Je Suis Henri

Sex and the City Movie Premiere

So why does the whole rest of the damn world get to see the Sex and the City movie before the US? Sheesh. Anyway, it finally premiered in New York last night at Radio City and the stars were in attendance.

Sarah Jessica Parker wore a stunning Nina Ricci gown and her long hair loose, like some bad-girl princess. She's doing something right these days, because she looked really lovely.


Kim Cattrall wore Vivienne Westwood. I dunno. Don't like the color on her, don't like the shape, don't like the ruffly things, and I don't like the weird shape it forms on her ass (which of course can't be seen in this photo).


Kristin Davis in a rather frumpy and ugly Donna Karan.


Cynthia Nixon (who has also been looking quite wonderful recently) wore Narciso Rodriguez. Luckily, she didn't get the memo about metallics.


Jennifer Hudson looking sweet and girly. Not the dress though, which makes her look like a robotic baked potato (even if the shape compliments her figure nicely). She's a pretty girl and I don't know why stylist Andre Leon Talley chooses to dress her so badly. And why she pays him to do it.


Jill Hennessy vamps it up in a dress made from an old curtain. Actually, the dress is nice and has an interesting racer back detail; I just don't much like the fabric.


Ashley Olsen actually smiled. News at 11.


Betcha nobody would have invited Eli Manning had he not led the NY Giants to a Superbowl victory. And I can't decide if his wife is cute, or just another a trashy-looking bleached blonde. (Where was nemesis Tom Brady and Gisele?)


Edie Falco, God love her, looks like the before photo in an advertisement for sun damage prevention. Sunscreen, baby, sunscreen!!

Tejani Jewelry

Tejani creates contemporary Indian-style jewelry hand crafted by artisans in Mumbai. It's beautiful, sparkly stuff, and I particularly like the sets of bangles. Oh, and the earrings.

New for Tejani is a jewelry travel kit - complete with jewelry: two pairs of earrings, thin and wide bangles, and a necklace. The jewelry is available in either silver or gold vermeil, in an orange or black case, for $299. It's not on their site quite yet, but if you must have it now, you can order direct by calling 212.354.3144.

Unzipped

Mr Minx and I got a copy of the Isaac Mizrahi documentary, Unzipped, from Netflix the other day. It chronicles his experience getting his Fall '94 show together, including his inspiration ("'50s cheesecake meets Eskimo fake fur") and his seeming inability to get his assistants to think his idea of using a scrim on stage is as fabulous as he thinks it is (and it is). Project Runway's Robert Best is his right-hand man and it's amusing to see him as a skinny 20-something. Polly Mellen, then the creative director of Allure, features largely in the movie as well as Mizrahi bud, Sandra Bernhard, and his own mama, Sarah.

Although youngsters will think of Target or daytime TV when they see the name Isaac Mizrahi, he was once really hot stuff (and he still has a couture collection available at Bergdorf Goodman). For the runway show featured in the movie, he used all the big name models of the day: Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, Amber Valletta, Shalom Harlow, Yasmeen Ghauri, et. al. And let's not forget the extremely annoying Linda Evangelista:

Bitch and moan. And what a horrible voice! If she's always like this, how does the bitch get work? (I always thought she was funny-looking.) Cindy Crawford seems like a regular gal though.

Despite the whining, we enjoyed the brief (76 minutes) glimpse into the world of fashion. Mizrahi is certainly a likable character, smart and funny. His impressions, particularly that of Eartha Kitt, are highly amusing. And I love that the film includes clips from the movies that he mentions so we can see more clearly how his brain works.

There's a good review of the film on the NY Times site.

Mizrahi is set to leave Target and take the reins as creative director of Liz Claiborne at the end of the year. I wish him great success at his new endeavor.

Two Funnies

more cat pictures

Chopard at Cannes

Luxury watch and jewelry manufacturer Chopard has been a partner to the Cannes Film Festival for eleven years, including a redesign of the Palm d'Or in 1998. Every year Chopard presents their own Chopard Trophy to one actor and one actress. This year's winners were Chinese actress Tang Wei and American actor Omar Metwally.

Fashions were somewhat subdued for the event, but there was lots of gorgeous jewelry to be seen.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Spike Lee presented the awards. I suppose she didn't have the chance to get dressed before the ceremony and was forced to run out of the house wearing a bedsheet. And some pretty ugly gladiator sandals. (Ok, it's a Lanvin dress, somehow worn better by Katie Holmes some months ago.)


French actress Vahina Giocante's dress looked like re-purposed bridesmaid-wear, but she enjoyed playing with her Chopard jewelry.


What on earth is Argentine singer Lola Ponce wearing? Old newspapers wrapped around her bottom, shiny bra, with sheer black fabric over all? I thought Cannes was a classy event?


