OPENING NIGHTS: A Night in a Forbidden City

Have I got a a heap of eye candy for you today! Knowing how much you love gala and all that goes with it, I'll get right down to the swoon-worthy stuff. Last Friday was opening night at the San Francisco Opera. With a time-honored tradition for 'Puttin' on the Ritz', SF's opening is a bit like Cannes Film Festival meeting New Year's Eve in Old Vienna. Premiering with Pucini's Turandot, the parade of chic was especially inspiring this year and if you're as amped on couture as I am this is your visual fix for awhile. Notice all those bridal designers we know and love simply switch to technicolor when they come out on nights like this. . . .






WHAT'S NEW ON THE RED CARPET?

TREND#1.) Prints and Drapery . . . While we've been seeing prints featured more and more on the Red Carpet they had particular significance Friday night following Turandot's eastern theme. Add all the brightly embossed and embroidered fabrics and there was a real show of color. Gowns with draping have been no strangers on the runways and carpet; now designers are moving into asymmetrical and pleat variations in both bodices and skirts for evening wear. Above: Marissa Mayer (of Google fame) looked fabulous in a gold shot print gown created by none other than The Duchess of Cambridge's own wedding gown designer, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. Below: Former Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown with Sonya Molodetskaya in a gorg purple and lavender asymmetrically draped and fitted gown by Azadeh Couture . . .



Above: Deepa Pakianathan wears a Rubin Singer. A rich blue, the cut and lightness of silk organza are all this gown needs to take a walk down the Red Carpet. Check out the asymmetrically pleated bodice and draped skirt--a real must see must see in action on the video as Deepa goes through some serious twirls .


TREND#2.) EMBROIDERY. I haven't seen this kind of handiwork since the 60s when Oscar de la Renta introduced variations of it in the peasant/gypsy look. Well, Oscar is alive and well now reinventing gypsies into Czarinas as you can see in this masterpiece worn by Dede Wilsey. The detail work is exquisite and first glance totally took my breath away. Check out the video to get a close up of the intricate hand work.


In a word, awesome! Lucy Buchanan wears this all over embroidered Naeem Khan so beautifully. The movement in the train is just too stunning and can be seen in the video . . .


TREND#3.) Ruffles Have you noticed they're everywhere in bridal and gala wear with so many variations I could write a whole book about it. Of all the ruffled gowns (and there were stacks) this Christian Siriano worn by Afsaneh Akhatari took the prize and is another video must see.




DESIGNERS GOING GALA


SF Opera opening night has it's handful of fashion designers local as well as international that show up and look magnificent in their own creations. Above is the ever elegant and beautiful Karen Caldwell in a plum confection I just love with knotted/ruched drapery . . .Her bow at the waist is signature Karen. . . .


Jewelry designer Amber Marie Bentley is always beyond the fashion curve. Her 'Over the Edge' look lies somewhere between underground and the most quintessential couture . . .

Above left is Bay Area designer Rebecca Bruce in a masterpiece of silk and satin patchwork, following the eastern theme of this event. If you love one-of-a-kind couture with an edge keep a watch on this designer .


So . . . which of all these gowns is your favorite? It was hard for me to go through hundreds and pick the few that made it to this post. However, I feel this sampling encapsules just how Red Carpet Fashion is developing, evolving and moving to the next level . . . .


Lastly a note of thanks here. Getting it done professionally with an event of this size and scope is a gargantuan task. Without the top notch coverage Drew Altizer Photography gave to SF's Opening Night, this editorial wouldn't be possible.  Special thanks to SF Gate for use of the video which I'm sure you'll all find enlightening and inspiring.
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GRAND ENTRANCES: Brides and Celebs on the Red Carpet

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  Suddenly Fall is upon us, that exhilarating time of opening nights and colorful galas.  We all look to the red carpet for inspiration in putting our own looks together, especially if we have an up and coming  wedding or event planned.  Add paparazzi to the mix and we want everything to come together just right. To really understand life on the Red Carpet, we have to think of it similar to the coming of Christmas. Every year a woman active on the social scene has to recreate herself in a stunning way for say, the Met Ball, along with a few other glitzy functions.  An actress, has the Academy Awards for which she has to show up and look beautiful. Then, of course, the bride has the ultimate benefit of an entire event all to herself with masses of loved ones orbiting around her. 



