Little Black Dresses (LBDs for Christmas Party

Everyone loves a LBD (Little Black Dress). It's the always classic, always reliable dress that you can pull out for those festive occasions, e.g. the office Christmas party. These days, the LBD comes in a variety of styles, shapes and silhouettes. The best thing about them is that they are like a blank canvas for you to dress up or down as required. Simply add some bling for a glammed-up look, or throw on a pair of ballet flats for those casual events. You know the drill by now - here are our favourite ten LBDs under £100 for this year's party season.

Above L-R: 1. Love Label Black Tutu Prom Dress, £65. 2. Motel Rocks Meg Dress, £39. 3. Topshop cut-out side ruched dress, £50.

Above L-R: 4. Republic Miso Tutu Dress, £69.99. 5. Lipsy by Pixie Lott Bandeau Prom Dress, £75. 6. Zara Short Sleeve Dress with Full Skirt, £39.99. 7. H&M Black Ruffle Dress, £24.99

Above L-R: 8. Topshop Fabienne Dress by Jones and Jones, £65. 9. Oasis Black Bow Prom Dress, £40. 10. ASOS Dr Denim Panelled Body Con Dress, £55.

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Velvet Party Dress for Christmas

Emma Watson and Mario Testino on Vogue UK shoot

You have seen Emma Watson's December cover for British Vogue, now here a special behind-the-scenes peek at the making of that cover. Photographed by Mario Testino in Paris, here the pair palling around as Emma has the final touches made to her hair and make-up. She also reveals that Testino wanted to shoot her two or three years ago, before Testino quips "[when] we had the same haircuts." Cute clip.

Bryan Adams snaps starlets for Calvin Klein charity project

These stunning black and white portraits are courtesy of Bryan Adams (yes, as in the Bryan Adams) for Calvin Klein. The rocker-turned-photographer captured some of our most famous starlets for a Calvin Klein Collection charity project. Titled American Women 2010, the series features Julianne Moore, Renee Zellweger, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lucy Liu, Mila Kunis, Jerry Hall, and more all wearing Francisco's Costa's designs. The images are available for purchase now, with all proceeds to be donated to NYC Aids Fund. For more info, contact: calvinkleinpublicrelations@ck.com

[via Vogue UK]

Velvet Party Dress for Christmas

When thinking of Christmas party dresses, velvet isn't the first thing that usually springs to mind. But after Emma Watson recently stepped out on the red carpet in that black velvet Vionnet dress, from the label's A/W '10 collection, suddenly velvet is hot to trot again. Continuing on with our 100 Cheap Party Dresses for Christmas special, here is another ten dresses, all under £100, this time of the soft and luxurious variety.

Above L-R: 1. Isabelle Lurex Lace Velvet Skirt Dress, £20. 2. Fearne Cotton Velvet Drape Maxi Dress, £79. 3. Oasis One Shoulder Velvet Dress, £75. 4. TFNC Esther Dress, £30.

 

Above L-R: 5. Miss Selfridge Petites Berry Velvet Dress, £32. 6. Topshop Petite Velvet Bandeau Dress, £35. 6. Dorothy Perkins Mink velvet cornelli dress, £38.

 

Above L-R: 8. Love Label velvet bustier dress, £49. 9. Velvet Asymmetric Dress by Love, £32. 10. Warehouse velvet shift dress, £60.

BFC/c Fashion Fund 2010 shortlist - revealed!

The shortlist for this year's BFC/Vogue Fund has been announced. The nominees include Charlotte Olympia, Christopher Kane, E. Tautz, Jonathan Saunders, Nicholas Kirkwood, Osman, Peter Pilotto and Richard Nicoll.



They are all in the running for taking away a prize of £200,000 and a bespoke mentoring programme. The seven runners-up will also each receive mentoring through the Fund.


"The high level of financial support and the mentoring package will play a pivotal role in developing the winning designer business on an international platform. We're very proud to be able to offer our promising designers this support and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our funders," said Harold Tillman.


"It is very exciting to be in our second year of the Fashion Fund and to be providing such tangible help to this extremely impressive shortlist of British designers," Vogue's Alexandra Shulman said today. Last year's Fashion Fund was awarded to Erdem.

New York Fashion Week: Diane Von Furstenberg A/W 2009 Gallery

Diane Von Furstenberg's flower children have definitely grown up for Fall 2009. Picking rich, sumptuous fabrics, glam prints and beautiful brocades, the collection was a touch of subtle glamour for a season that's driven mainly by the recession. Huge cocoon coats and slouchy draped cardigans concealed layered looks in clashing prints like leopard, Prince of Wales check and geometric swirls. The usual wrap dresses, chic knits and wearable shaped were teamed with leggings, huge pom-pom hats and chunky jewellery for a youthful edge. By night, it got more glam with bacofoil dresses, animal print sheaths and sequin shifts.

[all images courtesy of Coutorture.com]

New York Fashion Week: Unconditional A/W 2009-10

I just love Philip Stephens, and this autumn/winter 2009-10 collection of Unconditional luxury basics proves why. Warm, fun and tough-cool, this label does not disappoint. Stephens created a look with a strong silhouette with funnel necks that displayed his need to cocoon, protect and exude confidence.

