Golden Moment: Olympics Closing Ceremony London 2012

One of the best moments during the amazing London Olympics Closing Ceremony was the tribute to British Fashion, featuring the most iconic British models to have walked any runway in our post modern times (Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Stella Tennant, Karen Elson,  Lily Cole, Georgia May Jaggar, Jourdon Dunn, and David Gandy) wearing the globally influential designs of the greats of Brit Mode (Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Erdem, Victoria Beckham, Paul Smith, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Saunders, and Vivienne Westwood), all to the sounds of David Bowie's "Fashion". You couldn't ask for a better moment and a better tribute to the United Kingdom's vast contribution to the fashion industry. 

At the Olympics Closing Ceremony London 2012
(fr L-R: Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdon Dunn, and David Gandy) (photo via CBS News/Getty)

In conjunction to the live presentation, Vogue UK has published a fashion editorial in the September 2012 issue with each of the models wearing their respective outfits from the ceremony, photographed by Nick Knight. Another wonderful tribute, this time in print. 

(photo set above, via Vogue UK/Nick Knight/www.designscene.net)

The entire cast of models walking the newsprint catwalk at the Closing Ceremony
(fr L-R: Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Stella Tennant, Kate Moss, Lily Donaldson, Naomi Campbell, Jourdon Dunn, Georgia May Jagger, and David Gandy) (photo via Daily Mail/Getty)

The fashion fun actually didn't end with the tribute but was found through out the show, with the various British performers showing the world that the UK definitely has totally winning style, from George Michael in dark leather, Annie Lennox in pirate chic wearing a Vivienne Westwood basque, Jessie J in an asymmetrical beaded catsuit, the Pet Shop Boys in futuristic cutting edge sequined stripes and fur shoulder pads, to the Spice Girls giving us pure zigazigah spicy sass the only way those girls can. London 2012 showed the world that Brits have a unique and golden style all their own. And that's brilliant good.
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RELATED LINKS

Vogue UK; 'Midas Touch' | Film Fashion & Culture

Supermodels in Midas Touch by Nick Knight for Vogue UK | Design Scene

 The September Issue 2012 | Vogue UK

My Favorite Looks from the Academy Awards 2012

The stars came out in full force for the annual fête we plebians know as the Academy Awards. As anticipated as it was that former host Billy Crystal was back to host this year's show after the seriously flawed attempt (and the great on stage fashion show that was Anne Hathaway) last year, I felt that there was a lot of "lack" happening all over the place at the show this year. Too much amped-up hype that lead to real time lacklusterism.
Even on the Red Carpet, that hallowed walkway leading into the theater, proved that this year there was a style confusion and a sense of boredom. There was very little in the way of clear trends being presented, as many of the gowns chosen proved: some stars wore color while others steered clear of it, there was very little sequins or embellishments, jewelry and accessories were sparse or used minimally, gowns were either strapless and sleek or full and sleeved with little variations in between. At least there was the ever present voluminous train on almost every gown, so at least we had that trend to fall back on, or over (the train was overkill, in my opinion).

For me, the gowns that stood out moved away from a sea of bore and into a bit more individual glamour.  They allowed the wearer to convey a bit of self and showed that they had exercised "choice" and overwhelmingly chose "personal style" as the showcase. The standout gowns for me also showed the best example of the "otherness" of the gown: how it lives within its "trend" but is not ruled by it (Esperanza Spalding, Penelope Cruz, Rose Byrne), great use of the ever-important tailoring (Octavia Spencer, Tina Fey), how it excels in pushing boundaries in Red Carpet dressing by making modern strides in new ways (Gwenyth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain), and for sheer daring (Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez).

Natalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior

Gwenyth Paltrow in Tom Ford

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Esperanza Spalding in Prophetik

Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera

Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood

Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

And the style party continued afterwards at the post-show parties. Many took more risks and let loose (it is a party after all) where the strict rules of the Red Carpet don't apply. I was surprised to see better choices at the parties than the show itself (Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez), and color was key (Kate Hudson), as well as sequins and embellishments (Kate Bosworth, Lily Collins).

Cameron Diaz in Victoria Beckham

Kate Bosworth in Prabal Gurung

Lily Collins in Monique Lhuillier

Kate Bosworth in vintage Versace

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Next year there will be a whole other show called "At The Party", I'm quite sure. It is, after all, where the real fun style showed up this year. I hope next year some of the more daring stars come back and shake up the style show a bit and interject some panache and humor, or our favorite Oscar regulars show a bit more style evolution and daring in their choices for the Red Carpet as well as the parties.
If not, we will always have Bjork and Cher..!


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(all photos via Getty Images, stylebistro.com, or nytimes.com except Gwenyth Paltrow via Harper's Bazaar.com)

The Future of Award Show Dressing: Met Gala Ball 2011

Janelle Monae

Madonna in Stella McCartney with Guy O' Seary

Brooke Luger and Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein

Fashion's annual "Academy Awards" event, the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala, this year presented in celebration of Alexander McQueen's "Savage Beauty" exhibition at the museum, is usually an indication of how Hollywood will be dressing during its annual Awards Season. This year at the Met, the starlets and fashion darlings took their gowns to body-conscious heights and skin-baring points of fancy. The gown shape most prevalent was close to the body and fitted, while the usual "sexy" element of lace was used in a similarly fitting and sexy way as the peek-a-boo surprise of skin. Also prevalent was the high slit, which is a surprising and daring element for gowns. And finally, color, bold and bright and beautiful, wasn't shied away from. I hope that come Awards Season, the stylists-that be and their star clients will take major cues from the Met Gala and incorporate most of these great gown looks into their event selections. Its time that we get sexiness, glamour, and daring drama during Awards Season. Take a peek at some of my favorites, and be sure to click the links below for more.

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Ginnifer Goodwin in TopShop

Tony Awards and Emmy Awards Alert: Sheath Gowns With High Slits Up the Side | Fashion Rules!

The Top 21 Best Dressed at the Met Costume Institute Gala – Fashionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice

Cristina Ricci in Zac Posen

Diana Kruger in Jason Wu

The Dress We All Waited For

Princess Catherine in her wedding gown, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
(photo via CBS.com)

It was the dress that we all waited for and, in my opinion, it did not disappoint. Elegant, intricate, masterly crafted, and simply beautiful, Princess Catherine chose a dress for the history books. It is also a much deserved and honored tribute to Britian's premier designer, the late Alexander McQueen and an evolutionary push toward the future for his design house's new designer, Sarah Burton. By wearing a gown by such a prolific modern designer/label as McQueen, the Princess is saying oodles to the public: she will be on the cusp and of-the-moment but also classic and fun. Taking many cues from Princess Diana's designer sartorial leanings is a good call, and it will be fun and interesting to see how Princess Catherine grows in her style. Her first step, seen here, is a fabulous one.

-fggofstyle

Related articles

• Details: Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen Dress (time.com)