La Prima Dona - Simonetta

Simonetta is considered to be the "first lady of Italian fashion".  Her beauty, elegance and inspiration 

Born in an aristocratic family, she inherit her mothers' beauty and talent.

American Vogue addressed her as "The best business women in Italian couture" 

Her debute at Giovanni Battista Giorgini fashion show in Florence

Because of her beauty, she has been the Muse for many others. One of them is Stephen Jones. He was fascinated by her picture in 1976, then 28 years later, after their meeting at her apartment, Jones decided to create the collection "la Prima Donna" inspired by Simonetta.

in 2008. she was prized as one of the most significant fashion creator of the Italian Style

The pictures are from the exhibition at Pitti Palace Gallery of Costumes, Florence

84th Oscar

A part from the competition for the best actor, actress and pictures, the Hollywood celebrities have always been put on a show on the red carpet. Here are some of my favorite of the night.

Angelina Jolie wearing a black velvet Atelier Versace gown and Salvatore Ferragamo heels. It's impossible not to notice this couple

Emma Stone in a Giambattista Valli red gown with bow detailing. 

Gwyneth Paltrow in a white Tom Ford dress with cape. perfect fit, elegantly sexy. 

Kristen Wiig in a J. Mendel nude gown. 

Milla Jovovich in an Elie Saab couture asymmetric gown. 

Best Actress winner Meryl Streep wearing a bespoke Lanvin. She is the queen!

Rooney Mara in a Givenchy white plunging gown. She looks so much better the character in the film.

Jennifer Lopez in a Zuhair Murad plunging nude dress.  Sexy as always!

 Michelle Williams in a red Louis Vuitton peplum gown carrying a Bottega Veneta crocodile clutch bag. 

George Clooney in Armani and girlfriend Stacy Keibler in a Marchesa gold strapless dress.

Natalie Portman in a vintage Christian Dior couture red dress from 1954.

Penélope Cruz wearing an Armani Privé lavender gown and Chopard jewellery

Sandra Bullock in a Marchesa monochrome gown.

Cameron Diaz in a strapless Gucci Première nude dress and Salvatore Ferragamo heels. 

Shailene Woodley in a Valentino couture white floor-length gown. 

Yves Saint Laurent

"In every landscape or still life, a painter always portrays himself."

-- Pierre Berge

Yves Saint Laurent's creation is always full of life, fantasies and mythes.

After working for Dior, Yves Saint Laurent started his own brand on Rue Sportini. He gets inspiration from different type of art, such as Picasso, Martisse, and pop art, theatre and exotic influence (Africa, India, China, Russia, Spain...)

Martisse influence 

The eyes of Elsa

A taste of Russia  

China influence 

The black dress

the Russian doll

Uniform for Quantas

Regardless of the different themes, Yves Saint Laurent manages to create a French theatric fantasy that draws you  in, so attempting and irresistible. 

Vivienne Westwood

"We expect clothes to say more than I am wearing a smart outfit, which is why we have Vivienne Westwood. "

-- Sarah Mower

Also the criticism never stops, Vivienne Westwood has been one of the most influential designers in the world. For her, fashion is to break the conformity and convention. Yet her collection always reflects the British tradition. Vivienne Westwood perfectly combines the British aristocracy and punk culture together. It's the harmony of the opposite and contradiction. 

Here are some of her main collections that keep provocting and inspiring the audience. 

1971 "Let it rock"

1974 Sex

1977 Punk

1981-1982 Pirate 

1982-1983 Nostalgia mud

1983 Punkature

1983-84 Witches

1984-85 Hypnos/Clint Eastwood

1985 Mini Crini

1987 harris tweed

1988 Pagani

1988-1989 Time Machine

1989 Voyage to cythera 

1990 Pagan V

1990-91 Portrait

1991 Cut & Slash

1992 Salon

1992-93 Always on camera

1993 Grand Hotel

1993-94 Anglomania 

1994 cafe society 

1995 Erotic Zone

1995-96 Vive la cocotte

1996 Storm in a teacup

1996 Les Femmes

1998 Tied to the mast

1999 dressed to scale

2000 Summer time

2001 Winter

2001 Exploration 

2002 Wild beauty

2002-03 Anglophilia

2003 Nymphs

2003 Street theatre