First Look: Valentino for GAP

While Valentino for GAP isn't a pairing we ever saw coming, we couldn't be happier for the ruffled coats to come out of the collaboration. With its belted waists, dramatic ruffles and soft bows, the collection presents a dichotomy of military chic and feminine flourishes.

In GAP's signature neutral hues, the elaborate ruffled necklines mix Valentino's couture imagination with a down-to-earth, utilitarian style.

Given the embarrassing logo debacle and a slump in sales, it seems GAP could use a boost from the media madness of masstige collections. Because no one can resist basics with a touch of couture!

Atleast that's what Valentino designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, are hoping: "We love mixing different cultures and we have been excited to mix GAP's timeless essentials with our roman culture of Couture," they said. "It brings together the iconic world of Valentino and Gap's fashion staples, synthesizing the current trend of combining luxury with basics."

Available in Milan since November 20th, the seven-piece collection which includes cargo pants and jackets will go on sale November 27th in London.

What do you think of the collection? Do you plan on shopping it UK Glamazons? If you shopped already in Milan, what did you score and how was your experience? And by the way, I'm jealous.

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: M.I.A. and Zoe Kravitz in Alexander Wang for Gap at the Met Costume Institute Gala

Of all the celebrity muses at last night's MET Gala, I was most excited to see M.I.A. For one, she was dressed by one of my favorite designers, Alexander Wang (for Gap). But more importantly, she's M.I.A. The same funky, free-spirited artist who wore a sheer, polka dot top during her performance at The Grammy's---while she was nine months pregnant.

So I was super curious to see how Alexander Wang and M.I.A.'s creative point-of-views would blend. The result? Hmm...I'll let you decide.


I think the design is exquisite, but I would have preferred to see an explosion of color on M.I.A.---or something, anything, that hinted at M.I.A.'s exuberant, youthful style.


On the other hand, Zoe Kravitz was perfect. Who's better than one of the most beautiful actresses (blame it on those glamazing Lenny Kravitz/Lisa Bonet genes) to display the menswear trend? 


Her tuxedo look was clean, sophisticated and chic. And I love the juxtaposition of the feminine bangs and supersexy red lips. (I'm slightly biased. I met her at the afterparty and she's so sweet!)


What do we think of M.I.A. and Zoe's looks, Glamazons? Glam or a Sham?


Kisses,


Coutura


MET Gala Photo: Style.com.

The GAP, Anna Wintour and M.I.A.? The Democratization of the MET Gala

What do M.I.A., Alexander Wang, The Gap and Anna Wintour have in common, you ask? They are all participating in this year's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. And I couldn't be happier about the seemingly odd mix of fashion icons.

Stay with me.

The theme for this year's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala is the American Woman. And you can't pay tribute to the American Woman without discussing democracy. For example, our First Lady, Michelle Obama, the quintessential American woman, regularly mixes high and low-end designers in her wardrobe from Alexander McQueen to J.Crew.


So it's fitting that affordable retail chain, The GAP, is sponsoring the MET Gala this year with Patrick Robinson, Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour as co-chairs.

But that's not all.

GAP is collaborating with past and present CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners to design gowns for the MET Gala worn by today's celebrity fashion darlings. The result? True democracy.

Designers, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Sophie Theallet and Thakoon are creating gowns for The Gap as part of this unique collaboration.

And as for the fashionable celebrity muses, Alexander Wang will dress M.I.A. and Zoe Kravitz, Thakoon will design for Kerry Washington and Riley Keough, Sophie Theallet will outfit Jessica Alba and Vera Farmiga and Rodarte gets Kirsten Dunst and Jamie Bochert. (See a few pics of the starlets below in their past red-carpet splendor. I live!)

Love it! Starting May 5th and spanning the entire month, Gap will display the gowns at their pop-up shop at 680 Fifth Avenue at 54th Street. Gap is also hosting a silent auction of the gowns at www.gap.com/gownauction with all proceeds benefiting The Costume Institute.

Since I am in no place to bid on an original, one-of-a-kind Alexander Wang gown, I'll be looking out for the Gap's limited edition t-shirt collection in celebration of its sponsorship of the MET Exhibition: "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity."

The styles blend Gap's classic aesthetic with the unique fashion sense of celebrated American women past and present. Here's what Patrick Robinson had to say about the t-shirt line:

"As I worked on the collection of t-shirts with the team, we were very inspired by how relevant the themes of the exhibition are to the way women dress today, even though they celebrate women's style from the past. It's a collection that takes the simplicity of that classic American piece of sportswear – the t-shirt – to a new level that is still very easy to wear."

Styles include The Heiress, The Haute Bohemian, The Suffragist, The Patriot (shown below), The Flapper and The Screen Siren. (I'm going for the Haute Bohemian, I'm in a free-spirited, boho mood this summer). The t-shirts range from $34.50-$44.50 and are available at Gap stores and on Gap.com.

How fabulous! Can't wait to see how these gowns turn out! And I'm thrilled to see the industry leaders (aka Anna Wintour) democratizing one of the most elite traditions in Fashion.

Now true democracy would be giving The Glamazons an invite to the event, but I am totally content and psyched to attend the afterparty! (One step at a time, Glams). Especially if it means I get to see M.I.A. in Alexander Wang for Gap in person --- that's all I need to be satisfied, hehe.

What collaboration are you most excited for, Glamazons?

Kisses,

Coutura

Photo Courtesy of The Gap.