Runway Monday: Carolina Herrera Daywear

A couple weeks ago we looked at some of the best gowns from Carolina Herrera's Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear, Pre-Fall 2010, Fall 2010 Ready-to Wear and Resort 2011 collections.  Now it's time to look at the day stuff, which is equally elegant:

 I'd love it if one of these summery looks could make an appearance before the warm weather runs out.

 All the orange we've seen lately on Mathilde and Máxima has me longing for another strong color instead.  How about some red touches to change things up a bit?

If we must continue with the orange something more like one of these looks would be preferable, no?  The first look on the left bears striking resemblance to the black and white print/orange combination Máxima's been wearing from NATAN, but I love how much more sophisticated it looks in the hands of a more talented designer.  Mathilde could take a note from the center model; orange shoes are a great accent on their own, just not so much with an entirely orange ensemble.  And if we must go full-on citrus, mixing up the textures as in the last outfit is a much more refined way to go.

Photos: Style.com

Runway Monday: Carolina Herrera Daywear

A couple weeks ago we looked at some of the best gowns from Carolina Herrera's Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear, Pre-Fall 2010, Fall 2010 Ready-to Wear and Resort 2011 collections.  Now it's time to look at the day stuff, which is equally elegant:

 I'd love it if one of these summery looks could make an appearance before the warm weather runs out.

 All the orange we've seen lately on Mathilde and Máxima has me longing for another strong color instead.  How about some red touches to change things up a bit?

If we must continue with the orange something more like one of these looks would be preferable, no?  The first look on the left bears striking resemblance to the black and white print/orange combination Máxima's been wearing from NATAN, but I love how much more sophisticated it looks in the hands of a more talented designer.  Mathilde could take a note from the center model; orange shoes are a great accent on their own, just not so much with an entirely orange ensemble.  And if we must go full-on citrus, mixing up the textures as in the last outfit is a much more refined way to go.

Photos: Style.com

Runway Monday: Elie Saab Fall 2010 Couture

Elie Saab's collection was the one I was most looking forward to from the fall couture collections in Paris.  I love me some Elie Saab, and some of the looks were divine per usual:

But, unusually, there was an equal number of dresses I'm just crossing my fingers we won't see modeled on the royal runway:

Some of these shapes just aren't going to be flattering to any one with non-model proportions.  In particular, I found myself noting placing a mental caution note on several looks for Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.  She's one of the biggest Elie Saab fans around, but she's prone to gowns that cover her up and often lack the shape she requires.  And some of these runway creations fit just that bill:

Anything but these, please, MT.

See the whole collection here.  Which ones are you hoping we will and won't see on the royal ladies?

Photos:  Marcio Madeira/FirstView.com/Style.com

Runway Monday: Elie Saab Fall 2010 Couture

Elie Saab's collection was the one I was most looking forward to from the fall couture collections in Paris.  I love me some Elie Saab, and some of the looks were divine per usual:

But, unusually, there was an equal number of dresses I'm just crossing my fingers we won't see modeled on the royal runway:

Some of these shapes just aren't going to be flattering to any one with non-model proportions.  In particular, I found myself noting placing a mental caution note on several looks for Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.  She's one of the biggest Elie Saab fans around, but she's prone to gowns that cover her up and often lack the shape she requires.  And some of these runway creations fit just that bill:

Anything but these, please, MT.

See the whole collection here.  Which ones are you hoping we will and won't see on the royal ladies?

Photos:  Marcio Madeira/FirstView.com/Style.com

Runway Monday: Armani Privé Fall 2010 Couture

Having dressed no fewer than 5 royals for Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, Armani Privé is obviously at the top of the list of royal couturiers.  Presented last week, the Fall couture collection is absolutely ripe for royal picking. 

There was a whole forties vibe in the daywear that I am dying to see more of from our royal ladies:

And the evening gowns were absolutely luscious, the epitome of elegance:

Also, I can't help but notice that every one of his models was either blonde or sported a blonde wig.  Now, we know that Charlene Wittstock is already a devoted Armani fan...I like to think of it as a veiled pitch to be the royal wedding designer.  I'm thinking the skirt and train on the bottom center evening gown up there would be an excellent start, no?

