2012 amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS
One of the brilliant events at the Cannes Film Festival each year is the amFAR Gala. This is a great fashion event and many Hollywood stars, models, fashion insiders, designers, bloggers, and photographers who don’t attend the Film Festival itself will make the trip to Cannes for this party alone.
This Elie Saab gown is about glitz and glamour rather than dreamy romance as with many of his creations that we see on the red carpet. And Nina couldn’t have chosen a more dramatic or eye-catching gown, it suited her to perfection. Definitely one of my favorite gowns of the evening.
This space-age inspired gown from the Versace Spring 2012 Couture Collection is absolutely amazing. When else would you be able to pull off a gown like this other than the MET Ball?
You can see the original gown here on Style.com worn by model Ros Georgiou on the Milan runway last year.
Interesting backs are my favorite part of a dress and this Emilio Pucci gown did not disappoint. The beading and sheer detailing on the front, high boatneck neckline, and draped back made this a gorgeous gorgeous look.
I loved the delicate fabric, square neckline and buttoned-up back on Kylie’s red siren gown. These details made it really unique and memorable.
Karolina’s gold Roberto Cavalli gown was intricate and beautiful, featuring sheer fabric, sequins, and an adorable matching jacket.
Drama Drama Drama. If you watch the video below you’ll see how amazing, and scandalous, this gown looks in motion. GIven her public persona and her function at the event, I couldn’t have picked a better gown for her.
Diane “the Queen of Cannes” Kruger wore another gorgeous Chanel creation, this time choosing a knee-length retro style number. Not my favorite look of hers from the Festival but eye-catching without a doubt.
Louis Vuitton seemed to be Kirsten’s go-to designer for all of the Cannes events this year, and this was another triumph. The covered up neckline, dramatic floral belt, and sweet tiers kept things interesting.
This white Versace column gown is anything but minimalist with the buckled straps across the back and shimmering silver detailing.
This year was even more special than in the past because Miss Carine Roitfeld hosted the “Perfect Black Wardrobe” Fashion Show where 25 top models walked the runway in black gowns, dresses, and suits submitted by the world’s top designers and design houses – from Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel to Ralph Lauren and Mr. Giambattista Valli. You can even watch some clips from this amazing runway show here from FashionTV.
Curious how it might be to be an invitee to the Cannes Film Festival attending all of the amazing events and parties? Read Erin Wasson’s Cannes Style Diary over at Harper’s Bazaar for party pictures, outfit details, invitations, and much much more.
Do You… Derby?
When I think about the Kentucky Derby I think about hats. Pure and simple. Reminds me of the formal get-togethers that are hosted by the European elites, but with a country twist and plenty of bourbon.
So as we did with the Royals last year, lets judge us some hats while we mentally and sartorially prepare ourselves for the MET Gala that will be going on later on tonight.
Mint Julep anyone?
Too. Cute. Totally Southern appropriate. Totally adorable.
Amazing styling. I want alllll of her jewelry. And that bag. Wow do I want that bag!
This Carolina Herrera confection is pretty stunning. Debra’s outfit wasn’t fabulous, but I really the combination of her hat and beautiful pearl necklaces. Very ladylike and proper, and quite appropriate.
I kind of love this. She did a great job of adding a hippie/boho vibe to a traditional Southern event, which makes her look much more personalized. And he’s adorable, but needs to get his suits tailored stat.
One of my favorite snaps from the weekend! Her hat is dramatic, as expected, but also elegant and tasteful. And the styling of her look is really fun and unexpected.
Clearly the female fashion at the Kentucky Derby is all about the hats – dramatic, eye-catching hats – but what do the men who attend this type of event wear?
A straw hat and pastel button down are just what the doctor ordered!
When in doubt go with low-key neutrals and keep your look chic but understated. You’ll actually stand out at an event like this one!
What was your favorite look from the 2012 Kentucky Derby? Would you throw together a traditional Southern look if you got an invitation next year?
San Sebastian
Aside from the beautiful, intimate wedding at La Durantie, my favorite part of my recent vacation was our two days in San Sebastian. If I suddenly disappear from the internet, it’s because I found a way to move there and am living in a little hut near the beach with no wi-fi.
No, I’m serious.
Let me preface this by saying that normally I’m not a beach girl. I don’t love sand or sunscreen or really even salt water. And from a fashion standpoint, I’d much rather wear gorgeous winter outerwear and elbow length gloves than a bathing suit. Not to mention I’m so pale that I practically glow in the dark…
And despite all of that, I am so head over heels in love with the Spanish coast that I don’t even know where to start!
Fashion: Given its beach-side location its pretty easy to guess that the fashion uniform for the women of San Sebastian tends towards dresses, breezy skirts and slim fitting Capri pants. Lots of white and lots of bright colors. The clothes were pretty but fairly basic, the fashion was definitely all about the accessories. Lots of beachy totes and shopper-style bags, chunky jewelry and big, ornate necklaces, and embellished sandals. Not a heel to be seen! What was I most surprised about? The city-wide pastime appeared to be tanning and as a result, the women had awful skin. Awful. My boyfriend described them as “beef jerky in bikinis.” Not cute. Sunscreen ladies, listen to your mothers!
Fitness: In addition to two days of walking around the main city and Old Town, I got in my first run and my first swim of the trip while we were in San Sebastian. The main cove that the city sits on has an island in the center so its perfect for swimming, especially after working up a sweat watching the swimmers and sunbathers as we had verano de tinto overlooking the beach.
Food: San Sebastian is on the North-Western coast of Spain so in addition to traditional Spanish influences, the cuisine also has French and Andorran (Basque) undertones. Quite a combination. Lots of seasonings and interesting spices, seafood, vegetables and bread. We found some great wine and some cute little restaurants during our wanderings. My favorite dish was the patatas bravas, which I tried at about half a dozen restaurants.
Lodgings: In an attempt to help me “relax” my boyfriend planned the second half of our vacation, including booking the hotel for San Sebastian. I was skeptical, I’ll admit, but it turned out quite nice. Well… Except for the two twin beds aspect. But we had a pool and a view, and a spacious, clean room.
Sights: The San Sebastian that we saw consisted of an older part of town with beautiful architecture and old buildings, a more commercial, modern downtown and a touristy section near the beach with hotels, restaurants, cafes and small shops.
Travel: The trip from Bordeaux to San Sebastian consisted of a 5 hour train ride to the French-Spanish border and then a 20-30 minute ride on a smaller, local commuter train through the mountains near the border and over to the coast. When we left San Sebastian (sob) we went to a different train station for a very early morning train ride to Madrid.
Highlights: I don’t think I can narrow down my favorite part of this city, I loved the view of the beach, the sangria, the chevre salads… Let’s just saying leaving it was my least favorite part of the trip!
Stay tuned for the final part of the trip, steamy Madrid, and my second celebrity sighting!
Need to catch up? Check out London, Paris, La Durantie & Southern France.
Moi Contre La Vie 