Munaek: July 2012

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Downton Abbey Stars Cover Love #8

First I saw Lady Sybil, played by Jessica Brown Findlay, on the cover of the new issue of cult fashion magazine, LOVE. I thought that it was a brilliant shot and that she looked lushly and darkly gorgeous. And I thought, 'how clever to go for the non-obvious sister actress.' But I was wrong.

Actually LOVE #8 has four covers to choose from that I know about. There is of course Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, looking all gothic and Havisham-esque. Although to my mind, not as beautiful as that of her TV sister.

There is one of the deliciously malevolent but beautiful footman Thomas Barrow, played astonishingly well by actor Rob James-Collier. And what a pleasure to see a version of him that is so sensuous, as opposed to cold and twisted.

And there is one floating around of Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael. But it is weird and I am not even sure it is real. It probably is, but shame. Right?

The covers were trailed last month by a slightly different image of Lady Sybil. All were shot by Mert + Marcus and styled by Katie Grand. Of course. Brilliant. Love this LOVE. Which one will you choose?

2012 Comic Con Best Dressed: The Boys

So to finally finally wrap up 2012 Comic Con coverage, let's just take a quick gander at how the boys did it. Well, the best of the best of the boys. Because lots of them looked nice. Fine. You know. Jeans and a shirt. But this is my choice of how to do COMIC CON if you are a boy. With a sense of humour mostly. And a dash of cool. Like this Dr Who, Matt Smith. How divine? Quilted and British to within an inch of his life. A tiny bit grubby so he doesn't look totally off. And a quintessential skinny jean. Perfection for the event. Sheer perfection. Played, boet.

And then there is the deliciousness that is Ian Somerhalder. Sigh. Damon Salvatore. In a striped jacket and a slightly worked t-shirt and a smirk. Oh save me, that smirk. I have no reason left.

Well, just enough to love on Iron Man Robert Downey Jnr. Sure he looks like half 70s pimp and half bank teller. With a glove and a sneaker. I mean it is ridiculously cool. Right? Lovely. This is how you do it boys. Thanks. I'll leave it with you.

2012 Comic Con Entertainment Weekly Red Carpet Best Dressed

While we wrapped up the weekend of 2012 Comic Con outfits yesterday, today we look at the big bash thrown by Entertainment Weekly for the last night of the conference. Who wore it best? Let's take a look. Have you guys watched Once Upon A Time? It's on Series channel. I love it. Fairytales all twisted up in what we see as real life but is actually a kind of purgatory. All motivated by a small and very cute boy. Anyway, the girls in that series did it best by far on this red carpet. I particularly liked the stunning red Valentino dress that Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White) wore.

Also, Meghan Ory (Red Riding Hood) is super-adorable in this collar blouse and shorts. I would wear this look in a flash if I had her endless pins. Lovely.

I'll hear no arguments on (hero) Jennifer Morrison's hair do. I love it. Shush. No one asked you to mention milkmaids. This is not the time. Nice. Although her MASON dress could have been half a size bigger, no? Just so she can breathe, you know.
Anyway, catch the series on the weekends. You'll fall for it just like I did. Promise.

Introducing Danai Gurira Style

Starring in the latest series of the cult zombie TV hot, The Walking Dead, is a small, gorgeous and stylish Zimbabwean actress. Who knew!? I came across these rather stunning pictures of Danai Gurira from Comic Con 2012 and looked her up. Who was this girl rocking African print like she was born to it? Well, it turned out she was born to it. She is one of us!

Although she was actually birthed in Iowa in the US while her father was teaching chemistry there, both her parents are from Zim and she moved back there when she was five. Her acting studies were all in the US and she has got some nice recognition and roles in the past five years. Good for our girl Danai. We will be keeping an eye on her style. Hot!

Marion Cotillard Covers US Vogue August 2012

In the interests of full disclosure, I have to say that right now I think that oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard can do no wrong. She is on the cover of French Vogue or August 2012. She is also on the cover of US Vogue. This one.

Shot by master photographer Peter Lindbergh, and styled by Tonne Goodman, the story is wonderfully reflective of her very European approach to the craft of acting.

Wearing deep, rich velvet suits by Ralph Lauren in both navy and red, you start to forget that Marion is almost never seen in anything other than Dior.

But the quilted velvet coat by Burberry Porsum is reflective of the Dior new look so you start to get hints that everyone involved knows what's what.

And then there is the masterful Dior-inspired Alexander McQueen - worn with a beret by the South African milliner Albertus Swanepoel. Yay. Bringing it home.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Dark Knight Rises Premier: What Were They Wearing?

