The girls were DRESSING this week. We have quite a few looks and editorials to get through, as well as some announcements, and I’ve also heard some tea about Burberry.
Also, this is very random and probably a long shot, but I am also an acTOR, so if any of you mayhaps have connections to any agents and would like to connect me, I would kiss you on the face with consent. Thnx.
Anyway, let’s get into it.
Although the Met Gala theme was announced some months ago, the dress code was announced earlier this week as “The Garden of Time” along with the co-chairs being Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth (okay?), and of course, Anna Wintour. Being that the sub themes are land, sea, and sky, the nature-esque dress code doesn’t feel too far fetched or unexpected.
Essentially, the dress code is about fleeting beauty, but we know shits gonna get floral.
However, the more specific source of inspiration for the dress code comes from a short story of the same name by J.G. Ballard. According to Vogue, “The story tells of Count Axel and his wife, the Countess, in their utopia of leisure, art, and beauty; they live in a villa with a terrace that overlooks a garden of crystalline flowers with translucent leaves, gleaming glass-like stems, and crystals at the heart of every bloom. Though, as in all of Ballard’s work, there is a dystopian element to their paradise; holding onto it is like trying to keep every grain of a fistful of sand intact in your palm.
Beyond the walls of Count Axel’s villa, an encroaching and chaotic mob draws nearer every hour. To restore tranquility, the Count must pluck a time-reversing flower from his garden until there are none left. The story ends with the unthinking mob descending onto the villa, now a derelict property with a neglected garden, in which a statue of the Count and his Countess stand entangled in thorny belladonna plants.
So what do we think? Will guests come in archive fashion that will have us gasping, or will they take a more literal approach with florals and Disney cosplay?
- Miuccia Prada for Vogue; Queen Mother. That is all. Styled by Alex Harrington.
- Bad Bunny for Interview; I feel like the only way to describe any Interview editorial is that it’s very Interview, and if you get it you get it, if you don’t you don’t! I will say, that have been going quite simple in terms of background and set designs recently. Also, it’s so funny that he’s reading Kylie’s Interview issue here. Styled by Mel Ottenberg.
- Cillian Murphy for British GQ; I feel like it’s been a while since we’ve talked about a GQ editorial. So, to refresh your memory, the reason I enjoy GQ editorials, is because it feels like the publication has a very clear voice in their approach to them, and it’s also one of the few publications where we see actual styling being done, and not just straight runway pulls. With that being said, I think it’s better if my commentary here is minimal because I will say things I don’t want as a part of my digital footprint, but this is a beautiful man, and if there’s one thing GQ is gonna do, it’s slut a man out. Styled by George Cortina.
- Greta Lee for The Cut; Just the coolest ever. The set design might be simple, but the LIFE she’s giving these clothes is everything. Styled by Jessica Willis.
- Kristen Stewart for Rolling Stone; I am no better than a man. Styled by Olga Mill.
- i-D has paused print and digital temporarily and will instead focus on launching a newsletter. Allegedly, they will be back bigger and better than ever. I knew nothing good was going to come from that lady getting involved. Kidding! Well kind of. The bad news didn’t stop there, as Alastair McKimm also stepped down as editor and chief after 10 years at the publication. McKimm’s position was originally supposed to evolve to chief creative officer and global editor-in-chief, however in a note sent to staff, he said that this decision is “the best thing to do for i-D, Karlie and [his] own sanity.” Oop.
- Okay, so the Burberry tea is that Daniel Lee is in fact causing havoc, as sales are not what they were expected to be and he has pretty much blown through the budget. This has allegedly led to people in corporate getting fired and stock shares are plummeting so people are getting nervoussss. Personally, I thought Burberry was heading in the right direction with that pre-fall collection that had the warped plaid prints, but then I’ve been disappointed ever since. How long do we think he’ll last?
- We got our first look at Seán McGirr’s Alexander McQueen, sans ‘Alexander’ which actually plays on Lee’s original label for the brand. The campaign features Debra Shaw and Frankie Rayder, and the skull logo which is a long time motif of the brand. If you’ve been here for a long time, you’ll know that Lee McQueen is my favorite designer of all time (literally have one of his designs tattooed on my arm) so I am nervous! But hopeful?
- Speaking of McQueen, there was some drama this past week after Kanye wore a mask from Alexander McQueen’s FW1996 collection, entitled ‘Dante.’ The girls were saying that it was fake, but turns our, it is real. People were saying that it wasn’t the same figurine, however each of the six masks is slightly different, because they were figurines they found all over different vintage shops. Honestly, regardless on my feelings about Kanye, this man has far too much respect for fashion and for Lee McQueen specifically to dare wear a fake.
