MET Gala 2013 ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’

Posted in Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion, Models, Red Carpet by nlcorner

When the theme of this year’s Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET Gala) was announced as ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ I was excited. This would be an actual event with costumes, surely?

Oh of course not, this is the fashion world dah-ling, couture has to be the order of the day and if Anna Wintour is the head of the chair organising this shindig then you must obey!

This would definitely be a chance for the Brits to shine on the red carpet, punk originated from London surely we are the ones who truly know how to do punk. So it is pretty disappointing to see, then, certain Brit celebrities throwing on a studded leather jacket and calling it an ode to punk Sienna Miller…

There were rumours abound in the lead up to the MET Gala that female celebrities were worried about not looking ‘pretty’ and didn’t want to be too edgy for fear of ending up on that unforgiving worst dressed list. This is probably the only event where you could go for that outlandish look and get away with it all in the name of punk.

Anna Wintour on the other hand attended a different MET Gala, her invite included the sub text ‘punk also means floral’. What person could possibly interpret floral Chanel Couture with even a possible edge of punk? She even shoehorned the pregnant Kim Kardashian into that god awful floral Givenchy floral curtain. Kim K is trying so hard to please everyone around her she really appears as though she hasn’t got a mind of her own, I feel sorry for her because Kanye just seems like he’s regretting his choice of baby mamma…

Anna Wintour in Chanel Couture at the MET Gala 2013

Those who I favoured on the red carpet at the MET Gala are the ones who embraced the theme of the punk:

Anne Hathaway, after the huge disappointment of the Oscars, she by far was my favourite look of the night. Wearing sheer black Valentino, she made the look super edgy by dying her hair peroxide blonde and slicking it back with a messy quiff. As soon as I saw the full look this was what I wanted, what I was expecting on the red carpet. Absolutely 10/10, the naughty boob flashing, the cut out shape and just clear sexiness of the whole look was Sharon Stone uh-may-zing. You go girl.

Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the MET Gala 2013.

Another person who embodied the drama was Nicole Richie, she’s yet to truly let me down on a red carpet and her somewhat simple embellished white custom Topshop gown was accessorised with vampy lipstick and a shock of white hair. I think the punk horror look totally works.

Nicole Richie in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

At first glance Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing a voluminous patterned Giles gown, but scan to the top and she is adorned with a custom made Philip Treacy mohawk inspired head piece. It is simply jaw-dropping. And only something that SJP could work so perfectly, she later revealed her thigh high laced boots which just added to punk glam factor. Well done SJP, you have been reborn!

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles and a Philip Treacy head piece at the MET Gala 2013

Sarah Jessica Parker in her Philip Treacy headpiece at the MET Gala 2013

Elizabeth Banks was the guest of Brian Atwood so her super short Versace gold tuxedo jacket perfectly showcased her amazing fringed heels. This is the definition of glam punk, gold gold and sexy.

Elizabeth Banks in Versace and Brian Atwood at the MET Gala 2013

Nina Dobrev never fails to amaze me on the red carpet, there are some looks that I like more that others, but she always comes out on the best dressed list everytime. This Monique Lhuillier creation gives Nina the punk attitude, and she was one of the few that wore trousers, I like the fact that it came with the detachable tulle skirt because it was still high glamour but allowed her to party on without it at the MET after party still looking fierce.

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier at the MET Gala 2013

Oh Beyonce, for the second year running the star chose a Givenchy Couture gown and yet another showstopper. I can see this dress been like marmite for some, I love the train of fire it is matches her personality perfectly, the bustier is super tight but the snakeskin material just makes it even more dramatic. She also chose to wear gloves similar to Kim K’s design but by showing her décolletage it allowed for a break in the heavy pattern, and her wavy tresses and smoky make up were the perfect addition.

Beyonce in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2013

I’m adding Emma onto this list simply because it is not a short printed mini dress. Yes there are still cutouts but she looks so different here, I would have liked to have seen some more attitude in her make up and shoes but this Prabal Gurung gown is a great graduation from red carpet princess.

Emma Watson in Prabal Gurung at the MET Gala 2013

Of all the people on the guest list we knew Florence Welch would bring in for the Brits, she has always worked a gothic edge to her red carpet dressing and it worked well here. Her Givenchy Couture fringed and velvet gown is dramatic, not necessarily punk but definitely chaotic, and her fiery red hair makes the whole look stand out.

Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2013

Diane Kruger went that extra step and added a pink dip to the end of her blonde ponytail, it elevates her look along with her dark smoky make up. The Chanel Couture gown with overlay is certainly better than her purple feathered Prada gown from last year and she proved that the Chanel collection wasn’t all flowers like Anna Wintour’s dress did. Top effort, and as always had the perfect accessory with her in Joshua Jackson.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Couture at the MET Gala

Ever since Miley Cyrus chopped off her hair, she’s been channelling the grungy punk look. She’s a young girl not afraid of pushing the fashion boundary and so she shouldn’t be, I hate all those naysayers out there that hated on her for cutting her hair off just like they did with Karlie Kloss why do people have such an issue with short hair not being attractive or sexy?! Her Marc Jacobs dress skimmed Miley’s very toned body it was still glamourous with the added punk jewellery and her spiked up hair. The hair might not have been to everybody’s taste and she could have benefitted from it being slicked back but who cares she took a risk at a punk themed event!

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs at the MET Gala 2013

I really like Jaime King’s custom Topshop suit, when I first saw her I thought she looked ten years younger maybe it’s something to do with those hair extensions and her model good looks. Jaime has such fun with fashion she never sticks to the same thing so I enjoyed seeing her in this satin trouser suit with a lace bodice top underneath. Topshop do great red carpet looks, if the rest of their guests including my favourite Ashley Madekwe in what she called punk mermaid, and even donned a black bob wig to make it all edgy.

Jaime King in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

Ashley Madekwe in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

At first when I saw Carey Mulligan in her Balenciaga dress, I thought it wasn’t enough but then as you see all the other stars and their interpretations on what punk is Carey fits in perfectly. Her knee length gown with a safety pin attached at the lapel worked with the understated cut outs on the side. I do think though that as someone who has a massive movie coming out that she shouldn’t have let Anne Hathaway upstage her.

Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga at the MET Gala 2013.

I really can’t make my mind up on Cameron Diaz’s Stella McCartney gown. I’m like a magpie to this colour, I love it. At first when I saw a picture I thought she looked a bit like a nun, but then after seeing the back and studying it a bit more I do think it is a very original creation which Stella does so well when making custom creations for her friends especially with the addition of that spiked gold belt. So I like it but I kind of don’t.

Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney at the MET Gala 2013

Cameron Diaz Stella McCartney Jamie McCarthy Getty Images North America

The back view of the dress which is more like a cape than fully covered.

And then there was Madonna (aka Hilary Devey). Only she would translate punk to mean HOT MESS. She rocked up late to the MET Gala red carpet in Givenchy, but not just any Givenchy a checked studded jacket with horrible gloves, horrible ripped fishnet tights, with horrible suspenders, a horrible wig, and horrible shoes.

Madonna in Givenchy at the MET Gala 2013

Madonna posted this on her Instagram page, cleaning before the MET Gala…

And as far as I’m aware, nobody wore Alexander McQueen I though some of their creations would have definitely appeared on this red carpet without a doubt even if they did dedicate the 2011 gala to him.

Best of the rest:

Taylor Swift J Mendel Larry Busacca Getty Images North America

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel at the MET Gala 2013. Good effort from TayTay she stuck to her tried and tested but vamped it up with make up and accessories.

Gisele Bundchen Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America

Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello at the MET Gala 2013. That pose annoys me, but only a model could wear her own interpretation of the infamous Versace safety pin dress which Lady Gaga ruined.

Christina Ricci Vivienne Westwood Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America

Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood at the MET Gala 2013. I love Christina she knows how to work it, not as outlandish has her dress from last year but still she wore the designer who created punk.

Amber Heard Emilio Pucci Newspix Bauer Griffin

Amber Heard in Emilio Pucci at the MET Gala 2013. Far too sexy for this theme, but she still looks amazing and the colour is gorgeous.

Blake Lively Gucci Premiere Jamie McCarthy Getty Images North America

Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere at the MET Gala 2013. A welcome return to the red carpet from Blake, I’ve missed her so much. She looked gorgeous as always.

Cara Delevingne Burberry Newspix Bauer Griffin

Cara Delevingne in Burberry at the MET Gala 2013. I loved the studs and deep v neck, I worry about her though…

Joan Smalls Tom Ford Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford at the MET Gala 2013. One word: HOT.

