FASHION Magazine

Judging from this year’s line-up of fashion shows, parties and spring collections, 2015 is the year of celebrating Asia in the world of style. Last September, Vogue and the Metropolitan Museum announced their upcoming annual costume exhibition and gala would take on the theme China: Through the Looking Glass, showcasing the culture and its influence […]

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Supermodel Joan Smalls has never been one to shy away from bold lipstick; remember her incredible purple shade from this year’s Met Gala? Well, now she’s launching her own line of shades with Estée Lauder. She’s been one of the faces of the iconic brand since 2010, so while this is a totally welcome collab, it […]

The post Joan Smalls is creating a line of Estée Lauder matte lipsticks and you can name the first shade appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See Lupita Nyong’o’s best beauty looks »

In today’s edition of Least Surprising News in the World, Lupita Nyong’o‘s inevitable (and well-deserved) Vogue cover and shoot is out and it’s as beautiful as we expected. The Oscar-winner, Lancôme spokesperson, People Magazine‘s Most Beautiful Person, and all-around lovely human was interviewed by Hamish Bowles and photographed by Mikael Jansson for the July issue, and is literally glowing on the cover in a printed Prada dress.

Our favourite part of this gorgeous look is Lupita’s matchy-matchy nails, dress and lips. What was once a major style faux-pas is now a trend we stand firmly behind. In the past few seasons, monochromatic looks have really become one of the freshest ways to elevate your style, and that goes for makeup as well. Lupita’s very berry cover is bold, bright and perfectly suited for summer. Game, set, match.

The best Met Gala 2014 crop tops »

This year’s Met Gala theme may have centred around ‘50s glamour with men in white ties and ladies in over-the-top ball gowns to celebrate the upcoming exhibition of Charles James, but that didn’t stop designers in dressing their A-list muses in belly-exposed ensembles, albeit tasteful and elegant.

Emma Stone and Anne Hathaway were modest when it came to the crop top trend with the two actresses showing only a sliver of their midriffs in dresses by Thakoon and Calvin Klein, respectively. On the opposite spectrum, Gabrielle Union and Cara Delevingne were not afraid to bare a bit more skin in black bandeau-styled crop tops. And if we were to do a battle of who wore the crop top best, Rihanna definitely takes the cake. No stranger to showing off her toned abs, Riri looked both sexy and chic in white long-sleeved crop top with a matching form-fitting skirt by Stella McCartney.

So, who worked the crop top trend best at last night’s Met Gala?

See these looks up close »

Last night’s Met Gala could easily be described as overwhelming—it’s easier to list who wasn’t there than name all the stars who were. (But our best dressed gallery does a pretty good job!) When it came to the beauty, gone was last year’s hyper-colour punk inspiration. For the 2014 Met Gala, simplicity in hair and makeup was best. Just moments after the event began, we spoke to celebrity stylists and Vidal Sassoon ambassadors Ben Skervin and Miki. They shared the secrets behind two A-lister looks, Rachel McAdams and Diane Kruger, as well as some tips and tricks for getting your own red carpet-ready look at home. (But if you get an invite to next year’s Met Gala, give us a call, okay?)

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.

As the buzz surrounding tonight’s Met Gala reaches a fever pitch, many websites have done a good job of reflecting on the event’s storied past—the dresses, the glamour, the history-making moments! And while dishing on the red carpet has become a full on spectator sport, what happens beyond the velvet rope is something many of us plebes will really never experience. In the context of high society’s glittering history, the Met Gala is just one of many cool parties the crème de le crème mingle at. In 2011, Assouline published a retrospective on the greatest balls of the last century (the book has been on my must-own list since) and here we count down five that have made us green with past life regression envy.

View some of Charles James’s most famous pieces »

Most people know their Chanel from their Givenchy, but bring up Charles James and you’ll likely hear crickets. Lauded as “the world’s best and only dressmaker who has raised haute couture…to a pure art form” by Cristóbal Balenciaga, he might just be the greatest couturier you never knew existed.

Born in 1906 to a British military officer and an American socialite, James got his start as a milliner in Chicago before finding his calling in couture. After moving to New York in 1939, he became the most exclusive dressmaker for America’s high-society swans, including Austine Hearst, Millicent Rogers and Babe Paley—a clientele he personally vetted, even giving them direction on how to move, sit and dance in his designs.

And with creations as sensational as his, James could afford to be choosy. His sweeping gowns and signature silhouette—strapless bodice, tiny waist, voluminous skirt—conveyed a sense of grandeur and majesty that ensured the wearer would be the star of any room. Even Christian Dior attributed the inspiration for his career-defining New Look to a James idea.

Photography by Cecil Beaton/Condé Nast archive

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Charles James Clover Leaf Austine Hearst

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Charles James

Charles James evening gown

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Charles James

Charles James with model

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Charles James

Charles James butterfly ballgown

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Designer Charles James

See the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 collection »

Canadian favourite Joe Fresh is going back to black with their Fall 2013 collection. The look book for fall has just arrived, and it has a pitch perfect mix of basic wardrobe staples and embellished statement items that are certain to revamp your style. The fall collection, which is based on ‘90s Parisian street chic and described by creative director Joe Mimran as “so effortless and cool,” consists mainly of black and white looks. The brand, which is mostly known for their versatile cotton pieces and clean-cut denim, played around with new textures for their fall selection, offering everything from sequined cardigans to faux-fur mini skirts, not to mention a laser-cut sweatshirt or two. Some of the pieces had punk undertones, reminiscent of this year’s Met Gala theme, convincing us that well be seeing a lot more of this edgy style in the months to come.

Taking cues from the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 runway show, which offered countless styling possibilities for the mostly monochrome pieces. Mimran was not the only one sticking to darker shades for his fall collection. From Chanel to Isabel Marant to Alexander Wang, many designers turned down the volume on the colour palettes for the Fall 2013 runway shows.

See the Met Gala 2013 looks up-close »

When we think punk, we think spikes, studs and leather. Judging from the toughed up Burberry looks on both Cara Delevigne and Sienna Miller at last night’s Met Gala, it seems they both agree. Though others shied away from getting into the evening’s theme PUNK: Chaos to Couture, both it Brits had no problem suiting up in edgy duds.

Sienna Miller donned a simple white crêpe open-back dress topped with a killer studded, cropped, black leather biker jacket worn overtop. To accessorize, she chose a structured Burberry clutch with metal detailing and her Burberry-clad fiancée, Tom Sturridge.

Model of the moment and recently crowned Miss Vogue, Cara Delevigne, rocked a studded crêpe plunge-neck column dress. Delevigne, the current face of Burberry’s beauty campaign and just about every photo spread around, paired the black gown with a white studded clutch and heels, all by Burberry.

See the Met Gala 2013 looks up-close »

Though some took last night’s Met Gala theme, PUNK: Chaos to Couture, more seriously than others, we must admit we loved seeing celebrities embracing their edgier sides. With black being the more obvious colour of choice, we were surprised when a number of leading ladies opted for white on the red carpet instead. Katie Holmes and Olivia Wilde were among the celebrities who embraced fashion’s most innocent hue.

Katie Holmes and Olivia Wilde both showed their adoration for designer Francisco Costa in choosing gowns from the Calvin Klein Collection. The recently engaged Wilde dazzled in her custom-made white satin bandeau dress with black detailing on the sides, showing off her enviable abs in the midriff-baring style. Topping the look off with minimal jewelry and simple chandelier earrings, smooth hair and Jason Sudeikis on her arm, it was a good look, to say the least.