FASHION Magazine

See the complete Cannes 2014 red carpet »

You know the Cannes Film Festival is underway when glamorous photos of Hollywood’s biggest stars at premieres, photo calls and fashionable parties pretty much take over the Internet. Being only three days into the festival, A-listers (along with international stars) are not holding back on the glam factor and taking the Cannes 2014 red carpet by storm in some of the best looks of the year.

See our top 10 best dressed »

Though the biggest fashion party of the year is behind us, this week A-list stars proved that there are still plenty more mind-blowing outfits to be had. With back-to-back red carpet events happening across the globe, we had trouble picking just 10 best dressed looks from the week.

The best dressed Met Gala 2014 couples »

Last night’s Met Gala might as well have been called the “Battle of the Power Couples” with well-dressed duos walking the red carpet matching in designer-clad ensembles for this year’s Charles James: Beyond Fashion exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

There was lots of talk over whether or not the Beckhams would make an appearance at this year’s Met Gala, but rumours were put to rest when the It Brit couple arrived on the red carpet in matching white ensembles. While David Beckham escorted his wife looking dapper in a white Ralph Lauren Black Label tuxedo jacket with black pants, Victoria Beckham was a vision in white wearing a strapless column dress of her design.

But if we were to dub the cutest power couple of the night, it would have to go to Beyoncé and Jay-Z hands down. According to sources, Queen Bey may have lost her ring for a short period of time while flaunting her envious curves in a Givenchy Couture dress at the sea of paparazzi. Luckily hubby, who was also in Givenchy, was there by her side to find it and put a ring on it while down on one knee (cue the awws).

See the complete Met Gala 2014 red carpet »

If reports about Anna Wintour wanting this year’s Met Gala to be more exclusive were true, they certainly did not apply to the A-list. Last night’s red carpet was stacked (and we mean stacked) with just about everyone from the recluse to rising star. Surely, it had something to do with the fact that last night was the inaugural Met Gala celebrating the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s renamed Anna Wintour Costume Center. Maybe too, it was just like the rest of us have been trained to understand: The Met Gala is not to be missed.

Honouring oft-forgotten American couturier Charles James, last night’s event was all about 1950s glamour. Its “white tie” guest-list prompted gents like Johnny Depp and Kanye West to wear tails, Zoe Saldana to wear a recreated Michael Kors bustle and both Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker to take to the stairs with over-the-top Oscar de la Renta trains. Unlike the sometimes cookie cutter Oscars, the Met Gala is a time to break out some real steez and red carpet queen Lupita Nyong’o did just that in a flapper-inspired feathered Prada dress. Perhaps more Poiret than James, the dress made for some serious chatter from both the “for” and “against” camps. Fellow red carpet queen (and queen of life, truly) Rihanna went anti-theme in a sexy stomach-baring Stella McCartney dress which killed, as usual.

See the front row looks up close »

While New York show-goers may be all bundled up, the stars sitting in the front row are sporting some stellar spring looks. This morning Rose Byrne and Blake Lively held court front row at the Michael Kors Fall 2014 show, both dressed in designs from the Spring 2014 collection.

Looking like a statuesque goddess—as is her nature—Blake Lively arrived at the Michael Kors Fall 2014 show dressed in an all-navy outfit from the designer’s spring collection. The ensemble consisted of a navy floral-print skirt with a matching bustier and blazer, cinched with a camel-coloured leather belt. Lively accessorized her look with a pair of neutral studded pumps by Christian Louboutin and two pendant necklaces. (One was a dog paw charm and the other a charm with the letter R, most likely for her hot hubbie Ryan Reynolds.) With her signature flowing blonde hair and that naturally bronzed complexion, Lively sat comfortably in the front row alongside Freida Pinto and the aforementioned Rose Byrne.

See the two looks up close »

Last night, Vogue Italia and P&G Prestige hosted quite the fancy event in Milan. Described as a magical journey that engaged all senses, the Beauty in Wonderland exhibit was a multisensory experience promoting P&G brands with instillations. And since a fashion event is never complete without a star-studded guest list, Blake Lively and Cate Blanchett, the faces of Gucci and Armani respectively, lent their star power while in town for Milan Fashion Week.

Switching gears from her leather body-hugging dress at Gucci, Blake Lively showed off a sportier side at last night’s event in a look straight off the runway, literally. Baring toned arms, the blonde bombshell arrived in a shimmering black halter Gucci jumpsuit from the Spring 2014 collection, which featured metallic green piping down the sides. With her hair in a messy updo, subtle smoky eyes and neutral pink lips, Lively made her laid back outfit look unquestionably luxe, making us quite nostalgic for her Serena van der Woodsen days.

