Word Up: Top Ten Fashtastic Quotes

It's Monday, we're feeling gloomy and we're in need of a little start of the week pick me up. If you're in the same boat, we prescribe an extra shot in your morning coffee, a sneaky lunchtime shopping spree (make that an e-spree if you're eating al desko) and a large Hendricks and tonic in front of something very good on the TV this evening. In the meantime, here are our ten fav fashion soundbites for your Monday enjoyment... 

May this week be full of friends, cocktails and fabulous outfits!

x

The Mice

Met Gala 2013: Planet Fashion Gets Punk'd

Parties with themed dress codes can be a bit of a nightmare...

If it says 'Studio 54' on the invitation, do you go all out, don your silver flares, mirrorball earrings and a faceful of glitter or should you just give the theme a gentle nod and wear something suitably Bianca Jagger-esque? Does 'Pirate Chic' call for full on Jack Sparrow, peg leg and hook or are we talking a few stripes and an oversized pair of gold hoop earrings?

There's a fine line between themed and fancy dress, but not making an effort at all can make you look just as ridiculous, especially when everyone else has really gone to town...

So, we can only imagine the fashion dilemmas that fashion's A-List have faced since the Met Gala invitations landed on their doormats earlier this year bearing the dress code: 'Punk'.

Did this call for a sprinkle of studs and a couple of safety pins, or was this more of a mohawk and dog collar affair? The Met Gala is by far our favourite red carpet fashion parade of the year because the slew of fashionistas, models and all round beautiful people on the invite list always use it as an opportunity to completely push fashion boundaries to the max. But does that really extend to pink hair and PVC bondage trousers?  And quite aside from all that, what does 'punk' as a theme even mean anyway...?

We like to think that had we been running this dress code gauntlet, we'd have been attempting to channel the spirit of Greenday's Billie Joe Armstrong's definition of punk:

"A guy walks up to me and asks ‘What’s Punk?’ So I kick over a garbage can and say ‘That’s punk!’ So he kicks over a garbage can and says ‘That’s punk?’ and I say ‘No, that’s trendy!”

We're thinking, being Punk at the Met Gala is less about spikes and leather harnesses, and more about doing something free, naughty and a little bit out there. It's a dress code that calls for a look that draws a triple take and raises an eyebrow; something that unashamedly goes against the grain and sticks its middle finger up at any protest about it...

But, we also recognise the desire to remain flashbulb friendly and we can definitely understand J-Lo, Gwyneth & co shying away from anything that would  be likely to make Harper Beckham cry... anti-establishment with a glossy edge - there's absolutely not denying that it's a tough one.

But then there's also the rather clever argument that the ultimate punk rebellion is to dress for a punk themed event in pretty, pastel-hued florals... in which case, we suppose we'll have to concede that la Wintour in Chanel Couture nailed it. As always.

But what about the rest of them? We give you the 3BM take on who punk rocked the red carpet and who just looked a bit Johnny Rotten...

The Fancy Messes

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs
A fishnet body stocking is always going to hover on the edges of fetish wear so with the right styling Miley's dress could actually be the perfect punky statement to cause a stir amongst the buttoned-up Waspy socialites. But, add in the spiked up crop and you topple straight into campy punk - a theme taken far too literally.

Madonna in Givenchy

Studs? check! Spikes? check! Ripped fishnets and tartan? check! Lourdes cowering in the corner, rocking gently with her hands over her eyes? Just out of shot...

Kim Kardashian in Givenchy
Kim's certainly made an effort in the fancy dress stakes we're just not sure what she came as, or why she thought dressing a burgeoning bump and ballooning bosom in polo-necked, posy print was going to do her any favours. The matching shoes are pretty horrific too and don't even get us started on the camouflage glove-sleeve...

Sienna Miller in Burberry
There's no denying that Sienna got the punk memo and that jacket is pretty awesome, but we can't help thinking that she looks a little as though she's recycled Olivia Newton John's Grease finale costume and got lost on her way to an Avril Lavigne convention...

Ivanka Trump in Juan Carlos Obando
Props to the Trumpette for those lethal looking spikes and the emerald streaked hair but the very blah outfit's just a little Soccer Mom not to mention massively unflattering.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon & Philip Treacy
We genuinely wavered over whether this was fugly or fabulous. Each and every item of SJP's look in isolation are jaw-droppingly incredible, but together, all at once, even Carrie Bradshaw can't quite ace it... Though we're still a little head over those thigh-high tartan Louboutin heels...

