WEDDING FLOWERS: Gold
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Showing posts with label Gold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gold. Show all posts

Tiara Watch of the Day: February 12

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Last night it was time for a representation dinner in Sweden. I've come to realize that these are the tiara events most likely to produce, uh, mixed results. Yeah, let's go with that. (You're going to want to see the gallery at this link, by the way.)
Queen Silvia passes muster in a gold dress and the Connaught Tiara. Sofia Hellqvist did okay for herself in black, but - hang on, let me check - nope, I'm still worn out on black lace dresses from last year. Just behind her in the picture below, you can spot Princess Christina. She was wearing the Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik again, so the intrigue around its ownership continues.
A lavender-clad Princess Madeleine wore her 18th birthday tiara, the Swedish Aquamarine Bandeau, in a low riding position, an example to one and all of why these things get labeled Cyclops tiaras. Isn't that ever so helpful of her? (I don't begrudge her wanting to wear a light tiara or doing something different, but...yeesh.) Oh well. Points added for the dress and the earrings, which are great.
It was down to Crown Princess Victoria to give me a bit of hope for tiara events to come. The outfit was basic, a repeated pastel pink and purple Escada dress she first wore at the ball after Albert and Charlene's wedding in 2011 and the Six Button Tiara, but she also wore the earrings, brooch, and bracelet from the Cameo parure. With this particular outfit, it makes for an incredibly random pairing - I mean, the Cameo stuff needs an outfit with nods to its colors or to the intricacy of its design and this feels like it was laundry day in the gown closet and nothing else was left - but for someone (ME) that hopes to see her in the Cameo Tiara again, I'm just glad to see her use what she can.

P.S.: The blog will return on Sunday!

Photos: Kungahuset.se
Royal Necklaces of the Day: February 5

Royal Necklaces of the Day: February 5

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Queen Máxima loves her jewelry, this we know, and she's not picky about the difference between heirloom pieces worn to impress and modern pieces worn for a fashion statement. I like big stones (and I cannot lie), but Máxima tests my love with some of the hardware she hangs around her neck, and some of her recent selections deserve a closer look.

Attending a symposium yesterday
Take yesterday's outfit, for example. Love the idea of a patterned jacket with a statement necklace; do not love the use of leftover Christmas tree decorations as said necklace.


At an event in Utrecht, January 15
This one looks like something made of rocks found by the kids down by the river. But in a world where the rivers are lined with gold, like Willy Wonka's factory for magpies.


At a financial inclusion conference in London, January 19
This one is also a riverbank finder's paradise. This is the same outfit worn when Felipe and Letizia visited the Netherlands, and at that time, Máx paired it with another mega necklace/possible display of medieval weaponry. So either the plain neckline is proving irresistible to the larger side of Máx's jewelry box, or maybe she got a makeup stain on the neck and ugh those things are hard to get out. (Maybe that's always the case. If so, Máx, I retract my entry and I'm with you 100%.)

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated

Tiara Watch (Yay) and Tiara Watch (Nay): December 3

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Sometimes those of us on permanent tiara watch don't get what we want. Case in point: The King and Queen of Sweden began a state visit to France yesterday, and hopes of proper state banquet splendor were (somewhat) high. After all, the British state visit to France this summer was black tie and the Queen was all tiara'd up. But alas, it was not to be; the dress code was plain suit and tie and a knee-length outfit for Silvia. The Queen, however, did not leave us hanging.
She sported as much of the Cameo Parure as she could, basically: necklace, earrings, bracelet, and brooch in her hair. She's also got Carl Gustaf's order/portrait miniature on too, and her version is bedecked with some pretty serious diamond sparkle. The Cameo set has Napoleonic roots, dating back to Empress Joséphine, so it was an appropriate choice. But I still like to think it was a bit of a protest from a jewel-loving queen. Atta girl, Sil.

And sometimes, on tiara watch we do get what we want! Over in Britain, the annual Diplomatic Reception was held last night. This is a tiara event, very formal indeed, but it's one that we don't often get a glimpse of. Some were anticipating the Duchess of Cambridge in a tiara and though she wasn't present, the Duchess of Cornwall shined in something besides her usual tiara and that's a delight on its own. Resplendent, I think, is just the word for this lovely look, kindly shared on Twitter:
This is the Cubitt-Shand Tiara, which comes from Camilla's own family. Camilla wore it for her first wedding and her daughter Laura wore it for her wedding (below). I don't usually go for asymmetry in my tiaras, but the slight variation in this design completely works with its intricate floral motif. I love it.
We know that the Duchess of Cornwall has worn this tiara to this diplomatic event in the past, but we don't always get to see, as I said. Any sighting is an A+ Tiara Watch to me!

