WEDDING FLOWERS: Alexander McQueen
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Showing posts with label Alexander McQueen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexander McQueen. Show all posts

Top Ten Tips for Planning Wedding Flowers

Mat Hepplestone

of Red Floral Architecture
 
Mat Hepplestone is a talented florist who creates innovative flower arrangements for all occasions across the Country.  Red Floral Architecture have recently created flower displays for weddings at the Manchester Monastery, Charlotte Balbier’s Wedding and Commonwealth Games.  Red Floral Architecture’s speciality is stylising whole venues, creating beautiful flowers displays which are complemented by props such as candles, grand candelabras and vases.

Royal Wedding of the Week: May 1

Update: It's a girl! Congrats to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George on the birth of a new princess!

I am always a fan of goofing off on a Friday and if you can do it in royal wedding format, well, HEY WHY NOT? Therefore I present to you the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on April 29, 2011 because I'm sure you needed another excuse to relive it this week. By which I mean in celebration of their wedding anniversary, because that's definitely the only thing they've got going on right now.

Video: The whole dang thing. Tell your boss you're busy for the next three hours.

I'll add another video here too, one I included when this wedding gown hit your top 10 list, featuring the dress on exhibit at Buckingham Palace with details worthy of a couple minutes of your time:

Happy Friday, y'all!

Royal Style Twins of the Day: April 24

Today, we're flashing back...way back...to a week ago, in Copenhagen, where the reception for Queen Margrethe's birthday at City Hall featured some style twin moments worthy of a closer look.

First up: Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Princess Victoria and their twin appearances with, uh, themselves.
Above, in Copenhagen in 2010 for Margrethe's 70th birthday, and below, also in Copenhagen for Margrethe's birthday, five years on. Mette-Marit's even wearing the same gold headband, which (as the Royal Hats Blog points out) she's worn in several different ways.
"So, whaddya think...same thing this time, except different?" "AGREED."

For the same same thing, you need look no further than the Mexican state visit to the United Kingdom a month earlier.
Mexico's first lady, Angélica Rivera de Peña, sported Mette-Marit's Alexander McQueen coat first. It's an A-line crepe coat in ivory with a double lapel detail, and the only surprising thing about this is that one of the British royal McQueen fans didn't beat both ladies to it. (Perhaps they will join the party later on. I'd love to see this one belted, just to shake it up.) Unusually for one who loves the colorful accessories, I prefer the First Lady's black touches to the Crown Princess' gold/red/nude mix in this Who wore it best? battle.

Our other twin - nay, triplet! - moment from the City Hall event comes from Crown Princess Mary and the gray hat she paired with her Oscar de la Renta coat dress.
As soon as she emerged with this chapeau, I thought it looked familiar - Kate-esque, I said - and indeed it was. From favored royal milliner Jane Taylor, this is a hat we should know well by now.
Zara Phillips sported the same gray version to Cheltenham over a year ago. She paired it with a truly unfortunate outfit that I will pretend I did not see since baby Mia was just a few weeks old at the time. But the original royal example comes from the Countess of Wessex, who wore a version in a different color and material to Ascot in 2013, paired with an Emilia Wickstead outfit in gorgeous vibrant teal. (An outfit that would get a lookalike of its own when the Duchess of Cambridge wore a similar number in New Zealand last year. It's just a chain that never ends.)
Mary's got the lock on sophistication in accessory pairing, but Sophie's version is a welcome shot of color. I'll call this one a tie and I'll take both for myself, outfits and all, thanks very much.

Your turn: Which versions of these twin appearances are your faves?

