Posts Tagged ‘Roland Mouret’

OVERALL TREND: VB had a very posh little presentation in an Upper East Side townhouse, and greeted a small coterie of editors all by herself, discussing cuts and colors. Was she working extra hard to get rid of the constant rumor that designer Roland Mouret is the powerhouse behind her well edited collection? It did seem that way. This was a more fleshed out collection than she’s done in the past: there were minis, knee length cocktail dresses – and some even had sleeves! – and even a few gowns, as she recently dressed Jennifer Hudson for an awards show, and clearly wants to do more of that. Of course, the dresses were mostly fitted sheaths, but some had little A line skirts, and a bit of draping here and there in the body consciousness. It’s all very simple and stark and the dresses fit well – of course, on models smaller than Posh herself.

COLORS: Tomato red, a blue group, a tan group, a large black group, and a little bit of gold lame

BEAUTY: Why were the models all wearing small black round sunglasses? They’re cool – but this is a winter collection. The hair was mostly brunette and pulled back and teased in that Rihanna pompadour we’re seeing so much of lately. Well – guess what? It only looks good on Rihanna. This was a rather dour look on clothes meant for parties.

RELEVANCE TO HOLLYWOOD: Tons. Hollywood ladies like to show off their pilates and work outs, and they can sure do it in these looks. And they have that simple glamour that works in L.A. It’s clear Mrs. Beckham is thinking of Los Angeles with this collection – because a sleeveless little blue sheath won’t cut it in NY in the winter!!!! Where were the coats??? She apparently is wearing one of her own gowns to the Oscars, she declared – a buff-colored draped silk jersey gown with a grosgrain ribbon sashed around the asymmetrical bodice. We loved the gold lame’ wrap gown, very Jean Harlow 1930’s – and a woman of any age could wear that. That’s a piece to own. Whether or not we want “Victoria Beckham” on our label is another story.

French/British superstar designer Roland Mouret isn’t in Los Angeles often – but a few days before the Golden Globe nominations is not a bad time for him to show up. He attended a celebratory party – and celebrity filled party – at the Chateau Marmont the other night for his new RM Rainbow Collection that will be sold exclusively on Net-a-Porter.com – as the glitzy etail’s site’s owner, Natalie Massenet, is a close friend of his.
What is this new collection? As you can see by some of the ladies in these pics: Heidi Klum (fresh from delivering her fourth child two months ago), Amber Valletta, Rachel Zoe, Demi Moore, Amanda De Cadenet, model-turned-actress Lily Cole (starring in the new film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”), model Devon Aoki – this is a limited collection of seven mini dresses in bright rainbow colors – each style is available in one or two colors made from stretch silk gazar and retail from $1495 to $3070. Mouret’s approach to the collection was simple, “I wanted to do something really fresh with bright colors for cruise. This collection is for young girls. It’s easy to wear and to take from daytime into cocktail hour,” he said. You can shop the collection at Net-a-Porter.com – although those prices for a short mini-dress is no bargain!

We just read on VogueUK.com that our good friend Natalie Massenet, the beautiful fashion editor who grew up in Los Angeles, worked for W and WWD, then went to London to become the fashion editor at Tatler – who then had a good idea for a fashion internet retail site – only to start Net-a-Porter, the best one in the world – just received the MBE in England! Member of the British Empire, or MBE, is reserved for outstanding Brits, like actors, actresses and designers. Burberry’s Christopher Bailey got one, too. Natalie, who is American, but married to a Frenchman, and who’s lived in London for 15 years, wore a white Roland Mouret dress and a headpiece by Philip Treacy. We love her idea of royal chicness – she and Mouret have been friends for years. This is a huge honor, since retailers don’t often get these kinds of awards – let alone internet retailers.

One of the not-great things about Gwyneth Paltrow’s having had two children is that we don’t see her at that many events – or even in that many movies – anymore. She’s currently shooting “Iron Man II,” but we’ll have to wait a while for that. But we did get a look at her from last night, when she appeared at a cocktail party in New York co-hosted by VBH’s Bruce Hoeksema (the handbag designer) for Valentino, Giancarlo Giammetti and Matt Tyrnauer, the trio behind “Valentino: The Last Emperor.” Here’s the low down on her amazing glittery look: that’s a Roland Mouret dress, Christian Louboutin cage heels (that look like the YSL ones from last spring), a VBH square compact bag, an a VBH diamond bracelet. We admit to complete and utter jealousy. Of the outfit, yes – but of her body, her face, her husband, and her whole life. It’s not fair!!! – Merle Ginsberg

The only good fashion “American Idol” has ever seen was on Adam Lambert this past season. He made America’s biggest schmaltz-fest into something with real rock glam credibility.