Photos: Elysee.fr video, Marc Piasecki via Getty Images, @royalfocus1, Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images

Royal Outfit of the Day: November 17

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I basically never get this dressed up for anything. So the fact that Máxima gets this dressed up to, uh, cut some cheese is delightful from the start.
Last week, Queen Máxima had a day of engagements including opening a new building for a cheese company.
This is half of an outfit we've seen on her before, last time pairing the gold top with trousers as per the Natan model (left, below) and this time pairing it with a burgundy pencil skirt and burgundy and gold accessories, including brooches by an Argentine designer. And while it does still have the air of the Mad Men maternity department (maybe she was just planning on sampling as much as possible at the cheese place - can't blame her for that), I do find the skirt to be an improvement.
The hat, were it an actual pillbox, would have also constituted an improvement. Alas...
It's more of a life preserver than a donut this time, wouldn't you say? It's a safety measure, guys, jeez.


Photos: RVD video, Natan, Noordhollands Dagblad video

Royal Costume Ideas of the Day: October 31

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It's Halloween, kids! I know it's not really a universal holiday, but if you're planning on celebrating and still need a costume idea, I've plucked two outfits from the royal fashion rounds this week that might help you out. Just being servicey here, folks.

Idea #1: How about going as a garden trellis, complete with scattered flowers?
On Day 2 of their state visit to Japan, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended a banquet with the Japanese prime minister and his wife.
All you need is a little Jan Taminiau couture, my friends, and you too could be the chicest lawn ornament on the trick-or-treat circuit. As an added bonus, not only is this color scheme universally flattering, it could also be reasonably repurposed for next year's Dolores Umbridge costume.

Idea #2: Are you a fan of the classic film A Christmas Story? 
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Estonia this week for events including a dinner hosted by the Swedish ambassador.
Try this dark-toned take on the infamous Leg Lamp! All you need is the cash for a Stella McCartney mini dress, and you're in business. Sequin shoes from Saint Laurent will add some pizazz to the one legged-pose you'll need to strike.
This little number is the perfect option for all your Halloween party needs, because if you're not going to shake it in this dress, you're doing it wrong.

Aren't they just so helpful, our royals? Not only did they give us these two fresh costume ideas, they also saw fit to remind us this week that there's always option #3: Just wear a tiara. Happy Halloween!

Photos: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images, @Royal_talk, Net-a-porter, Bluefly

Tiara Watches of the Day: October 30

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Big stuff happening in Tiara World. BIG stuff. So, in lieu of our regularly scheduled Thursday posts, we're going to have one big, fat round up of state visity goodness - featuring tiaras from the Netherlands, Japan, and Spain! Read on for sparkle...

The Dutch King and Queen are on a state visit to Japan, and you know this is when Máxima brings it.
And it has been brought, my friends, starting with a fun full skirt dress in a pumpkin shade, totally brought to life by a gold belt and gold shoes. The dress is from designer Mattijs van Bergen, worn with another donut hat from Fabienne Delvigne.
This visit heralded the return of Crown Princess Masako to the state visit stage, and she was ready to go, even sporting an orange outfit to welcome her Orange guests (and matching her friend, Queen Máx). Awww.

In the evening, the Emperor and Empress held a state banquet, and Máxima continued to BRING IT.
Why yes, this is the first time she's worn the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara, one of the family big guns that was one of Beatrix's favorites when she was queen. A perfect choice, stepping it up for her first state visit to another monarchy. She's also wearing a downsized version of the bow brooch from the Stuart parure. I'm not in love with the gown - a Jan Taminiau from Prinsjesdag 2013 - paired with this particular riband (the Order of the Precious Crown, awarded to her by the Emperor) but give me a mega tiara and I magically forget all of that.
The Empress did not wear a tiara, which was predictable; she's opted out of tiara-wearing in the past couple years, apparently for health reasons, the weight of a tiara being pretty substantial. The rest of the Japanese ladies were out in full force (even those that we don't see here), including Princess Kiko wearing the Akishino Tiara (bottom left, above).
Video, the banquet
Masako, who looked happy to be at her first state banquet in more than a decade, gave us the best look yet at the Japanese Pearl Sunburst Tiara (and its accompanying parure). There's a lot more detail there, an intricate center section and some variation  in the style of the fringes underneath the pearls, and a whole lot of sparkle. Fantastic.


