Monaco Royal Wedding: Giorgio Armani

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Taking a look back at fashion

What better way to toast the start of 2012 than to look back on 2011 – a momentous year filled with a devastating tsunami in Japan to royal weddings and their designer gowns in Europe and the shocking dismissal of one of the most talented designers in the heat of Paris Fashion Week. CHEONG PHIN reflects on the definitive fashion moments of the year that was

July 2011: Princess Charlene of Monaco in her Giorgio Armani wedding gown.

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THE END OF GALLIANO AT DIOR
The year in fashion began on a dramatic note during Paris Fashion Week in February with the shocking dismissal of John Galliano, one of the most innovative designers of his generation from the couture house of Christian Dior. An anti-Semitic outburst in a Paris cafe cost the flamboyant British designer his coveted job as creative director of Dior and his eponymous fashion label in a flourishing fashion career that spans 27 years. For the first time, the Dior Autumn/Winter 2011 runway show ended without the customary theatrical bow from the designer and, to the dismay of anxious fashion insiders, has not announced a successor till today.

ROYAL WEDDINGS AND DESIGNER GOWNS
Spring/Summer was a season of royal weddings and kicked off with the most anticipated event of the year -- the fairytale wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in London.

From the moment the young couple announced their engagement in late 2010, the speculation about who would be designing the Royal wedding dress was rife among fashion watchers and possibly the best-kept secret the fashion world has endured. All was revealed to the delight of everyone on April 11 when Kate (as she is fondly known) stepped out in a glorious ivory wedding dress with English and French chantilly lace appliqué, satin gazar pleated skirt and 2.7-metre-long train by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

Working closely with Kate behind closed doors, Burton triumphed in delivering an elegant and timeless design that represents the best of "Made in Britain" craftsmanship and hailed by many as the wedding dress of the 21st century -- overshadowing an equally beautiful off-the-shoulder silk ivory wedding gown created by Italian designer Giorgio Armani for Charlene Wittstock at her lavish wedding to Prince Albert II in Monaco three months later. The sensational gown was embellished with ramage embroidery depicting flowers, Swarovski crystals and thousands of pearl teardrops attached to a five-metre long train.

NEW STORE OPENINGS
Despite the global economic ununcertainty, several brands remain optimistic about Asia and debuted their first stores in Malaysia in 2011. Celebrating 30 years in the business, Michael Kors flew into Kuala Lumpur to officially open his first Malaysian store in Pavilion; Australian accessories brand "Oroton" opened in KLCC and Gardens Mall while British brand "French Soles" (known for its comfortable ballet flats) opened its first franchised boutique outside the UK at the new wing in Suria, KLCC.

Elsewhere, French luxury house "Balenciaga" arrived here at last while La Montre Hermès opened its first Malaysian boutique dedicated to watches at Starhill Gallery.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Monaco Museum Displays Royal Wedding Dress

Days after their I do’s, the fairytale frock which transformed Charlene Wittstock from a private citizen into a princess has gone on display as part of the “Story of the Royal Wedding (l’Histoire du Mariage Princiers”) exhibition, housed at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

Through November 22, 2011, wedding watchers and fans of fashion alike can get an up close look at the bride’s Giorgio Armani Prive gown, a couture creation 2,500 hours in the making. Constructed of off-white silk duchesse and silk organza, the dress is an iconic interpretation of royal romance which features embroidered petals of floral finery, 20,000 delicate mother of pearl teardrops and 40,000 Swarovski crystals which dance in the light.

Bridal accessories a will also be on display, including the diaphanous silk tulle veil which floated behind the bride as she made her way to the altar, while the diamonds and sapphires which adorn the tiara made as a gift from the groom to his bride by Van Cleef & Arpels (see video below) dance in the light inside its own display case.

Taking its rightful place beside the Princess’s gown is the uniform worn by Prince Albert II of Monaco– a cream-colored outfit accented with gold embroidered oak and olive leaves on the sleeves and golden button emblazoned with the groom’s monarchical monogram.

Visitors will also get a glimpse of post-vow items, including the cutlery used at the reception, wedding gifts from around the world and the vehicle which bore the newlyweds to Saint Devote church, where the newly-dubbed princess placed her wedding bouquet (see video below).

For more information:

visit www.oceano.mc (site in French)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The fashion verdict on Monaco's royal wedding

Princess Beatrice might not have been in attendance, but that didn't stop Europe's other royals and their friends from putting their own spin on the fashion faux pas at Monaco's royal wedding.

From a princess in a sun hat and strappy sandals to a guest in white flowing gown, it wasn't just the paternity test raising eyebrows.

Naomi Campbell played by the rules at the ceremony in a green floral dress, but come reception time, all bets were off.

Breaking the unwritten rule that guests shouldn't wear white or black to a wedding, she changed into a white dress with a plunging neckline, side cut-outs and green beading.

So was this a fashion faux pas or fashion forward? The wedding dress designers contacted by Life & Style were split in their assessment.

Karen Willis Holmes says it's a matter of good manners to wear a different colour to the bride.

White is emerging as a trend in bridesmaid dresses, bolstered by Pippa Middleton's outfit in Britain's recent royal wedding, but that's at the bride's discretion. What a guest wears is not, and therein lies the problem.

Particularly when it's a supermodel.

"I think you could wear white but this is long and it has a train," she says.

"If it was a very un-wedding gown it is OK but this is borderline.

"I love the [concept of the bridesmaid wearing the] same colour as the bride I think it looks good visually in photos, I think it is stunning but then the bride has okayed it which is different to a guest doing it."

But Henry Roth says it's time we threw out these 'rules' and gave the thumbs up to Campbell.

"I think that it's time the world grew up and we got rid of some of the unnecessary taboos created in fashion, not to liberate women but to control their style and sense of confidence," he says.

"We don't have these rules for men."

The now Princess Charlene of Monaco wore two Giorgio Armani gowns - one at the religious ceremony and the other at the reception - and a powder blue outfit she designed in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld to the civil ceremony.

Simple, elegant and traditional was the verdict of both Willis Holmes and Roth regarding the off-the-shoulder, boat neck gown worn at the church. Although the latter believes there's more to this dress than meets the eye - sometimes a wedding dress will reflect what is going in in the brides' heart and mind.

"She really embraced tradition, which is not a bad thing, but in the context of what's happening one can just imagine why she was grabbing at the traditions of yesteryear," he says.

"If the rumours are even 20 per cent true...it's not looking as bright as one might hope [for their future together]."

As for the reception dress with the tiered column skirt, Willis Holmes described it as "pretty" but "low key".

"They [both dresses] all look older than she does," she says.

"If she was 50 that would look pretty as well."

While there was no outrageous hat to spawn headlines, Facebook pages and a charity auction, an honourable mention goes to the groom's sister Princess Caroline for wearing a sun hat and strappy sandals to a civil wedding ceremony.

"It looked a little bit more like she was overdressed for the beach," says Willis Holmes.

"The dress is quite formal but if she had a smaller hat and high heels it would look more dressy."

Although she does get points for sun sense and comfort.

What's your verdict on the fashion at the royal wedding? Should we ditch the no-white at weddings rule for guests? Comment below.