RUNWAY VS. RED CARPET

So what's the difference between the whole fashion equation offered up to us via the  runway as opposed to red carpet?
Looking over the sometimes wakadoodle presentation of runway collections twice a year, models look 14, 40 lbs underweight and as if make up artists and hair people have run amok on them.  Red Carpet on the other hand is real women editing and adapting their own persona into a designer's blueprint.  Only when a woman steps into a gown, fully accessorized by her own hand (or a very talented stylist's), does that design really become a creation.  Thus, the designer has become the middleman between concept and reality.


With so many actresses strutting down the carpet these days, not all you may have noticed, rate style icon status.  Ever notice most have the requisite elements of chic but the picture isn't complete? the whole symmetry thrown off somehow? So, the question many are asking is, do public personalities and even brides need stylists to put them together for those occasions where there's a nanosecond to make a first impression?
You be the judge on that one. Stylist defined is, someone who puts you together literally from hairdressing, to the Manolo Blaniks on your feet. Many actresses, political figures and women on the social scene work with private stylists like Rachael Zoe, whose claim to fame is dressing stars like Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz.  A top stylist like Zoe can develop entire looks and wardrobes from sportswear to gala or simply work on premiere looks for clients who want to make that big splash at a toney bash.  Whether they lead public or private lives, some women do have a way of putting themselves together without anyone’s help, thank you. Did Jacqueline Kennedy really need a stylist?


We know during her White House days she had a retinue of hairdressers and makeup people around her constantly as well as the ever present  Oleg Cassini whom she kept busy  custom designing  her cutting edge wardrobe of the day.   But ultimately, Jackie was her own best stylist.   I’m finding the women who  really know how to paint themselves into the whole picture and make the grand entrances  have  years of fashion experience, the faux pas as well as accomplishments.  Then there are those who just plain get it.  The same way Paul Klee looked at a canvas or Mozart the piano and just . . get it. . .



WOMEN WHO  GET IT
Anne Hathaway: Actress



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This gown by Marchesa that actress and style icon, Anne Hathaway wore to the Oscars in 2008 was introduced to me via the designer of the floral swag on this gown.  Taking the actual gown fabric, each rose was crafted by hand.  Anne paired up this crepe creation with a 10-carat diamond earrings worth more than 1m.

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 And here Anne does it again in Versace at  the 2008 Venice Film Festival. Off the charts chic at its finest, accessorized with a gold necklace, simple matching gold clutch and Christian Louboutin stiletto sandals. Notice in both how minimally she's accessorized and the principle of less is more?


Cate Blanchett: Actress

 2008 had to be the year dubbed Gorgeous Gown with the Hollywood crowd.  Here Cate Blanchett gets it right at the 61st Cannes Film Festival even after giving birth just one month before.  She wears this pale peach ruffled Armani Prive gown.  Check out her exquisite hairstyling . . .
  

Deepa Pakianathan: Style Setter on the Social Scene



Drew Altizer Photography
 Recently at the 2010 opening of the San Francisco Opera, Deepa Pakianathan stunned us with this creation by Zuhair Murhad that had all the crucial elements of a grand ball gown while incorporating the time-honored and ancient art of silk screen.  Five layers of tulle underneath, the top layer of white silk skirt is bordered in tones of black and gray depicting a scene out of 18th century London. The final touch is an asymmetrically placed black bow and sash cinching the waist.  Again notice the accessories.  Clearly, less is more.

Drew Altizer Potography/Deepa's jewelry by Rosalina

Mingling with Joe Lacob and Nicole Curran at the SF Opera



THE RED CARPET BRIDE

 Chelsea and Bill/Vera Wang Rendering of Chelsea's Gown


On July 30, 2010 she was a vision in a whipped parfait of silk-white swirling organza.  Suddenly longer veils are chic again.  I have to say, Chelsea's right up there with Grace Kelly when it comes to rising to the occasion and creating the ultimate in bridal looks.   Of course, you can't go wrong with Vera Wang as your designer now, can you?
 

