Sexy people on a car in the desert generating enough heat to scorch the sun is the one way to describe the Fall 2010 Gucci ad campaign.  Raquel Zimmermann, Joan Smalls and Nikola Jovanovic turned up the temperature for photographers Mert and Marcus.  The label understood that the only way to sell the fall collection in 100 degree weather was to simulate our current environment.  Now, if only we could all look so impossibly chic in the heat.

Robert Pattinson in Gucci

Kristen Stewart in Elie Saab

Dakota Fanning in Elie Saab

Twilight Eclipse premiered last night, and the stars made an eye-opening fashion impact.  Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning took top honors in Gucci and Elie Saab respectively.  Rob wore a maroon colored Gucci suit that was fitted to perfection.  The color choice was risky, but this vampire totally made it work.

Then there was Kristen Stewart in a white one-shoulder Elie Saab dress.  It was a sexy look that sparkled with a daring cut-out in the back.  Her look was young and rocking, and a great choice for the evening.

Dakota Fanning also wore an Elie Saab dress.  Her dress was a nude one-shoulder look that was young and flirty.  It was also a little more modest than Kristen’s, and very befitting for her age. 

They each got it right at the premiere.  It appears young Hollywood is maturing before our eyes, at least in their fashion choices.  Oh, and if you were wondering, I’m Team Edward!

Gucci held its spring 2011 menswear runway show in Milan ealier this week.  There were a mixture of suits, casual slacks, blazers, leather jackets and denim in the collection.  The pants were sexy in a slim cut and we saw plenty of shorts, but the accessories stole the show.  Spring 2011 may become known as the season of man bags, and Gucci had a lot of them. 

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]

 We are inching closer and closer to a Tom Ford womenswear launch for fall 2011.  We are also learning that all is fair in love and fashion. Ford has hired womenswear designer Caroline Tixier from Givenchy, and accessories designer Pablo Coppola from Alexander McQueen.  It appears he wants nothing, but the best for his ready-to-wear line.  The fashion world has been anticipating this launch for years, and there is a lot of excitement.  Hiring designers from two of the top fashion houses in Europe will only add to the buzz that usually surrounds a Tom Ford project.  What will the well-dressed man send down the runway to satisfy the well-dressed woman?  That will be the question on the industry’s lips until the line is unveiled.  Everyone expects him to recreate the magic he made at Gucci, and from this latest move, he intends to.

Tom Ford Secretly Poaching McQueen and Givenchy for His Own Women’s Design Team  [The Cut]

It was a story of translucent lace and feathers at Gucci’s Fall 2010 runway show.  Sure the design house also showcased their signature looks, you know, that polished put together Gucci girl.  Then those gave way to sheer lace.  They definitely turned up the volume on sexy in this collection.  The first looks were clean monochromatic, almost pristine sportswear.  It had all the luxury we would expect from Gucci.  Silks, wool, leather, and fur were among the first half of the looks.  Those were clearly the daytime looks because they were the polar opposites of the latter looks that got progressively more risque.  During the evening looks the lace, feathers, sequins and embellishments made their debut.  It was like a striptease, but it was a slow and sensual unveiling.  The models started totally covered up, then they shed layers of clothes to reveal more skin.  There should have been a warning label on the lace dresses because they were hot enough make you blush.  The first looks and color palette were very conservative with taupe, gray, brown, concrete, tan, camel and black.   As far as the accessories went, my heart fluttered at first glimpse of the thigh-high suede boots; it was love at first sight.  Other accessories included shoes, bags, belts and sunglasses, and most of those will be on many ‘must have’ lists come fall.

Milan Fashion Week Fall 2009 is over, and we have a Showdown winner. Each collection can be seen at HarpersBazaar.com.  The three fashion houses selected in Rollcall were:

• A. D&G
• B. Gucci
• C. Moschino

D&G brought us a regal inspired collection with a touch of the Victorian.  There were lavish jewel-toned colors like burgundy, blue and yellow.  These colors were a welcomed change in a sea of black, gray and tan collections.  The shape and volume of the dresses were an unexpected delight.  Poet blouses and billowy skirts added to the romanticism of the collection.

The House of Gucci broke free of the down economy; it was a wonderful break from reality.  We saw beautifully-made pant suits, and stunning sequin dresses.  Sparkle, sheen and shine were center stage, they are always indicative of festivities.  The leggings were also shimmery and desirable.  The Gucci collection was one of celebration. 

There was a retro fifties vibe at Moschino, red lips included.  The navy and black pieces paired with red lips were a striking contrast.  The severe hair only highlighted this lady-like collection.  Moschino channeled the glamorous looks of the fifties into the twenty-first century.  Overall this was a sophisticated collection.

The Showdown finalists are D&G and Gucci.  The two collections embodied youth and hope, they offered something to anticipate. 

The winner is Gucci.  Frida Giannini’s take on the future is gladly received.