L\'Opera
Eva Mendes,YSL,Yves Saint Laurent,diane kruger,rinko kikuchi,elettra rossellini wiedemann
Eva Mendes and Diane Kruger
A French opera needs French fashion, and who better to sponsor the New York Metropolitan Opera\'s new production of Donizetti\'s La Fille du Regiment than Yves Saint Laurent? The city\'s most fashionable flocked to the opening gala performance, which saw the likes of Diane Kruger, Eva Mendes and Rinko Kikuchi decked out in colourful YSL numbers. The ever-glamorous Olatz Schnabel, wife of Julian, looked stunning in a clingy red floor-length jersey number, while new fashion favourite Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann stole the show in a silk satin dress with organza feathers and embroidery. The event was part of a multi-year commitment by YSL to support the Met Opera, and marks designer Stefano Pilati as the pre-eminent fashion patron of one of the world\'s greatest opera houses.
Danielle Radojcin
See more pictures of celebrities at the YSL-sponsored Met Opera gala
See pictures from the YSL Autumn/Winter 2008/9 fashion show on handbag.com
Picture: Eva Mendes, in Yves Saint Laurent.
Sold!
daphne,guinness
Daphne Guinness
There may be many a celebrity whose clothes we lust after, but Daphne Guinness - fashion icon, socialite and all round English eccentric - has a wardrobe more desirable than just about anyone\'s. Over the years, the catwalk front row regular has amassed a collection of the most exquisite couture from the likes of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and (now retired) Valentino, among others. Now, she\'s decided to clear out her wardrobe and put it up for auction in aid of ‘Womankind\', a charity set up to help women in developing countries. Comprising more that 250 lots of designer clothes, shoes and handbags, attendees at the auction, which takes place at La Galleria in Pall Mall, London, will be priced between £50 and £500. Kerry Taylor, specialist fashion auctioneer responsible for the sale, said, "Anyone purchasing pieces in this sale will be able pick up top designer-wear at a fraction of the original purchase cost. Tom Ford believes Daphne to be of if not the most stylish woman living and I would tend to agree." La Galleria, 30 Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall, London SW1. Sale date: 29 April, 2pm. Previews on Mon 28 April, 9.30am - 5pm, Tues 29 April 9.30am - 12 noon. Contact Kerry Taylor on +44 208 676 4600 or info@kerrytaylorauctions.com Danielle Radojcin
Picture: Daphne Guinness
Fashionable Livingstone
Naomi Campbell,london fashion week
Naomi Campbell and Ken Livingstone
For those fashionistas still wondering who to vote for in the upcoming London mayoral elections, a recent announcement from the office of incumbent Ken Livingstone may help you decide: "London is a world centre for fashion," he said in statement. "Great designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano use London as a place of inspiration, to experiment and use new ideas." (Even if they don\'t - bar Dame Viv - actually work or show here, Ken.) Launching his Arts And Creative Manifesto, the Mayor gave his backing to a permanent venue for London Fashion Week (at the moment LFW is hosted twice a year in a set of temporary tents outside the Science Museum in South Kensington). He also pledged to improve conditions for models in the fashion industry, saying he would "work with the industry to address discrimination, which has meant it is hard for non-white models to find work." What about extra funding for struggling designers? The floor\'s open, Boris. Danielle Radojcin
Read more about London Fashion Week on handbag.com
Picture: Naomi Campbell and Ken Livingstone
Skin deep
Vivienne Westwood,Alexander McQueen,hussein chalayan
Skin + Bones
Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan: these are just a few of the names to feature in a new exhibition at Somerset House, Central London, exploring the complex and symbiotic relationship between fashion and architecture. Skin + Bones: Parallel Practices In Fashion And Architecture opens on Thursday 24 April and will run until 10 August 2008. Examining the visual and conceptual ideas that have bound fashion and architecture together from the 1980s to the present day, the show features more than 200 works by over 40 renowned designers and architects. It is also the inaugural show in a new series of exhibitions for the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House. Don\'t forget to catch the dancing fountains in the courtyard - one of the hidden delights of the London summer. Danielle Radojcin
Picture: Skin + Bones: Parallel Practice in Fashion and Architecture
Embankment Galleries, Somerset House
Photo: © Richard Bryant/Arcaid.co.uk
Ask Alice
luella bartley,luella
Hair decorations by Luella
A little preview of something sure to delight come July 2008: Luella Bartley, designer, trendsetter and Cornish surf-wife extraordinaire, has announced the launch of a range of hair accessories. These will include hair clips and Alice bands adorned with bow details and the signature Luella heart, in a ribbon finish and a palette of raspberry, yellow, royal blue, black, bottle-green, navy and orange. To be sold from her London boutique. We\'ll let you know when it\'s time to start queuing. Danielle Radojcin
See pictures from Luella\'s Autumn/Winter 2008/9 fashion show on handbag.com
Picture: Luella hair accessories
Between you and me...
Michelle Trachtenberg,lydia hearst,gossip girl
Michelle Trachtenberg and Lydia Hearst
Fans of Gossip Girl take note: model and socialite Lydia Hearst, has, according to a report by E! Entertainment online, landed a part on the hit American show season finale, playing an interior designer called Amelia, who supposedly has a thing with Chuck Bass, the brooding Joaquin Phoenix lookalike. That\'s just between you and me, XOXO, as Gossip Girl herself (if indeed it is a girl) might say. Danielle Radojcin
Read last week\'s fashion news on handbag.com