Chelsea at Derby


WHAT IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE AND LESS OF ON THE RED CARPET


more* HAIRSTYLING: Whilst the simplicity of slicked back hair and ballerina buns is tres chic in my book, wouldn't we all love a return to some real hairdressing like we had in the sixties?  Think Audrey Hepburn and her bouffant updos.  The intricate swirled chignons and buns of the 1940s were gorgeous too.

more* Going for more of a total look.  Albeit this is easier for some than others but it usually means clinching the look with something as simple as a particular piece of jewelry or great pair of sandals.

less*GLITZ and more couture.  Hollywood is getting better but stilll hasn't shucked the Jayne Mansfield kitch lingering from the 50s. Those who insist on gowns with a sheen or uber-bling might look to cinema designer, Edith Head for inspiration.  Also, Hollywood has more blondes than Sweden did back in 1055 AD.  Personally, I'd love to see a return of the Hitchkock Blonde a la Grace Kelly and 'Tippi' Hedren who really knew how to wear couture while practicing the art of being stylishly blonde.   




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Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier.


A FEW LAST WORDS ABOUT WHITE
For me, white is the most powerful  and stunning statement a woman can make with a grand entrance.  The downside of this is, brides over the past few years seem to have have commandeered white as their very own.  Shucking the traditional high-collar and  long sleeved straight jacket designs of yesteryear, we’ve seen women marching down the aisle in backs so low and fronts a plunging, even Rudi Gernreich is turning in his grave.   Add to that ditching the veil for little  cocktail hats or gardenias in the hair, and this leaves women who want to sport a an all white  look come gala night, open to more than a few, “Don't you look as pretty as a bride,’ comments.  To all the actresses in Hollywood and women on the social scene who have sported an all-white look, I totally applaud you and encourage you from my little corner of this blogsphere to keep wearing the white satin/jersey/crepe proudly.    And believe me if white isn't your game, there’s room for every style and color on the red carpet.


Additional credits:

Obama photo  
Michelle in Naeem Khan

Jacqueline Kennedy
in Oleg Cassini
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GALA CHIC: OPENING NIGHT AT THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

Amber Marie Bently shows off her dress by Skin Graft
Tony and Sandra Go attend the San Francisco Opera Gala

Opening night of the opera in San Francisco has a time-honored tradition for 'Puttin' on the Ritz'. Right up there with Cannes but maybe not as renowned , opening night SF carries remnants of old guard charm and major fashion blitz all at once. Rock stars to royalty fly in from all over the world to attend. Friday, September 11, a gala party kicked off the 2009 season before opera goers attended a performance of Il Trovatore. You'll notice many bridal designers featured here . . . all those gowns we know and love simply switch to technicolor when they come out on nights like this . . .

Guy chic. White Tie/Black Tie



Inside City Hall, guests mingle before sitting down for dinner during opening night.

The Promenade: Guests walk into the War Memorial Opera House during the opening night of the San Francisco Opera on September 11, 2009.


Jennifer Siebel Newsom shows off her dress during the Opera Gala


Mayor Gavin Newsom and wife Jennifer

Deepa Pakianathan wears a dress designed by Naeem Khan

Angelique Griepp wears dress by Oscar de la Renta



Leslie Simpson wears a dress designed by Angel Sanchez


Karen Caldwell wears a dress designed by Lily Samii
Special thanks to Amber Marie Bently and Sandra Go for raising the bar on fashion and daring to go bold this season. A little beyond the fashion curve, for me Bentley's particular edge was the most comfortable seat in the house this opening night. Somewhere between underground and the most quintessential form of couture, she was in that amazing dress by the LA based design house Skin Graft . I'm hoping her gray asymmetrically tiered stunner will open doors to a whole new way of dressing
for gala nights.
Alan Malouf and Arianna Huffington

From left: Marius Carluci, Afsaneh Akhtari, Stephen Silver and Joel Goodrich enjoy the Opera Gala during the opening night of the San Francisco Opera at the War Memorial Building on September 11, 2009.
Photos courtesy SF Gate


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