Style into Action: April 2011

On the night we saw the wedding in Australia, I wasn't planning to do a wedding frock fest blog, but it seems within 24 hours I changed my mind - I now feel compelled to give you the most COMPREHENSIVE frock fest coverage as well as the REAL feedback on ALL the royal wedding frocks. Not just the good points but the real no holes barred feedback....every incidence of hospital colours, every VPL, every ill fitting octopus shaped accessory....the whole lot.....so its not just Catherine's dress that interests me, but rather, all the guests - and I am covering 3 events - not just the Westminster Abbey gig but also the pre wedding (Mandarin Oriental Hotel in West London) & the evening reception dinner on the night of the wedding. Yes - that's 3 events.....so here we go....

Kate Middleton chose a cutting edge UK design house (Alexander McQueen designed by Sarah Burton) but ensured the gown was respectful, classy, regal & appropriate, in fact Princess Grace - esque.
I loved loved loved the lace and the design around the neckline.
The aspects I didnt like were the breast cups - they didnt look like a lovely set of boobs - they looked like foamy cups & they were too far apart. I also thought there was too much fabric folding at the waist - it swamped her thin frame. I didnt think the padded hips (a McQueen trademark) were done with sufficient edge in this case.
Overall - 8.9 out of 10

If you want to see more views of the dress - you need to go elsewhere.....I wont post any more photos of the dress, partly because I am salivating at the quests - and you can see the Kate frock photos everywhere else.....

here is the Grace Kelly wedding frock from which Kate may have gotten inspiration....

Now check out her post wedding reception evening dress - also Sarah Burton...

I am not so sure about those cups again & the fluffy cardigan...hmm...feel like patting it rather than admiring it....do we feed it? do we water it? who knows? stay tuned....

and another view...

kindly ignore Caftan Camilla in the background....at least prince Charles loves her....

Now lets go to my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE - Pippa Middleton - who looked breathtaking....

also in Sarah Burton for the wedding....love the lines, love the cowl neck, the elegant sleeves, love the simplicity, all class...my new campaign is Pippa for Queen!!!

& the back view....no wonder one Facebook page devoted to her derriere, the Pippa Middleton Ass Appreciation Society, already has 24,000 fans. while fashion blog Fashionista.com published an article entitled In Praise Of Pippa (Especially Her Bum)

possibly the only thing she has erred on is a touch too much fake tan...but still gorgeous! I'd give Pippa a 9.5 out of 10.

Here is the McQueen Pre fall 2009 look book model for Pippa's dress.

and as worn by Cameron Diaz at the 2010 Globes

with a close up of the cowl neck...

Pippa's evening reception frock was also dynamite - by London designer Alice Temperley.
Both the colour and the cut were astounding. Another 9.5 out of 10.

Now lets go a bit closer to home for a bit before we go back to UK folks... Our PM, Julia wore an Anthea Crawford navy skirt, Carla Zampatti navy camisole, and a creamy, silver jacket by Perth designer Aurelio Costarella. She carried a bag by Alan Pinkus who also designed her navy shoes. Her fascinator was bought at DJs. Her partner Tim Mathieson wore a complementary navy Hugo Boss suit, white shirt and Declic tie. Declic, a French brand in Chatswood Chase & the Sydney CBD normally does beautifully colourful accessories and shirts for men. Tastefully Tim, selected a more subdued tie matching his partner's outfit. Declic in the Sydney CBD also happens to be a few meters from a ladies store, Library, form which Julia has many many suits since she became PM.

and the ever stylish GG, Quentin Bryce - wore a hot pink, red and orange silk brocade two piece suit by one of her fave designers, Brisbane Pia Du Pradal. She had a hot pink patent clutch, matching pink patent stilettos and a straw hat decorated with gold, pink and red flowers. Her husband Michael Bryce accompanied her to the abbey wearing a dark navy suit with gold tie.

Now lets go back to UK folks.....da Queen, pre wedding dinner...Ok, she's da Queen and is allowed to wear anything!

da Queen at the wedding....wearing primrose yellow Angela Kelly ensemble (a fave designer of hers), with a Queen Mary's True Lover's Knot brooch....the coat had hand-sewn beading at the neck in the shape of sunrays with a matching frock and hat.

da queen from da top....