I love a big premier, as you all well know. It means fancy frocks and glittering jewels. Or even shoes. Like last night when the new Batman franchise had its premier in New York City. The Dark Knight Rises stars Christian Bale as Batman, and the two leading ladies are played by Marion Cotillard (she of the glittering shoes) and Anne Hathaway. I have to say Marion takes it for me in the dressing department. I utterly adore the shoes, of course, by Christian Louboutin. And the Christian Dior dress is a froth of total joy.

I love that she has kept it French. I love that it is all white, in contrast to all the pre publicity for the movie which was all black. And I absolutely adore the softness of her hair and make up so that the whole look comes over as pretty and feminine rather than stark.

Which is maybe the tiny mistake that Anne Hathaway made. The absolute whiteness of her Prabal Gurung dress (did they plan it? I am guessing so) is a little harsh against her alabaster skin. Although I do have to say that I like the train and the diamante detail on the chest. I think that the total lack of accessories is a stroke of style genius - LOVE that. And I think that there is no better time to pull this look off than with her currently skinny frame and pixie crop.

So nicely played, but not as good as Marion. But that's just me. What about you? In the Anne v Marion white-off who takes it?

Jessica Alba Summer Style : Yay or Nay?

It's not like I can really ever get on board with Jessica Alba. I find her, in a word, dull. She just irritates me a bit. I don't know. I can't explain it. And yet, she really does have good style. Just take this look this weekend. Head to toe Salvatore Ferragamo. As she swanned about Italy. So pretty.

And then there were these images of her looking all vintage and South of France pretty. That I would like a lot if she hadn't posted them of herself on her Twitter, all staged and posed. I know it doesn't irritate me when others do it - but maybe because they do it with a sense of humour and Jessica doesn't. What do you think of her style? You like?

Dita von Teese Vintage Style

I'm not joking when I say that the outfit I am wearing today was, in part, inspired by Dita von Teese's signature off-duty style.

You know it is summer in LA when you see Dita popping out on the weekend in her 40s-inspired high-waisted jeans trouser, headscarf and cat's eye glasses look.

Also there is the car collection. I love this one in particular as it is numberplated 'Glam 46'. Seriously cool right there.

Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender Cover W Magazine, August 2012

Prometheus co-stars onse Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender make a very pretty and dramatic cover for the latest issue of W magazine. With Charlize dressed in archive lambskin Dior draped over the prettiest man alive, it makes for a rather arresting sight on the newsstand. The cover was styled by the ever-brilliant Edward Enninful and shot by Mario Sorretti. Amazing.

Trend Alert: Leather Leggings

Quick one. If you didn't already know, leather leggings are da bomb. Katie Holmes wore them last week as she rediscovers her single style. Charlize Theron has made a habit of coating her endless pins in them. Nicole Richie wore them over the weekend. Amazing. Love her look with the 80s big shirt over. And Miranda Kerr only swaps her denim for her leather leggings. Obviously you need to be careful to wear them with dignity as we are not all onse Charlise. So I recommend the Nicole vibes for best ordinary-people style. Go for it.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

2012 Comic Con Best Dressed

The 2012 Comic Con event ran all weekend. I have been tracking it for about three years now - and every year it gets bigger and more impressive and attracts more and more top movie and TV stars as they come to promote their work to the ever-more-influential geek market. And this year was no different. I picked out some of the earlier style winners on Friday. Now here are the rest. Starting with the best dressed of the whole shebang, Michelle Williams. She is wearing a Giulietta patterned shift from the resort collection and the most wonderful hot pink heels by Guiseppe Zanotti. Perfect.

Then there were a batch of ladies with the very latest hair look - ombre. Leading the way with the ombre looks was Emily Blunt in Christian Dior. God, I love this woman. Hilarious. Intelligent Attractive. Great wardrobe. And those awesome orange heels. Lea Michele also looked surprisingly good. You know usually I can't stand the woman. But I think those Nicholas Kirkwood shoes messed with my head this time. And the ever-stunning Kate Beckinsale. No words needed. Amazing.

Also looking nice, but not quite making the best dressed were Lucy Liu in short, sweet little Marios Schwab (too short?), Kerry Washington in leather and floral (always a winner of a combo) and Mila Kunis in a neat Rag & Bone jeans look with a Theory jacket. Nice.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Friday, July 13, 2012

Anne Hathaway Erdem Style

So here it is. For me Anne Hathaway is a hit or miss dresser. In other words I think that the poor girl has absolutely no natural style. I think she is very beautiful, but devoid of the gene that manages to effortlessly throw a look together. When she gets it right, it is probably due to fluke or stylist. And when she gets it wrong. Well. That is all her. You know what I mean. Her trousers are usually a hair too short. Her colour combos off rather than risky. And the occasional disaster comes past us. Remember this 'what was she thinking' moment?

But yesterday she and her rather pretty gamine crop stepped out in New York in floral Erdem and looked absolutely lovely. Cute collar. Lovely sunnies. Simple and sleek shoes. A winner of a look. Well played Anne. Now keep it up.