Katy Perry wore a Zuhair Murad dress during the photo shoot for her new album, Teenage Dream.  The musician selected an emerald green tulle and beaded mini dress with cut-outs.  Her dress came from Murad’s Fall 2010 ready-to-wear collection.  It has a sexy bondage vibe, softened by the delicate silk chiffon fabric surrounding the bodice and arms.  The emerald color goes perfectly with her long dark hair, and provides a beautiful contrast.  Though this dress might be short on fabric, it’s big on personality, if Perry’s poses are any indication.  Pairing the celebrity with the right dress is always key, and this dress is very Katy Perry.

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. 

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.

Michael Kors delivered a Resort 2011 collection that was clean, simple and chic.  The designer was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CFDA Awards this week for his 30 years in the fashion industry.  He has consistently delivered inspired work and this collection was no different.  Neutrals in taupe, white and black with a splash of tangerine would describe the color palette.  I felt a vibe of the most sophisticated safari.  Animal prints were used as subtle accents for variety and visual interest.  The shapes and colors readily provides an air of simple elegance to collection.

Oscar de la Renta streamed his Resort 2011 runway show live online yesterday.  Great styling brought the collection to life, and it was as elegant as the resort pieces.  The opening looks had a nautical all-American vibe that resonated.   Stripes and the colors red, white and blue were bountiful.  Beautiful neutrals with pops of color were sprinkled throughout.  Sparkles were also well represented on the runway right down to the shoes once we got to the formal looks.  One-by-one cocktail dresses sauntered down the runway.  Let’s not forget fantasy gowns that could have stepped out of a fairy-tale romance. 

Jean Paul Gaultier will leave Hermes after seven years at the fashion house.  The designer took the reins from Martin Margiela in 2003 to much acclaim.  Christophe Lemaire will be Gaultier’s replacement, and he is currently the artistic director of womenswear at the French label.  Lemaire will also leave his post at Lacoste, where he is creative director, in September after his Spring 2011 show.  Gaultier’s final collection at Hermes will be for Spring 2011.  The Fall 2011 season will usher-in the new creative director at the helm.  Hermes is not severing all ties, the company still retains a 45 percent stake in Jean Paul Gaultier’s namesake label.  JPG will continue as creative director at his own label for both ready-to-wear and couture.

Dior showcased it’s Resort 2011 collection in Shanghai over the weekend.  They had beautiful gowns in lovely pastel colors that are reminiscent of sorbet.  One-by-one, gowns in colors like raspberry, peach, lemon, orange, grape and lime floated down the runway.  The collection was very lady-like and feminine with beautiful accents of sequins through-out.  Wonderful details of ruffles and tiered-layers highlighted the ethereal nature of the pieces. 

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Part II

The ladies of Vena Cava are all set to launch a new T-shirt collection in the fall of 2010.  The ready-to-wear line will offer T-shirts at a lower price via Viva Vena.  Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai saw an opening in the market for printed tees and embarked on this new venture.  The collection includes tees, tanks and dresses all made from organic cotton and jersey.  You will be able to shop the collection at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopbop an La Garconne for under $200 in July.  Judging from the excitement from this announcement, it looks like Vena Cava will have a very successful collection.  The demand is there, and the lower price only sweetens the deal. [WWD]

 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]

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010

Vera Wang Spring 2010

Michael Kors Spring 2010

There is nothing like the perfect little black dress.  It is a must have in every woman’s closet.  Chic and sophistication are two words that comes to mind when you think of this wardrobe staple.  Luckily Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Phillip Lim have updated the LBD for spring 2010.  They’ve managed to keep it chic, while making it more relaxed for the warmer weather.

3.1 Phillip Lim added oragami pleatings in taupe and lavender.  The pleatings create visual interest, and instant sophistication.  Vera Wang inserted a beautiful print at the neckline.  The print elevated it from traditional to modern.  Michael Kors went for a more overtly sexy cut-out at the waist and straps.  It is the most daring of the three, but go ahead, don’t be shy.  There is a LBD for everyone this season.  Each designer had their own interpretation of the little black  dress for spring, and they gave it a little more personality.