Still not understanding Dita von Teese, or what the hell she was doing at Cannes. Her Dior dress looks like it's being taken over by huge moths who have already eaten part of the skirt. Deets, I know you're a burlesque performer, but leave the stage makeup for the stage, honey, you look ridiculous. Nice jewelry though.


That dress does nothing for Salma Hayek. Ok, it does - it makes her look stumpy and thick. Not sure about the juxtaposition of the somewhat Southwestern-looking silver brooch on her skirt and the pretty gold Tahitian pearls either.


Christina Ricci and Salma Hayek have quite different facial shapes, don't they? It almost looks like they've been Photoshopped to achieve the vast difference in chin structure, but rest assured it's all natural. Well, un-Photoshopped. :)

Christina's black dress was rather plain, but her diamond and emerald lariat necklace is gorgeous.

Gwyneth at Cannes

Although in my last post I noted that the navy blue Chanel Cruise '09 gown made me think of Keira Knightley, Gwyneth Paltrow wears it very well.

Here she is at the premier of Two Lovers at the Cannes Film Festival, accompanied by designer Valentino. He looks like he's eaten a boatload of carrots, doesn't he? And the hand around the arm seems a little possessive. "You should be wearing MY dress, not Lagerfeld's" he may have hissed.

Those Roger Vivier pumps are gorgeous, aren't they?

Chanel Resortwear 2009 Collection

Karl Lagerfeld put together a little bit of everything - good, bad, and ugly - for his 2009 Resortwear Collection.

The first outfit reminds me of a Picasso pierrot painting. The suit is gorgeously graphic and very Chanel. And the third dress reminded me of Coco Mademoiselle spokesmodel Keira Knightley. Must be the plunging neckline revealing bony chest....


The matching girl and boy outfits look more like something from Target. Or Tar-jay. And is the third model wrapped in a baby blanket?


The one-shouldered look is still popular and Lagerfeld offers a few streamlined versions. Plus some interesting pattern blocked whites. The third look is clean and polished, yet busy at the same time.


I'm not feeling the menswear in this collection. The dress, however, is terrific.


Love the first dress. She looks like a very fancy little cupcake. The silver jacket is fine for both sexes I suppose (Karl wore one himself to the Costume Institute Gala) but I think it looks better on the woman. And a shirt might be nice. ;)


There were lots of feathers in the collection as well, and these are three of my favorites. Although I wish the center jacket were sheer mesh rather than what appears to be tinted plastic. Wouldn't the first dress be dynamite on Gwyneth Paltrow?

Ellen to Wed

Congrats Ellen and Portia - may you have many happy years together.

And...does anyone else think Ellen is doing a salute to Captain Kangaroo in her outfit?

Nina Garcia and Elle

Have you wondered what will happen with season five of Project Runway if Elle is a major sponsor but Nina Garcia works for Marie Claire? Never fear - Nina has accepted the short-term editor position offered by Elle. It runs through September 1, so she can still do PR before heading off to her new gig.

No word on what will happen with season six on Lifetime. Hopefully Marie Claire will assume sponsorship so we don't lose Miss Nina!

Dior Resortwear 2009 Collection

This week John Galliano for Dior kicked off the Resortwear season with a dazzling collection in hues of lime green, orange, and pink accessorized with oversized baubles in coral and turquoise. There were 60s looks aplenty, from Hollywood glamor to beach blanket bingo. Here are some of my favorites from the collection.

Love, love, love. Especially the shiny striped capris.


Love, love, love. But only young women with perfect midriffs should attempt the third look. Please, no aging socialites!


I want to drink margaritas in the first look, a gin and tonic in the second, and a glass of champagne in the third.


Now that's how to wear leopard! And doesn't Stam look so glam in lime chiffon?


The orange dress is perfect. The other outfit is very bed jacket and nightgown, but somehow it works.

Russian Fashion Week 2008

Geez - everyone has a Fashion Week these days! Russia's was held in Moscow in March (sounds poetic, but I'm sure it's just...cold). Here are some of the highlights.

Antonia Sharpovalova (say that five times fast) has a thing for whimsy and her collection featured images of Matryoshka, those clever nesting dolls. All those pompoms are a bit much, particularly when worn with shorts and a t.


Olga Shilova's and Anastasia Sergeeva's designs are a wee bit old fashioned.


Masha Kravtzova's are a little ugly, although give the model credit for trying to have a little fun while wearing a black plastic garbage bag for a skirt.


Ludmila Narsoyan of Kusso is bringing sexy back to babushkas. :::cue Kate Bush:::


And Max Chernitsov's undies are just...Klassy.