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, Net-a-Porter, ITN video
Royal Event of the Day: March 10

Royal Event of the Day: March 10

Yesterday was Commonwealth Day, and three Windsor couples came out to mark the day at the annual observance service at Westminster Abbey.
Leading the pack in beige tweed, the Queen repeated a Karl Ludwig coat and Angela Kelly hat. Her brooch coordination was excellent here, with the Gold Filigree Brooch (a relatively new bauble that first appeared in 2012) picking up the flecks of gold in the fabric. You can read about the brooch and the rest of Her Maj's jewels for the day (she also attended an evening reception) over at the Vault. She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. He wore a suit.
My best dressed for the event, believe it or not, was the Duchess of Cornwall. This blue Bruce Oldfield ensemble is quite flattering for Cams, with just a touch of richness from the velvet trim. And I'd say that even without the threat of an attack from her pet snake, wrapped in velvet and curled up around her Philip Treacy hat.
She accessorized with her favorite pair of pearl earrings and one of her famous pearl and diamond chokers (the larger of the two with all diamond clasps that she regularly wears). She was accompanied by the Prince of Wales. He wore a suit.
And finally, the Duchess of Cambridge, who arrived awash in pale pink. Her Jane Taylor hat was new (honestly, though, she has such a collection of these percher hats in beige and pinky beige and light pink that they all started blending together quite some time ago) and her bespoke McQueen coat was a repeat from her last pregnancy. The highlight of the appearance for me? A new pair of earrings from Kiki McDonough, morganite drops on small diamond hoops. More pink jewels always, please and thank you.
Oh, and she was accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge. He wore a suit.

Your turn: Your best dressed for the day?

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated.

Royal Outfit of the Day: February 24

I was excited to see the Oscar party scene yield a pair of familiar faces:
Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Princess Marie-Chantal attended the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
I was slightly less excited to see Princess Marie-Chantal's gown, sadly. Listen, I consider myself a fan of her style; even when I don't like the exact pieces she selects, there's an easy elegance to her styling that I admire - she manages to make interesting choices without looking like she's playing dress up. But this Alexander McQueen dress seems doomed from the start. I'm not sure any amount of tailoring can make this satin behave when it clearly wants to make all kinds of folds and puckers at the slightest sign of movement or curve. But I still like the softness of the color palette and the floral design.
As shown in the Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2014 collection, far left; and in the retail version, full-length in ivory satin with floral embroidery in nude and silver.
Another part of the reason I like following Marie-Chantal's looks was well on display in spite of all that: her jewels. She has a collection of unusual pieces and she doesn't make them wait for a vanilla outfit to go on parade. These earrings, which I believe are from JAR, one of her favorites, are a great touch to bring out the pink tones in the dress. Yet another piece for me to covet...

P.S.: My fave from the Oscar after parties? Diane Kruger, making me love a red jumpsuit in Donna Karan Atelier. That's some serious style power, right there.

Photos: Pascal Le Segretain and Venturelli via Getty Images / Alexander McQueen / Matches

Royal Return of the Day: October 22

The Duchess of Cambridge yesterday returned to the royal stage for the first time since the announcement of her second pregnancy. It was a two-event day, and she returned to two of her favorite labels, Alexander McQueen and Jenny Packham. Getting back to your favorites is a bit of comfort for when you're feeling poorly, right? Sartorial chicken soup, in a way.

First up, she and William greeted the President of Singapore and his wife as they kicked off their state visit. The Cambridges were filling in for the absent Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who usually take care of this part of the visit. Outfit #1 was a new McQueen coat dress with a repeated gray Jane Taylor hat. I do enjoy a bit of Prince of Wales check.

The couple did not attend the state banquet in the evening (but you can discuss those that did over at the Vault). Instead, Kate headed to the National History Museum in a new Jenny Packham dress and repeated L.K. Bennett shoes.
If this double skirt situation doesn't come with a built-in solution for when you hit a Whitney/Mariah VMA moment, then I don't know what it's all about. (Am I the only one having that particular flashback? Probably.)
Also, I really need these shoes in my closet. You never know when it's going to be a bows-on-shoes sort of day. Best to be prepared.

Photos: WPA Pool via Getty Images, L.K. Bennett
Royal Group of the Day: August 5

Royal Group of the Day: August 5

Yesterday, many services marked the centenary of the First World War. Among the dignitaries joining the King and Queen of the Belgians for various events in Belgium were the King of Spain, the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry.
Video, above.
Two royal ladies in a sea of suits, and "appropriate" is the word of the day. It goes for both Mathilde and Kate, and I'm not finding many remarks beyond it. While that might be damning with faint praise in another situation, for a more solemn event like this, it's just right. A respectful sartorial nod to them both.

