Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 2-8 October

Here's what Charlene wore from 2-8 October:

1. Attending the Akris fashion show, 2 October. I do like the makeup here, it's helping give her a little more color.
2. Meeting with the President of Croatia, 4 October. My guess is that this is the missing dress from Charlene's wedding ensembles, meant for the brunch the day after and described by the Palace as a "strapless cocktail dress by Giorgio Armani Privé in silk satin duchesse in bright green color" with a "pleat detail on the bodice and skirt," and she's had a little cardi made to cover it up. Whoever designed it, I'm all in: it's a color! Yay!

Oh, and on that Akris show...you can see the whole collection here, but I have to say I'm not impressed. I found it very hard to imagine any of those looks on Charlene. What do you think?

Photos: Lehtikuva/Zimbio

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 17-23 July

Here's what Mathilde wore from 17-23 July:

1. Attending a chamber music course with daughter Elisabeth, 19 July. Natan, like most of the week and most of her outfits most times.
2. Viewing an exhibit for the summer opening of the palace, 20 July. This is my favorite of the week - that jacket creates a wonderful shape for her!
3. Concert on the eve of National Day, 20 July.
4. Te Deum on National Day, 21 July. This is indeed what was under her outfit for the wedding in London, and it's a bit of a hot mess for a couture piece, no?
5. Military Parade on National Day, 21 July.
6. Attending other National Day festivities, 21 July.

Photos: Reuters/Daylife/Purepeople/Abaca

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Visiting Port Hercule in advance of the Jean-Michel Jarre concert, 28 June. The necklace is ridiculous. Naturally, I love it.
2. At The Eagles concert for their wedding, 30 June. The shoes are ridiculous. Naturally, I love them.
3. a) The civil wedding ceremony and b) the evening concert, 1 July. Yes, the palazzo pants would also fall under my category of ridiculousness. And naturally, I do not love them. Thankfully, they're so large you can barely detect what's really going on.
4. The religious wedding, 2 July. Now, this is bliss. Not a smacking of ridiculous to be had.
5. The evening ball, 2 July. Just okay for me, this one. Not bad at all, but not destined to hold a place in my memory.

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/PurePeople

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Mathilde wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Laying a wreath at the Battle of the Bulge Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery during the economic mission to the U.S., 26 June. What a pretty outfit. Shame about that dish sponge on her head.
2. Visiting the Whittal Pavilion at the Library of Congress, 27 June, a) on Mathilde and b) from Natan. I am required to like this, due to the Fifties flair going on here. We all have our weaknesses, and this is one of mine.
3. At the Flemish League Against Cancer, 30 June, a) full view and b) the top. Oh, no, thankfully I am not required to like this. Massive Natan fail, so shapeless!

4. Arriving in Monaco, 1 July. I think we need more Mathilde in sunglasses. It's sort of...dare I say it...bad ass. (Now there's a way to describe Mathilde that I never thought I'd use.)
5. Attending the concert/reception before the religious wedding, 1 July. Still a Christmas tree, still ruining whatever bad ass cred she just obtained.
6. At the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Monaco, 2 July, a) on Mathilde, and b) the style from Armani Privé.
7. At the evening ball, 2 July. I'd say getting the wedding gown designer to do you up a few pieces for the occasion is a pretty smart move indeed, wouldn't you?

Also, Mathilde did her piece to keep hold of her title of Blingiest Wedding Guest, which we can all appreciate.

Her brooch for the wedding belongs (or belonged, perhaps it was a gift) to Queen Fabiola, and in addition to her standard laurel wreath tiara, she seems to have brought a new necklace to the evening festivities. A+ for magpie effort indeed, especially considering she could have gotten away without a necklace on a gown like that!

Photos: Newscom/Natan/Style.com/Svenskdam/Hola/Bekia

The Prince and Princess of Monaco's Wedding: The Bride at the Evening Party

Another two-gown affair! Can't complain about that!

For the evening festivities, Giorgio Armani Privé once again swathed the bride in white embellished with crystals and stones, this time off-white silk chiffon with Swarovski crystals and gold and platinum-colored stones. The dress featured a transparent upper portion and a four-tiered skirt. Oh yeah, and Albert also had a wardrobe change.

