Ms. Swinton may have been amused by a few plaid men lately, but she is muse to one main man – nomadic dream-weaver, Haider Ackermann.

She may have worn Chanel to the recent Cruise collection, but it was her bestie, who held her affection.

Nomad's land? The future King of French fashion? Was his attendance at Versailles a sign of things to come?

Shall we pause a moment to study the sheen of the pants against the dust of the boot? There will be an advanced thesis course on scarf wrapping, this coming fall. I suggest you register, because you cannot master this on your own. No April Foulard, our Mr. Ackermann.

As Tilda is wont to do, she wore his translation of constructed deconstruction on the red carpet, again this year.

Keen for the sheen and not so much the scene, at last night's opening ceremony.

She was also in Haider at the Toronto International Film Festival when she swished by me, last year. I don’t think I ever posted those images, or the write-up from the chat I attended with her, later that week. I’ll add it to my To Do list.

Read more Cannes 2012 posts. Compare Cannes 2011 fashion.

Photos: 1. PacificCoastNews.com; 2. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe.

May 17th, 2012
Categories: Fashion and Film, Fashionable Events, Red Carpet . Tags: 65th Annual Cannes International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival 2012, Chanel, Chanel show in Versailles, Cruise 2012, exshoesme.com, Festival De Cannes, Haider Ackermann, Red Carpet, Tilda Swinton, Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Murray was mad for Madras.

For the evening, he transitioned from plaid to rad, with a blue lapel tux. There may have been a dash of French flair in there, aussi. Note the neck tie.

Bill Murray and Bruce Willis at last night's Moonrise Kingdom Opening Ceremony at Festival de Cannes.

Read more Cannes 2012 posts. Compare Cannes 2011 fashion.

Photo: PacificCoastNews.com.

May 17th, 2012
Categories: Fashion and Film, Fashionable Events, Menswear, Red Carpet . Tags: 65th Annual Cannes International Film Festival, Bill Murray, Cannes Film Festival 2012, exshoesme.com, Festival De Cannes, mad for plaid, plaid clad men, Red Carpet . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

You know moi. I prefer unfussed over frou. As I’ve said before, a cuff is often enough for me to pay attention. However, in this case, it is just the beginning.

Tilda, at the Chanel 2012-13 Cruise Collection, earlier this week.

Add to it, the divine neck drape of that silk shirt.

The jacket wasn't required, and I'm guessing, neither was a stylist.

Chanel tweed always exceeds expectations, especially when it’s unexpected. Tilda? In Chanel? Show me more…

Versailles view.

Like a perfect line of poetry, the elements play off of one another. The roll of the silk, the conversation between the pant and the jacket, the nonchalance of that cream-coloured cuff.

Worn by master mode manipulator, Tilda Swinton, it was effortless – yet everything.

Photos by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe.

May 16th, 2012
Categories: Collections, Resort 2012 . Tags: Chanel, Chanel show in Versailles, Cruise 2012, exshoesme.com, Tilda Swinton, Tilda Swinton at the Chanel Cruise 2012 show . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

There is no swoon like a Swinton swoon.

This too haute to be square sartorialist often gets it right, in my opinion. She remains true to herself. Always.

Tilda has been tempting the cameras in France this week – first, at Uncle Karl’s Versailles extravaganza the other day (the rococo/rock show that rocked a few fashion Eds along the way). Then, she was seen making the scene at the first film photo call at ze Festival de Cannes, earlier today.

As a keen observer of the fashion condition, I ask, is Ms. Swinton mad for men in plaid?

Dare to compare squares.

Tilda with the Mad Plaider.

Uncle Karl at the Chanel Resort 2012/13 Collection - a busy man, in more ways than one.

Despite the pattern, my eyes are still drawn to Tilda's perfect poise, not all that noise.

'I'll tell you the secret of getting attention, Tilda', whispers Bill Murray to his Moonrise Kingdom co-star.

Somewhere, a retired golfer is missing his wardrobe.

'I must get a photo of my own for the kids...' Bill kindly obliges to Tilda's request. Because they are actors, Tilda holds an imaginary camera. They are *that* good.

More Tilda sightings and commentary to come in the days ahead.