Photo: Pool via Getty

Royal Balcony Appearance of the Day: June 16

Trooping the Colour, the Queen's official birthday parade, went on in London this weekend. Hats and the upper two-thirds of outfits, here we come:
The Queen and her Duke first, of course (more on her gems at the Vault), followed by her Royal Colonels on horseback. (Shown at right are the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge, and the Princess Royal. William's in the middle.) Everybody's all very smart and such, not my favorite of the Queen's outfits but there are enough uniforms around her to distract me.

Any time Camilla wears her pink topaz pearl choker, she wins, those are the rules. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a brooch that looked pretty faux to me, but she still stood out as her smart suit was quite a bit smarter than what's going on with Sophie and Eugenie, I'm afraid to say. Yeah, I'm on Blergh Patrol today.

Over on this side of the balcony, we've got a selection of Kents for you, looking very neat and tidy all around. Well, I'm not sure what's happening with Lady Helen's outfit (she's the one in raspberry), but I'm sure it's all very fashion-y. Anyway, it's always nice to see Lady Gabriella (center) hasn't lost her fondness for a proper hat.

And finally, a selection of Gloucesters and some trailing Kents. We could talk about all of them individually but we won't because CAPE ALERT! Princess Michael has arrived. Dramatic (so we know it's still her), but tasteful too. Well played.

P.S.: Garter Day is on tap for tomorrow!

Photos: BBC1 video
Royal Garden Party of the Day: June 11

Royal Garden Party of the Day: June 11

At Buckingham Palace yesterday, the Queen hosted a garden party with several members of the royal family in attendance.
And who was the best dressed royal at the garden party, you ask?
The birthday boy, of course! The Duke of Edinburgh turned 93 yesterday, and he's still one of the most debonair royals around. Look at this coordinating tie/boutonnière/top hat game! And on a gray morning suit no less, a very sophisticated color palette. Yes, he takes the bite-sized garden party-appropriate cake here.

The Queen was my second best dressed pick, but that's what my other blog is for, so click here.

And after those two kids comes, well, everybody else. Line up, ladies!
Thank you, very helpful, let's work from left to right: We've got the Duchess of Gloucester, very understated but elegant by default. The Princess Royal seems to be wearing a hat purchased in the last decade for a change, always a delightful surprise, and she's got lovely aquamarine accessories (including a brooch that used to be the central part of her Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara). The Duchess of Cambridge is repeating an outfit I loved the first time around, but she removed the ribbon belt and changed up the hat and accessories. As much as I appreciate trying to shake it up for a repeat...I, uh, really miss the original belt and hat. Oh well. On the bright side, Princess Eugenie's got some shoe interest happening, and that will always cheer me up right quick. Well done.


Photos: British Monarchy instagram and WPA Pool/Getty Images

Royal Outfit(s) of the Day: April 23


Video: The Cambridges visited Elizabeth (the suburb, named for the Queen) as the Australian leg of their tour continued.
Time for another drive-by peek at the royal tour! Simply put: this is pretty. Soft pink separates, with a v-neck and a bit of fullness in the skirt to add some interest. And McQueen, so obviously impeccably fit. Lovely. Here's a look from the Daily Mail.
The day before, they visited Uluru, where Kate arrived in a Roksanda Ilincic dress hilariously similar - but different - from one she already owns. Later, she brought back a dress from Hobbs that I have always liked and wore a necklace given to her while there. Here's a piece from PopSugar.

Video: Their visit to Uluru.
The fashion news here belongs to William, though - he didn't wear blue! He wore khaki. Big day, kids.

Photos: Reuters

Royal Outfit of the Day: April 10


Video: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laid a wreath at the Blenheim War Memorial during their tour of New Zealand.
Hey, look at that - Kate took that coat Sophie wore earlier this year (covered here), and made all the critical changes: removed that top peplum flap thingy, and made it an actual color! Well done. It's definitely a coat that has enough architectural features to stand on its own, so it works quite well at this non-hat occasion. She also added sapphire and diamond earrings, and obviously those make everything better. (And yes, you can actually see them for she has - gasp - worn her hair up. All the way up. Let's call it the Hallelujah Ponytail.)
The coat is from Alexander McQueen, a custom combination of retail styles. She's also wearing a commemorative poppy pin for remembrance on her shoulder, as did others.
So which royal wore it better, do ya think? Going with the Duchess, myself.