Rooney Mara Givenchy Jamie McCarthy Getty Images North America

Rooney Mara in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2013. Unfortunately Rooney’s gown isn’t that original as Penelope Cruz already wore a version of this last year, which I find annoying for such a big event. She can do better.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci at the MET Gala 2013. She’s a supermodel, she looks amazing.

Sienna Miller in Burberry at the MET Gala 2013. Sienna looks good, but she’s a BRIT and could do way better than throwing on a bloody studded biker jacket, honestly. Poor effort.

24Apr2013

Beauty: MAC Candy Yum Yum lipstick

Posted in Beauty by nlcorner

MAC calls it “the lipstick dreams are made of”. And they are not far wrong.

My favourite ever shade of lipstick is MAC’s Ruby Woo, it has to be the perfect shade of red I own and can be dressed up or dressed down. So when I saw a friend with this gorgeous shade of neon pink on I had to know where it was from, of course MAC.

Previously part of a limited edition collection MAC have made Candy Yum Yum part of their permanent collection. It is matte, but it’s not flaky and bitty like some matte lipsticks you can get and feels light on your lips without drying them out.

Be warned it is VERY bright, it should come with a pair of it’s own shades. But it would add that extra something to an outfit if you were to wear it, but keep the rest of your make up simple definitely no extra eyeshadow and a neutral blush with lashings of mascara.

MAC Candy Yum Yum

You can follow me on Twitter @nlcorner or find me on Facebook here.

24Mar2013

Tattoo: Finished Mermaid Back Piece

Posted in Beauty by nlcorner

Tattoos are not for everyone, some people love them and have lots, some people love them and don’t have any, some people hate them and always say when you’re an 80 year-old wrinkly woman you’ll regret them. I say when I’m an 80 year-old wrinkly woman and look at my tattoos they are memories of my younger self which I would have trouble remembering by then!

I was, however, stupid when I was 16/17 and got a really shit tattoo which I did regret some years later and have always wanted a custom piece of artwork designed uniquely for me to cover the atrocity up.

Said atrocity with filter to make it less horrible.

I originally wanted some for of 40s pin-up woman but then researching tattoos I really liked the idea of a mermaid instead, slightly inspired by Fearne Cotton’s back piece, I asked Penny Wood who is amazing at drawing vintage style women to create a mermaid for me and back in October last year I had my first session.

First session – outline with some shading.

The healing period wasn’t long at all, after about a week it was fine with a two a day application of Bepanthen, and around a month or so later I was back in for my second session this time with the colour added and the darker shading to cover up my old tattoo.

Second session – colour detail

Due to the way my old tattoo was done, it was very heavy and dark so we made the decision to turn the smaller parts of it into a sleeve for the mermaid and rework it to look much better with the addition of clouds and dot work. I always had in mind that I would like my mermaid to have red hair, as we all know the Disney Ariel is the original mermaid and I wanted her to be an inspiration which Penny agreed with.

With the hair a flaming red, the other colours had to complement it so Penny chose a light blue, turquoises, purples and white highlights to make it work. I was back in for my third session in the new year, with more shading completed on the scales of the tail which were the most painful part due to the darkness needed to cover up the old tattoo. I must say that took a while to heal as my original tattoo was scarred so it was basically going over scar tissue. Major ouch.

Third session – detailed colour shading

After a longer break between the last session, I was ready to get it finished. With more detail added to the rock and with waves splashing against the rock added, as well as the skin shaded and more white and blue highlights added my mermaid goddess is finished. It’s a shame my tattoo is on my back really as I don’t see it often enough. Like I mentioned before tattoos are an acquired taste, I don’t mind if you don’t like it and think it’s huge, it is big but I love it. She’s a beauty.

Finished Mermaid.

14Mar2013

New store launch: & Other Stories

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Shopping, Style by nlcorner

There’s been a lot of buzz around the internet for the launch of this new brand from the team behind H&M, & Other Stories launched simultaneously in London, Berlin and Copenhagen last week as well as online.

As soon as I saw the site I fell in love. The look of the homepage is more like a Tumblr page, very visual with a ‘story’ for certain themes and collections that links through from the one item of clothing or beauty you are looking at and shows you the other features in that same ‘story’. It’s so easy and accessible you could get lost looking through each and every picture.

Online shopping has become so samey and boring that when a new website like this comes along you want to lap it all up and blow all your money on every delicious thing you see.