View the rest of the collection here.

PS: If you haven't been back to the Fashion Awards post for Victoria's wedding I linked to above in a while, I've been updating periodically with dress designers as I find them.

Runway Monday: Armani Privé Fall 2010 Couture

Having dressed no fewer than 5 royals for Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, Armani Privé is obviously at the top of the list of royal couturiers.  Presented last week, the Fall couture collection is absolutely ripe for royal picking. 

There was a whole forties vibe in the daywear that I am dying to see more of from our royal ladies:

And the evening gowns were absolutely luscious, the epitome of elegance:

Also, I can't help but notice that every one of his models was either blonde or sported a blonde wig.  Now, we know that Charlene Wittstock is already a devoted Armani fan...I like to think of it as a veiled pitch to be the royal wedding designer.  I'm thinking the skirt and train on the bottom center evening gown up there would be an excellent start, no?

View the rest of the collection here.

PS: If you haven't been back to the Fashion Awards post for Victoria's wedding I linked to above in a while, I've been updating periodically with dress designers as I find them.

Runway Monday: Carolina Herrera, Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear

Princess Máxima recently wore Carolina Herrera to great effect at the birthday celebrations for Denmark's Queen Margrethe:

I'm hoping she's only just grazed the surface of her Herrera patronage.  This designer has a way with bright, bold colors and graphic prints while still keeping everything elegant as can be, which makes her a fine alternative for the NATAN crew of royal ladies (Máx, Mathilde, Maria Teresa, and Claire).  Queen Silvia, Crown Princesses Mary and Mette-Marit and more have already dug into Carolina Herrera; here, from the Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear, Pre-Fall 2010, Fall 2010 Ready-toWear and Resort 2011 collections, is a selection of her most elegant evening gowns, perfect for royal wear.  (We'll talk daywear some other Monday.)

Which dress would you most like to see on the royal red carpet?

Photos: Profimedia/Marcio Madeira/First Look/Maria Valentino/Carolina Herrera

Runway Monday: Carolina Herrera, Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear

Princess Máxima recently wore Carolina Herrera to great effect at the birthday celebrations for Denmark's Queen Margrethe:

I'm hoping she's only just grazed the surface of her Herrera patronage.  This designer has a way with bright, bold colors and graphic prints while still keeping everything elegant as can be, which makes her a fine alternative for the NATAN crew of royal ladies (Máx, Mathilde, Maria Teresa, and Claire).  Queen Silvia, Crown Princesses Mary and Mette-Marit and more have already dug into Carolina Herrera; here, from the Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear, Pre-Fall 2010, Fall 2010 Ready-toWear and Resort 2011 collections, is a selection of her most elegant evening gowns, perfect for royal wear.  (We'll talk daywear some other Monday.)

Which dress would you most like to see on the royal red carpet?

Photos: Profimedia/Marcio Madeira/First Look/Maria Valentino/Carolina Herrera

Runway Monday: Oscar de la Renta Spring Ready-to-Wear and Pre-Fall 2010

Oscar de la Renta has always been a favorite of the royal ladies and for good reason: his clothes have that natural lady-like feel a regal royal needs.  Queen Sofia, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine, Crown Princess Mary, Princess Máxima and more have all been spotted in his designs.  The Spring and Pre-Fall collections are ripe for the royal picking; most recently, Rosario Nadal modeled a black and white creation from the Spring Ready-to-Wear collection at Crown Princess Victoria's pre-wedding dinner and concert.  Many have also guessed that Tatiana Blatnik's gown for the wedding was de la Renta, though I'm not convinced.  My wish list for the royals to sport from the rest of these two collections:

These could work on some of the older generation of royal ladies....

 

...and I'd love to see some of these on our younger batch of Crown Princesses.

These metallic numbers would be great for Mary, wouldn't they?