The Dress Code? What Dress Codes?

Heidi Klum in Marchesa
Perfectly pretty but not at all punky, from the woman who spends months creating the world's most elaborate Halloween costumes, we really expected more.

Kate Upton in Diane Von Furstenberg
We get shunning a theme if you have something so stupendously awesome to wear that you'll bedazzle everyone into forgetting that there ever was a theme in the first place. This though, is just stupendously awful. We have serious concerns that Kate can't actually read and just believed the other green-eyed glamour models when they read the invite to her, telling her the dress code was peas.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Valentino
It seems that Gwyneth got her dates muddled and turned up in last year's outfit... It's perfectly acceptable (although perhaps a little unimaginative) to wear Schiaparelli pink when the exhibition is Schiaparelli themed; it's totally baffling when the theme's punk.

Naomie Harris in Donna Karan Atelier
Meanwhile Naomie hadn't got her years muddled but was heavily channeling two of last year's star gowns. Taking inspiration from girls whose style you covet is all well and good, but coming over single white female and completely ripping off both Beyonce and Diane Kruger's dresses from 2012's Met Ball is a little too much...

Uma Thurman in Zac Posen
This isn't punk and it isn't pretty. We suspect that Uma, who'd lost her invite, was super relieved to bump into Kate Upton last week, who happily passed along the dress code...

Mary-Kate Olsen in Vintage Chanel Haute Couture & Vintage Balmain
A little bit Great Gatsby, a little bit Grandma's dressing gown all topped off with hobo hair. It's actually pretty bonkers brilliant but it's definitely not even verging on punk.

The Punk Princesses

Anne Hathaway in vintage Givenchy
Hathahaters be silenced, this girl knows her punk. The marabou and glitter sound cabaret carcrash on paper but it just the right combination of deadly delicious in real life. We're also loving the peroxide crop - Debbie Harry eat your heart out.

Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana
While some people have shunned Katie's D&G as too costumey and camp, we couldn't agree less. We're having serious palpitations over the detail in that dress and we adore the matchy matchy earrings and crown. Plus, what's more punk and iconoclastic than making satanic hand signs while wearing a cathedral inspired dress... On a more Perez Hilton-esque note, Putting this fashion genius in the same frame as Upton's pea sack is cruelly comical.

Kate Bosworth in Balmain
OK, it's more glam rock than punk rock but, as always, Ms Bosworth completely knocks it out of the park. Short, sharp and mouth-wateringly besequinned, we particularly love that the hair and make-up is so laidback it's virtually snoozing.

Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney
We're really not sure about this look from the neck up. Cameron needs roots or darker eye make-up to prevent the slightly terrifying Lord Voldemort face, but neck down this is sheer perfection. That colour, that back to front cape, that belt - we love...

Doutzen Kroes in Theykens' Theory
She's the sort of girl who's constantly told that she'd look good in a bin bag and it looks as though she's decided to test the theory out. The result? Well what a surprise... she looks a thousand percent kickass amazing. It's black but not boring with just the right amount of punky, look at me rebellion.

Aubrey Plaza in Marios Schwab

So, we have a slight cape obsession. We've no idea who Aubrey Plaza is, but she's caped up in the Marios Schwab dress that we've been drooling over since Fashion Week. The grungey hair and smudgy, morning-after eye make-up just lifts our levels of style crush to even loftier heights.

Cara Delevingne in Burberry

We're not going to lie, we sort of wish that Kate Upton had got to Cara before she left the house and showed the rest of the amateurs how punk's really done (quite apart from anything else we're sure that baby Delevingne would have an incredible pea onesie...). Studded and slashed to the navel - this fierce slice of Burberry amazingness is taken stellar with the undone hair, kohled lids and edgy ear cuff. Sigh.

  

3BM Best Bits: MFW SS 13

So it's Ciao Milan and Bonjour Paris as we move into the final few days of a bumper month of fashion fabulousness. 

Following hot on the heels of our NYF round-up and our LFW favourite moments, here are our best bits from the last few days of catwalk shows and super chic front rows in Italy.