Known for her statuesque beauty and classic style, Cate Blanchett channeled her playful side last night. The Australian actress arrived in a sleeveless tricolour dress by Prabal Gurung from the Resort 2014 collection, which featured a knee-length red and white skirt heavily embroidered with ostrich feathers. Finishing off her look with black peep-toed heels, Blanchett kept her beauty look relatively simple in a no-fuss updo and statement red lips.

See these looks up close »

When it’s Fashion Month, there’s no time to waste! The last day of London Fashion Week has quickly turned into the first day of the Spring 2014 shows in Milan. As such, we’re sharing stand-out a front row look from each city: IRL socialite Olivia Palermo and our favourite faux Upper East Side girl Blake Lively both channeled a glossy, monochromatic leather look when attending shows in London and Milan.

From London, Olivia Palermo was perfectly poised at the Anya Hindmarch show in a soft, dusty-rose ensemble. She wore a light white sweater, dusty-rose leather pants and a tonal matched blazer. Choosing the casual route, Palermo completed her on-trend pink look with a pair of animal-print flats and a grey Anya Hindmarch handbag that featured a statement-making yellow lining. A neutral pink lip, slight cat-eye and emphasized lashes went well with her ladylike-hued outfit.

Over in Milan, the Gucci show kicked off fashion week and Blake Lively added some A-list power to the front row. The actress was a vision in a marigold Gucci leather dress and matching belt. The leather halter dress was left to shine when paired with Gucci bronze heels and a neutral clutch. As for her makeup, Lively went for a sophisticated red lip while her honey-blonde hair was side parted and left loose, somewhat of a signature style for the Gossip Girl star.

While we envy Lively, who shared a few front row laughs with Anna Wintour, and give props to Palermo for finishing off London Fashion Week in stylish form we still have to ask, who had the best leather look?

View our gallery of the best curly hair on the red carpet »

Curly and wavy hairstyles are, without a doubt, one of our favourite red carpet looks. From perfectly coiffed Old Hollywood ringlets to messy beach waves, there are endless ways to wear your hair down—while still giving it some style. Curly hair is easier to master than an updo, looks much more dramatic than a ponytail and definitely has an appeal that straight hair just can’t match. Need further proof? We’ve gathered some of the best curly hair and wavy hair looks from recent red carpets all in one place. (If you haven’t already logged into your Pinterest account, now’s the time!)

See these looks up close »

While we’ve seen both Blake Lively and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley flaunt their gorgeous figures in statement mini dresses, the two blonde bombshells proved that they can take a midi skirt and make it look just as sexy and elegant on the red carpet.

Accompanying her husband, Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively attended the premiere of the animated film Turbo in New York City last night. While the couple both wore Burberry, Lively inevitably turned heads in a fresh summery ensemble. Contrasting Reynolds’ midnight-blue suit, the former Gossip Girl star wore a simple sheer grey tank top and a white form-fitting pencil skirt with crystal embellishments from Burberry Prorsum’s Resort 2014 collection. She also elongated the appearance of her legs by opting for a pair of nude pointed-toe heels by Christian Louboutin. Adding to the sparkles, she accessorized with rose cut diamond earrings and 18 karat white, pink and yellow gold rings by Lorraine Schwartz. (The perfect complement to her super-sized engagement ring and wedding band!) Lively showed off her natural beauty with minimum makeup and kept things effortless with her hair down in soft waves and subtle pink lips.

See the photos from The Sound of Change concert »

Beyoncé, Florence Welch, Jennifer Lopez and others reaffirmed that girls do run the world as they took to the stage at last night’s The Sound of Change concert in London. The show was held to promote Gucci’s Chime for Change charity, of which Beyoncé, Salma Hayek and Gucci creative director Frida Giannini are co-founders.

Beyoncé, who played artistic director for the event, sang and danced through a forty-five minute set to a 50,000-strong crowd at London’s Twickenham Stadium. The star, who was recently crowned an icon on Time’s annual list of 100 Most Influential People and described by Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann as the “reigning national voice” of the US, performed some of her most major girl power hits including “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Run The World (Girls)” and “Grown Woman”. Oh and did we mention that her entire band was female? The not-so-single diva was radiant in a sexy black bodysuit and edgy ankle boots.

