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Met Gala 2016: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology

3 May, 2016 Nelia 3 Comments

The first Monday in May is here and so is the annual Met Gala aka Fashion Oscars. After poring over hundreds of celeb pics, I have to say that it was probably one of my fave red carpets in a while…which is why I had such a tough time choosing my faves. This year, there were so many interesting dresses, I couldn’t narrow down my choices to the usual “best” and “worst”, and so, I am just going to post all of the looks that I’d found either exciting, or super boring/terrible, so that you can judge for yourself.

Perhaps the red carpet was extra exciting thanks to this year’s theme – Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. Anna Wintour arrived wearing one of my fave looks from CHANEL Haute Couture Spring 2016 collection, and knowing first-hand how important both technology and innovation are in creating a lot of the CHANEL looks, I loved her choice that much more. Other stand-outs included Solange in an origami-like David Laport frock of my dreams, Zoe Saldana sporting a gown with an exaggerated peacock-like train, Nicole Kidman in an ethereal caped creation, Kristen Stewart in yet another stunning CHANEL dress, Claire Danes in a glow-in-the-dark ball gown, and Lena Dunham, Jenna Lyons, and Jennifer Konner in custom-made J.Crew tuxes – so fresh and so cool, though perhaps not exactly adhering to the theme of the night.

I have to say that I was very disappointed to see Michelle Williams in a completely forgettable and way-too-casual dress, which was made even worse by her terrible new bangs and drab makeup – a rare misstep for this usually stylish actress. Other misses included Grimes in an ill-fitting dress and dishevelled hair, SJP in a puzzling get-up, Kerry Washington looking like she was going to a Halloween party dressed as a witch, and a whole bunch of people like Elle Fanning, Katie Holmes, Amber Heard, Emily Ratajkowski, Maria Sharapova, among others, who wore completely forgettable dresses, definitely not worthy of the Met Gala. Last, but not least, Taylor Swift, who was the co-chair of this year’s event, totally missed the mark in a cocktail dress that could have come from Banana Republic (no offence to Banana Republic, but it’s usually not Met Gala appropriate).

And there you have it, my faves and not-so-faves from this year’s Met Gala. Which looks did you like? Share your best and worst in the comments.

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What They Wore: Met Gala 2015 Recap

5 May, 2015 Nelia 1 Comment

Ok, so first things first – to me, The Met Gala is all about taking risks, embracing the theme, and going all out. This event is not the time to pull out your LBD, your prom dress (I’m looking at you, Elizabeth Banks!), or your ice-skating get up (unless the theme is ice-skating, that is). With that said, I don’t think Beyonce, who so many consider the Best Dressed of the evening, brought her A-game. She wore a gown that revealed a lot of skin, not unlike JLo, and completely failed at embracing the night’s theme – “China: Through the Looking Glass”, and while my top picks are probably not going to be crowd-pleasers, I firmly stand by my choices.

My top looks of the night included FKA Twigs in a crazy-cool Christopher Kane dress (yes that’s a penis, and no, Robert Pattinson does not deserve her hotness), Georgia May Jagger in an Asian-inspired Gucci robe, Solange in a Giles Deacon flying saucer amazingness, which totally did not adhere to the dress code, but was so bonkers I loved it, Chloe Sevigny in a very theme-appropriate JW Anderson creation that is sure to land her on some Worst Dressed lists, but I thought she pulled off flawlessly…I also loved Grace Coddington in silk pajamas. I know, it’s pajamas…but it’s Grace effing Coddington, and she had a flight right after…and she looks awesome and comfy.

In other Met Gala news, SJP wore a dress designed by H&M (!!!), and Emily Ratajkowski wore a pretty Topshop frock…fast fashion on the Met Gala red carpet? I never thought I’d see the day. I loved Dakota Johnson’s CHANEL handbag, which was super cute…and while her disco-ball dress did look smashing on her, perhaps she should’ve opted for something a little more fancy. I have to say that I didn’t love Rihanna’s “omelet” gown, but I’ll take it over what Kanye West’s wife wore any day…Also, there’s a photo I can’t find right now, one where Rihanna’s going up the red stairs and it looks like an image from a fairy tale. Points to RiRi for taking a risk.

