Laura Loves...
Cheryl looks stunning in promo shots for American X Factor
I’m having some serious hair envy after seeing these shots. Ok so it’s not real, Cheryl loves her extensions, but I want it! I’m really excited to see Cheryl on the American version of X Factor, of course we will miss her on our soil, but if these shots are anything to go by, we are going to love Miss Cole’s American style.
Anyone for some thinspiration? Cheryl looks teeny in the second image! Maybe a tad too small in my opinion, but I will certainly be taking this picture to the gym next week! I love her with the more natural make up too, what can’t this woman carry off?
Are you excited for Cheryl’s new slot?
The Met Gala Ball for Alexander McQueen’s ‘Savage Beauty’ Exhibition
The Met Gala Ball is one of the biggest nights on the fashion calendar, where stars are given the chance to exhibit achingly beautiful dresses by the designers they love. Last night did not disappoint; designers, singers, models and actresses’ alike pulled out all the stops to pay tribute to the the designer in question, Alexander McQueen.
The best looks from the night:
Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen
Colin Firth and his Wife Livia, Livia wears a custom eco gown by Stella McCartney
Dakota Fanning in Valentino
Fergie in Marchesa I think this is going to hit ‘worst dressed lists’ but I think this is the nicest I have ever seen Fergie look, and I like seeing a curvier girl in Marchesa
Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang (looking ultra slim)
Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein
Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen
Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen
Beyonce in Emilio Pucci Very daring, but totally pays off
Diane Kruger in Jason Wu This has to be one of my favourite looks of the night, Diane looks smoking, the actress makes that dress look like it was made for her
Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen
Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren I love how she is shimmering, the dress perfectly compliments are beautiful skin tone
Blake Lively in Chanel Couture
Naomi Campbell in Sarah Burton for McQueen
Shalom Harlow in Marchesa
Miranda Kerr in Marchesa Looking achingly adorable, Miranda is such a natural beauty, I adore the Marchesa dress and those shoes ( I’m saying Nicholas Kirkwood) totally makes the look.
Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry
Sarah Burton in her own design (why wouldn’t you?)
Stella McCartney in her own design
Ashley Greene in Donna Karen This gets a huge wow from me
Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney
Anna Wintour in Chanel Couture with her daughter Bee Shaffer in Balenciaga
Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors
Rihanna in Stella McCartney
Penelope Cruz in Oscar de la Renta
Bar Refaeli Dress not known yet
Savage Beauty’ is open to the public from May 4th until July 31 and will display McQueen’s finest and most bizarre creations. A real look in to the mind of a designer who took beauty to the extreme, pushing fashion boundaries.
Fairytales do come true…
I won’t be alone when I say that yesterday felt truely special. Partly, yes, because the Royal Wedding gave the people of Britain so many reasons to be feel proud; but I think that also, we felt that we were in the presence of an historical and beautiful love story.
Seeing Kate arrive at Westminster Abbey was a bewitching moment, and as we gazed upon the dress for the first time, breaths were drawn. As a true romantic at heart, I felt overwhelmed (and a little envious) at the sight of our future Queen beaming in her nervous giddiness, as she looked to the crowd that desperately wanting a sighting of her. So many of us felt immense joy and uncontainable excitement as William, stunned, looked to his bride and told her she looked beautiful, unable to quash his blushing. What I most enjoyed about the ceremony was how genuine it felt, it may have been planned and timed with absolute precision, but the emotions that the couple portrayed were so vivid; unafraid of informal glances and knowing smiles. Even through our televisions, we felt that we were personally invited and that instead of being the prying and invasive eyes, they wanted us to share every jubilant moment with them.
Oh and the balcony appearance! Here I sobbed into my flute of bubbly, we could just make out Prince William saying “Shall we now?” and there for the first time in public we watched the couple seal their affection with a kiss, and then just for our delight, they locked lips again. I loved the playful look on Kate’s face, as she appeared thrilled by the screams from the crowd at their embrace; I still believe that Kate can hardly believe the day herself. Her first reaction from walking out on to the balcony was “Oh wow,” and at that moment I loved her more, for we could feel her surprise as if we were standing in her shoes. She lived and sucked up every second of it, even when leaving, as William looked back into the palace, Kate looked behind for the final image of the stupendous crowd that will emblazon her mind forever.
Last but most certainly not least; the dress. For months I had stuck to my original belief that we would be seeing Kate in McQueen, something about it felt right, and what Sarah Burton designed was better than I could ever have expected. It was mesmerising, exquisite, flawless and divine in absolutely every way. For all those that feared such a groundbreaking high fashion brand as McQueen, Burton ensured that the dress did not wear Kate, Kate well and truely wore that dress like no one could or ever will. Due to the enormous importance of the most famous dress in the world right now, I feel I should show you what the true professional, Hilary Alexander, told us…
The wedding dress was a model of sumptuous simplicity, perfectly suited to the sweet and serene style of the woman who is now Duchess of Cambridge and is destined to be the future Queen of England.
It featured a strapless,Victorian-style corset, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips - long a signature of the late couturier - underneath a high-necked, long-sleeved, sculpted bodice in intricate lacework, handmade by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, and incorporating individual, hand-cut and embroidered flowers representing the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. The English Cluny lace was handworked in the Carrickmacross tradition, which originated in Ireland in the 1820’s, and was mixed with French Chantilly lace.
The Royal School of Needlework worked closely with the Alexander McQueen atelier team, the hand-stitchers washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and changing the needles every three hours.The lace was also used to trim the skirt, as well as the veil, which was made in layers of ivory silk tulle, and the ivory duchesse satin shoes.
