Sequins have been popular for a few seasons now but the trend has most definitely evolved. These days, in order to be fashionable, sequins really have to stand out. Whether it's a bright color, interesting pattern or statement-making texture, this season's sequins are all about unabashed optimism.
It seems as though Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are starting to turn things around. Fall 2009 couture was nothing like the too-safe offerings the duo have sent down the runway since they took the helm at Valentino. The Couture collection this season was short, wispy and black--almost the opposite of the conservative, heavy and brightly colored Fall 2009 ready-to-wear collection. As if to drive the point home the collection contained not even a hint of Valentino red.
The androgynous Super Kristen McMenamy is back and stuns in Vogue Italia's July issue.
Feast your eyes on the Italian swim team in Dolce & Gabbana's new underwear campaign.
Rhinestone faces and painted black hair at Givenchy couture.
Emma Watson supports Christopher Kane on her Harry Potter tour.
A hush hush Louis Vuitton fine jewelry collection will be revealed to a few select editors before the houses RTW show Oct. 7.
>> Agyness Deyn Is Not Retiring From Modeling —Despite rumors that she's leaving modeling for acting, Agyness Deyn's agent Louie Chaban says it's not so: “She’s focusing more on an acting career. But she loves what she does. She has no plans to stop.” A recent interview with the NY Times had to be scheduled around a movie she was shooting in Europe, but Agyness refuses to answer any questions about her music or film projects, only indicating that she's looking into "branching out" from modeling “into stuff that really pushes the boundaries, raises the bar . . . like, puts you out of your comfort zone." [NY Times]
>> Models are making some scores stateside with the August 2009 issues — Steven Klein shot Lara Stone as Brigitte Bardot for W and Christy Turlington is headlining Vogue's Age Issue, shot by Annie Leibovitz. But if raw is what you're looking for, Greg Lotus shot Bianca Balti for the June/July 2009 cover of French Playboy — the magazine that has featured Anouck Lepere, Lily Cole, and been photographed by Karl Lagerfeld and Terry Richardson in the past — with little to cover up in, save a bikini bottom and a stretch of net.
Gallery is NSFW.