I also thought Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Carey Mulligan, Diane Kruger, and Keri Russell deserve shout-outs for their awesome outfits last night…they weren’t my faves for the occasion, but were notable nonetheless. Lastly, Emily Blunt looked lovely in a caped Prada…but there’s something about this look that’s just not doing it for me…perhaps if it was in a different colour?

So here you have it, my recap of the Met Gala 2015…Share your faves after the jump!

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Paris Fashion Week: H&M Studio Fall 2015 Runway Collection

5 March, 2015 Nelia 1 Comment

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Paris Fashion Week is upon us, and as in the past few years, my fave fast-fashion brand H&M presented their Fall 2015 Studio collection in Paris. With a studded front row, that included Audrey Tautou, Solange Knowles, Mark Ronson, and Olga Kurylenko, and a slew of the most in-demand models strutting their stuff on the runway, this was definitely one of the hottest tickets of the season.

Once again, I tuned in to watch the show live online, while making my wishlist for next fall. After all, even though this was a Paris Fashion Week runway show, the major appeal is that the clothes shown will be affordable. No need to break the bank.

Unlike in the past, however, this year’s wishlist was shorter than I had expected. There were several standouts like the psychedelic sequinned top that my closet seriously needs, the green chevron-printed tunic that I’d happily wear as a dress, a couple of patent leather jackets perfect for fall, an orange beaded sweater of my dreams, and a furry topper that I fell in love with. But the rest of it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Perhaps because I don’t love wide trousers, or because the colours weren’t vibrant enough for this magpie…but most looks from the collection left me a little underwhelmed. Hopefully when the pieces hit the stores, I’ll feel differently, but even if I don’t, there are plenty of looks from this collection that I’m going to be coveting next fall.

H&M Studio is H&M’s limited-edition collection of key seasonal pieces, with its own dedicated design team. The Fall 2015 collection will be available in 200 stores worldwide, as well as online (sadly not in Canada), from September 10. So tell me, did you love H&M Fall 2015 Studio Collection? Share your faves in the comments.

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More photos after the jump!
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Style Fille: Solange Knowles on Her Wedding Day

17 November, 2014 Nelia 2 Comments

Image by Rog Walker

Guys, can we talk about Solange’s wedding, please?! I mean, how amazing did she look?! So damn good! First, in a Stephane Rolland cream caped jumpsuit, riding a white bicycle to her NOLA nuptials with her Lanvin-clad fiance Alan Ferguson, and then in that siiiiiick white gown designed by Kenzo’s Humberto Leon…she was a vision. Beyonce was there too, obviously, but even she couldn’t take the focus away from the bride. Not that she tried…I’m definitely not implying that, but 9 times out of 10, I bet Bey is the center of attention…but not this time. All eyes on Solange, please and thank you.

And then these wedding portraits, shot by Rog Walker – not what you’d expect as far as wedding photography goes, but so fitting…and so cool. Now, why couldn’t Solange and her fiance grace the cover of Vogue instead of the two whom we shall not name? Solange is infinitely more stylish, and infinitely cooler…and yet, less popular. Just baffling.

But back to her wedding…what do you think of Solange’s wedding attire? Do you love, or do you LOOOOOOOVE? Share in the comments.

Image by Rog Walker

Photo Credits: Vogue

What I Wore: Solange, Coco, and Minnie…Oh My!

5 November, 2014 Nelia 7 Comments

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Another WMCFW season has come and gone, and this time I found myself at the tents every single day, and saw more shows than I normally would have. As such, my full fashion week recap is going to be up sometime next week, with my fave new designers, outstanding pieces, and fave collections, as well as the beauty recap from our contributor Aleyda. But for now, here’s a post about all of the fun outfits I wore to the tents last month.

Thanks to a slew of wonderful photographers like Ania Boniecka, Aleyah Solomon, Jenna Marie Wakani, Ryan Emberley and Stefania Yarhi, among others, I was able to document every look from a variety of angles and lenses…candid and not. It’s a bit of an exercise in narcissism, but hey, this is a style blog, what did you expect?! Let’s get to it, shall we?