She also wore a new jewel in her hair, this one a gift from Albert (one of two she received, the other one you can see here and which is the Ocean convertible necklace and tiara from Van Cleef & Arpels). This piece is called the Diamond Foam Tiara, and you can read more about it here.

UPDATE: Here is Armani's sketch for the evening gown

What did you think of the bridal party's evening attire?

Photos: Newscom/vg.no/Getty Images/Daylife/Vogue

The Prince and Princess of Monaco's Wedding: The Bridal Gown

What's a bride to do in the midst of a whole bunch of illegitimate child/runaway bride chatter? Only one option, really: look amazing, and carry on. On those levels, I think H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco can consider her mission complete. As we all knew, Charlene chose Giorgio Armani Privé to create her wedding gown, and the confection that resulted was an off-white silk dream made from 50 meters of silk duchesse, 80 meters of silk organza and 2,500 hours of couture labor, sweat, and tears.

If I may fluff my feathers for a moment, I called this one right: a slim silhouette from the front, simple but elegant, and one major train. Well, two major trains actually.

The skirt of the gown folded out to a shorter train, while the crossover neckline extended into a longer train on top. The long train must have been difficult for the bride to handle: at times she looked like she was walking uphill, pulling all that fabric behind her. The longer train was removed sometime around the registry signing to make things a little easier for her.

The shorter train is on the left above, the longer one on the right. It's a shame the shorter train couldn't keep its fullness: it's looking a little skinny!

The second stand out detail was the embroidery. Down the front of the dress, the bottom of the skirt, and the center of the train were 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl teardrops, and 30,000 gold stones, all stitched in a floral pattern with platinum-coated embroidery thread. The detailing along took 700 hours to complete. The crystals shimmered in the sunlight during the ceremony, really an eye-catching feature.

The veil also featured light embroidery on 20 meters of off-white silk tulle. I loved the way her front veil came over from the back of her head. The fabric was the perfect weight to frame her face without looking as though her features were smashed, and the effect was completely lovely.

Anchoring the veil was not a tiara, as I had hoped, but a diamond hair ornament that is 19th century piece inherited from Princess Charlotte (grandmother to Albert, Caroline, and Stephanie) on loan from Princess Caroline. The en tremblant floral piece is quite a work of art, isn't it? Though you know I love a good tiara, I thought this was absolutely beautiful (and certainly plenty packed with diamonds!). I particularly love the way it sneaks into her gorgeous hairstyle on one side.

This isn't a gown that will break new ground (and after the civil ceremony outfit, I am more than okay with that), but I loved it. It's remarkably similar to Crown Princess Victoria's wedding gown last year, which I also adored. I thought Charlene looked lovely! Say what you will about their relationship - let's just not go there - I think the bride was the picture of poise and class, and she did her job well today.

UPDATE: Here are Armani's sketches of the gown.

 

Just magnificent!

What did you think of Princess Charlene's gown?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/BilledBladet/Paris Match/Vogue
Source: Mariage Princier Site

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 22-28 May

Here's what Charlene wore from 22-28 May:

1. Attending the Amber Lounge Fashion Show, 27 May. No, I can't approve of the trousers. No.
2. At the Monaco Grand Prix, 28 May. Very Charlene, this.
3. Grand Prix JetSet party, 28 May. And this too, just tremendously Charlene. All these three are from Akris.

Also, a new photoshoot was published this week. Char and Al were photographed by Karl Lagerfeld for Madame Le Figaro magazine.

Hey, I'm just glad to see her in couture that isn't Armani Privé (well, solely Armani, I should say). Love the second and last looks. Karl's tight with Caroline, maybe he'll take Charlene under his wing...ah, a girl can dream.

Photos: Hola

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 15-21 May

Here's what Charlene wore from 15-21 May:

1. Attending the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit during the Cannes Film Festival, 19 May, in Armani Privé. I know some of you are about to go on a too skinny/shoulders too large rant, but I tell you this: Karl Lagerfeld was at this shindig. I would have shown up using whatever tactics I have to make my waist look teensy too. I really think she looks lovely and classy.

Also this week, German television aired an interview with Al and Char in which we got to see what that polka dot dress looks like, sans coat: see it here.

UPDATE: I forgot one! Many thanks to Royalty Online for straightening me out. Charlene attended an event for jewels created by Angelina Jolie (random) and Robert Procop at a gallery in Monaco, 18 May.

