Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Salute Couture!

Soldier Girl: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Over the weekend, on Saturday, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge--and yes, new wife of Prince William--stepped out with her Prince, attending the Irish Guards Medal Parade, in the Victoria Barracks, in London England. As usual, Catherine looked FANTASTIC (does she ever get it wrong??) in a Military-inspired (how apropos?) navy wool crepe double-breasted coat-dress with brass buttons and epaulets from Alexander McQueen's Pre-Fall 2011 Collection. On the original model--in the McQueen Look Book (on the right) it is not a dress but a coat with an open "cut-out" section. Of course it was customized for the Duchess!

Try Not To Be Excited Boys: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, greeting the Irish Guards, Irish Guard Medal Parade, London England

Catherine accessorized her look with a golden Irish shamrock brooch, an Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch as well as a chic little matching pillbox hat with a looped ribbon and feather by Rachel Trevor-Morgan--the ribbon detail is VERY Korean Airlines flight attendant if I don't say so...(I just did!)

And lest we forget, Prince William also looked dashing in his Military uniform and coat!! Seriously! THAT is a COAT huney!!! It could have come straight from a McQueen Collection as well!!!!

Read More

Royal Fashion Minute: Weekly Round-up--Princesses Eugenie, Beatrice, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Princess Letizia of Spain, and More!!!

MAJAH Royal Fashionistas...

First we go to the UK: Sarah Ferguson, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice at the 13th Annual White Tie and Tiara Ball to Benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation in association with Chopard. Sarah wore a black beaded and embellished Escada Gown with lovely delicate tulle accent. Eugenie wore a fiery red Vivienne Westwood corseted gown from the Couture Collection and Beatrice looked amazing in a blush colored, beaded Elie Saab Gown. All three looked absolutely STUNNING! (Loving the evening clutches too!!) Good job ladies!!! Show those other royals that even after all you've been through, you've still got some (Fashion) Class!

Now, we are off to Spain and the ever-so-chic Princess Letizia of Spain attends the Principe de Girona Foundation meeting in this flower printed silk high-neck shift tunic/dress.

She accessorized with blush-colored peep-toe pumps (Letizia LOVES her high heels darling!), a belt to cinch the tunic dress and a very "Boho-Chic" chocolate brown leather purse with chain and pink flowers.

And now, onto The Netherlands: Argentine-born Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands arrives at the Royal Concert Building to attend a concert in Amsterdam in a very un-Royal "Egyptian blue"-colored JUMPSUIT with a rather "kooky" patchwork knotted shrug. It's all about a mess to be honest!!! I know she was going for "young, hip, cool" but instead she looks like she runs a Tarot Card Reading establishment in the "Red Light District" of Amsterdam. Stick to Haute Couture and Valentino Maxima. They do Daytime ensembles too!!! They cost $30,000 but they still do Daytime my dear!

And now, we are off to NY with the Belgium Royals: Prince Philippe And Princess Mathilde Of Belgium visit Central Park in New York City. Both look dashing and très elegant. If you are a royal and you're "touring", this is the way to do it! I didn't expect Princess Mathilde to be in tacky white capris and Croqs!!! (and thank Goodness she didn't go there!). The hint of orange color in the belt and shoes is FAB!

Back in London England, here we have Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan attending the Gala Screening of "Countdown to Zero", a documentary film that traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs. But let's get to American-born Queen Noor: She is one of the most elegant women in the world and always has been. The white pantsuit is both chic and effortless. This woman knows how to dress.

Finally, staying in England, we go to the Reception at 10 Downing Street to Celebrate The Duke of Edinburgh's 90th Birthday. Now, I know that Samantha Cameron, wife of the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, is not a Royal, but in the photo above, she's next to one (LOL!). Anyhow, Mrs. Cameron did a Re-Do. In terms of fashion. In the photo above with Her Majesty Elizabeth II, she is wearing the same Jonathan Saunders dress she wore with....