On day 1, I ran into the lovely Talia Brown, and we were snapped together for FLARE Magazine. I didn’t bother with my outfit on day 1 – mainly because I had a very intense day at the office, so I simply swapped my ankle booties for a pair of ALDO heels, and my work bag for an ela clutch, and that was it.

After the shows, we were treated to a VIP party courtesy of Joe Fresh, with Solange Knowles on turntables. We were literally inches away from this stylish beauty, but I’m still not sure if waiting nearly 3 hours for the privilege was worth it. My feet were crying by the time I got home.

xx, attends the Joe Fresh Cocktail event on Monday, October 20th, 2014. solange-toronto-joe-fresh-style-blog-nelia-belkova

On Day 2, I actually managed to change out of my office clothes, and into a fun faux leather overalls from H&M. Knowing that a Minnie Mouse party was in the cards, I made sure to grab my trusty sequinned Minnie ears, which completed my look that day. To add a bit of Canadian flare to my outfit, I wore one of my fave falconwright clutches to the tents.

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What They Wore: Celeb Looks from Met Gala 2014

6 May, 2014 Nelia Leave a Comment

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What’s more important – adhering to a dress code or bringing something fresh to the red carpet? Last night at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, some celebs decided to pay homage to the celebrated American designer Charles James, while others chose to wear something exciting instead. No shade to James, but after seeing one too many taffeta-clad celebs, I cheered when I glimpsed Lupita Nyong’o’s Prada amazingness. Sure, it wasn’t exactly inspired by Charles James, but it was fun to look at, and if anyone could pull off the bejeweled net dress with feathers, it’s Lupita. Same goes for Kirsten Dunst’s Rodarte Star Wars gown – amazing, and probably not the most appropriate for that particular theme, but still…so cool! Another look I couldn’t resist last night was Chloe Sevigny in Kenzo, which was probably much too modern for last night’s theme, but I loved it all the same.

But it wasn’t solely the rebels that caught my eye, I absolutely adored Liu Wen in a Zac Posen stunner (which I just got to see at Holts last week!), Emmy Rossum in a floral Carolina Herrera gown, Giovanna Battaglia in an 0ff-the-shoulder Dolce & Gabbana, and Hailee Steinfeld in a very theme-(and age)-appropriate black, white, and pink Prabal Gurung gown.

Mostly though, I was underwhelmed with last night’s red carpet looks. My favourite Style Fille Diane Kruger looked washed out in pale blue (though Joshua more than made up for it!), SJP disappointed in a messy Oscar de la Renta, Johnny Depp came dressed as Colonel Sanders, Kate Upton, who isn’t exactly a high-fashion darling, looked frumpy in a Dolce & Gabbana gown, and the rest of the lot just looked…been-there-wore-that.

What do you think of last night’s Met Gala red carpet? Which celebs got it right in your opinion? Share in the comments!

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More celeb Met Gala looks after the jump!

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Paris Fashion Week: H&M Studio Fall 2014 Runway Collection

27 February, 2014 Nelia 2 Comments

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Isn’t it funny that H&M Studio collection has become one of my most highly-anticipated shows of Paris Fashion Week?! Mostly, it’s because I know that whatever the design geniuses from H&M will show on that runway, I’ll be able to afford and thus add to my wardrobe. But also, because the last collection BLEW.MY.EFFING.MIND! So with those high expectations in mind, I livestreamed yesterday’s H&M Studio Fall 2014 runway show, watching the H&M-clad glamazons strutting their stuff at the famed Grand Palais in front of 600 attendees, as the up-and-coming French star HollySiz performed live throughout the show. There was also a quick peek at the star-studded front row, which included one of my favest Style Filles Solange Knowles, mocktress Jessica Alba, models Miranda Kerr and Jourdan Dunn, and a gorgeous DJ Leigh Lezark, most of them wearing the latest pieces from H&M.