Next! Over to Spain, where yesterday the King and Queen welcomed the President of Chile. This is the first formal state visit of Felipe's reign.
I think the suit Letizia chose for the official welcome belongs on Queen Sofia, to be honest. But! Once again we have redemption at the state banquet, with tiara in place.
Letizia wore the Spanish Floral Tiara, no surprise there - predictably, she didn't bust out anything reserved for the queen right away. On this occasion, it was the perfect match to her delicate gown. (Easy for me to say, it is my favorite Spanish tiara.)
She donned another Carolina Herrera dress, and this one is the best yet! Yes, we're back to the lace trend, but this is the kind that's right up my alley. I like delicate patterns and I like black and I like this, 100% like it. The trumpet flare at the bottom would be a disastrous silhouette on so many people, but for Letizia, it's fantastic.
I'm putting this under serious consideration for Letizia's best of the year. You've been warned.
And one hair shot, just for good measure.


Ahhhhhh. Talk amongst yourselves, I'll be over here, collapsed in a tiara-filled daze......

Photos: Getty Images as indicated, News Japan and ANN News video, Neiman Marcus

Royal Outfit of the Day: August 19

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Didn't take me long to get back around to Elie Saab in this little closet raiding exercise, did it? Well, that was predictable.
Sweden's Princess Madeleine sported Elie Saab Resort 2013 at her pre-wedding dinner last year.
Princess Madeleine has some cute stuff in that closet of hers beyond the gown section - there's an Oscar de la Renta white dress that I'm particularly fond of (see below) - but if there's an Elie Saab garment bag, I'm grabbing blindly.
The Oscar de la Renta dress of which I am particularly fond, on Madeleine and on the runway (with skirt lining added, an unsurprising modification from the runway).

If you could have just one thing from Madeleine's closet, what would it be?


Photos: Kungahuset/B.Grenfeldt, Style.com and Europa Press via Getty Images

Royal Outfit of the Day: April 7

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The King and Queen of Sweden made an official visit to the Netherlands.
This is "only" an official visit, the type of which would typically warrant a black tie dinner rather than full white tie with orders, and might be an occasion to skip the tiaras. But these kids busted out the full show for us because they remembered they're royal and they can, and we thank them profusely, don't we? We do.

Queen Máx repeated a Jan Taminiau gown from her 40th birthday celebrations, to which she's added a belt (a much-needed change, if you ask me). She accessorized with her favorite Diamond Bandeau, and showed off her jewel creativity yet again by adding a citrine brooch to the center of a previously sapphire brooch. The color scheme played perfectly off of the yellow and blue of her sash, Sweden's Order of the Polar Star, a lesser order which she has had for a few years now. She'll probably one day be upgraded to the highest order, the Order of the Seraphim (as seen on her husband and Princess Beatrix), but that's something more suited to a proper state visit. Everyone here was wearing previously awarded decorations. During Day 1 she also repeated the outfit she wore to Princess Ariane's christening, which would be amazing if it didn't look so much like a tin man in need of a tailor.

Click here for a gallery from the visit...

Queen Sil repeated a red gown that will force me to repeat my figure skater comparison. She paired this with the Connaught Diamond Tiara, and the Order of the Netherlands Lion (her husband was decked out in the same) (same order, that is, not same tiara) (although I would pay to see that). Queen Princess B was lovely in lavender and her favorite tiara, Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara. Sparkles and lovelies all around, but Queen Máx reigns over them all. That's a tough color scheme to make work, that butterscotch color, but it's a wonderful combo with the blue of the sash and she comes through with flying colors, no?

Photos: Parool/RVD/Het Koninklijk Huis/PPE

Royal Outfit of the Day: March 7

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The Swedish royal court released a new official photo of the King and the Crown Princess. Victoria is wearing a repeated Jenny Packham gold gown and the Cut Steel Tiara.
Let's end the week on a sparkly note, shall we? We've seen this combo of dress and tiara on Victoria before (this could have been taken at that time). I'm still not sure about this complicated dress with its pattern and its neckline detail as a background for sashes and the like, but this view gives us a new appreciation of the benefit of a shimmery metallic gown: it'll make you glow in black and white. (Also, the Cut Steel is a surprisingly good match here, and you have to give credit to the Swedish collection for having that kind of tiara variety on hand. Although it would be interesting to see the Baden Fringe Tiara paired with this gown to echo the neck detail...)

Photos: Brigitte Grenfeldt/Kungahuset.se/Style.com

Royal Outfit of the Day: February 28

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Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore an Elie Saab couture gown to the pre-wedding dinner for the Prince of Asturias and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano in May 2004. Earlier that year, Catherine Zeta-Jones wore the gown to the SAG Awards (pictured right; runway in center).
The Oscars are this Sunday and I care about precisely one thing: pretty dresses. (Okay, and also if LUPITA! is going to win.) In the spirit of the first thing, today's outfit is another red-carpet-to-royal style duel - and since it's Elie Saab, you know Maria Teresa is involved. She's added a bit of cape action/arm coverage, but also crucially added some diamond action. And that might give her the edge, though I'll be honest and say this is not my favorite Elie Saab gown. You?

Photos: Getty Images/Vogue/People

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