Eva Mendes has apparently decided that when in Rome, you wear Versace.  The actress selected an Atelier Versace rose colored gown for an event during the Rome Film Festival.  She was glammed up in a mix of fringe and sparkles in a hue that highlighted her skin tone.  Her halter-styled neckline was flattering and so was the faux sleeve on the left.  It was fitted, yet had hints of drapery in both the sleeve and lower portion.  Eva looked stunning and was definitely channeling the movie star within.  You wear a dress like this when you want to be the belle of the ball, and I’d say, mission accomplished.

Jennifer Lopez was a wardrobe quick change artist at the Carousel of Hope Ball.  First she arrived in a beaded George Chakra gown, then changed into a metallic haute couture Zuhair Murad minidress for her on stage performance.  It was all about sparkle and embellishment this weekend for the star.  Her red carpet gown was a one-shoulder ivory dress with silver embellishment throughout and lovely sheer fabric from the thigh down.  The sheerness of the material balanced the beading on top, and gave the gown a modern touch.  Her performance dress was short and silver with peek-a-boo cut-outs and brilliant shine.  It was meant for the stage and showed-off her great legs.

Jessica Alba switch it up once again and opted for a more fashion forward Valentino haute couture gown at the Venice Film Festival last night.   Her dress was short in front to show off her legs, as it lengthened in the back with cascading waves of lace that tumbled to the floor.  It was strapless with ornate embellishments, but also kept an edgy vibe.  She paired it with black lace up Ferragamo sandals to counteract the delicacy of the lace.  The look reminded me of her days on the television drama Dark Angel; sweet, yet dangerous.    Alba gave us the ‘little black dress’ that had a big personality; it had enough attitude and drama for on-and-off the red carpet.

Related: Jessica Alba In Valentino At L’Uomo Vogue Party

Jessica Alba was pretty as a picture at the L’Uomo Vogue Party in Venice, Italy this evening.  The actress was in town for the Venice Film Festival.  She wore an ultra feminine grey minidress with a ruffled peach tier and side piping from Valentino’s haute couture collection.  Her dress was flirty and fun, a total contrast to the Balmain she wore to the Los Angeles premiere of Machete.  Alba wisely opted for minimal jewelry and allowed the dress to take center stage with the beautiful rose appliques surrounding the lower half of her dress;  being couture, all were hand-made to perfection.

Related: Jessica Alba Was Golden in Balmain on Machete Red Carpet

Sparkle, sequins and gold dominated Elie Saab’s Couture Fall 2010 collection.  The gowns floated down the runway in beautiful fall colors of red, gold, taupe, seafoam green and a print so lovely it brings to mind the frescoes in Italy.  We saw draping, beading and oragami pleating that was simply breathtaking on the breezy silk chiffon.  Saab opted for full on glamour and opulence with his fabric selection.  Only the construction and careful attention to details rivaled those choices.  The collection is reminiscent of the fashion from the television series in the 1980′s, Dynasty, but it’s the updated version for the 21st century. 

The simplest way to sum up Christian Dior’s Fall 2010 Haute Couture show is to deem it a lesson in perfection, but that barely covers the colors, shapes and magnificence of the collection.  It was a bouquet of splendor on display for all to admire.  Many connected instantly with the collection because it was daring and bold, yet at the height of femininity.  We also marvelled at John Galliano’s ability to bring the Botanical Garden to the runway.  There is genuine excitement about this show because it was like attending an art exhibition of one of our favorite artists.  Dior’s Fall 2010 collection lived up to our preconceived notions of haute couture, and in true showman fashion, Galliano has left us wanting more. 

Every year the rumors surface about Karl Lagerfeld’s named successor at Chanel, only to be shot down almost immediately by the fashion house.  Why would they want to alter the right formula?  Each season the 70 year old designer manages to update the iconic label just enough that it is coveted by young Hollywood, yet remain grounded in its history that it still appeals to socialites and ladies who lunch.  That is a delicate balance, and Lagerfeld has found a blend of perfection.  The brand still carries the same notability it enjoyed during the years of Coco Chanel.  This video simply highlights the designers achievements.

Salma Hayek had the honor of wearing the first Gucci couture gown on the red carpet.  The actress wore the gown to the movie premiere of Robin Hood at Cannes Film Festival.  She was accompanied by her husband Francois-Henri Pinalt, who happens to be the CEO of PPR, the owner of Gucci Group.  Salma looks stunning in the “floor length bordeaux silk georgette one shoulder gown with hip, back and shoulder drape detail [that] also features deep red crystal embroidery at the shoulder and waist,” as described by the company.  We have anecdotal evidence  the couture market is no longer a thriving business.  The closing of Christian Lacroix’s Couture House, and just a couple of weeks ago Oscar de la Renta stated  ”[c]outure has become completely irrelevant.”  Fortunately for Gucci, Hollywood stars still walk the red carpet and they bring a massive amount of publicity to the couture houses.  Having a famous movie star like Salma Hayek as your muse definitely has its perks.

Survival of the Finest [WSJ]

 Lady Gaga in Armani Prive

 Rhianna in Elie Saab Couture

Ciara in Givenchy Couture

Red Carpet Looks:

Couture came to the Grammy’s this year, and its arrival signaled a look towards the future.  We were granted a preview of the future of fashion in the new decade, and all is well.

Lady Gaga set the bar for the evening.  Her Armani Prive gown was designed and built to stimulate our visual senses.  Gaga was orbited by perfectly manicured glittery strips that could double as a shield to keep away intruders.  So that’s what it looks like to have the world revolve around you.  Let’s not forget the tights and shoes which brought the singer’s look to greater heights. 

Rhianna could have been the heroine in any sci fi film with this Elie Saab Couture gown.  Her hair and make up were flawless, and perfectly completed the look.  The structured shoulders gave this gown its futuristic vibe, and all traces of the last decade evaporated.

Ciara made a bold choice with this selection.  If Rhianna was the heroine, Ciara was the gorgeous villainess in Givenchy Couture.  It is sheer lace and textured with just enough embellishments.  The look says welcome to the future, and the future is badass.

The Givenchy couture collection will be the choice of a new generation of couture connoissieurs.  There was  no predictability here, only modern and timely pieces.  Its youthful vibrancy was a break from the more expected couture aesthetic.  For these reasons, Givenchy made our Rollcall list during Couture Week.  The collection boasted wonderful shapes, colors and textures.  Black and white, and fleshtones opened the show, then an explosion of color followed; various shades of blues, emerald green and purple lit up the runway.  The next generation does not want to play dress up in there mother’s couture.  They seek to be daring without being gimmicky, and Riccardo Tisci delivered. View the entire collection here.