Here you see the resemblance to Tatiana's dress.  Personally, I don't see enough of the same detailing to convince me that her dress is from Oscar; on her dress, the ornamentation is a much more organic pattern, whereas the de la Renta numbers feature random and clustered designs.  Also, the top and tone of the tulle is different.  Of course, Tatiana's could have been a totally bespoke creation, but it's still a question mark for me.  Anyways, the 2 on the left would be great on Mary, the pink would be a different take on the fairy princess angle Mette-Marit has been working lately in her eveningwear, and Máxima could work the orange number spectacularly.

What do you think?

See the Spring collection here and the Pre-Fall collection here.

Photos: Maria Valentino/Marcio Madeira

Runway Monday: Oscar de la Renta Spring Ready-to-Wear and Pre-Fall 2010

Oscar de la Renta has always been a favorite of the royal ladies and for good reason: his clothes have that natural lady-like feel a regal royal needs.  Queen Sofia, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine, Crown Princess Mary, Princess Máxima and more have all been spotted in his designs.  The Spring and Pre-Fall collections are ripe for the royal picking; most recently, Rosario Nadal modeled a black and white creation from the Spring Ready-to-Wear collection at Crown Princess Victoria's pre-wedding dinner and concert.  Many have also guessed that Tatiana Blatnik's gown for the wedding was de la Renta, though I'm not convinced.  My wish list for the royals to sport from the rest of these two collections:

These could work on some of the older generation of royal ladies....

 

...and I'd love to see some of these on our younger batch of Crown Princesses.

These metallic numbers would be great for Mary, wouldn't they?

Here you see the resemblance to Tatiana's dress.  Personally, I don't see enough of the same detailing to convince me that her dress is from Oscar; on her dress, the ornamentation is a much more organic pattern, whereas the de la Renta numbers feature random and clustered designs.  Also, the top and tone of the tulle is different.  Of course, Tatiana's could have been a totally bespoke creation, but it's still a question mark for me.  Anyways, the 2 on the left would be great on Mary, the pink would be a different take on the fairy princess angle Mette-Marit has been working lately in her eveningwear, and Máxima could work the orange number spectacularly.

What do you think?

See the Spring collection here and the Pre-Fall collection here.

Photos: Maria Valentino/Marcio Madeira

Runway Mondays: Elie Saab Spring 2010 Couture Collection

 Behold the power of Elie Saab! 

So much from the designer's Spring 2010 Couture collection was on display at this past weekend's wedding festivities, and I'm positively giddy about it. 

Maria Teresa brought us 2 looks back in April at Queen Margrethe's 70th birthday celebrations, too:

I love, love, love this collection; it's ethereal in every way, and just as intricate and detailed as true couture should be.  Victoria and Maria Teresa have already demonstrated their love, and Queen Rania is a long-time fan of the designer.  Only good things can come from more Elie Saab, so let's make our wish list for future appearances:

Ahhh.  Meet my current sartorial obsession.  Since I saw this frock floating down the Oscars red carpet on Rachel McAdams, I have been straight up in love.  The fabric is like a cloud-filled dream painted in pastel watercolors.  Multiple colors here to pick up with jewels......picture any one of these sets,and any one of the royals from these countries:

Amethysts from Norway, pink topaz from Sweden, sapphire and diamonds from Luxembourg, aquamarines from the Netherlands.

These empire-waisted numbers would be great as more options for Maria Teresa, and I'd love to see one on Mathilde or Maxima.

And how about one of these on our favorite newlywed, or on Mary?  Most especially that one in the top left.  I'd like to see Mette-Marit use one of these as an alternative to the ruffled creations she's been sporting lately too.

This is the Spring 2010 collection - and if I'm not mistaken, his couture show for Fall will be coming up on July 7, so we'll have even more to drool over soon!  Rest assured, there will be a Runway Mondays post devoted to that one too.  What can I say - I'm a card-carrying member of the Elie Saab fan club.

Join in the fun:  view the entire collection here, and make your dress-to-princess wish list in the comments!

Photos: Getty Images/Belga/Marcio Madeira/Daylife