Celebrity Brides Donate Gowns To Huge Exhibition
Ever wanted to see your favourite star’s wedding gown close up?
If you happen to be popping by London this month, you’ll have the chance.
One of the biggest dress exhibitions in history is happening in the city, as part of a bridal expo – and everybody from models to royalty has consented to give their gowns up for a few weeks to let the mere mortals look at them.
Among the top picks at this extravaganza of celeb wedding dresses? Fergie – the princess, not the Black Eyed Pea – has donated her gown from her 1980s wedding to Prince Andrew, a voluminous creation with puffed sleeves and a huge train.
And we’re sure fashionistas will be dying to see Coco Rocha‘s custom Zac Posen, which was one of the classiest celebrity wedding dresses of 2010.
Portia de Rossi has also donated her famously pink wedding gown from her wedding to Ellen Degeneres, with an open back and tulle skirt – and the very recently married Anja Rubik has offered her micro-mini option from earlier this year.
What’s surprising is the amount of dresses from marriages that ended in later acrimonious splits.
Natalia Vodianova‘s gown from her wedding to Justin Portman is on display, despite the fact that they’ve now divorced and she’s dating one of the most eligible men in France. And Joan Collins is donating a dress from one of her many marriages – but there’s no clue as to which one.
Maybe we can convince it to go on a world tour – with an Aussie flavour. Would you like to see Cate Blanchett’s wedding dress close up?
Image: Coco Rocha’s gown.
Behind The Scenes At A Victoria’s Secret Casting
Beyond a casting at New York or Paris fashion weeks, the runway of the Victoria’s Secret annual show is one of the most cutthroat experiences of a model’s career.
It guarantees huge exposure, million-dollar paychecks and a show watched by millions worldwide.
Vogue went behind the scenes at a casting to find out just how your Angel sausage is made.
And apparently the process is terrifying – even for seasoned pros.
Unlike with normal casting, where the casting directors make a selection and then move forward with the show accordingly, there are two stages – one is a ‘provisional’ casting by the director John Pfeiffer, but then there’s a second stage, and it’s a killer.
Models are made to parade in front of the entire panel of casting people, under the harshest possible lighting and in the most unforgiving environment they can find, to make sure they stand out and don’t have any flaws that would be otherwise concealed.
And don’t think that just being an Angel from year to year guarantees that you’re going to get through – every single Angel has to go through the hated second try-out, and stands the same chance of being cut.
Miranda Kerr is famously no longer working with Victoria’s Secret, citing her business empire and her family – and Gisele Bundchen isn’t walking in this year’s extravaganza either.
The other Angels were seen in Paris shooting a campaign last week, and it looked gruelling. They were shooting at midnight in nothing but underwear and extremely heavy wings, cuddling up in parkas in between takes to stay warm.
Between that and the casting, we don’t blame Miranda or Gisele for deciding quietly to opt out.
Image: Victoria’s Secret.
Get The Emmys Trend: Blush Shades
If there’s one thing the Emmy carpet taught us, it’s that blush and pink are massively in for summer.
From January Jones‘s custom Givenchy to Kerry Washington‘s floating Marchesa, the pale delicate shades of pink are a welcome addition to our wardrobes after the harsh neons and statement pinks of last season.
So here are our favourite pieces to make your blush dreams come true.
Start with accessories. Alaia‘s laser-cut tote in blush leather is a fantastic way to spruce up a beach outfit and make it suitable to go straight from sunglasses to cocktails. Feeling less beachy? Marc Jacobs‘ little quilted handbag is just big enough for phone, gum, make-up and necessities – a chic little flash of soft colour.
Chloe‘s leather pink ballet flats are a great way to introduce soft pinks – but if you feel a bit like a four-year-old in ballet class, harden it up more. The Melissa Lady Dragon in pink with a big red heart on the toe is a favourite of Vivienne Westwood, and made, surprisingly, with soft plastics. It’s perfect for garden parties in summer – and affordable.
Want it to be a bigger part of your outfit? Get your hands on Rag & Bone‘s blush jeans, or grab a pair from Helmut Lang – they both do pretty and plain skinnies to throw under your favourite white tee. Feeling more prim? Temperley London does a lovely Peter Pan-collar blush and silver geometric blouse, or there’s always ASOS‘s pussy-bow version in see-through crepe.
For formal occasions, try Marni‘s printed crepe dress with its modernist little dabs of grey and blue. (They’re great colours to pair with dusky pink if you get the balance right.) Or check out Modcloth‘s Starlet’s Web dress, which pairs black netting with blush tulle.
Can’t quite commit to a full-outfit statement? Try the blush feather earrings of Noemiah at Bottica – beautiful shoulder-length wisps that will add a touch of blush to any ensemble – or Ippolita‘s mother-of-pearl pink droplets with pink quartz.
Image: Blush fashion, from top left: Rag & Bone jeans, Marni dress, Alaia tote, Noemiah earrings, Karin Johannsson cuff, MAC blush, Chloe flats, Melissa Lady Dragon shoes, Ippolita earrings.