The main body of the dress was made in ivory and white satin gazar, using UK fabrics which had been specially sourced by Sarah Burton, with a long, full skirt designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats which unfolded to the floor, forming a Victorian-style semi-bustle at the back, and finishing in a short train measuring just under three metres.”
Sarah Burton commented, “It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton, to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every minute of it,”
Ms. Middleton’s veil of ivory silk tulle was held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, loaned by the Queen. Made in 1936, it was given to her on her 18th birthday, by her mother. The bride’s earrings, diamond-set oak leaves with a pavé diamond acorn in the centre, were inspired by the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, and made by Robinson Pelham, to echo the tiara.
The bouquet spoke a message in the language of flowers. Designed by Shane Connolly, it featured blooms of significance to both families:Lily-of-the-valley - meaning return of happiness; Sweet William - for gallantry; hyacinth - for constancy of love; ivy - for fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship and affection; and myrtle - the emblem of marriage and love.
The myrtle stems sounded an echo through royal wedding history, and came came from the evergreen shrub planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, while another sprig was from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.
The gown worn by Miss Philippa Middleton, the maid of honour, and the bride’s sister, was also designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, and was in heavy ivory, satin-based crepe, with a cowl front and with the same button detail and lace trim as the bridal gown.
The four young bridesmaids’ dresses were designed especially to echo the bride’s dress, and were hand-made by the children’swear designer, Nicky Macfarlane and her daughter, Charlotte Macfarlane.
The pages wore a uniform in the style of that worn by a Foot Guards officer at the time of the Regency (the 1820s), which drew its insignia from the Irish Guards, whose colonel is Prince William. They were designed in the royal household and made by Kashket and Partners, who also fitted Prince William’s uniform for the royal wedding.”
My favourite pictures from the day…
Kate with her Father and Maid of Honor and Sister, Pippa Middleton
The world’s press looks on…
Whilst Kate has the most famous dress in the world, Pippa seems to now have the most famour rear in the world. Ignoring that, what a stunning photograph, so simple yet beautiful, a chance for us to see more of Sarah Burton’s genius
Sarah Burton assisting with the dress right up until the last second
William tells Kate, “You look beautiful” whilst her father steadies her hand. How relaxed does she look here though?
A beautiful smile
Pippa looks divine, given the body, I would wear a dress like hers for my own wedding
Leaving the abbey as man and wife
Relaxed and enjoying their moment
The kiss. Where are my tissues?
A timeless image
Having fun. The couple leave Buckingham Palace in the Aston Martin, I love this image of Kate.
Amazing
The official family picture
A fantastic official picture where the couple look blissfully happy and the children’s characters are retained
Duke of Cambridge & Catherine Duchess of Cambridge
I adored Kate’s evening dress, also designed my Sarah Burton. She looks so incredibly beautiful with her tiny waist exhibited with a diamond band, corseted satin gown and cashmere bolero. Her hair is still bouncy and yet looks natural and relaxed, as does Kate. This for me is the perfect dress for her evening reception.
The exquisitely detailed cake
The couple this morning, leaving Buckingham Palace for their private weekend honeymoon. What a couple.
I do believe that we are incredibly lucky to have gained such an elegant, poised and graceful future Queen. Kate handled the enormity of her day with such serenity and class, not for one minute did she lose her smile or appear out of her depth. Her movements were dainty and soft, reminiscent of the princesses I remember from my story books. As a couple, they signify that love is about trust, kindness, deep affection and being able to rely on one another, be it through difficult times, or to simply hold ones hand when two billion people watch you exit a carriage. Whilst we currently face so many negative and troubling issues in our world today, I really hope that we can take a positive message from yesterday and from our royal couple, that all consuming love still exists, and sometimes, we don’t realise how special it can feel when our country joins together to celebrate that emotion as one.
British Vogue May 2011
It’s been a long while since Vogue arrived on my doorstep without me seeing the cover on the internet first, and it was a truely pleasant surprise this morning when I got to see a brand new issue in the flesh. One might have guessed that there would be a wedding theme in store, and it was immediately evident that the May issue of Vogue was inspired by the most exciting wedding to grace our country, and the world, for a long time. As the Union Jack bunting goes up and we all make our celebratory plans for the 29th day of this month, we are still desperate to discover who and what Kate will wear; obviously our modern day princess will have already decided, but if she hadn’t, I’m sure she would have found an abundance of inspiration in this issue.
I hadn’t before realised that for the first time ever, Vogue were to release three different covers; one with Freja Beha Erichsen, one with Natalia Vodianova and mine, with Lara Stone. I would have liked Natalia, but I am very happy with my Lara cover, who shines as a blushing bride in a stunning floral appliqued ivory gown by Bruce Oldfield, complete with a bridal up do, in front of a soft pinky light. The cover is romantic, in keeping with the theme, and it looks as through we are going to find many more beautiful bride looks inside, shot by the wonderful Mario Testino. As a true die hard for stunning romantic gowns, glorious weddings and heart warming romanticism, this issue was made for me.
Now, do I go out and buy the other covers for keepsakes?
Pretty in Peach Cheryl
Cheryl looked absolutely stunning at the Prince’s Trust Awards today. Her nude apricot gown by Sass & Bide compliments her skin tone and rich brunette hair beautifully. I really love her adorable Lytton Minaudiere clutch by Diane von Furstenberg, it pops out perfectly from the dress. Cheryl your back on form, and I like it…
Especially loving that her big bouncy hair is back.. you do you think, can we start to get excited about Cheryl’s style again?