Michelle Obama to serve the military at a BBQ at 10 Downing Street last month when Mrs. Obama and President Obama made their official visit to the UK. I think it might be too soon to do a "Re-Do" but maybe she forgot. Maybe next time, her press office should put Polaroids/photos of when and where she wore her dresses so she is reminded. On a good note: Samantha is quite a Recycle-ista!!!

Read More

Royal Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot and...THE HATS!!

Hat KRAZEEEEEE...

Color Happy: Royal Ascot attendees in their finest--Imagine being THE ONE friend in the group who decided to wear black! Oooops!

Well kiddies, it's Royal Ascot!! What, pray tell, may that mean? The Royal Ascot is one of Europe's most famous race meetings, dating back to 1711!! It's a MAJAH event in the British social calendar (didn't realize there were still such things as "Social Calendars"). Press coverage of the attendees usually exceeds the actual races themselves and so of course, I have to give my "Nick V Two Cents". There are always some colorful outfits, dresses, and especially THE HATS!!! It's all about those hats!!! The theme for dressing to the Royal Ascot is "Dress To Be Noticed" darlings. The British Royals always attend and arrive each day in their horse-drawn carriages (of course they do!). So, speaking of the Royals...

HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Day One (Left) and Day Two (Right)--The Queen usually loves a bold bright color but for the Royal Ascot, she has chosen more elegant subdued pastels. I actually really like the pink hat it has a softness to it that you don't always see with the Queen. I also love that his boutonniere matches her hat!

Princesses Beatrice(L) and Eugenie (R): Speaking of subdued, these two royals decided to "tone down" their ever-so-fabulous "Prince William and Kate Wedding" Haute Couture ensembles (who can ever forget THAT Philip Treacy hat worn by Beatrice)...and went for a more "delicate" route for the Royal Ascots. I actually wished they would have stayed more FAB-U-LOUS as opposed to BORING.

Mrs. Urs Schwarzenbach, Francesca with Sophie, Countess of Wessex: Chic and Chic. Francesca (L) is the wife of Urs Schwarzenbach, multi-millionaire (worth 900 Million Euro back in 2005) Swiss financier living in the UK. He has his own Polo Team and is a big sponsor and supporter of horses and racing. He also own properties all over the UK--HUGE estates , my kiddies...Mrs. Schwarzenbach also happens to be a former Miss Australia (Love that!)

Best at the Royal Ascot:

Welsh Opera Star Katherine Jenkins and her TV-presenter boyfriend Gethin Jones: These two look so gorgeous! What a handsome couple, and so well-dressed! Love the deep-fire red dress and that over-the-top hat! I just feel (a little bit) bad for the woman behind her who cannot see a DARN thing because of THAT hat!!!

Danish-born Fashion Designer (and DIVA!) Isabell Kristensen: OK, this woman IS FIERCE! Three words: You GO Girl! She's a very stylish fashion designer who does mostly Custom Designs for the very wealthy from her Couture Boutiques in London and Monaco (of course!). I have no idea who is funding her and her design business, but really WHO CARES...when you look like that! She has now become a Royal Ascot fixture for her oh-so-amazing hats. And this is what she wore LAST YEAR:

I absolutely LOVE her!

The "Ascot Wacky" Awards Goes To:

Yellow Explosion

It's like this woman went to the UK version of Michael's Arts and Craft Store and this is what she came up with! Now, if she would have also found an OVERSIZED Bee and glued it in the middle of it, then...and maybe then...I would have given her a "You Go Girl" high-five!

Well, at least these two women kind of tried. But there's something about the hats--and their ensembles (it could be the badly sewn armhole princess seam on the purple dress!!)-that well, looks a little "pedestrian" and certainly, NOT Royal. But I give them a couple--just a couple-points for trying...

But THE WORST...

