STELLA - "McQueen" OF THE MET GALA

DESIGNER - STELLA McCARTNEYVogue Magazine's annual Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was dominated by a very British designer, represented by a staggering number of gorgeous gowns and the leading ladies of Hollywood that wore them.  You would think I'm referring to Alexander McQueen. MADONNA IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011 The late designer is being honored by a retrospective at the Met's Costume Institute this spring titled Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty.   However,GWYNETH PALTROW IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011 Stella McCartney was the British designer that stole the show.   While co-hosting the gala in honor of her late friend Lee McQueen, it was Stella's designs that could not be missed.  Never in the history of the Vogue / Met event has one designer make such a strong showing on the red carpet.   It would be an achievement to score one or two of NAOMI WATTS IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011these lovely ladies - but to have dressed all of them - unheard of!  The list goes on and on - Madonna in embroidered blue silk, Gwyneth Paltrow in nude crystal embroidery, Kate Winslet and Rihanna in black lace, Kate Hudson in gold stretch silk, Eva Mendes in Violet pleated silk, and so on! (19 in total!!)

Stella's collection has really come to fruition.  What was once a collection of hot items, is now a full fledged runway collection referenced by every major fashion magazine in the world.  (Not to mention her blinding number of collaborations in sport, beauty, & childrenswear).

Of course, no one at the House of McQueen can be too upset.  After Sarah Burton captured the attention of a worldwide audience by designing Kate Middleton's royal wedding dress, team McQueen must be on cloud 9. THANDIE NEWTON IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011  Also, it is all in the family - Stella McCartney, Like Alexander McQueen is part of PPR.     

One must give credit where credit is due.   Stella McCartney has earned her accolades with hard work and determination.  RIHANNA IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011 To achieve this success in the designer fashion world without producing any handbags, shoes, or clothing made from leather - again - unheard of.   Stella's personal convictions of a Vegetarian way of life could have crushed other designers.   As I've written before, for Stella to fight that fight with a partner KATE WINSLET IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011 like PPR - known for leather goods, is amazing.  KATE HUDSON IN STELLA MCCARTNEY - MET GALA 2011 Bravo to you Stella McCartney!  You upstaged every American Designer in their own backyard at this very New York event.   

Click Super Stella to visit McCartney's cool website  & McQueen at the MET for details on the retrospective:  Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty

MADONNA DOES DISHES TO STAY IN VOGUE

DOLCE & GABBANA - SPRING 2010

This is really a "Campaign Watch" article, but I couldn't resist the temptation..   Madonna doing dishes is just too good of an opportunity to pass up.   The queen of re-invention is once again the star of a major fashion campaign for Spring 2010 as she works the kitchen for Dolce & Gabbana.  DOLCE & GABANNA - SPRING 2010

Madonna was just the face of Louis Vuitton, not for one, but two consecutive seasons.   Marc Jacobs was over the moon to have Madonna star in the campaigns back to back.   They were photographed together at parties, Madonna attended Marc's Spring fashion show, - clearly fashion friends.  THEN, Madonna posed for Dolce.  Friendship over.   Marc was quoted as saying that he doesn't want Madonna at his Fall 2010 fashion show - and that she was never invited to the last show.  The designer said she called and said she was coming - so what could he do?   What could he do?  How about not have her star in the campaign of the French fashion house you have creative control over?  Anyway, back to the Dolce Ads.

Madonna looks beautiful as she channels Sophia Loren in an homage to Sicilian cinema in Dolce & Gabbana's Spring campaign.   There is a sensuality and passion in the pictures that capture the era of the great Italian cinema of the 50's.  Cleavage and Pasta -now THATS Italian!  Like Cher, Madonna has continued to "Turn Back Time" year after year.   The latest images give her an other - worldly glow of youth and vitality.       

DOLCE & GABBANA - SPRING 2010Bravo D&G, you obviously got the attention of the fashion crowd - or at least of one fashion designer!  Bravo too to Madonna.  In a year when Lady GaGa has stolen her thunder from even the most die-hard fans, Madonna remains current in fashion mags around the world with this main line campaign.

MADONNA RIDES AGAIN!

MADOONA AS LOLA MONTEZ BY STEVEN KLEIN Word is that Madonna will appear in another round of ads for Louis Vuitton.   This on the hoof of news that Madonna was thrown from a horse for a second time.... click Saddle for more..

Madonna to be Monogrammed by Louis Vuitton?

Rumors are swirling that Madonna is set to be the latest face in the yet to be seen campaign for French mega brand Louis Vuitton.   It would be the first major collaboration between Madonna and LV.   Creative director Marc Jacobs must be enamored by the fashion icon.  Madonna, of course no stranger to fashion has worked with major houses for 20 years.    Most notably on stage were the costumes Jean Paul Gaultier created for her Blond Ambition tour.   Remember - cone bras and garter belts!   

Lately, Madonna has been seen in quite a bit of Gucci - also another long standing relationship.   Tom Ford actually credits miss M for starting the buzz around his phenomenal rebirth of the brand in the 90's!     There was also the trippy campaign shot in Miami for Versace.   That was shot by Steven Meisel, the man rumored to be snapping Madonna once again for Louis Vuitton.

This summer Madonna made quite an entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame induction ceremony wearing a sheer, hand embroidered Chanel dress.   This was a departure as Madonna and Karl Lagerfeld have never had anything other than a "polite" relationship.   

All hail Madonna, at 50 she is more in demand to designers than starlets in their 20's!!