SJP at SATC Premiere

What a great pic of Sarah Jessica Parker at the London premiere of the Sex and the City movie! She's definitely channeling Carrie Bradshaw in that quirky Philip Treacy hat (love the acorn top) and frothy Alexander McQueen dress. She looks happy and that makes her attractive.

Bush Nuptials

Jenna Bush got married this weekend and wore this simply-shaped but elaborately-beaded Oscar de la Renta dress. It's pretty but doesn't look very comfortable for sitting, and it's probably quite heavy. I like the simplicity of both her hair and her bouquet - not very Texas of her, is it?

How is it that she looks exactly like both parents but is somehow still the better-looking twin?

And...why does she have to live in my town now? Isn't it miserable enough in Baltimore?

It's Prom Time!

I admit that when I first saw this photo, I thought, "Huh? That dress looks fine to me. But who's that tranny on the left?" Welp, that's no tranny, it's 17-year-old Marché Taylor in her "custom made" prom dress, deemed so skimpy she wasn't allowed past the lobby of Houston's Sugarland Marriott where her prom was being held. She raised a ruckus and was led out in handcuffs.

I know I'm old and impossibly unhip, but...her parents let her out of the house in that thing? Oh...wait...she's Billy Ray Cyrus' adopted daughter?

There's video here.

Tim Gunn's Guide To Style

Tim Gunn's Guide to Style will be back for season two missing one element: Veronica Webb. I'm sure Veronica is a nice person and all, but I doubt she'll be seriously missed by the viewers. Her dress sense was pretty frightening, and her face always looked suspiciously matte, as if it were a papier maché mask.

Bravo has just announced the hiring of Gretta Monahan as Tim's new "Fashion Accomplice." Yeah, I never heard of her either.

Bravo's search was long and arduous (I was going to say "hard" but I know how some of you think) and several other choices were contemplated before making the decision. Here are some of the contenders, with Bravo's official reasons for not hiring them:

"Gisele Bundchen is the highest paid model in the world. Plus she's dating Tom Brady. We are embarrassed to report that Ms. Bundchen laughed at us when we offered her the job."


"While Ms Kate Moss had great potential, her other 'interests' are not condoned by the NBC family of television networks."


"Contrary to her belief, Janice Dickinson wasn't really ever considered for the position."


"Ms. Campbell was banned from Bravo after threatening Padma Lakshmi while brandishing a leg of proscuitto and a bottle of SoBe during filming of a recent episode of Top Chef. Ms Lakshmi has generously decided not to press charges at this time."


Ms. Hilton appeared dazed at her audition, repeatedly mumbling "That's hot" while looking at her own reflection in the camera lens."


"While Ms. Winehouse has an iconic style of her own, it was suggested that the subjects of our make-overs would not want her hands rummaging through their underwear drawers."

Trumped

Hey, Ivanka - if you unhook the clasp, the necklace will fit over your big head better. Oh, and...nice boob veins. Bodice too tight maybe?

Met Costume Institute Gala 2008

This year's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala celebrated the opening of the exhibition, "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy." Yay - another chance for celebs to play dress up. Let's have a look, shall we?

I'm assuming that because Claudia Schiffer is standing with Valentino, he designed her dress. She's a model who has presumably made millions of dollars in her career - please 'splain to me why she can't afford a make-up artist who can make her face less red? (Of course, next to the tanorexic Valentino, she doesn't look that bad.)

Next we see Queen Elizabeth's homely daughter Princess Ann with some chick in a suit. What? That's Tilda Swinton with Justin Bond? He's prettier than she is! She's wearing Prada, and matching gold eye shadow. She needs a stylist. Justin looks divine.


Katie Holmes has been looking terrific recently, especially when that toothy troll of a husband isn't at her side. He doesn't look bad in his custom-made Armani suit, but that vintage Armani in an eye-popping red does nothing for her, particularly with those blue shoes (yes, I know there was a superhero theme....). The sheen on the bustier and skirt ensemble is...a little tacky.


Kate Bosworth is wearing vintage Chanel, and I think she looks great, if somehow a bit casual for not wearing something floor-length. Joy Bryant was attacked by a Klimt painting, and Kimora Lee Simmons fell through a giant stained glass window before they got to the party.


How nice to see Elvira, Mistress of the Dark without her black wing! Huh? That's Fergie in Calvin Klein? The center shot is of Billy Joel's child bride Katie Lee wearing something out of her grandmother's closet. Finally, we have Mary J. Blige looking like a drag queen with her giant tattooed arms.


Every last photo of Beyonce (in Armani Privé) has her holding her hips, as if letting go would allow them to swell to such proportions her gown would burst.
Molly Sims looks great in a yellow Versace, and Amber Valletta is a bit over-the-top in her shiny pink gold Versace gown, but it somehow seems to fit the superhero theme with its billowy cape-esque sleeves.