& Other Stories hasn’t just started with clothes, it’s launched your whole wardrobe. From a minimalist sleek Ready-to-Wear collection brimming full of dresses, tops, knitwear and trousers; to shoes, handbags and other accessories. And all of it looks like it belongs on a designer runway. Some of the prices reflect the quality of the pieces, and for anyone thinking that’s a bit steep, why are you still paying upwards of £40 for jeans at Topshop?!

There is even a beauty range which will give Topshop’s make-up collection a run for its money, created by make-up artist Lisa Butler (who has worked as consulting colour director and Prada and Helmut Lang) it includes gorgoeus lip colours, glosses, bright blushes, serums, body creams, pearly eyeshadows, oils, popping nail colours as well as foundations and concealers. The list is endless, and you could really find yourself adding more and more to your basket as you venture through the whole of the site, you even get a free sample of body lotion with your order.

Below are some of my favourite beauty picks, the lipstick promises to be long-lasting and matte but still moisturising which is always a plus for me, the blusher has a cute inscription on it “Go girl, seek happy nights to happy days” I mean I don’t think I’d want to get rid of that, the pigment in the creamy eye colour is so bright and promises to be long-lasting with a “lustrous effect”, and I’m intrigued by the concealer quad because there are so many different tones in our skin it is nice to be able to mix our own perfect shade.

Calamanco Coral £12 // Ecarlate Pink £12 // Moreen Blue £7 // Concealer Quad £15

There are so many things on this site that I love, but the things that are already on my to buy list are the grey marl panel top (£39); the plain yellow cotton t-shirt (£12); this very risque contrast knit dress (£45); and the go-with-everything Clare Vivier white python clutch (£55).

I expect to see my bank account looking very unhealthy when payday arrives… Go check out the store now it’s a refreshing change from trawling through ASOS and Topshop!

Head over to my Pinterest page to check out all my latest looks from awards season and the rest of my wishlist…

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @nlcorner

27Feb2013

The Oscars 2013: Red Carpet

Posted in Awards, Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Red Carpet by nlcorner

The Oscars Red Carpet is the peak of the awards season, and it signals the end of all the boozing and schmoozing. What I love the most about this red carpet, is the anticipation and build up of which designers the stars will pick to wear.

It could be the making of a fairly unknown designer’s career, or it could be the Kings and Queens of red carpet dressing are displayed in all their glory, like the obvious pairings of Jennifer Lawrence and Dior, Anne Hathaway and ~~not this time~~ Valentino, Jennifer Lopez and Zuhair Murad, Jaime King and Jason Wu, and Diane Kruger and Chanel/JasonWu/Giambattista Valli…

What I hope for the most is for someone to be daring, for a celebrity to be brave and genuinely shock critics and viewers alike by picking something unexpected. The only person on the Oscars red carpet that managed that on Oscars night was Jennifer Aniston.

Don’t be mistaken I don’t think she was the best dressed I’m just glad she wasn’t wearing black. Her red Valentino Haute Couture gown didn’t translate as well as on the red carpet as it did on the runway, but kudos to Jennifer because everyone expected her to stick to her usual monochrome palette instead she pushed that envelope a little by going with strapless red bustier dress, safe but interesting for her.

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Another person in red was Sally Field, although she lost out to Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress, she looked gorgeous in Valentino Haute Couture. Showing the younger ones how it’s done by wearing a sheer gown with a nude underlay , it was a worthy effort and she certainly looked better in her red Valentino than Hilary Swank who chose a similar gown from the Spring couture collection.

Sally Field in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

I give the award of Best OTT Frou-Frou Moment to Amy Adams, another strapless bustier gown but this time a dove grey Oscar de la Renta creation that the actress struggled to manage down the red carpet. This was just one of many colourless gowns that was on display, it could have been epic if it was a vivid pink or even yellow.

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta at The Oscars 2013.

My obvious choice for Best Princess Moment has to go to Jennifer Lawrence she just simply shone on the Oscars red carpet.

I’ve been trying to figure out for weeks what she would pick from the Dior Spring Couture collection, her BAFTAS dress threw me and the dresses I had earmarked for her were worn by Marion Cotillard, instead she chose a blush pink brocade strapless (!) bustier gown.

A twitter picture showing her getting ready was released just before she appeared on the red carpet, I was glad because I genuinely thought I’d be waiting all night for her to appear. I think what made the look was the Chopard necklace draped down her back, such a modern touch.