- Time to lose my mind over Zendaya in Mugler, but first lets talk about everything else she wore. This Alaïa collection was all made out of one singular merino wool yarn, which is mad, and I want to be walked through the entire process of each garment. This specific dress was 3D printed, and so it just kind of snaps into place on the body(!). Wild.
Next she wore custom Louis Vuitton. I want to know what her contract looks like with LV, because for a brand ambassador, we don’t actually see her in LV that often. With that being said, this is stunning. The look seems to draw inspiration from the Resort 2023 collection, and is this beautiful metallic two-piece set, with a snood-like collar that feels very Dune. Honestly, it’d be cool to see her wear Louis Vuitton for this press run a little more often, since Nicolas Ghesquière often explores sci-fi, technical styles in his work. I also love that the fabric itself is manipulated to create texture instead of adding embroidery.
- Forget fresh off the runway, Zendaya’s got it before it even hits the runway! She wore this stunning eggplant suit to a photo call in London, and it’s probably the least method dressy look of hers so far, but it’s a really beautiful suit. The structure of the jacket is incredible and I love the skirt layered over the pants.
She had to keep it light during the day in London, because at the premiere she hit us with the robot suit from Thierry Mugler’s FW1995 Couture collection. Her and Law are so insane for this one, I literally thought it was AI when I first saw it. I’ve actually seen this in real life when The Brooklyn Museum had its Mugler exhibit— an exhibit I cried walking through, btw. The suit is based on Metropolis, which is a sci-fi movie, just like Dune, and there’s also something about it that feels stealth suit, but make it fashion. I’m pretty sure you can’t see nip, so she must be wearing some kind of covering, which, in this case, works and adds even more to the fembot of it all, and the fact that she could comfortably move in this just says so much about Thierry Mugler’s skill. ALSO, not to be a downer, but I don’t feel like anyone has been talking about the Bulgari necklace she’s wearing, but it is in fact a blood diamond, so there’s that!
There was a wardrobe change, of course, because logistics of seating, movement, etc. but she kept it in the family with a Mugler by Casey Cadwallader dress. It’s simple, but it can be whatever it wants to be after that insane pull. I will say, I do like the little cowl, and the different straps feel very Casey touching subtly on Mugler.
- Timothée wore Bottega Veneta, and while I think the pants are great and fitted beautifully, I’ve been a little bored by him as of late. Bottega’s runway shows are so inspiring and such a feast for the eyes, but often when I see celebrities wearing the brand, it barely feels like a snack.
Timmy hit us with another Bottega piece, this time from a womenswear look, and I think it would have been a lot cooler had they fashioned that caterpillar skirt into some kind of pant situation for him. At least the boots match the pants, I guess.
This is very cool, it’s just that he wore this standing next to Zendaya in the robot suit, so, you know. Anyway, I love Haider Ackermann, and him and Timmy are friends, so it’s nice to see Timmy wearing one of his designs again. These pants are some kind of woven thread, but like kind of look like the pin looks Ackermann did for his Jean Paul Gaultier Couture collection. I also like how it looks as if this t-shirt has a cummerbund.
He also wore custom Givenchy. The suit fits nicely, and it’s a very Timmy suit, but I’m intrigued by the breast plate. I know Matthew Williams isn’t the creative director anymore, but I’d always wished he’d played more into his work with hardware. I feel like we don’t really see men wearing breast plates, so I’m into this, and I think it’s funny that it’s a mock neck.
- I really want to know where the problem is with Florence’s styling. Is it her or is the stylist? Regardless, I’m not obsessed with this jumpsuit(?). The pleating in the pants is nice, however, if it is a jumpsuit, why did we need that waistband, and why are there two necklines fighting with one another.
For the London premiere she wore custom Valentino, and the cowl into hood of it all is really beautiful and very Dune. I love a good chocolatey brown, and I’m also just happy it’s not the usual style of Valentino dress we see her in.
- Austin is the least inspired when it comes to the fashion of the Dune cast, and I just wish once he’d pull UP. With that being said, I do think Fear of God is a cool brand, and the way the jacket wraps without a lapel is really lovely. The pants are quite long, however I find that they have enough integrity in structure for it to work and not look overwhelming.