Ashley and Mary Kate are both wearing Diane Von Furstenberg. Ashley looks good in her sexy cut-out dress, a shame she looks like she just got back from the beach from the neck up. Mary Kate's gold number looks ill-fitting, and her hair is a mess, but at least she's wearing makeup.


Has Donna Karan ever worn anything flattering? This big green pleated bag does nothing for her, and what's going on with her chest? At least it looks like she's recently washed her hair. Mischa Barton is a really pretty girl, but she's got odd fashion sense. I neither like nor hate the dress, but it seems too large for her. And...Dita von Teese. I don't get her. If she hadn't married that freak Marilyn Manson, would anyone have heard of her? Dress is nice though.


Thandie Newton thought the theme of the event was "What Eliot Spitzer's Ladyfriends Would Wear," so she got out some Chanel lingerie. Piper Perabo is just plain scary with that pose and the dark lipstick. And Scarlett Johanssen in Dolce & Gabbana looks like she's wearing Cinderella's undergarments - before she went to the ball.


David Beckham looks splendid in his custom made Armani. But his wife took so much time in putting on her fifteen pounds of make-up, she ran out the door in her peignoir. Is she completely naked under that thing? Hideous. Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen are both wearing Versace. I think he looks handsome in his classic tux (even if his slicked-back hair is dorky) but she looks a little trampy. But that's the Versace way, no?


Anna Wintour in Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel looks more like a science fiction character than a superheroine, but her daughter Bee Schaffer looks stunning in her ombre gown.

Your Chance to Vote

Do you want pick jewelry winners too? Now you can, with the Couture Design Awards.

JCK Jewelers Choice Awards 2008

Jewelers Circular Keystone held a competition in which readers - members of the retail jewelry industry - voted on the top jewelry products in several categories. "The macro goal of JCK is to help retailers, so how better to help them than to give them a voice and expose them to phenomenal product?" says JCK publisher Mark Smelzer.

The winners were the usual selection of over-embellished diamond jewelry, most of which had already been featured heavily in the magazine. But there were some unusual winners and finalists.

I've always had an interest in snake jewelry (I was born in a year of the snake, many moons ago) and so this diamond and opal snake ring really struck my fancy. It's by Sylva Yepremian of Sylva & Cie of Los Angeles. This was a finalist in the best ring design over $10,000 category. Another finalist in the category was Sevan at Viewpoint.


This cuff by Sarah Graham, winner of the other metals jewelry $1,001 to $3,500 category, was inspired by the lacy patterns formed by the extremely rotted wood of a long-dead tree.


Goth sneaks its way into fine jewelry in these K Brunini cuffs with spiderweb motif, finalist in the "Spring Revelations" - jewelry in celebration of "May is Gold Month" over $3000 category.


This watch by Hardcore Watches is just hideously macabre. But people apparently liked it enough to vote it a winner in the $1,001 - $10,000 watch category.

Australian Fashion Week - Shakuhachi

Jessie White's Shakuhachi line is girly and fun and cute, apart from the menswear, which is scary and a nightmare of competing patterns.

I'm not sure about the neckline on the first dress - is it a scarf? or part of the dress? but the rest if it is fine. The other two are very cute.


I'm not feeling the ugly footless tights. And that first top looks like something I wore in the 80s (with solid black leggings). And I would wear it again (with solid black leggings).


The first two dresses are summery and fresh - minus the tights please! And I love the subtle sparkle on the third dress. See how nice it looks without the tights?


The first guy is wearing a combination of clothes from both his father's and mother's closets. And what's with the Frankenstein boots. With shorts?

Australian Fashion Week - Jayson Brunsdon

This week was Australia's Fashion Week, in which over 100 Australian and Asia Pacific designers showed their wares for Spring/Summer 2008-2009. Jayson Brunsdon's show was one of my favorites. His designs are based on classics and this collection in white is as crisp and refreshing as a Spring day.

Maybe it's the turban-like headband, but I can see Sharon Stone in every one of these designs. The forms are classic and elegant but they look so lightweight and almost ethereal...one could wear these on a humid night in Miami (or hell, Baltimore) and look fresh as a daisy.

Miserable Miley

So apparently there's a brouhaha over fifteen-year-old Miley Cyrus' photo shoot for the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair. Is it appropriate for a young girl to be posing so provocatively? Or can Annie Leibovitz's photos be considered art? Is Miley a Lolita, or was she coerced into posing thusly by the photographer and her parents? Do we even want to know why her lipstick is smudged?

I think she looks rather like French ragamuffin Cosette of the famous Les Mis posters. Skinny and pathetic. But definitely not poor.