savage beauty

Maybe you haven't heard yet, but the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute in New York will be opening a new exhibit, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, May 4 showcasing pieces from the McQueen archives in London. The exhibit will feature several creations from each of McQueen’s collections beginning with Nihilism (1994), and ending with his posthumous Angels & Demons (2010).

However, two of fashions biggest names, Samantha Cameron and Anna Wintour, were kind enough to give us a sneak preview at the Ritz in London this morning. Some other fashion darlings in attendance were Stella McCartney (who if you haven't noticed yet, is one of my personal favorites!), who is acting as the co-chair for this year's Costume Institute Ball, and Sarah Burton, the label's new head designer.

Of course, the preview was also an opportunity to start hyping this year's Met Ball. Taking the clue from Cameron, who in her speech said, "I'm sure that the party on the second of May will be a very, very special night."

 Here's the sneak peek:

      

love and lemons

Even with only four posts up so far, I'm sure you can already see that I love Stella McCartney. This season was beautiful! There was a nice, soft color palette with flowing dresses contrasted with structured blazers, tailored pants and pops of yellow and amber. The dresses were ethereal, like liquid silk, embodying both an innocence and understated sex appeal (ie: those slits up the leg!) Here are a few my favoite pieces from the collection:

The last several looks reminded me of being in Italy in the orange and lemon groves. I'l try to post some pictures later on.

cut it out!

Stella McCartney always comes out with beautiful clothes for women. It's hard to find an ensemble that you truly love everything about, but I can usually find at least one or two in each of her collections. A while back, I saw a picture of Gwyneth Paltrow in a magazine wearing this cut-out halter dress from Stella McCartney's Fall 2008 collection, and my heart nearly skipped a beat. Apparently, Kristen Stewart also wore the dress for a GQ shoot later that year.

The dress is simply gorgeous! It's subtly sexy, made from intricately crocheted wool and a mesh layer in place underneath all the spots that expose skin. So when I stumbled on the dress on Ebay for a fraction of the retail cost, I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by (although I tried to talk myself out of it about a dozen times!). I brought it to the tailor after it came in the mail and she made it perfect (the zipper was stuck and the hook and eye closure for the back was broken). I haven't worn it yet, but I have no regrets at all!

Thank you to Shopual for always having a great designer clothing selection! Also, if you live near any of UAL's brick & mortar locations, be sure to check them out. They have stores in New Orleans, Nashville, and Los Angeles.