The collection itself was a glamorama mix of faux fur, modern suiting, and earth tones, with a sprinkle of sequins and stone embroidery. Mini dresses worn with knee-high boots, faux fur coats over slinky dresses, draped blouses under masculine blazers – it was all very wearable, covetable, and hopefully mostly affordable. This season, my wishlist includes a couple of coats, a few dresses, and possibly a pair of boots…I already have way too many, but if they are as comfy as they are cute, I just know I won’t be able to resist.

So, what do you think about H&M Studio Fall 2014 collection? Are you excited that you’ll be able to afford something from the Paris Fashion Week runway? Share in the comments!

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See the entire collection after the jump!

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Style Fille: Miu Miu Women’s Tale Event

13 February, 2014 Nelia 1 Comment

Ok, first things first…THAT CAT WALLPAPER! I NEED IT IN MY LIFE AND I DON’T CARE WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO OWN IT! Now that that’s taken care of, let’s talk fashion, shall we?

Earlier this week Miu Miu threw a party to celebrate the release of its latest installment of the Women’s Tales series in New York. The star-studded guest list included Hailee Steinfeld, Alexa Chung, Solange Knowles, Sami Gayle, and Anna Dello Russo with her dress twin Giovanna Battaglia (they did the right choice!). Most attendees wore Miu Miu Spring 2014 designs, with some Prada and Carven thrown in for good measure, and I honestly loved it all! Obviously, Hailee’s cat-print coat wins at life right now, but I could also get down with Alexa’s dreamy dress…and about anything else at that party. Though I won’t be buying any of those pieces full-price, I will do my darndest to try and find it at The Mall, or at SPACE in a year or so. Fingers crossed!

What about you? Are you as into these looks as I am? Share in the comments!

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What They Wore: Celeb Looks from Met Gala 2013

7 May, 2013 Nelia 2 Comments

This year’s Met Gala theme was “PUNK: Chaos to Couture”, and since so many of the celebs in attendance nailed it, I couldn’t simply post my fave looks and be done with it. This time, I chose to bring you not only my fave looks, but also the runners-up, and the headscratchers all in one post.

Let’s start with my faves. I loved the ornate Dolce and Gabbana dress on Katy Perry, the grand headpiece on SJP, the elegant Margiela on Gwen Stefani, the stunning, but decidedly NOT punk Givenchy gown on Rooney Mara, and an orange moomoo-like goodness on Ashley Olsen. None of those looks screamed punk to me, but I found these dresses to be interesting, fashion-forward, and gorgeous too. Well, SJP’s panty-flashing Giles gown wasn’t exactly my type, but if anyone could’ve pulled it off it’s her.

Apart from my top 5, I enjoyed so many other looks! From Giovanna Battaglia gilded head-to-toe goodness, to Solange Knowles looking lovely in a Kenzo gown that was perhaps a tad too casual for the Met, but beautiful nonetheless, to Emma Watson in a very sexy Prabal Gurung…there was no shortage of fashion porn at this year’s gala. Some celebs decided to don simple LBDs to the event, which in my opinion was a total waste (I’m looking at you, Michelle Williams), but others made up for it with punk hair (Miley Cyrus), and studs galore (looking gorgeous, Sienna Miller!).

All in all, I loved this year’s fashion offerings. I hate wading through a million photos of boring outfits, and this year there weren’t too many.

So now it’s your turn! Which celebs brought their A-game to the 2013 Costume Institute Gala, and which crashed and burned? Share your opinions in the comments!

More after the jump!

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Coachella 2013: Celebs Show Off Their Festival Style

15 April, 2013 Nelia 2 Comments

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What is it about Coachella that makes me drool with envy? Is it the promise of hot desert sun, great bands, and fun fashion? That must be it.

This past weekend, a ton of celebs headed down to Indio, California, and brought their A-game, when it came to style. Katy Perry strutted around wearing a revealing Dolce and Gabbana two-piece, and a whimsical purse. Alexa Chung stuck to her signature style by donning a black and white Wednesday Addams mini dress, while Kate Bosworth looked amazing in a scalloped tank and shorts. My favourite Hollywood couple (Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson) also made an appearance, looking cute and stylish as always, as did Solange, in a pretty pink floral skirt.

Do you get excited about Coachella style snaps? Which celeb’s outfit do you like the most? Share in the comments.

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