2013 Met Gala Best Dressed

The biggest fashion red carpet of the year and the opening of the new fashion exhibition, this year’s Met Gala was centered around the theme Punk: Chaos to Couture. With such a tricky theme to navigate (spikes or no spikes, cape or . . . cape, that would be a no), only a select few demonstrated their talented fashion sense and blended both concepts beautifully. So I couldn’t help coming up with a few of my own awards for the best dressed.

OVERALL BEST DRESSED TO THE THEME OF THE EVENING:

~Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon dress, Philip Treacy punk couture hat and Louboutin heels. Only SJP can pull off a couture mohawk. Absolute, stunning confidence and the ultimate fashion muse~

~custom thigh-high tartan boots from Christian Louboutin~

~SJP striking a pose for Vogue photographers with Hamish Bowles~

BEST SIGNATURE PUNK COUTURE STYLE:

~Anne Hathaway debuts her new hair color in a Valentino gown~

BEST MODERN PUNK COUTURE FEMME FATALE:

~Doutzen Kroes in Theyskens' Theory~

BEST EMBODIMENT OF THE SEXY PUNK THEME:

~Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen wearing Anthony Vaccarello~

BEST DRESSED FEMININE PUNK CHIC

~Borrowing a signature piece from Olivia Pope with the gloves . . . Kerry Washington in Vera Wang~

BEST WOMAN OF A CERTAIN DRESSED in THEME:

~Diane von Furstenberg~

While the exhibit is open for the public to view from beginning May 9 running through August 14, the fashions worn on the red carpet are available for purchase this year through Moda Operandi - click here to find out more.

~PREVIOUS BEST DRESSED MET GALA RED CARPET posts:

~2012 Met Gala Red Carpet Best Dressed

~2011 Met Gala Red Carpet Best Dressed

~2010 Met Gala Red Carpet Best Dressed

Images via Vogue, The Gloss & Pop Sugar

24 Lessons Learned from Sex and the City

With television’s new summer season beginning this week, I can’t help but long for the season premiere of Sex and the City as it would usually begin on the first or second Sunday in June. Having ended in February 2004, that too was the last year I lived in the city, and I must admit, I become a bit homesick for both of them – stylish, life-loving woman and a city to dream in.

Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte will continue to be in the lexicon of television royalty and for good reason. While the HBO series was a phenomenal success – addressing taboo topics, revealing female conversations about sex and relationships, as well as showing the strength of female friendships, the movies as well had their good points (although many argue there were more drawbacks, than high points, I still enjoy watching each of the movies from time to time).

Needless to say, there is a reason so many of us keep watching the re-runs. There is a reason a new generation is also falling in love with these four women. And for each person, the reasons may be slightly different, but today I’d like to share the dating, fashion and life lessons that I learned while watching (and re-watching) this beloved sitcom.

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Style Inspiration: Whites & Neutrals

Just less than a month before the mythical looming Memorial Day deadline when white is acceptable, and what is to be found out on the streets? White. White everywhere!

Oh, how I love that fashion rules only apply to the individual and not to the population of the masses. After all, isn’t fashion about self-expression? Yes. Yes, indeed it is, and the myriad of ways in which white can be worn is a welcomed sight. Enjoy this week’s Style Inspiration . .  .

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Happy Birthday Sarah Jessica Parker!

As the style icon and famed actress from Sex and the City rings in her 47th birthday today, I thought what better way than to celebrate Sarah Jessica Parker’s birthday than to watch one of her films.

While it won’t be Sex and the City reruns or either of the movies (which I did enjoy regardless of what critics say), it will be one that I have been anxious to view – I Don’t Know How She Does It. (Update – watched it and loved it. A lovely, simple film that is believable and not full of Hollywood hoopla.)


So raise your cosmopolitans, read your New Yorkers and take a fashion risk to reveal your signature style today in homage to SJP. Here are a few of the style lessons she has taught me over the years. I’d be curious to know what you’ve learned from her style. Do tell.

1. A fabulous heel completes the outfit
2. Wear a fedora
3. Top knots are very chic
4. Have fun with accessories
5. Take a risk, simply wear it with confidence
6. Have fun with fashion

Below are more than 50 of my favorite Sarah Jessica Parker fashion moments via Carrie Bradshaw, Vogue and her fabulous style in general. Enjoy.

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Style Inspiration

With splashes of color and white popping up a bit more frequently, I do believe it is safe to say spring is unofficially here. Especially the few days here and there that have reached into the 60s and 70s, I can’t help but get excited for sandals, shorts and linen. Between finding an excuse to go spring wardrobe shopping and picking up a few daffodils on my way home from my favorite boutiques, this time of year simply makes me happy.

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Sarah Jessica Parker – Vogue US – August 2011

There is a reason Sarah Jessica Parker continues to win the coveted covers of Anna Wintour’s Vogue (this is her sixth) and while this month (August 2011) it pertains to the Age Issue (Parker is 46) and the upcoming release of her new movie I Don’t Know How She Does It (which I can’t wait to see as it is scheduled to be released on September 16th - view the trailer here), the more commercial fact is that she sells magazines. Many may tire of Ms. Parker’s nearly annual Vogue cover appearances, but I am not of that category.  I personally adore her and will admit to purchasing a magazine simply because she is there. Am I a sucker? Maybe. But her style, charisma and success continue to impress me and until I tire of such qualities, the magazine editors will have continued to have won me over with the choice of placing her on the covers.