The Louis Vuitton was also quite nice. I like the cropped jacket and the one button on the chest plays nicely into the way we’ve seen Pharrell Williams incorporate jewelry into his menswear. The pants fit nicely and I’m always here for a heeled boot. This is probably my favorite look of his so far.
This Louis Vuitton suit on the other hand, not great! I do love a three piece suit, but those pants just do not fit well. I’m running out of steam, when it comes to things to say about his outfits.
Thank god, this is the last one, for now. While it is what I expect from Sabato’s Gucci, if we’re leaning into the whole simple glamour of it all, at least make sure everything is tailored perfectly. There is so many breaks in those pants and he’s wearing a heeled boot! How long are those pants! Also, I don’t mind a tank top to make things a little more casual, but do I need it to say Gucci at the neckline? I’m not sure.
- Anya Taylor-Joy surprised people at the London premiere for Dune: Part Two, confirming that she will be playing Princess Alia, who is Paul Atreides younger sister, and was born eight months after her father’s passing. She has the consciousness of an adult Bene Gesserit, due to the unique nature of her birth, and is considered an abomination. She grows to be a seer/priestess, which is where I feel the inspiration for this look is coming from in terms of method dressing, however it’s also an obvious reference to Christian Dior’s SS1961 collection by Marc Bohan. The dress is entitled “Hyménée” and draws from Catholicism, but these nun-like, space age styles were also very popular during this time period. With that being said… many layers to unpack here with a dress referencing Catholicism, at the premiere of a movie that has basically erased Middle Eastern culture entirely, and is based on a book about Orientalism.
- Margot wore Chanel SS1994, and honestly, I just think it’s funny that she hasn’t worn any new Chanel for this whole Barbie press run. Regardless, very cute, and I love the matching crop top they added to the look.
- Wait, jk, she did wear this dress from the Pre-Fall 2024 collection, which was a train wreck, but this was basically the only good look. It has a little Union Jack on the neckline, and the BAFTAs are in London, so I guess that’s cute and fun.
- This is a very cool jacket. The suit overall is quite simple, but it plays into this very traditional suiting, while also adding that technical, Nicholas touch with the zipper running down the center.
- Madame Web, spiders, I get it! It also makes sense for Oscar de la Renta, since we see them continue to explore naked style dresses in new and fun ways. I really enjoy the way the webbing turns into fringe towards the bottom, but since the design is so intricate, I feel like the boning underneath is kind of fighting the pattern. Other than that, I do think it’s a nice dress and it fits her incredibly.
- Yeah, I mean, makes sense for Sabato de Sarno’s Gucci. It’s simple, but it really is a lovely trellis style gown, and the bodysuit she’s wearing underneath is really giving naked. I’m not blown away and I feel like I’ve seen her in this a million times, but it’s nice.
- The way Maisie Williams has not worn Dior at all to promote The New Look is hilarious and inspiring. Honestly, good for her. We all know Erdem is most pleasing to me, and the jacket still has that new look silhouette.
She also gave us a little archives Comme moment, and I DIE. The wrap top, the full leather look, the little beret. Shut up.
- Beyoncé wore Guarav Gupta Spring 2024 Couture and a Luar bag to the Luar Fall 2024 show and she looked stunning. Gupta’s work is really beautiful, and that mesh is matched so well, it looks like the crystals are just stuck to her body. Also she is COMMITTED to the cowboy hat.
- Imagine Rihanna ever missing! This woman’s children are going to have the most insane archive, I can’t even deal.
- And we end with Hunter Schafer being the first person to wear a look from Maison Margiela Spring 2024 Artisanal. This was one of my favorite looks from the collection, and I felt like it wasn’t given the attention it deserved, so I didn’t expect it to be one of the first looks pulled, but I’m happy it was! This is why Dara’s going to be my stylist when I become famous. Anyway, it’s based on a dress from 1925 by Madeleine Vionnet, and the way the fringe is sewn directly into its base layer is stunning. I also appreciate Hunter always selling you a look and giving full fantasy— hair, makeup, pose, and all! I know you can’t see the corset here, but the construction of this thing is so beautiful, I could cry.
She also wore this dress by Acne Studios. Now, Acne has been… interesting lately, to say the least. However, leave it to Dara to pluck one of the few good and fun looks out of the bunch. The way the feathers are sporadically places is quirky and feel like Hunter’s style, but it also plays on the idea of a very simple, traditional evening gown. Also, the little tabi heel!! Love to see it.
So that was this week! Will try to get the BAFTAs review out to you tomorrow.
TTYL!!!
xx