See the Met Gala 2013 red carpet photos »

The build up to this year’s Met Gala has been major. Designers, celebrities and the fashion elite have been scrambling to piece together a look that fits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s theme, PUNK: Chaos to Couture and while admittedly, the punk-inspired looks were few and far between, we were certainly thrilled with a few.

Channeling her own recent V Magazine cover, Miley Cyrus went latter day Debbie Harry with platinum blonde spikes and a long fishnet Marc Jacobs dress. Anne Hathaway debuted a similarly bleached bob alongside her date and dresser for the night, Valentino Garavani, sending the twittersphere in a tizzy.

Co-chairs of the event Riccardo Tisci and Rooney Mara went punk-light with Mara in a beautifully detailed white lace Givenchy dress and a pop of crimson on the lips.

Also wearing Givenchy was none other than Beyoncé—the honourary chairperson for this year’s event. Pairing her custom-designed strapless black and gold printed gown with blinged out boots in the same shade, Queen Bey proved for her second year in a row that last on the red carpet is always best.

After finally receiving the Anna Wintour nod of approval, Kim Kardashian made an appearance at the Met Gala 2013 in a floral-print Givenchy dress with baby-daddy, Kanye West at her side.

Someone who is more known for consistently nailing red carpet looks than Kimye, is Emma Watson and she hit a high note yet again in a skin-bearing Prabal Gurung dress with a single silver drop earring hanging from her left ear.

And while Kristen Stewart has held fast to her role as the face of Balenciaga’s Florabotanica, she strayed from the house’s new wears, opting instead, for a crimson Stella McCartney pantsuit.

So who was the best dressed at the Met Gala 2013? Vote in our poll!

See our shorts trend shopping picks »
See the the shorts trend on the Spring 2013 runways »

By Gabrielle Johnson

Several months before her 38th birthday, Gwyneth Paltrow took a pair for a spin on the red carpet. Forty-four-year-old Jennifer Aniston practically lives in them. And at 53, Sharon Stone was snapped wearing hers with a slouchy sweater and knee-high boots. As fashion statements go, shorts aren’t new: Sexy, sporty hot pants will forever be associated with the 1970s, while countless girls who came of age in the ’80s emulated Baby’s Dirty Dancing denim cut-offs. In the ’90s, shorts teamed with tights were a seasonless staple—a look that has since become an off-duty model classic.

On the ready-to-wear runways, shorts are also a familiar sight. Miuccia Prada opened her Spring 2000 show with a body-hugging pair, and has been experimenting with variations on the theme ever since. Marni designer Consuelo Castiglioni has been peppering her collections with them for years, in every length, fabric and pattern imaginable. This spring, tailored shorts have taken the spotlight. Chloé, Prabal Gurung and Fendi showed them in lush leathers; Carolina Herrera and Cacharel favoured light, shiny fabrics; Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès and Chalayan experimented with trippy prints; and Emporio Armani femme’d them up with sweet ruffles. Clearly, fashion’s cyclicality is what makes this trend so right, right now.

“Everything old is new again,” says Barbara Atkin, vice-president of fashion direction at Holt Renfrew. “Designers keep bringing back shorts, over and over again, in different ways. It’s the right time. We’ve had so many short miniskirts—it was time to evolve from that.” 

Canadian designer Arthur Mendonça, whose Spring 2013 collection included sequin-effect black tuxedo shorts and a raspberry-hued silk sheen version, agrees. “I’ve always liked [them] as a skirt substitute,” he says. “I like the whole sporty look of a tailored short, especially for spring and summer. It looks modern. The shorts we did were all high-waisted; they almost look like A-line skirts.”

At Cacharel, designers Ling Liu and Dawei Sun consider tailored shorts to be the new trousers. “They’ve become a basic, whether in winter or in summer,” says Sun. “They’re modern and easy to mix. Different lengths and materials allow you to create really diverse outfits.” Considering that spring’s new crop of longer shorts were trotted out on the runways paired with blazers, button-downs and (relatively) sensible heels, it seems these onetime vacation-wear must-haves have morphed into perfectly acceptable office attire. Depending on your office, that is. “What we in the fashion world see as office-appropriate is really much more of a fashion take on your office wardrobe,” says Atkin. “If you’re working for a traditional law firm on [Toronto’s] Bay Street, shorts of any kind are a no-no. It would be frowned upon, and you’d probably be asked to leave.”