Fine cashmeres, leathers, merino wool and fine silk and cottons in black, white, grey and splashes of orange or yellow were interspersed with rugged zippers and tough boots.

A slim purple velvet jumpsuit was my fave pick, along with the strong lines of the menswear tuxes and trench coats lending a sophisticated aura.

ALDO boots and heels were rugged and fierce, adding to the confidence of the collection. The Unconditional show was set in a relaxed atmosphere high above the city, where models and fans alike mingled on a Sunday afternoon, but you never forgot you were seeing some sexy history being made.

New York Fashion Week: Preen A/W 2009-10

Guess what? Body-con ain't going anywhere according to the folks at Preen. Their autumn/winter 2009-10 collection was choc-full of sliced body-con frocks offering just a glimpse of skin here and there. Add to that oversized houndstooth coats, fluffed up with Mongolian wool in black and white, skinny shiny trousers, and mini mod dresses in check. There was an interesting use of leather in one tight-fitting dress, modelled by Catherine McNeil, which featured a knot in the middle and cut-outs all over. Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi's continual pushing of the envelope was even enough to bring Kanye West and his entourage to the front row. Yes, really.

[Photos: via Coutorture]

New York Fashion Week: BCBG Max Azria A/W 2009-10

Max Azria went sombre and sophisticated with his BCBG line for autumn/winter 2009-10. While there was lots of eveningwear, it wasn't really the stuff that dance and bar night dresses are made of - BCBG's usual niche. Beautiful draped velvets and modern silhouettes seemed made for an older customer, rather than who BCBG usually designs for. Perhaps Azria's plan is to shift BCBG a bit upmarket and hold onto the girls who wore the line in their younger days to make room for BCBGeneration's younger customer.

[Images: Coutorture]

New York Fashion Week: Charlotte Ronson A/W 2009-10

Unfortunately, her famous family (and their significant others) remains the best thing about Charlotte Ronson's fashion line, as far as I can tell. Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan were on hand for the autumn/winter 2009-10 collection, as were Mark Ronson and The Like drummer Tennessee Thomas. The clothing was sort of amateurish styling of Marc Jacobs parodies. I did like the floral print used, and the floral shirt dress (pictured above) was one of the pieces I enjoyed from the show.

Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan.

Tennessee Thomas and Mark Ronson.

[Images: WENN.com]

Red Carpet Gallery: stars at the 2009 Critics Choice Awards

Dubbed as one of the big indicators of the Oscars, last night the A list were out in force for the 2009 Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Brad and Angelina, Amy Adams, Penelope Cruz, Kate Beckinsale, Anne Hathaway and Eva Longoria were among the stars who turned up to see who would snap up the first big awards of the season.

Anne Hathaway continues her almost flawless run on the red carpet in an edgy but fabulous black and white number from Gianfranco Ferre.

Her transformation into Barbie is almost complete! Poor, gorgeous Amanda Bynes seems to have been bit a little too hard by the Herve Leger bug. And don't get me started on the tan! Yes, she looks hot as hell, but this is hardly fashion-forward three seasons in. The bandage dress really only works if you wear it unexpectedly (see Winslet, Kate for details). Yawn, yawn, yawn.

In her favourite strapless silhouette, Amy Adams goes for the exact blue colour I predicted she'd wear at the Golden Globes. Well, I wasn't far off, and this classic Oscar de la Renta looks great on her.

Angie goes Goddess-like in her Max Azria floor-length number. This woman could make a sack look good, but I do wish she'd go for something more adventurous. Angelina goes from strapless to shapeless and back again...maybe something different on Sunday?

In a gold satin wrapover dress with perfect accessories (love those shoes) Elizabeth Banks gets it spot on. I'm not so sure about the ageing hairdo (been talking to Ken Paves, have we?) but the rest looks great. This colour is not always good on blondes, but she pulls it off.

Eva Longoria knows the cocktail dress works for her, and she's picked the perfect colour in this aqua Monique Lhuillier. The nude heels are a nice change from sparkly sandals too.

The time will come when Evan Rachel Wood wants to look younger, and she'll look back on pictures like this and wonder why she felt the need to put on quite so much blusher and liner. Her dress, however, is an improvement on the Goth look she uncomfortably sported on the arm of Marilyn Manson. I love the long sleeves and the glam embellishment. If this is not vintage, it's a great modern reworking of an old style.

Statuesque in fishtail aubergine J. Mendel, Kate Beckinsale looks more and more like her celeb pal Victoria Beckham every day. While I'm glad she's ditched the massive hollywood waves and unnecessary highlights, the sleek hair's doing nothing for me, even though it shows off the jewels. I want to shake her and tell her to loosen up just a little bit!

Showing off her, ahem, assets in a 30s style frock (don't quote me on this, but I'm going to bet it's vintage, or created from an old nightdress) Katie leaves the quirky to Zooey Deschanel for a night and tries out old-school glam. And I kinda like it (love the hair sans fringe)!

At Catwalk Queen we're always ranting on about people who play safe and don't take risks, so Marisa Tomei gets our vote for picking something that's very, very tricky to wear. Picking something that turns your tum into a target isn't the best idea, but I think she pulls it off (from this angle).

[Source]