Read more Cannes 2012 posts. Compare Cannes 2011 fashion.

Photos: 1,2, 3. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe; 4, 5, 6. Bauer Griffin/Getty Images Europe.

May 16th, 2012
Categories: Fashion and Film, Fashionable Events, Menswear, Red Carpet . Tags: 65th Annual Cannes International Film Festival, Bill Murray, Cannes 2012 jury members, Cannes Film Festival 2012, Chanel, Chanel show in Versailles, Cruise 2012, exshoesme.com, Festival De Cannes, mad for plaid, Moonrise Kingdom photo call, plaid clad men, Red Carpet, Tilda Swinton, Uncle Karl . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

Here are this year’s members of the jury at Cannes.

More like shoe-ry, if you ask me…

Andrea Arnold, Ewan McGregor, Hiam Abbass, Jury President Nanni Moretti, Emmanuelle Devos, Jean Paul Gaultier, Diane Kruger, Raoul Peck and Alexander Payne show off their shoes at the photo call, earlier today.

Jurors Emmanuelle Devos, Hiam Abbass, Jury President Nanni Moretti, Andrea Arnold and Diane Kruger - step up their game on day one of the Fest.

No idea as yet, on which film is a shoe-in for the Palme d’Or. Or, perhaps, it will be as plain as day on the red carpet. After all, you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, alone. Watch them closely in the days ahead, my dears.

Follow all Cannes 2012 posts. Compare Cannes 2011 fashion.

Photos: Bauer Griffin/Getty Images Europe.

May 16th, 2012
Categories: Fashion and Film, Fashionable Events, Red Carpet, Shoes . Tags: 65th Annual Cannes International Film Festival, Cannes 2012 jury members, Cannes Film Festival 2012, exshoesme.com, Festival De Cannes, Red Carpet, Shoes . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

No…no, you cannot stand upon it.

The filmiest of red carpets.

Bare your soul as you might, passionately make a case for your plight, but you may not walk upon that path which is strewn with Silver Screen sprinters. They walk on gilded splinters…or, stilettos by designers whose names they may not be able to pronounce.

But I’ll have every ounce of coverage and every inch of un-coverage when it comes to the fashion feast that is the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival.

Marilyn watches over ze tapis rouge.

Stay on your toes, and watch this space.

In the meantime, step up and catch up on all Cannes 2011 posts. And yes, I’ll have more from the Met, too…I haven’t forgotten. Plus, Uncle Karl’s antics and antiquities, aussi. Busy week ahead!

[Update: Follow all Cannes 2012 posts.]

Photos: 1. Ian Gavan/Getty Images Europe; 2. Michael Buckner/Getty Images Europe.

May 16th, 2012
Categories: Fashion and Film, Fashionable Events, Red Carpet . Tags: 65th Annual Cannes International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival 2012, exshoesme.com, Festival De Cannes, Red Carpet . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

Must re-connect with my Japanese friend.

It’s been too long.

Mr. Yamamoto surfaces on the May/June cover of Surface Mag.

Image: TFS.

May 15th, 2012
Categories: Mag Rack . Tags: Magazines, May 2012, Surface Magazine, Yohji Yamamoto . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

It’s all about Versailles right now, isn’t it?

Well, I ver-sighed this morning for two reasons.

First, I realized that clearly, I either have a severe case of fashion fatigue – or I have been living in a parallel universe (wearing bright colours, straight-angled clothing and flat shoes).

How else could Uncle Karl’s Cruise collection – usually my Spring highlight – not be on my radar? Was I in a fashion haze? Has it all become a fuzzy maze? Will my dear uncle be fazed, should he hear of it? I, too, am simply amazed.

I mean, it is the event leading up to Cannes. Was there less press? Or have I been merely too stressed?

Second, I did sigh again when I found the show was in Versailles. Hmmm…the backdrop for many fashion shops, these days.

Before you call in the well-heeled healers to cure me of my state, I’ll have you know that it wasn’t hate that led me to Twitter the precise moment the show started.

It was simply fashion fate.

Uncle Karl and I have a Kosmic connection, like that.

I’ll have more from the show soon-ish.