The one difference in this photo shoot that I was captivated by was the inclusion of her husband Matthew Broderick and their three children James Wilkie and twin girls Loretta and Tabitha. Parker is fairly successful in separating her professional and private life, but in this instance photographer Mario Testino captures them in a traditional, yet contemporary pose – beautifully done. Sharing her thoughts on fashion, success and her family, she seems to be softening a bit regarding sharing bits and pieces of her family. Some breaking news that is revealed and mentioned ever so subtly in the interview is that she no longer is working with the Halston Heritage Collection (reasons as to why she left are speculated about in a Daily Beast article here).  Read the entire Vogue article and interview by Eve MacSweeney here.

Parker in Oscar de la Renta

Parker in Bottega Veneta bronze ball gown with a Suzanne Couture Millinery head piece and Broderick in Ralph Lauren Black Label

Wearing Chanel canary yellow suit and Manolo Blahnik suede pumps

Michael Kors coat and sheath dress

Marc Jacobs top and skirt

Parker wearing a Proenza Schouler Navajo-print dress

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing a Burberry coat

Past Sarah Jessica Parker covers:

*Elle US January 2011

*Vogue US Mary 2010

Decor style of Sarah Jessica Parker:

*Elle Decor 2006 – Bridgehampton home

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Style:

*Rules of Style – Sarah Jessica Parker

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Images from StyleFrizz

Sarah Jessica Parker – Cover Elle US – January 2011

Being the President and Chief Creative Officer at Halston and Halston Heritage, as well as an actress, mother, mogul and style icon doesn’t seem to be slowing down Sarah Jessica Parker one iota. Appearing on the cover of Elle US January 2011 issue, she looks casually cool and elegant simultaneously.

I must admit whenever SJP is a cover girl, it doesn’t seem to matter what magazine it is, it ends up making its way home, and I continual to be inspired by her business savvy and fashion sense.  Take a look at the entire photo shoot below taken by Tom Munro.

Sex And The City – 2 DVD Released!

The ladies are available on October 26. The Sex and the City 2 DVD is finally available.  And if you’re like me, another extra dose of fashion, luxury and fantasy are always something I enjoy getting lost in on a rainy day when I happen to be home alone.  Between the impressive decor, catchy voice-overs and all of the glorious fashion, I know this DVD will be receiving quite a bit of play time in my house. 

To view more photos from the film click here.

To see just how stylish the quartette looked on their promotional world tour last spring, click here.

To view the gorgeous interiors, click here.

 

Images: (1) Source (2)Style Shine (3) Source (4) Film Critic  (5) Source (6)Habitually Chic (7)  Source (8) Source (9) Source

Rules of Style – Sarah Jessica Parker

Fashion is a love of mine, as you may have noticed here on The Simply Luxurious Life.  Feeling beautiful, exuding confidence and proceeding through life with a belief that dreams can come true all, in some way, have a tie back to what you wear on a daily basis.  Due to that fact, I began to realize that there was a weekly post that was missing here on The Simply Luxurious Life.

I am a very Type A personality, organized, compartmentalized, planner, etc., so when I found that I needed to make a space for a regular style post, I took some time to figure out exactly what would be most enjoyed by you the readers and what seems to have endless possibilities, and this is what I have come up with.

A few months ago, I wrote a post titled Cameron Diaz’s Rules of Style and realized that so many of our frequently photographed celebrities are walking magazines, displaying endless amounts of ideas regarding fashion, how to put an outfit together, which colors look well together and so much more, so I thought I’d stick to what worked.

Rules of Style will be brought to you with the help of some very fashionable ladies that are (or have been) frequently photographed.  No matter what your shape, height, style or skin tone, you will be able to gain even more tips on how to create your best wardrobe that fits your lifestyle. For example, Sarah Jessica Parker has long been someone who continues to inspire fashionable ideas in my own wardrobe, but I am far from her stature.  She, a mere 5’3”, myself 5’10”, but I can still learn tremendously based on how she pulls a wardrobe together, and I hope you will too no matter which celebrity is chosen each week when you stop by.

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SJP’s Home in Bridgehampton

To have a summer home to escape to during the hot weather inland would be ideal.  Someday, someday – this will be a reality.  A coastal home most definitely would be my choice.  I simply can’t wait to utter the words, I’m going to my house on the beach for the week, I’ll see you when I return (refreshed, invigorated and rearing to go!).

Since it is that time of year when so many people on the east coast escape to the Hamptons, I thought I’d share with you Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s home in Bridgehampton.  Decorated by Eric Hughes, their home is very low-key, casual and comfortable.  At first it was nothing that I expected, but the more I began to ponder why someone with such a fashionable profile might want a home with such simplicity and calm, it made complete sense.  Photographed by William Waldron for Elle Decor (May 2006), the furniture and decor is an eclectic assortment of high and low end – a little IKEA here, a few pieces of beautiful art there. Have a look.

Built in 1865, the prominent landowner displayed his favoring of a Victorian style.  The lush, full green landscape isn’t over powering, but clearly done with a master plan in mind (landscape design by Ricks Lee).

All major kitchen appliances are by Viking and the print (possibly to remind them of home?)is Uno la Mela by Enzo Mari from Moss.

The Egyptian handblown-glass chandelier from Liza Sherman Antiques hangs above the dining room table surrounded by a collection of vintage chairs.

In the master bedroom, the curtain panels are from IKEA, and the ceramic lamp is by Christopher Spitzmiller.

The 1940s mirrored desk from Laurin Copen Antiques  adds an old Hollywood feel and a portrait of Parker and Broderick by Pamela Hanson sits above.