Today marks the launch of Stella McCartney's first mini capsule collection with Net-a-Porter, with three more to follow this week. "Magnolia Tree" is the title of today's small collection and features nude and cloud print pieces and a few accessories. In a video featured on the website, McCartney speaks about wanting to provide women with essentials without having to create matching looks. For more, click here.
>> INSIDER WIRE —After all the Alaia-related Costume Institute Gala drama yesterday, we wondered if anything would top it all at the actual event. Well, a drunken reveler managed to step on and ruin Natalia Vodianova's vintage Fortuny dress (a gift from husband Justin Portman seven years ago) at one after-party, and at another, it's rumored that Keifer Sutherland headbutted Proenza Schouler designer Jack McCullough, breaking his nose. Apparently, the actor was upset over Brooke Shields? It's all very hazy . . . [Guest of a Guest]
Eco-friendly clothing, however far it has come, can still largely be described as "bohemian". As seasons go by, however, the options become more plentiful and a new line, called Allison Parris, rather proves that point. This Fall 2009 is the first season for the brand, operated by designer Allison Parris and lawyer Marissa Kim, and right out of the gate came sophisticated, party-ready looks. Check out a few of our favorites in the gallery below.
In case you missed it last week, contemporary brand Alice + Olivia just launched a new site. The online store is still under construction but is poised to launch this summer. The inspiration behind the design of the site was borne from the look of the Fall 2009 collection, which used a similar art gallery/collage aesthetic for the presentation and seasonal look book. Available on the new site are Fall 2009 collection images, including shots of the Alice + Olivia for Payless footwear. Launched in 2002, this contemporary brand designed by Stacey Bendet now operates five freestanding stores in addition to wholesale accounts with dozens of retailers. Click on the title link above to check out the new Alice + Olivia website.
A modern, structured cocktail dress has a place in every woman's wardrobe and this season there are a plethora of options. From Marchesa's feminine organza confections to the strict and orderly from Calvin Klein there are silhouettes to match every style. Let these fabulous frocks speak for themselves by pairing them with a simple pair of platform heels and a clean makeup look.
Azzedine Alaia pulled out of last night's Costume Institute Gala and loyal muses Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour followed. ..
Designer Ann-Sofie Back signed on as head designer of Cheap Monday and will oversee all that is not denim.
Cathy Horyn, Maria Cornejo, Jason Wu and Narciso Rodriguez were part of a panel discussion on Michelle Obama's style.
Rather than celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Saks Fifth Avenue is declaring today Chanel No. 5 Day in New York.
>> It's official Costume Institute Gala time: Anna Wintour is already snubbing press in her black and white Chanel, Bee Shaffer has already had help navigating in her sheer navy chiffon Nina Ricci gown, and Andre Leon Talley who is wearing "20 pounds" of Roger Vivier jewelry, has already exclaimed "Goddess" upon sight of Kate Moss.
Gisele Bundchen has arrived in sequined Atelier Versace minidress — she says she picked it out herself and they had to make it two inches shorter for her. Meanwhile, Eva Mendes grabbed Amber Valletta's booty on the red carpet, and Shalom Harlow, Amber, Natalia Vodianova, Eva Herzigova, and Stella Tennant have made a red carpet block while they stop to exchange air kisses.
UPDATE: More designer and model pictures have been added to the gallery!
*image: source, source, WENN.com
>> While we wait for the Costume Institute Gala pictures to start rolling in — a few more tidbits: Iris Strubegger is wearing Givenchy couture and Heidi Mount is skipping out for a trip to Utah — Anna Wintour gives us the down low on what it's going to take to get more models on the cover of Vogue:
The public interest in models these last few years has not been as it was during the early ’90s when Naomi [Campbell] and Linda [Evangelista] caused so much excitement. And until models become celebrities again in their own right, I can’t see them selling as well on magazine covers as actresses. "The generation that followed the supermodels shied away from that sort of fabulosity and scrutiny.
