Want to know just what was going on with Australian songstress Kimbra’s gown as she sashayed up to win two Grammys? Rescu. has all the gossip – from the designer herself…
Both Gotye and Kimbra wore Australian designers on the Grammy red carpet – and when they won not one Grammy but three, the fashion teams found themselves thrust into the spotlight.
Kimbra’s spectacular dress, which she wore to accept Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo Performance for singing on ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’, actually hails from Perth.
It was encrusted in 2kg of pearls, and constructed out of sheer tulle and diamantes.
According to the designer, Jaime Lee Major, dressing the Kiwi was an experience – Kimbra wanted mermaids, Disney and huge impact on the red carpet.
Major actually accompanied Kimbra to LA for the ceremony, tweeting pictures of the dress as it was put on and as it was pulled onstage to accept the two awards.
What does it take to make a dress like Kimbra’s? Almost 100 hours of sewing and considerable blisters for the designer.
So how is Major feeling? “It’s very surreal,” she told the press. “It’s only just starting to kick in.”
She also said that she and Kimbra – with Gotye in tow, of course – were about to hit the Grammy after-parties. We suspect other A-listers may approach her at them to ask for a few gowns for their closets…
Image: Kimbra with her Grammys.
Been too busy watching the BAFTAs and the Grammys – who on earth decided to have them on the same night? – to absorb New York Fashion Week?
Fear not – Rescu. has all the trends for your autumn wardrobe.
Fall 2013 in New York was dominated by two trends: menswear fabrics and the strong return of the 1990s.
Victoria Beckham, Zac Posen and Ralph Lauren showed plaids, tweeds and other traditional ‘winter’ fabrics in fantastic shapes, with huge fur-trimmed capes set to be the big trendmaker for the next European winter.
So who’s to blame for this vintage feel? Downton Abbey has had a huge influence on the trends on the runways – classic tailoring and 1920s edging made appearances everywhere from Carolina Herrera to Reem Acra. Expect modest sleeves and vintage hairstyles.
The other trend? The 1990s making a heavy resurgence. It was everywhere, from Chloe Sevigny’s collaboration with Opening Ceremony to the slicked-back hair and big boots at Tracy Reese.
Slouchy hats, khaki, slip dresses and combat boots are the casual look for the next season – get your wardrobe ready.
So what were our favourite shows? Prabal Gurung knocked it out of the park with his mix of incredible military tailoring in glorious greens and blues and inventive embroidery-and-silk knotted dresses. We guarantee celebrities will crowd to wear his pieces, but they’d look great on any shape.
Jason Wu, who’s now known worldwide for dressing Michelle Obama for both inaugurations, showed a magnificent collection that incorporated black pants into red-carpet ready gown-ish looks. We’re betting some will appear on the Oscars red carpet.
And then there’s Red by Valentino. Their ‘affordable’ line might still be crushingly expensive, but it’s so endearingly cute, with its short skirts, German-inspired embroidery and Hansel-and-Gretel design ethos, that we just can’t be mad at it.
What trends did you love at this year’s NYFW?
Image: Prabal Gurung’s NYFW F/W 2013 show.
We love some masculine tailoring on the red carpet, and it’s taking off this awards season – in a big way.
At the BAFTAs, Sarah Jessica Parker made her mark in an impeccably fitted black velvet jumpsuit by Elie Saab, who’s most famous for his incredible gowns – remember the floral number Halle Berry wore to win her Oscar?
However, the impeccable fit and long sleeves of Parker’s jumpsuit made her stand out – with Fred Leighton jewels to help, of course. It’s a great solution when you have an elegant party and a need to make your mark without compromising on taste or looking like mutton dressed as lamb. Thanks for the fashion lesson, Ms Parker, as ever.
Think it’s just for skinny minnies? Not so – as Beyonce’s pantsuit at the Grammys attests. Beyonce’s amazing shape was flattered by her black-and-white simple creation by Osman Yousefzada, and paired with a red lip and fantastic stilettos, she was the most grown-up one in the room.
The way to make a pantsuit look great on every figure? Tailoring. No billowy fabrics or casual looseness – this is the time to go to your local alterations place and make good friends with the owner.
No tightness, no visible creases, just high-waisted trousers – always a good move if you have curves – and some truly spectacular bracelets to finish the look.
Want to go more complex? Look to Janelle Monae’s Grammy look. Monae famously only ever wears black-and-white tuxedos, as an homage to her uniform-wearing parents and step-parents, but her Grammy look certainly made it clear that you don’t have to make a pantsuit boring.
The new face of Covergirl, Monae worked a bright red lip with a fantastic black corset-vest and a Moschino tuxedo jacket – with tails! The lapels, embroidered with gold and reminiscent of a toreador, made the look, but she topped it off with a Ralph Lauren hat just for glamourous good measure.
What are the lessons here? Always accessorise properly, make the fit impeccable, wear heels, and don’t be afraid to go big with detailing. We hope there will be some more pantsuits on the Oscars red carpet to complete the trend…
Image: The pantsuits on display on the red carpet.