual’s body like a second skin. One step down from designers who have runway collections, are retailers such as Zara, Mango, Karen Millen, Reiss and Bebe. These stores have a higher turnover of clothing production and their designs are often copied from the ready–to-wear runway shows. Eventually, all of this is filtered down to companies such as Primark, Kmart and Wal-Mart, who mass-produce clothing that consumers can purchase for the fraction of the cost of the original design.

The origin of couture dates back to mid-nineteenth century Paris, when Empress Eugénie elicited the dressmaking services of Charles Frederick Worth, an English designer who was known for his luxurious choice of fabrics, sumptuous trimmings and attention to detail. Her refined tastes set the style of the court and won Worth the title of Europe’s very first Couturier. Before long, Worth was patronized by many titled, rich and notable women. Being a savvy businessman, he took advantage of the growing demand for his work by opening a showroom, La Maison de Couture in Paris. Interested buyers would come to view his latest pieces on live models and order their garment of choice. Worth would then recreate the chosen garment in his atelier, modifying it to the client’s taste and precise measurements. This business model provided the foundation for modern day couture.

Worth has not only been credited for being the inventor of couture, but also for inventing the modern day press kit. Before the photographic era, he was the first to promote his work by sending out miniature dolls wearing his designs, which journalists then reproduced as illustrations, thus creating the original fashion editorials.

Haute couture, when translated, simply means high dressmaking, but is the most celebrated fashion honor. In France, the term is protected by law and defined by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris. There are currently only eleven official members and three correspondent (foreign) members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, all of whom have been invited for membership and must follow certain rules in order to use the term in their advertising.  Within this set of rules, each house is expected to operate a Paris-based atelier and show two full (thirty five pieces) collections, twice a year. These shows, which make up Paris Couture Week, are held during January and July and are not to be confused with the regular ‘fashion week’ which showcase the ready-to-wear collections.

Kirten Lea at Armani Privé – Video Direction by Durrant Kellogg

Armani Privé, Valentino and Chanel are among the names currently boasting the most prestigious empires. Many see the stunning dresses featured on the red carpet, but are unsure as to how one would go about purchasing one. I recall seeing what would be my first haute couture gown, worn by Katie Holmes at her wedding reception. Even on the dimensionless page of a magazine, the dress spoke to me, implanting what would become a deep passion and lasting appetite for couture. It was only in my quest to purchase a gown of my own, did I learn that the ceremonious process by which one procures a couture dress proves as intricate, as the design itself.

Most designer stores, such as Giorgio Armani, are not closely connected to their couture house, and therefore it is mandatory for a new client to have a formal introduction to the atelier.  This will usually require a new client to fly to Rome, Paris or Milan simply to view the look book. If one is interested in a particular gown, then that dress must also be flown in from wherever it is in the world, at that particular time.

Originally made for runway models, each sample garment is a prototype made specifically for runway models. This means they are made for women who are at least 5’10” tall, extremely slim, with almost no bust and a long back. The sample garments are later fashioned with elastic rigging, so to accommodate clients with more curves than zero.

It is at the atelier, where one discusses any modifications, to ensure that a dress will suit the client perfectly. The couturiers have great wisdom regarding which colors, necklines, hemlines and silhouettes enhance each individual body size and shape. And, when you’re buying a dress that costs in the region of $160,000, it doesn’t hurt to seek professional consultation. Ordering couture is about teamwork and creativity, a process in which the customer is a vital part.

Haute Couture garments often require three or four fittings. While it is helpful if the client remains the same size, the very nature of a fitting is to continually adjust the garment to fit one’s body like a second skin, so it is expected that women may lose or gain a little weight, particularly if they are leading up to an important event. By the end of the fittings, no matter how revealing a dress may appear to be, you will feel completely comfortable and secure wearing it.

Usually more so than any other dress you have ever worn.

With an estimated 2,000 people worldwide who still purchase haute couture, but as few as 150 individuals who are regarded as regular clientele, designers go to great lengths to build a sense of loyalty amongst their clients. Giorgio Armani, for example, hosted intimate dinners during which clients are brought together to share their passion for, knowledge of, and experiences with couture. The attendees are not the spoiled individuals some might expect. We share our thoughts on the latest collections and what we believe inspired them. We discuss plans to attend upcoming shows and most importantly, we rely upon each other to compare experiences of buying from one designer over another.

The 2011 Official List of Members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture

Adeline André

Anne Valérie Hash

Atelier Gustavolins

Chanel

Christian Dior

Christophe Josse

Franck Sorbier

Givenchy

Jean-Paul Gautier

Maurizio Galante

Stéphane Rolland

Correspondent (Foreign) Members

Elie Saab

Giorgio Armani

Valentino

Maison Martin Margiela

Invited Members

Alexandre Vauthier

Alexis Mabille

Bouchra Jarrar

Julien Fournié

Lefrant Ferrant

Maison Rabih Kayrouz

Maxime Simoëns

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