McQueen of the Night

Bittersweet indeed, the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala honoring the late Alexander McQueen and unveiling of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, an exhibition devoted to the British designer, brought out the who's who in fashion, design and Hollywood. 

Having to be complete honest, I do feel there was a lack of McQueen designs featured on the stars at an event to honor him, and even some inappropriate choices. However,

adorned in everything from feathers to tulle, beading and silks, signature billowy dresses cut in hourglass silhouettes here were the McQueen looks at this years Gala that did the designer justice and embodied his unforgettable immense talent and created a picture perfect image of Savage Beauty ;

Daphne Guinness, in Alexander 

Sarah Burton, in Alexander McQueen 

Naomi Campbell, in Alexander McQueen

Karen Elson, in Alexander McQueen. 

Tom Brady with Gisele Bündchen, in Alexander McQueen

Sarah Jessica Parker, in Alexander McQueen

Hamish Bowles, in Alexander McQueen.

Anna Dello Russo, in Alexander McQueen 

Liu Wen, in Alexander McQueen; John Demsey; and Constance Jablonski, in Alexander McQueen. 

Hilary Rhoda, in Alexander McQueen 

Coco Rocha, in Alexander McQueen

Some of my most favorite looks of the evening, outside of the McQueen designs, were worn by Christina Ricci, Jennifer Lopez, and Crystal Renn.

Christina Ricci, in Zac Posen, with Fred Leighton jewels. 

Jennifer Lopez, in Gucci, with H.Stern jewels. 

Crystal Renn, in Zac Posen, with a Jimmy Choo clutch. 

I would have guessed this was an event honoring Stella McCartney, considering the number of stars in the designers creation but I think this was the most of any years past and it really made you appreciate the designers versatility and talent incase you lived under a rock and hadn't noticed before. 

The Fred Leighton showroom must have also been completely bare having bedazzled, most honorable guest this evening adding the right touch of sparkle to top off fabricated perfection. 

Here are some other amazing looks of the evening;

Anna Wintour, in Chanel Haute Couture, with Bee Shaffer, in Balenciaga

Jay-Z; with Beyoncé, in Emilio Pucci. 

Tom Ford 

Liv Tyler, Marina Abramović, and Mariacarla Boscono, all in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, with the designer. 

Blake Lively, in Chanel Haute Couture, with Karl Lagerfeld, in Tom Ford. 

     Natasha Poly, in Alexander Wang, with the designer.                                                                          

Andre Leon Talley

Natalia Vodianova, in Valentino, with Valentino Garavani. 

                                                          Ashley Olsen, in vintage Dior Couture 

Tory Burch & Kanye West

Dee Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger, both in his designs. 

Miranda Kerr, in Marchesa

Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning, both in Valentino. 

Mary J. Blige, in Gucci

Demi Moore, in Prabal Gurung

Joan Smalls, in Tom Ford

Rihanna, in Stella McCartney

"I get my ideas out of my dreams… if you’re lucky enough to use something you see in a dream, it is purely original. It’s not in the world — it’s in your head. I think that is amazing."
— Alexander McQueen

Daphne Guinness in the Window of Barneys

I've been anticipating it for sometime now, and it has finally come and gone. Daphnes debut in the window followed by the MET costume ball. I managed to take my own photos of both events, however the pro photos are a thousand time better, and with much better detail, so lets have a look at the photos via Racked;

I promise without any bias, Daphne's was my favorite dress of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala Benefit. For this particular event, I love to really see more costume like attire, still of course beautifully fashionable but with way more risk taken. As a muse to Alexander McQueen, Daphne for me, gave both drama and an over the top edgy costume like gown. More photos to follow all of the models, designers, and celebrities who came out in amazing outfits.

Vivienne Tam Mother's Day Sale May 7-8 @ 40 Mercer St

Vivienne Tam Mother's Day Sale. 20% off their full priced Spring 2011 Collection

Location: 40 Mercer St., NY 10013

Ariane Zurcher NY Trunk Show May 4-6 @ 139 West 19th St

Ariane Zurcher NY Trunk Show Mother's day is just around the corner and Ariane will has a number of beautiful things, including her Pavé Collection, here in New York for a limited time before everything goes back to her store in Aspen, Colorado.Meet the Designer. 11:00 am -6:00 pm. ariane@arianezurcher.com

Location: 139 West 19th St, Suite-4SW, NY, NY 10011

I Left My Wallet in El Segundo- A Tribe Called Quest pt 2

In the first "Tribe Called Quest" post, I showed you some of my favorite tribal jewelry of this season, ranging in prices as well as designers. In this post I wanted to display some pieces I've collected over time. Many of these pieces go back over many years, some bought, some gifted and some purchased recently on the cusp of this ethnic accessory explosion. The oldest of pieces were obtained years ago, and having been so much younger I didn't at the time correlate them as being "tribal pieces" rather just beautiful unique items that were different then what was on the current mass market of that time. 

Gifted items have traveled in from different countries around the world. One of my very first jobs was helping to produce street fairs around New York City which is one of the largest melting pots of cultures. Because you never know what each vendor will have available week to week and what country they may be from it was always exciting, learning new ethnology, art and tradition. After a great weekend of sales, some vendors would come in and bring small trinkets for me, and the best were ones they loved that reminded them of their native home and came form the heart. 

Because there a collage of accessories all mixed in, i didn't do descriptions of each piece, but here are a few stand out ones that I'm able to remember;

The lucite collar is from H&M. I saw it only in one H&M and when I went back, it wasn't there and I haven't seen it in any other NY H&M stores. I purchased it with a cuff bracelet, that fell on the floor and broke into tons of pieces, but the bold necklace is a statement all on its own. 

The amazing beaded feather earrings are from Bebe. They are insanely heavy, and I knew that but opted to purchase them anyway because they are very art-like. I've worn them once for about an hour, and received many compliments and inquiries. Definite conversation starters. 

All the turquoise pieces as well as the tigers eye necklace, were hand made, with imported Brazilian stones, by jewelry designer/friend Dani Acosta. 

The woven beaded red necklace was gifted from possibly Peru or Costa Rica, I'm unable to remember but it came with matching circular earrings and I truly love this set, very unique. 

The fuchsia and gold necklace was gifted from india, and I always feel like an absolute princess while wearing it.