Princess Anne....i liked this for a mature lady...but others have liked it alot less than moi!

and at the pre wedding dinner...no comment....i suppose if Karl Lagerfeld did stars for Chanel a few seasons ago, then its open slather for Anne....but look closely...do you realise this woman is wearing a 3 row pearl choker with this mandarin-esque collar? I've heard of more is more, but this is taking it too far....thoughts?

Camilla pre wedding dinner....."Audrey like" actually....seriously...

Camilla at the wedding.....a lovely silk dress and coat by Anna Valentine, the same designer who did her wedding dress to Charles in 2005....yes, its lovely, but on her, is it too big? the jury is out on that....her shoes were neutral Jimmy Choos and a topper by (here's a surprise, not...)...Philip Treacy

How about Carole Middleton, the proud mum - in sky blue Catherine Walker dress and coat dress. Catherine Walker was an early fave of the late Princess Diana. Carole wore a Jane Corbett hat. Frankly i would have liked it better if the coat had a more subtle front closing - the frogging just doesnt do it for me.....everyone's a critic, eh? The closure trimming was replicated at the cuffs. Her dress was a a sky-blue silk shantung ‘‘Sydney’’ day dress with short pleated sleeves and pleated pockets.

Mama Middleton at the pre wedding dinner....

How about this photo? having a chat about their kids & grand kids no doubt - quite nice really....

From the old biddies, lets now go to the younger set.....

Chelsy Davey - only Chelsey could take the most ethereal Italian designer on the planet & turn her design into something trashy & cheap.....an Alberta Ferreti skirt suit comprising a reverse satin dress with an off the shoulder jacket in a tight, tight, tight bright turquoise green. She teamed it with a Victoria Grant hat with small net veil.

Here is Chelsy again almost being upstaged by her girlfriend......

Earl Spencer (the late Princess Diana's brother) three daughters at the church....almost like 3 Barbies, lets not hope like three Brynne Edelsteins....from left to right, the twins Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza (18 years old) & Lady Kitty (20 years old)

here we get a bird's eye view of Kitty - in a SS 2011 pale pink Victoria Beckham frock with a Phillip Treacy hat...no doubt the photographer was a man!

speaking of Brynne Edelstein, here is another Kitty photo from a few years ago....

obviously not at a wedding at Westminster Abbey!!!! and the tan lines...yeeerrckkk!!! Now for the standout stars of the wedding - so right, yet SO wrong.... Beatrice & Eugenie

Both in Phillip Treacy hats but lets get back to that in a second.... Eugenie was in Vivienne Westwood - not a bad choice, although the boob area looks a bit tight....the hat looked kike a bird swooping, but if Carrie Bradshaw can put a bird on her head for her wedding (Sex and the City), then I suppose this is acceptable...I suppose.... now, Beatrice was in Valentino Couture - the outfit just doesnt get better than that....lovely label, lovely on.....but what did Mr Treacy think he was going to achieve with THAT hat!!!!!???????????????????? Why didnt someone step in & do an intervention??? I dont get it. so sad...Beatrice, undoubtably that hat makes you the worst dressed for the whole event.....Congratulations dear! Well done!

Here is the Beatrice runway model - Valentino Haute Couture AW 2011

Here is Eugenie from the pre wedding dinner with dad...not bad...a Vivienne Westwood assymetric number that she could wear again & again for future functions

a couple more views - its probably obvious I was reasonably impressed by this....

here is Beatrice at the pre wedding dinner.....a bit flashy, a bit like a toilet roll holder or perhaps the fishtail was just too 80s...not so fab! Its Rachel Gilbert silver sheath dress covered with bands of sequins on tulle.

& here's the back view.....hhmmm...no comment....the picture tells a thousand words and they are not pretty...target practice anyone?

both girls leaving the pre wedding dinner - this shot was a hit...yai the Union jack!

and Beatrice leaving the wedding reception....a bit too much boob spilling out...

Now lets get a bit younger.....the whole gang....

Note little Grace at Pippa's right hand...more later....

the 2 older girls....

and little Grace - not impressed by the RAF flyover...not impressed at all!!!