Models Dressed in Sacks at Dolce & Gabbana
While we often jealously eye the willowy beauties stalking the catwalks, all coltish limbs and enormous eyes, bitterly thinking that they'd look good even if they were wearing sacks, we didn't ever actually think that we'd see a designer showing hessian. 

But last week in Milan, that's exactly what Dolce & Gabbana sent out on their runway. And we can confirm that we were right. The models still looked incredible...sigh.

We'll be interested to see if the sack trend catches on, we'd just love to see Scarlett Johansson in a sack on the red carpet at the Oscars next year...

Sacks aside, Dolce & Gabbana was as sumptuous and gorgeously Italian as ever. We loved the wicker corsetry, deckchair stripes and oversized raffia jewellery - pure, unadulterated drama and excess - exactly as a Milanese fashion show should be.

Images via: www.style.com

Shiz in Sync at Cavalli
If three years ago we'd told Shane Warne he'd be sitting front row at a fashion show in Italy, fake tanned to David Dickinson levels, wearing an outfit that matched his girlfriend's, I'm guessing he'd have punched us. But last week Shane made his front row debut at Cavalli in an outfit that was suspiciously colour co-ordinated with his girlfriend, Liz Hurley's. However, when asked by the Telegraph about their matching style, Liz reassured us: "I have never gone shopping with Shane...So he's actually chosen all his own clothes always". 

We stand corrected, Shiz clearly have their own minds after all... 

Image via: www.mydaily.co.uk

Farewell Raf, Hello Again Jil
Jil is back.

After an eight year hiatus, Jil Sander returned to the helm of her eponymous label and last week's catwalk show was the hot ticket of the week. Fierce speculation preceded the show. Could Jil still cut it? Would she be able to fill the rather large shoes that Raf Simons had left behind after his stint at the label? But Sander quieted naysayers with a clean, sharp collection which proved a runaway success, garnering rave reviews. 

Crisp white shirts paired with soft polka dotted balloon skirts; warm mulberry pieces clashing deliciously with fiery lipstick reds; and lots of strong architectural lines in uncluttered, block colour proved that minimalism is as current and chic as ever and that Jil has definitely still got it. 

Images via: www.style.com

Beth Ditto at Versus
It's not often that anyone bigger than a size zero graces the runway but this week at Versus, Beth Ditto was strutting her stuff on the Christopher Kane catwalk. Donatella Versace told WWD: "I'm a big fan of Beth's voice and energy, Beth has an absolutely fearless attitude, the same animating Versus".

Image via: www.standard.co.uk

Ex-WAG Walks For Swimwear Show Six months Pregnant
And Beth wasn't the only plus-sized girl on the catwalk. The ex-girlfriend of Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli, caused a stir when she walked for swimwear designer, Pin Up Stars, at six months pregnant. Accessorising her bump with big hair and a pair of gold stilettos, 24 year old Rafaella Fico insists that her baby is Balotelli's while the Italian footballer currently maintains that he will only take full responsibility once a paternity test is carried out.

Image via: www.dailymail.co.uk

Anna Wintour Smiles
When the icy queen of fashion not only removes her sunglasses, but also cracks a smile, it's a fair sign that something pretty special has just taken place. Last week in Milan, the Vogue Editor was snapped practically grinning perched front row at Bottega Veneta and we can definitely see why. 

Image via: www.graziadaily.co.uk

One of our favourite shows of the week (in terms of showing the most pieces that we'd love to grab right off the models and wear immediately), the runway was awash with beautiful dresses with a forties feel. Lots of wispy floral fabric, structured shoulders and intricate detailing - these are the sort of heirloom pieces to be handed down from generation to generation, time to start saving, let's do it for our granddaughters...

 Images via: www.style.com

Met Gala 2012: Superhero Chic, Feathers & Vampy Lips

 "Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women".

Elsa Schiaperelli

And never was this quote more aptly illustrated than on the Costume Institute Gala red carpet last night where each fresh limousine arriving outside the New York Metropolitan Museum dispatched a woman vying to look better than the woman before her.  The annual gala organised by Vogue editor, Anna Wintour, celebrates the opening of the Met's yearly fashion exhibition.  This year's exhibition Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations honours two of the greatest Italian doyennes of fashion, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada.