I’m so glad she won the Best Actress Oscar because after her previous two nominations this was deserved, and also simply because she is adorably clumsy as proved when she tripped going up the stairs to collect her award.

JLaw getting ready.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Stunning.

I think what the trouble was with the Oscars red carpet was that it was pretty mediocre, I mean don’t get me wrong there were some nice dresses but that’s all they were just nice and if not pretty boring. So many stars chose to go the strapless look, either a coloumn design or a big full skirt there was hardly any variation. That’s why as soon as Naomi Watts stepped onto the red carpet I knew she was going to be my best dressed without fail.

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive at The Oscars 2013.

It all rests on the cutout, otherwise it is simply another sparkly column gown, Naomi had said that she wanted something different and this was the perfect choice to stand out on the red carpet. I’m surprised more people didn’t choose a cutout design, it’s such an easy way to add something special without it being tacky (I’m looking at YOU Brandi Glanville). Naomi’s gorgeous teased updo, jewels, and flawless make up made the whole look.

Another actress who dared to do something different was Zoe Saldana, her red carpet style is so unpredictable it was great to see her in a lavender Alexis Mabille Couture gown with an ombre style train. The floral applique hem made the strapless element more exciting, and noticeable with her hair wavy but pushed back to expose her drop earrings.

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Another stand out gown came from Stacy Keibler, this is her second year as George Clooney’s plus one at The Oscars so well done to her for keeping hold as we all know George is notorious for getting a girlfriend just for awards season maybe she’s a keeper… Anyway she wore a gun-metal grey Naeem Khan embellished gown that just made her look stunning, she made my best dressed list last year as well in Marchesa so she obviously knows what looks good on her and isn’t afraid to flaunt it. I’m warming towards these faux wavy bobs as well I wish my hair would do something like that…

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan at The Oscars 2013.

I was really looking forward to seeing Kerry Washington on the red carpet, and whilst she impressed me in Miu Miu with her coral pop of colour and embellished bust, it was once again a strapless gown. I really was expecting something dramaticlike the amazing Giles dress she wore to the UK premiere of Django Unchained. Now that was epic.

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu at The Oscars 2013.

When I saw Charlize Theron on run the red carpet, what struck me was how gorgeous she looked with her ice blonde pixie crop with a matching ice white Dior Haute Couture peplum gown. Yes it was another strapless dress, but with Charlize she’s able to bring something that sparkles without really having to do anything. The only factor that may have pushed Charlize down further on my best dressed list is heat magazine associating her with Brigette Nielsen…

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

It’s really the case of the best of an OK bunch, as Salma Hayek wore a black velvet Alexander McQueen dress with gold halterneck applique, Jennifer Garner playing the part of proud wife in a purple ruffled Gucci gown, Samantha Barks looking sexy in black Valentino, Sandra Bullock wearing one of the only Elie Saab gowns in black, Olivia Munn in a burgundy and gold Marchesa with stunning make up and hair, Fan Bingbing wearing an extremely vivid pink Marchesa, and of course one of the shocks of the night Anne Hathaway wearing Prada NOT Valentino, it was a pretty dire dress to be fair as the darts on the bust of the gown made her nipples look erect the whole time.

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen at The Oscars 2013.

Jennifer Garner in Gucci at The Oscars 2013.

Samantha Barks in Valentino at The Oscars 2013.

Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab at The Oscars 2013.

Olivia Munn in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Fan Bingbing in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Anne Hathaway in Prada at The Oscars 2013.

And a special award to Funniest Hair Faux Pas has to go to Melissa McCarthy, her hair disaster was beyond epic. You could see her bouffant bobbing along in the crowd from space. Otherwise her David Miester dress was quite pretty.

Melissa McCarthy in David Meister at The Oscars 2013.

3Oct2012

Fashion month over on Pinterest

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Models, Runway by nlcorner

It’s pretty hard to chose my favourite looks from all the fashion weeks, New York to London, and Milan to Paris.

So I decided to Pin all the looks, details, beauty and accessories for each over on my Pinterest page.

Head over to each board to see what I thought of Hedi Slimane’s debut for the new Saint Laurent brand, how much I still love Elie Saab, how amazing Frida Giannini’s collection was for Gucci, the beautiful dresses from Monique Lhuillier, Karl Lagerfeld’s crazy Chanel show, and my favourite Jason Wu collection.

Also see how many all-white looks you can spot, especially the dresses! It was everywhere!