Luxury News from InsideLux – The Daily Luxury News Authority

The 2010 CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards had a both exciting and somber atmosphere as the fashion elite celebrated and grieved the loss of the great Alexander McQueen. Sarah Jessica Parker’s tribute to the late designer was in wardrobe (she wore a pink and purple gown from the pre-fall collection that was hand-picked by Sarah Burton, the new head of McQueen) as well as in an introduction to his last collection. His pre-fall 2010 line debuted in the awards show known as the “fashion oscars” with great honor.

On the brighter side, Anna Wintour, editor and chief of Vogue Magazine, presented Michael Kors with a lifetime achievement award, complete with personal stories about the ever-optimistic and lighthearted designer. Kors’ reaction to receiving the award was true to his known personality when he commented, “I’m just a kid. How did this happen?”

Young, new designers were also given recognition though various awards, such as Jason Wu, who designed Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown, receiving a womenswear award.

OTHER WINNERS

*Menswear- David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag and Bone

*Accessories- Jeweler Alexis Bittar

*International Award- Burberry’s Christopher Bailey

*Visuals- Tonne Goodman, Vogue fashion director for visuals

*Fashion Journalism- Kim Hastreiter, editor and publisher of Paper Magazine for fashion Journalism

*Online Popular Vote- Ralph Lauren

*Womenswear- Jason Wu

Anyone who’s ever been to one of Yotam Ottolenghi’s exquisite London restaurants knows just how delicious the food is. The good news is that with the recently released cookbook ‘Plenty’ you can create his culinary wonders at home.
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McQueen fans have been scrambling everywhere to find designs by the late Alexander McQueen. Two dresses from his 2007 Autumn/Winter ready-to-wear collection will be going on auction Wednesday June 30^th at Bonhams, Monteplier St, Knightsbridge, London.

The collection was famously showcased in a dramatic show inspired by the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. A runway made of a Ouija board with projected lights made to look like crawling cockroaches set the stage for the Victorian inspired gowns. One piece featured for auction is a cream colored gown with a peacock feather bustier and is estimated to sell at £10,000- £14,000. The second, a golden embroidered floor length gown with tool skirt, hosting a projected price tag of £12,000 to £18,000.

Louis Vuitton stamps another realm of the sports world, the coveted world cup. English supermodel, Naomi Campbell, unveiled the sophisticated leather case holding the all-important trophy this week. Traditionally, the cup is always transferred in an armored metal case to ensure its safe delivery. This year, Louis Vuitton has opted to take on the responsibility of shelling the replica trophy (the original will forever belong to FIFA) securely and fashionably. Leather bound with gold hinges, the case sports the traditional Louis Vuitton print and adds an extra spice of luxury to the exciting tournament.

June 1^st the Givenchy label and its designer Riccardo Tisci held a dinner party at the MOMA in New York City to celebrate the closing of Maria Abramovic’s “The Artist is Present” exhibition. Stars showed up to the event boasting questionable gothic black dresses trying hard to exude an “artsy” attitude. Ciara, Liv Tyler and Courtney Love generated a balance of gothic chic in Givenchy, whereas others missed the mark trying too hard. Christina Ricci wore an oddly shaped, Halloween costume, lace dress that was not meant for someone of her stature. From the Fall 2010 collection, it was not up to par for her usual artistic elegance.

For those of us who aren’t batophobic (read: afraid of heights), the Dining Event Company has a wonderfully luxurious treat: dinner in the sky, 100 feet over the Monaco Bay.

Running from July 9 – 13, there will be fifteen gourmet dinners served at this “pop-up” restaurant, by chefs such as Joël Robuchon, Marcel Ravin, and Christian Sinicropi. The dinner will be accompanied by Cuvee R. Lalou 1998, derived from the seven Grands Crus of Maison Mumm champagne, and of course, a breathtaking view.

Each table seats twenty-two guests. Tickets are €1000 per person, €100 of which will be donated to Princess Stéphanie of Monaco’s Fight Aids Foundation.

French fashion house Louis Vuitton has unveiled a new flagship in London, which may be its most luxurious store opened to date.

“People come to Louis Vuitton stores not only for shopping but also to experience a certain way of life. These stores, named Maisons, have become our iconic landmarks across the world,” said Yves Carcelle, chief executive.

The 15,000 sq. meter Maison features a handbag “bar”, where customers can customize their choices, a two-level trunk wall (pictured above), and an ever-changing LED staircase which links the three floors. Amongst all this, there is work from artists like Gilbert & George and Damien Hirst peppered through

And of course, endless LV merchandise.

Floating down the 2010 Cannes Film Festival red carpet, a lusty pale pink gown worn by Salma Hayek managed to blow every guest out of the water.  Choosing an antique, silk Georgette Gucci Premiere strapless gown was the first conquest to this “work of art” look.  The dress, embellished with gold draping around her neck and waist, accented her sun kissed skin and voluptuous, yet petite figure…but what’s an outfit without great accessories? The Gucci pink and gold cocktail ring paired with an antique pink satin clutch was the perfect touch to make the Mexican goddess glow.  Look out Kate Beckinsale! No off the runway 2011 collection can compare to this simply stunning attire.

Sarah Jessica Parker illuminated the red carpet of the world premiere of Sex and the City 2 at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on Monday. Staying true to her stylishly dressed alter ego and long-time character, Carrie Bradshaw, Parker rocked an amazingly draped, body-hugging bright yellow Valentino gown. Adding true Carrie sparkle, she accessorized the gown with VBH and Fred Leighton jewels, and finished off the look with all-important Salvatore Ferragamo silver platform pumps.

One dress not being enough, she entranced the Lincoln Center premiere party in an Elle Saab black, knee-length, long-sleeved lace dress and splashed in some turquoise with Nicholas Kirkwood peep-toe heels. The only problem is trying to pick which dress you liked the best.