Rawr! Char goes jungle. Now I wish I was on holiday somewhere balmy. Not that I don't always wish that, but now it's worse. Thanks a lot, Wittstock.

But back to the party. Look who else showed up:

Charlotte's wearing her second twee and rather girlish outfit of the year, vintage Chanel Haute Couture from 2002. (Sidebar: anybody else get unreasonably ticked when things made well within your memory span get titled "vintage"? I mean...STOP MAKING ME FEEL OLD.) The whole black shoes with a pale pink/nude dress thing is quite the faux pas I think, but it wouldn't be Charlotte without a little casual "yoohoo, I just threw on my couture, whatever" steeze.

The Prince and Princess of Venice and Piedmont, Emanuele Filiberto and Clotilde, showed up as well:

Well...okay. He looks good. {end of comments on that}

And last, the disgraced Duchess of York wrangled herself an invite in the company of royals:

There's nothing wrong with this dress, which tells me that everything else I have to say here is a comment on the lady herself and not the clothes. Which is precisely the kind of comment I ask you to avoid. Thus, my trap shall remain shut.

Who was your best dressed royal at the amfAR gala?

Photos: Daylife/Getty/Reuters

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 24-30 April

Here's what Mathilde wore from 24-30 April:

1. Opening European Immunization Week in Brussels, 26 April.
2. Awarding the InBev-Baillet Latour Health Prize 2011, 27 April.
3. Visiting West Flanders before heading out to Britain, 28 April. The beginning of a thoroughly orange day. But for the matching shoes, I'm on board: it's a great color for her. She belongs with the Dutch princesses!
4. The pre-wedding dinner in advance of the royal wedding, 28 April. This is my favorite of the week. A lot of people said it made her look pregnant, but I thought it was flattering to the figure of a mum of four.
5. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, 29 April. Oh, the shoes. What a shame.

What was your favorite this week?

Photos: Belga/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Nikolaos, 24-30 April

Here's what Tatiana wore from 24-30 April:

1. Attending the pre-wedding dinner in advance of the royal wedding, 28 April. This is Armani. I'm so sad she and Nikolaos didn't get a wedding invite. I feel we've missed a fashion opportunity.

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 3-9 April

Here's what Charlene wore from 3-9 April:

1. Arriving in Ireland for a state visit, 4 April. Arriving in a tailcoat, to be accurate (a). I don't mind the premise of this, but I think any attempt at a coquettish look is ruined by the bagginess of the garment. The suit underneath (b) is very well cut, but the color's a little flat for me. I mean, it's oatmeal. Of all the food colors to wear...oatmeal.
2. Attending the official dinner, 4 April. This girl really likes her Repossi gems, doesn't she? This is a different set from what we saw at the Red Cross ball last year.
3. At a civic reception at Dublin's City Hall, 5 April. And now this is officially the Visit of the Tailcoat.
4. An evening reception, 5 April. Lovely shoes, but the draping here isn't quite going in the right directions.
5. Visits on Day 3, 6 April. Chic, light and bright.

Best and Worst of the Week

Initially, I felt a little let down by the gray gown, but it grew on me. Not enough to be my best of the week, though, which goes to the light outfit from the end of the visit. There's nothing tragic this week, but the way the fabric's tugging on the navy dress makes it my worst of the week.

Overall, here's the deal: she's svelte and chic to the nines. But if all we're in for from Princess Charlene is an endless run of neutral Armani Privé ensembles, I'm out. And on that note, I shall leave you with a gratuitous engagement ring shot, just because I can:

Photos: Zimbio/Daylife/Getty Imjages/Getty Images Europe/Garreth Cattermole/Life

Celebrity Style Duel: Rania vs. Reese

It's not just royal ladies that sometimes inadvertently copy each others style; sometimes celebrities get in on the mix, too.

Did you watch the Oscars? I can't handle awards shows (ugh, boring) but I do eagerly await the red carpet photos for a little high-fashion hit the next day. And this year, I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of déja vu:

Reese Witherspoon popped up in an Armani Privé gown strikingly similar to the Armani Privé worn by Queen Rania during a state visit in Italy in 2009.

Besides being a little surprised that each lady would get such similar custom gowns, I had to ask: who wore it best? Before you make your choice, consider the back views:

Rania's is bejeweled. Watch this video to see it sparkle.