Photos: Reuters/Net-a-porter

Royal Outfit of the Day: March 11

Yesterday, the British royal family attended a service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day. The Countess of Wessex was present, wearing a Jane Taylor hat and Alexander McQueen coat.
Here's an interesting take on those love 'em or hate 'em peplums: the back support belt! I kid, but this is an interesting coat - I may not be entirely sure about this peplum style, but without it, it wouldn't be worth a second glance. It's signature McQueen, toned down by the covered up coat underneath.
Top folded down: better or worse?
We're featuring Sophie because I hear those of you that feel she's being ignored, but Camilla's hat is an interesting discussion piece too - click the link in the tweet above, or click here for pictures (plus more from the first engagement of the day for the Wessexes - it was Edward's birthday!) from the Daily Mail. And for the colorful Queen's jewels, you can find those at the other blog (she wore an interesting brooch to the evening reception too).

Photos: Alexander McQueen/Net-a-porter

Year in Review: 2013's Bests From Our Regulars

We have a handful of leading ladies around here that we follow regularly, and now it's time to reminisce about the best they looked this whole year - one of my favorite things to do. So! Much! Pretty!

I always enjoy going back through the year as a refresher, but in truth, I'm looking for the outfits that made such an impression they require absolutely no refresher. We're talking about the best of the whole year, after all. And you guessed it, those often come from those extra special events. These are my personal favorites, one for each lady...

Queen Máxima
Look at that, I'm sneaking two in right away: I think the glory that was Queen Máxima on inauguration day deserves a second best, which is excellent because I've recently decided that I am just as enchanted by the lace gown she wore during the evening celebrations as I was by the caped wonder she sported for the inauguration ceremony. (Both by Jan Taminiau, of course.) We know now that she has dipped back to her old ways in the months since, but never mind. We'll always have April 30th.

Queen Mathilde
Mathilde took a much lower key approach to her outfit the day her husband became king, but the official portrait they released included all the regal fierceness you could want: a simple Natan gown done in a strong color which played beautifully off of the purple of her Order of Leopold, a mega diamond brooch, and a new-to-her tiara development in the form of the bandeau from the Nine Provinces Tiara. A queen indeed!

Crown Princess Victoria
This one is easy. Soooo easy. Victoria's stunning Fadi El Khoury gown at her sister's wedding has certainly earned a spot on my list of all-time royal faves, right up there with Máxima's double best. Plus, everyone knows that WEE ESTELLE and a purse- and pacifier-toting Prince Daniel are the ultimate accessories. We got some jewel news out of it, too: this was a first appearance for Victoria in Lilian's Laurel Wreath Tiara and in the necklace Lilian so loved to wear.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Another number from Madeleine's wedding, Mette-Marit and her Emilio Pucci gown paired with her amethyst tiara. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: all this one has to do is bust out a train in pastel and there's a 95% chance I'll be sold.

Crown Princess Mary
Mary's Birgit Hallstein gown for the pre-inauguration dinner in the Netherlands took my breath away when she wore it, and it still does. Just so darn elegant. Add this to the list of all-time faves.

Princess Letizia
I'm surprising myself here, but the heart wants what it wants. This is the lone best of the year that came from a regular event (an audience) and not a big fancy special occasion. And yet there's something about her Felipe Varela combo that just sticks - it's classic, but the animal print makes sure it still has that Letizia stamp on it.

The Duchess of Cambridge
As much as I would like to put her second-ever tiara appearance here, we don't know much about what that dress looked like! I'm going with wee George's christening instead, in custom cream Alexander McQueen.

Yes, we will have a look at some bests from other ladies (and also some worsts...), so stay tuned for those. Until then:

Which outfits make your list of personal bests for our leading ladies this year?

Photos: Getty Images/Jan Taminiau/Belgian Monarchy/Fadi El Khoury/Felipe Varela/PA

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