Back to the grown ups...the Sultan of Brunei at the pre wedding dinner....

and the Princess Ameerah Al Tawil wife of Saudi Prince Al Walid bin Talal in couture Zuhair Muard - very tasteful in a light rosewood satin with silk lace overcoat was decorated with hand embroidered organza flowers.

Sophie Essex at the pre wedding dinner....pity about the tan lines....

and another view....

again, I am not impressed...the neckline, the necklace, the tan lines...a bit too much & the shoes look clumpy for a dress that isnt quite floor length.... Sophie at the wedding in a Bruce Oldfield suit with heavy embroidery at the sleeves with a Jane Taylor hat...smart, sharp & no tan lines...yipee!!!

This next one impressed the hebes out of me - Princess Victoria of Sweden....this lady has it together....pre wedding dinner...all class...

and Elie Saab at the wedding....purely perfect in apricot....

The other one who pretty much always gets it right is Princess Letizia in a stunning dove grey beaded and lace gown for pre wedding. Here she is with Queen Sofia of Spain where I dont quite get all the layers and the pashmina scarf look, but she still looks regal.....so Euro chic!

a closer shot of the Princess...gorgeous (& perhaps too skinny?)

At the wedding, Queen Sophia was in periwinkle shantung silk, while the princess was in old rose lace. Both lovely.

& a closer view....

Now to one that may not be rocking it, but is still appropriate...Karen Gordon, Earl Spencer's finacee. She is wearing a custom made Bibhu Mohapatra. Quite nice.

I thought this next photo was interesting....deer in the headlights, too much botox the week prior perhaps? hhmmm...

This next one is a treat - Alexandra Shulman, editor of UK Vogue, in a Christopher Kane jacket & skirt...SO cool, SO edgy...even if not as girly as alot of the women....Manolos on her feet & a Kate Halfpenny hat.....but that's not all......look at her "partner"....none other than Mario Testino the amazing fashion photographer....oh what an escort...

and here is the photo he took of her on his cell phone....sigh....

Here is a classy Charlene Wittstock, fiancee of Prince Albert of Monaco in a double faced wool Swiss Akris suit with the same label's Alegra clutch in ostrich. Lovely.

and Charlene at the pre wedding dinner.....

Here is the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and the Grand Duchess Teresa at the pre wedding dinner....she looks quite elegant actually....

and at the wedding....that suit is SO wrong for her shape....she looks like ten tonne Tessie's sister...

This next one is too tragic - its the wife of the speaker of the House of Commons, Sally Bercow ...I am not a fan...too low, too split, too mutton dressed as lamb & the colour does nothing for her skin...next...

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands...lovely....

This is singer Joss Stone....nice...but apparently she has a nose ring - cant see it in the photo...lovely...not...

& Norma Major, ex first lady....

Ok - ready? This is one who normally gets it super right! Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece - in a Louis Vuitton for pre wedding. Seems a bit empty at the boobs...not asking her to have plastic surgery but some padding would have been nice....otherwise elegant!

& hubby is a dish - a great accessory - Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece

Here they are at the wedding....interesting hat, havent found the dress designer, but wouldnt be surprised if its Valentino Couture...stay tuned....notice the red soles...everyone seems to be wearing Louboutins at this gig!

This photo is showing her bag & gloves...so perfectly elegant....

Here is a shot of Autumn Kelly, pre wedding...thin jerseys like that are not very forgiving Autumn! geez...

& soon to be married Zara Phillips (Princess Anne's daughter)....pre wedding....

& both Autumn & Zara at the wedding....

Zara is wearing a Phillip Treacy hat & a Paul Costelloe ensemble....frankly i am not a fan - its looks a bit space suit-y and the back is too prom like.......but i love, love, love her Mary Jane shoes..... Autumn looks stunning in this photo at the wedding although her shoes are a bit boring...stay tuned for the designer's name...love the hat too! probably a Philip Treacy, but again, stay tuned.... here is the back "prom" view for Zara's dress...

& a better hat view!

here is Ed Miliband's (Labour Leader & Leader of the Opposition) fiancee, Justine Thornton...way too crumpled & way to stuffy around the neck...frump city.....and the legs look like she has just run out of hospital wearing the white hose which helps to maintain circulation.....try again girl...