OK, both of these women are Royal Ascot MESSES!! What is that on the right? It's like her 19 year old gay nephew who's "studying fashion" made it for her!! Seriously. But it's the woman on the left who takes the cake. Someone should have stopped her after her fifth flute of Champagne! What is she trying to give here--in terms of her look? It is a cross between a cheap "Miss Great Britain" National Costume for the "Miss World" Pageant and... Captain Stubing of "Love Boat". Who. Does. That?
And now, May I Present you...The Gays:

My "GayDar" Just Busted: Three lovely men at the Royal Ascot

Never to be outdone are my precious Royal Ascot Gays (allegedly). I'm going to London in a few weeks and I hope, really hope... that I will run into these three boys as I step over people to get to Harrods and Topshop and Buckingham Palace. I think there are three 75 year old women in the UK right now looking for their "missing" hats.

Read More

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Edition

Fashion Duchess...

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been quite busy this last week and that only means one thing...MORE FASHION! Above we see Catherine wearing Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 to the Trooping the Colour. The Trooping of the Colour is the official commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday. She also wore a black Philip Treacy Hat. Loved that coat and the side draped cascade godets. This is from the same collection as the white blouse the First Lady, Michelle Obama wore when she visited London last month.

Later that day--yes, OUTFIT CHANGE!!!---Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, kept the Philip Treacy hat but switched into this black and white geometric print satin sheath dress by Zara to attend a wedding. Go Zara!!! Go Catherine--and GO Geometric Prints!!!

On Monday, Catherine wore a blue Jane Troughton brocade coat over a pleated Zara dress to attend Prince Phillip's 90th Birthday celebration. She really is looking like a Royal in 2.2 seconds; The printed three-quarter coats, the hats, the colors. Someone is schooling her right!

And then finally, to attend the Order of the Garter Ceremony, the Duchess wore a beautifully tailored light grey Katherine Hooker three-quarter coat (see, I told you!) over a silk cowl neck draped dress (also by Katherine Hooker). She finished the look off with a fantastic Rachel Trevor-Morgan fascinator. Her Press Office, her Stylist and Miss Catherine!....are WORKING OVERTIME! It seems that her Momma done taught her right--fashion and other-wise...

Read More

Royal Fashion Minute: Swedish Royals Celebrate Sweden's National Day

Blue Victoria...

Asymmetrical Day: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland, celebrating Sweden's National Day

Today, the Swedish Royals were out in full force to celebrate Sweden's National Day. To know what the Swedish National Day is, well you can click HERE. What's more important to me, is of course, the FASHION! Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her bespectacled husband, Prince Daniel Duke of Vastergotland (say that THREE times!), visited the Stockholm City Hall as part of the "National Day" celebrations.

Crown Princess Victoria wore a "Swedish Flag Blue" dress with asymmetrical draped pleating details, fluttery drop shoulder and fitted pencil skirt shape. I must say, this color is AMAZING on her! Prince Daniel looks dapper but still somehow reminds me of a prep-school frat boy who is just about to go on his interview as an Intern with an Investment Banking Firm. I'm just sayin'.

Costume Victoria: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland, and her brother and sister ride on "National Day"

For the actual Parade, as the Swedish Royals rode in carriages, the ladies in the family--Crown Princess Victoria, her gorgeous sister Madeleine and Mother, Queen Silvia--all wore traditional Swedish Costumes in the Swedish flag yellow & blue colors, as well as white for their blouses. The men were elegant and professional in their suits, with ties and pocket hankies.

Miss Sweden Universe 2006 in her National Costume

Interestingly enough, did you know that the Swedish Traditional Costume was only made "official" since 1983? This was also the first year, a "Sweden National Day" was made official. So there you have it kids. Some Swedish Historical lessons...

Half German-Half Brazilian Queen Victoria of Sweden--seen above with King Carl XVI Gustaf (is he always grumpy??) of Sweden--took her folksy costume up a notch (after all, she IS the Queen) by donning the traditional headdress as well.

Wave to the very good-looking Swedish Royal progeny...and Happy Swedish National Day!

Read More