Each year the gala draws a glittering crowd of models, Hollywood starlets, pop princesses and anyone who's anyone in fashion.  Often dubbed the "Oscars of the East Coast", the gala is undoubtedly one of New York's top social events and the red carpet is renowned for showcasing cutting-edge looks, fresh from the catwalk.  However, while Oscars' fashion requires high glamour with a measure of decorum, the Met Gala is an evening to up the high fashion ante and flaunt your style credentials.  It's without a doubt our favourite red carpet of the year to scrutinise and last night's certainly didn't disappoint.

So, here's our round up of the best dressed, the worst dressed and the highly commended for bringing high fashion to the red carpet and owning it...

Best Dressed

Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Kate Bosworth in Prada

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Carey Mulligan in Prada

Image via: www.yahoo.com

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Image via: www.yahoo.com

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Image via: www.yahoo.com

Worst Dressed

Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Leighton Meester in Marchesa

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Mary-Kate Olsen in The Row

Image via: www.yahoo.com

Kate Upton in Michael Kors

Image via: www.stylepantry.com

Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu

Image via: www.yahoo.com

Dakota Fanning in Louis Vuitton

Image via: www.yahoo.com

A* for Rocking High Fashion

Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen

Image via: www.dailymail.co.uk

Christina Ricci in Thakoon

Image via: www.yahoo.com

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe

Image via: www.whowhatwear.com

And we couldn't help noticing a few trends springing up...

Capes

Hot on the heels of Gwyneth's show stealing Oscars look, last night's red carpet was draped in capes.  From Lana Del Rey in vampy Altuzarra to Anna Wintour in cropped, luxe, white fur, right through to Bianca Brandolini d'Adda in shimmering liquid bronze Dolce & Gabbana.  We're loving Superhero Chic!

Yellow

After a pretty monochrome set of awards ceremonies this year, there was a notable riot of colour last night.  Schiaparelli pink was not surprisingly a popular choice but its a tough colour to pull off.  Karlie Kloss was our pick of the bunch in Jason Wu, which struck just the right balance between sickly and sexy with slithers of black lace overlaid against the pink.  But our favourite of the brights was yellow.  From Solange Knowles' daffodil hued Rachel Roy gown and Emma Roberts' yolk yellow Escada to January Jones' buttercup sculptural Versace, these girls were putting the zing into spring (despite the cold, wet weather).        

Prada

Unsurprisingly, the label of choice last night was Prada.  Host, Anna Wintour began proceedings by elegantly gliding onto the carpet in a white Prada gown embellished with a gold lobster - a tribute to Schiaparelli's infamous Dali Lobster dress.  Co-hosts, Carey Mulligan and Gwyneth Paltrow also both wore Prada, the latter showing more than a hint of controversial side-boob... Milla Jovovich wore a fabulous 20s inspired scarlet Prada gown and Jessica Biel, flashing her new engagement ring also wore Prada but we really wish she'd loose the unflattering fringe.  

   

Backs

By the amount of spine on show yesterday evening, it's clear that the back is back.  Rihanna in Tom Ford, Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe and Renee Zellweger in Emilio Pucci all covered up in front to go low at the back.  Inbuilt corsetry/ a modest bust a must for pulling off this look - watch and learn Kate Upton.

Granny Dressing

High necks, long sleeves and floor-skimming hemlines.  There was a definite sense of buttoned-up granny-chic amongst the A-List last night.  At first glance we felt that Lilly Collins' Valentino gown was too old and dowdy for her but the more we scrutinise her look, the more we like it - definitely beats the tacky, too low-cut, too tight, too high thigh-split dresses at the British Soap Awards last month.  Also channeling Octogenarian style were Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino and Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte.

Feathers

Birds of a feather flocking together seemed pretty apt last night.  Feathers ruled the roost with Kate Bosworth in ombre feathered Prada and Chanel Iman in feathered Tom Ford.  But a dusting of feathers around the hem was the key look.  Beyonce sent jaws dropping in an embroidered, sheer Givenchy gown trimmed with black and purple feathers, Cate Blanchett came over all black swan in Alexander McQueen and Diane Kruger opted for yet more Prada but this time a violet feather hemmed gown with a boho silhouette.

  

Vampy Lips

Black cherry was the hue on many a starlet's lips last night.  Lana del Rey, Kate Bosworth, Leighton Meester and Camilla Belle all plumped for a plum pout.  Camilla Belle told journalists that she'd mixed three shades of lipstick to get just the right shade - let's hope it didn't require too many touch-ups through the night..