MET Gala 2013: Punk: Chaos to Couture (The Best, The Bad, Beyonce and KimYe)

When I saw the pictures via Twitter early this morning, all I kept thinking was, 'this is the best couture punk these celebs could conjure up?' We all know what a big deal the MET Gala is in the fashion world; it's the Oscars of the industry. The best of the best are invited (barring any Kardashian of course, but somehow she manages to merit a ticket) and dressed by the cream of the couture elite. This year celebrates the Punk Movement, and the sustained effect it has on climate of fashion today. The exhibit features pieces from prominent designers such as Riccardo Tisci, John Galliano, Christopher Bailey, Yohji Yamamoto among others, and focused dedications to the 'heroes' of punk like, for example- the Grand Dame of it all, Vivienne Westwood. 

source: Glamour.com

source: Glamour.com

Metal spikes, severe aesthetics (safety-pinned trash bag dresses anyone?), and a lot of bright shocking colours evoke an immediate image of the 60s punk- but, somehow, even the easiest stereotype didn't translate to the attendees. Blondie? Patti Smith? Granted, there were some who took the spirit of punk, that rebelliousness and angst and created wonderfully modern and inspiring ensembles, but some wore it on their sleeves and stayed a little too on-the-nose. There were the few who came to the wrong party. Then there was KimYe. And then there was Beyonce. For a celebration of democracy and sticking-it to the fashion man, there were a lot more sheep (GIVENCHY.) on that carpet last night than liberated individuals. I seem to hear Simon Doonan's rants on that episode of Top Model...

I've made my rankings, so take a look and see if you agree. There are a couple of great surprises and a couple of WTFs, but I'll leave you to make up your own mind. Hope you enjoy my list!

THE BEST 

(in no particular order!)

Sienna Miller, Coco Rocha in Ungaro, Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon and Philip Treacey

Anne Hathaway (a.k.a Bridgette Nielsen..) in Valentino, Florence Welch in Givenchy Haute Couture,  Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood (A+++)

Paris Menswear S/S13: The Man Sandal, Hot or Not?

Every summer season there is one item of 'fashion' that I dread to see from the catwalk and life alike. The man sandal. I don't know about you, but I never thought they were fashionable nor should they be at all. Like with all things art, clothing is subject to personal preference and for me, I have always opted for shoes. There are different kinds for different seasons, and if the heat finally gets too blistering to bear I would change into flip-flops, but that is it- I choose one or the other. Wooyoungmi's strappy pair aren't actually that bad, but the rest...? I have never been a fan of the sandals because they just strike me as an ugly hybrid borne of a want of something in between slipper and shoe, and while for ladies the sandals come in more aesthetically pleasing incarnations, the male versions just remain unattractive and totally unbecoming. Perhaps part of the reason why I find them unappealing is that, apart from models who probably get mani/pedis before a show, Joe Blogg's feet tend to be either vainly ignored or too hairy, or ultimately just not visually elegant enough to pull off public showcase. These sandals, even Givenchy's metallica pair just evoke a horrible image of the summer dad stereotype- the kind who goes with you to the beach wearing a hideous Hawaiian print shirt, cargo shorts and these sandals...with socks. I think that's a fashion crime, and whenever designers try to sell it as a must have piece of footwear I just think, 'Do people actually buy them?!', and if they do I'm just left bemused. Plus, think of how severely unflattering they are. Even the most lean of legs face the danger of looking like they have cankles. But hey, that's just me. Even though I would dread wearing them, I would choose a pair of Toms any day over these foot-harnesses. 

How do you feel about them?

Sound off below!


[images: Showstudio]

PFW: Givenchy A/W12 Menswear

The Givenchy boys were seeing stars and stripes thanks to Riccardo Tisci's uber cool tribute to the American Dream. Showcased right next to Napoleon's tomb, Tisci's vision combined Yankee elements together with a quirky nod to the legend of the Minotaur, hence the nose rings, and what have you? Of course it wasn't going to be Uncle Sam-tastic but there was red, white and blue in Tisci's usual palette of black and they twinkled with black, glittery stars embellishing necklines and cuffs. Textures were also very Stateside with a mixture of leathers, wool, cotton and nylon, but while all of these elements point across the Atlantic, the silhouette was strictly Continental. The lines were sleek then flared thanks to star-studded pleated skirts. I must say, I adore all of the glittering jumpers and Oxford brogues. The look was fun and young, less morose than Tisci's previous showings, and it is a welcome change. 

Top Picks: Spring 2012 Campaigns

Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld

Tisci Catches Anime Bug At Givenchy Spring Couture

Talk about an inspired casting for an inspired show! This collection by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy's Spring Couture was a true marriage of fashion and fantasy. He left behind his usual black-based palette and instead served up beautiful gowns in angelic pastels (with sudden bursts of bright bold colours) and origami folds (very Galliano!) that were completed with matching anime-style armour inspired by Japanese robots and kabuki. Tisci insisted on casting a pure Asian roster to stay true to the whole collection (kudos!).

xoxo