But now that Posh Spice, aka VIctoria Beckham, has signed on as guest judge – and is going to auditions around the country with Simon Cowell – expect to see some of Victoria’s own clothing line, plus pieces from her favorite designers Roland Mouret, Alexander McQueen. John Galliano, and Balenciago’s Nicolas Ghesquiere. However, when asked what she wants to see in an “Idol” contestant, Beckham claimed,  “natural style.”

When was the last time we saw her showing any “natural style”????? At least, we know “American Idol” will be looking a whole lot better when it returns in January. Sorry, Paula.

Todd Lynn, Brit designer extraordinaire of men’s and women’s bespoke leathers and rock n’ roll tailored clothing out of London, is going to treat Angelenos to a show of his fall clothing at the Pacific Design Center.

A former designer with Roland Mouret – the master of tight fitting body-sculpting clothing – Lynn will show his leathers and wools here on May 2 at something called “Brit Week” – which will include designer Rupert Sanderson as well. It’s a benefit for Project Angel Food, and has various ticket prices – $25.00 for standing, $50.00 for second row, and a $125 dollar fee for VIP front row seating. It’s Saturday night May 2, 7:30PM to 10:30PM,  and we are BIG fans of Todd Lynn’s clothing.

You can email for ticket sales to Britweek@genlux.com.

 

One of the most successful L.A. dress designers these days is Victoria Beckham – who woulda thunk? We know designer Roland Mouret helped create the first dress collection for her, which sold unbelievably well – although did we ever see HER wearing any of those looks? She was too busy wearing McQueen, Dolce and Monsieur Mouret himself. However, this second collection shows real talent – with coats, day looks, and evening gowns that are all simple, well-crafted and flattering. Okay, so she can’t act. She can sing, dance – and design!!! She’s still a spicey triple threat!

 

OVERWHELMING TRENDS: Those body conscious “Mad Men” dresses are back, but so are leggings and capes, frock coats, gowns, and some short dresses. Clearly this posh lady has been in L.A. for a while – there are some great gowns here, and what a surprise – stylists, take note!

 

COLORS: Purple, black, red, white, grey, gold

 

FABRICS: STRETCH!!!!

 

BEAUTY TRENDS: Neat little heads, very little makeup.

 

RELEVANCE TO HOLLYWOOD: It’s all about the body – and Beckham’s best buds Kate Beckinsale and Eva Longoria will have a field day with these clothes. The gowns are sleek, tight, belted and flattering – were they made from spanx? They are that smooth. We love the red one, the black one sleeved one, and full long sleeved metallic liquid looking one. YES, ladies, gowns with SLEEVES!!! You can’t look bad in these!!! If you still don’t have a dress for this weekend and it continues to rain and be cold, we suggest you toss off that pink frouf and go with one of these posh numbers.

         Jennifer Hudson has had a tough time in her personal life, as we know – but at the Grammys, she announced her recent engagement, sang her heart out, and wore a gorgeous dress by British designer Todd Lynn, who used to work with Roland Mouret. Hudson is a beautiful woman, but her choices in clothes haven’t always flattered her. This black cocktail dress with large white satin bow bib front is chic and charming and romantic – the perfect mix of grown up and chanteuse.

And she chose a cool designer who hasn’t been overexposed on the red carpet – very hip.

 

 Amy Adams hasn’t picked up any Best Supporting Actress wins for her much-nominated role in “Doubt” – and at the BAFTAS – the British Oscars – she lost of Penelope Cruz, who finally scored a win for her much-heralded role in “Vicky Christina Barcelona.” (Kate Winslet wasn’t in the supporting category this time.) But Amy DID win the fashion BAFTA – check her out in this sky blue Roland Mouret RM dress. SO form-fitting – it’s like a long blue girdle, but on her, it looks great. RM is an extremely hip label to wear because Monsieur Mouret may be French, but he resides in London. And he is the man who made Victoria Beckham a fashion icon. Like Narciso Rodriguez, he is a master of the form-fitting and simple, and this is the chic way to go to an awards show in a major recession - and right before New York fashion week, where we predict the looks for fall 09 will be form fitting and much simpler than seasons past.