& Rowan Atkinson's wife, Sunetra Sastry...she looks lovely & love love love her shoes.....& so does he.....love Mr Bean forever....

Marina Fogle, wife of Ben & very very pregnant...nothing to shout about....I'd wear that trench to run errands, not to a royal gig.

Marina Johnson & hubby Boris....a bit of sub continent but nothing to shout home about.....

Guy Ritchie with (42 years young) and his 29 year old model girlfriend Jacqui Ainsley, who are expecting their first child together in September 2011.

Chancellor-of-the-Exchequer wife Frances Osborne - in the middle...quite lovely...love the shoe...seems a lower version of Miriam (below)

Now - Samantha Cameron, first lady - major fashion faux pas - no hat! agghhhh. What was she thinking? Frankly though, I love her look - Burberry frock, with Erdem necklace & hairpiece (love, love, love) - should someone tell her its not a hat though?. The goss is that her shoes are Aldo, currently on sale for less than 60 pounds.....

front view of the head piece....

The Duchess of Kent....doesnt look happy.....I wouldnt be happy either if I had to wear a dress like that....

Ok, our happy pills have now kicked in.....

Princess Michael of Kent - pre wedding dinner..with King Constantine II...regal, as always.....

and a front view of the detail....

Princess Michael of Kent at the wedding - I'd bet the ensemble is Armani, probably Prive...stay tuned....

Queen Margrethe of Denmark.....Mary's mum in law....a very loved & smiley lady, we'll cut her some slack....here she is at the pre wedding dinner.....

Below, on the left is Lady Elizabeth Anson - who hosted the pre wedding dinner for the groom's side at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Frankly i like the concept of ruffled jacket front & sleeves...though not quite the execution we see here....

Queen Margrethe at the wedding....quite nice.

Princess Mathilde of Belgium...nice one!

& Princess Mathilde at the wedding in Armani Prive....

Princess Alexandra with Julia and James Ogilvy pre wedding I love the concept of a black gown with a wrap in red/pink - great pop of colour....

Queen Anne-Marie of Greece at the wedding (right)

Princess Tatiana of Greece - love, love, love the navy gown & her figure....& the pale pink flower...

Here's an interesting one.....Deputy PM's wife...Miriam Gonzalez Durantez...love the colours, the spotty concept & LOVE the shoes - but I am not sure the tulle execution is working - it just looks messy to me, rather than avante garde....and is that VPL I see?

Does the lamp come with the outfit?

Oh my God! Its VPL...the absolute worst ever possible sinful preventable fashion faux pas.

she certainly is sassy....

Here's a stunner - I love this. Tara-Palmer-Tomkinson, a TV presenter & model in cobalt head to toe. The dress is by Deborah Milner with a Stephen Jones hat, gloves & clutch. The heels are Nicholas Kirkwood - notice the studded platforms? bit of rebellion there. I love the colour, the drama, the shape, the floaty bits, the figure, even the (bird swooping down on her) hat. A stand out. Oh & the jewels are Asprey. Someone said she ay have VPL - seriously this woman can do no wrong - I think its the seaming on the dress. The lady in the purple with the fur stole is her sister, Santa. Quite nice.

Now....drumroll...one of my all time favourite girl crushes....Lady Helen Taylor....Princess Michael of Kent's daughter......an ex Giorgio Armani and Bvlgari ambassador...now wearing....drumroll....Erdem SS2011.....stunning...youthful, feminine, elegant & just superb. Even love the way the white accents work with the flower & clutch & the Black Mary Janes....the clutch is Anya Hindmarch...its called Valorie. How perfect! I have included 3 photos because i love this so much - its so fresh for a royal wedding.

& the runway inspiration....SS2011

OK - here's another one that also took my breath away - Sophie Winkleman, Princess Sophie of Windsor in....drumroll...Armani Prive...love, love & more love. Love the navy, the lines, the fabric, the cut....what is there not to love about Mr Armani's designs?

& she is a classic beauty....could look beautiful in a potato sack...another girl crush.... Lastly but not leastly - a pregnant Victoria Beckham in her own design AW2011. My how far she has come - rocking the minimalist trend in classic navy, love the whole lot including the Louboutin footsies, the bag (her label), the hat (Phillip Treacy). Words fail me. She is a star!