Honestly, I prefer Reese. From the front, Rania's is more interesting, but from the back she's just giving off too strong of an Eighties vibe with the sparkle, and the way the white band wraps around, and that hair. Oh, the hair: so many people took issue with Reese's ponytail, but compared to Rania's mess of curls I much prefer it. Then again, I'm not averse to the odd well done ponytail.

Royal Fashion Awards: Monaco's National Day

It's always a mixed bag with the crew from Monaco, isn't it? For every well-dressed turn, you're bound to have someone else show up woefully misguided. Not that I'm naming names. Alright, I'm naming names:

Best Ridiculous

Charlene Wittstock, Day Events

Well, alright then, Charlene! This is ridiculous. Ridiculous in the most amazing way. I won't lie, when I first saw the pictures, I thought, "Yeesh, someone's trying awfully hard on their first National Day." But the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. With a suit like this, you've got to go big or go home on the rest of the outfit, and she certainly did that, right down to the gloves. And hey, if Charlene's decided to bring more attention to tiny Monaco this way instead of through scandal (you know, the usual way), I'm all for it.

Most Typical

Princess Caroline, Day Events

And here we have an extraordinarily typical Caroline outfit. A little snooze-worthy, but I suppose too much oomph next to Charlene would have given me a sartorial heart attack.

Most Guilty

Princess Stephanie

It's the expression. She just has a knack for looking like she's done something wrong. In this case, she's taken a perfectly average coat and attempted to wear it like the Red Baron with that scarf. Maybe she was flying around, daredevil-style, beforehand: it's the only excuse I can think of for that hair.

Best of the Day Events

Charlotte Casiraghi

I should probably go gaga for Charlene here, but in truth, Charlotte's the one that has me lusting after her outfit. I'm loving the casual way she's got the jacket over the black and white dress (which is perfectly ladylike and flattering), and the all-black touch of tights. It's appropriate yet still completely in character.

Cutest Touch

Princess Alexandra

It's Hello Kitty. At National Day. Cute.

Best Reminder

Princess Caroline, Evening

Caroline can look a bit dowdy sometimes, I think, despite her couture-filled wardrobe. What an excellent reminder this look is: she's still got it. A touch of bling, a flattering dress, perfection.

Best Theme Commitment

Charlene Wittstock, Evening

She started the day on a retro kick, and she ended it with the most fantastic retro hair. She's also finishing her commitment to the Armani theme, with the second of two outfits I previously begged for a royal to sport. The only thing I'd change here is to get rid of the hand hold for the train of the skirt. It's a little awkward, especially considering there weren't even any pictures (that I saw, at least) of her not holding it up.

Best Men

Andrea and Pierre Casiraghi

You didn't think I'd let this day go by without an appearance from two handsome royal men, did you? Of course you didn't. Glad to see Andrea looking good - he's been looking a little rough around the edges of late.

Who topped your best-dressed list in Monaco?

Photos: Daylife/Zimbio/Getty/HuffPo

Gold Star: Sheikha Mozah's Glamorous State Visit

You know, we've been seeing a lot less designer clothes lately. Royal families are trying to be a little more down to earth, I guess, not going around shoving the fact that they have money in the faces of those that are dealing with recession and unemployment. Buckingham Palace went out of it's way to point out that the Queen has an evening dress with detachable ornamentation for maximum reuse, and that it was made by her dresser. Victoria's been out and about in H&M, and then of course you have the Queen (or Princess, rather) of this: Letizia, and her wardrobe of high street staples.

Nothing wrong with that, quite sensible really. Sheikha Mozah, though...now she seems to belong more in the "you know I'm rich, I know I'm rich, let's not play games about it" camp. Her wardrobe from the recent state visit to England is pure couture: Armani Privé, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Chanel, Dior.

I love it. It's like eating a decadent dessert after a day of salad. And if there's a woman alive that can carry off those names without looking like she's trying to hard, it's the Sheikha.

It's not just the clothes, either. How about those jewels? Bestill my little magpie heart.

And while we're accessorizing...

Heh. The mind of Karl Lagerfeld at work. Couture is the highest form of fashion as art, which means sometimes you'll get it and sometimes you won't. I say if you're going to go couture, go all the way, fug or not.

Gold star: awarded for pure glamour.

Photos: Getty/AP/HuffPo