Valentino ups the girlie-girl OTT factor for Paris Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2010/2011

The latest Valentino collection is a funny one. On one hand the “cutesie” elements which overpower the collection appeal to my inner girlie girl and I love the bows, the lace, the flowers and pastel pinks. But on the other hand I think that it is just too much. All of these elements together make what could have been a youthful and modern collection a tad OTT.
There was a slightly darker side to the collection with ideas of restraint trying to be portrayed through the use of an actual cage like structure around one dress appearing. The darker colours of red and black were another attempt to contrast with the sugary pinks and pastel colours but I don’t think it was enough to mix it up and make the collection more memorable or interesting.

Tim Blanks wrote for American Vogue that this Valentino collection was “haute couture for the Twilight generation” and I know exactly what he means by this. But it seems odd to me that Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who are the designers behind Valentino, would choose to aim their collection at this audience. After all, I am part of the Twilight generation and I am hardly an Haute Couture customer (hah I wish)

My favourite looks (above)

What do you think?
Do you agree with me and think that the whole collection was too girlie girl to appeal to the elite and extremely exclusive people who buy Haute Couture?
Or do you think that Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli managed to achieve a beautiful and youthful collection?

Beth Ruby xoxo

Karl has raised the bar once more- Chanel Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2010/2011

Let us ignore the clothes (and the lack of black models) for a moment and just focus on the lion.
I saw this absolutely fabulous beast as a twitpic on Bryan Boy’s twitter and couldn’t believe the scale of the thing.
But after being confirmed on various fashion related website I realised thatKarl did indeed install a massive golden lion in the Grand Palais which pawed a gigantic pearl from which the models emerged from. Amazing. Forget the clothes, the set alone was incredible, it even topped the barn and ice themes from SS and AW 2010 collections.
Karl said that the inspiration for the lion motif- which also appeared on the Chanel invites, not that I was lucky enough to receive one-was because Coco Chanel’s star sign was a Leo but to be honest it was probably just an excuse to install an enormous 40 ft gold lion, not that he needed one.

Now onto the clothes. It was much more regal and back to Chanel’s roots than the Neo Romantic theme of Spring Summer 2010 with none of the Barbie/Flintstones hair and makeup and instead a simple look with red stained lips the only statement. The hemlines just above or below the knee, fur trims, golden embellishments and an abundance of darker colours which will be perfect hues come autumn/winter with shades of plum, charcoal and deep royal blue appearing. All of which came to a sartorial climax near the end when Karl sprinkled a little bit more sparkle onto the runway with my favourite looks here:

Then came the spectacular finale where a model emerged from the giant pearl, hand in hand with a man in a tux wearing a fierce lion mask. Then in a breathtaking Beauty and the Beast moment the mask was whipped off to reveal Karl’s muse; Baptiste Giabiconi.
What did you think of Karl's latest creation?

Beth Ruby xoxo

Miu Miu Autumn/Winter Ad Campaign 2010

Thoughts?
I'm a little bit disappointed. The advert just doesn't live up to my expectations of the brand and it's amazing clothes. Miu Miu is my absolute favourite brand at the moment so if anyone would love this it would be me but I just think that they could have done a lot more with this concept of a photo booth and those gorgeous models.

Let me know what you think!

Beth Ruby xoxo

Cause I have other things to fill my time, you take what is yours and I'll take mine...

This is my first ever style post, I did it a while back when shooting mine and Xanthe's competition shoot but forgot to post it, so here it is now.
I am wearing a blazer from Topshop, skirt from H&M, bracelet (which you can partially see- its 2 gold leaves intwined) from H&M too and the top is an Alexander McQueen one which he guest designed to raise money for a childrens charity.
Its been just over a month since his death but it's still so shocking and I read earlier this week that his ashes were planned to be scattered as he wished in Skye in Scotland.
I wanted to take this opportunity to post a photo of one of my favourite runway looks from his Autumn Winter 2010 collection, which was obviously stunning.
The detailing was brilliant and the dresses are truly works of art; so ornate and regal.
They reminded me of Tilda Swinton as the Snow Queen in the Narnia films.
Beth xoxo