May 14th, 2012
Categories: Collections, Resort 2012 . Tags: Chanel, Chanel show in Versailles, Cruise 2012, exshoesme.com, Uncle Karl . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

Depeche Mode.

Dior mode.

All I ever wanted, all I ever needed is here…

The brand promotes its FW12 merch with a gorg fashion film, created by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Et oui, c’est vrai, c’est Versailles.

Happy 50th, Dave Gahan!

May 9th, 2012
Categories: Ad Campaigns, Fashion and Film, Films About Fashion . Tags: Ad Campaigns, Christian Dior, Depeche Mode, Dior and Depeche Mode, Dior Versailles Film, exshoesme.com, fashion films, FW12, Secret Garden Versailles Dior . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: 1 Comment

There were a few pieces of couture we had met before the Met’s red carpet. However, one piece seemed to stand out more than all the others.

Ms. Paltrow emerged a Wonder Woman when she donned one at the Academy Awards earlier this year. A handful of others followed in her super-duper footsteps and draped themselves in fabric.

In short, the cape was inescapable, wherever you looked. But my dears, some did it better than others – and, there was nothing short about it.

Lana Del Rey looked pretty enough – the glossy locks, the burgundy lippy and matching nails (thanks, Lana) and her Altuzarra ensemble. However, there was something amiss. Was it her stance, by chance? Was it the glance?

One must hold her head up high; one must carry a cape – not have the burden of carrying it. You know?

Lana Del Rey. The stance says it all: can you hurry up and take my picture already? I need to escape...

I adore Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli’s designs for Valentino (not to mention their names!), but I think MGC cut it a bit close to Gwyneth territory with an all white dress/cape ensemble.

 

I prefer a sleeker silhouette under a cape, otherwise it's fabric city.

Besides, G's cape was all about the shoulder staying power. Still want to know how it stayed on!

Now, this doesn’t mean that because one woman rocked a cape on a red carpet that no other can follow.

Why follow at all?

Why not forge a new path?

Like I always say, if you are lucky enough to go, go grand.

Take Bianca Brandolini D'Adda, for example, in decadent Dolce and Gabbana.

Now, that’s a cape.

I adore Domenico and Stefano’s homage to both Prada and Schiaparelli, here. But – make no mistake – it’s also very, very Dolce and Gabbana.

She was glowing all night! What more could a woman ask for?

I have an over-the-top gold sequined mini – an ’80s vintage find I picked up for an Austin Powers Halloween party years ago. Surprisingly, I’ve worn it for a few occasions and it’s become a favourite mood lifter. Now if I only had the cape…

"Reflections of what life used to be...reflections of..."

Linda Fargo, Vice President of Visual Merchandising at Bergdorf Goodman, is no stranger to making a dramatic entrance. She always stands apart from the crowd. Last night was no exception.

She wore a custom dress and cape by an American designer - not Schiaparelli, as many (including moi) first thought.

Naeem Khan custom designed both pieces for the fab Ms. Fargo. This is the sketch of his creations.

So, if you did guess that it was a Schiaparelli cape, you weren’t far off…Khan most certainly must have looked at the Met’s collection, for inspiration.

Apollo of Versailles Schiaparelli Cape, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Khan's Deco design was breathtaking.

Like I said, why follow, when you can leave a trail.

A golden moment, captured in black and white.

I have a few, but I am cape-able of loving a few more. The floor-length version still eludes me…but you know, my dears, I do believe in the magic of the universe.

We shall find one another one day…

Yes, I have more Met stories to tell. More, tomorrow. Read all Met Gala 2012 posts, so far.

Original images are credited as follows (all have been modified by yours truly): 1, 6, 10. Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America; 2. Joe Schildhorn via Style.com; 3. Jason Merritt Getty Images; 4, 5, 7. Larry Busacca Getty Images North America; 8. Sketch via blog.bergdorfgoodman.com; 9. Metmuseum.org; 11. Vogue.com. 

May 8th, 2012
Categories: Déjà Vu, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashionable Events, Red Carpet . Tags: Bianca Brandolini D'Adda, Cannes jury members, capes, Costume Institute Gala, Dolce and Gabbana, Elsa Schiaparelli, embellished capes, embroidered capes, floor-length capes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Altuzarra, Lana Del Rey, Linda Fargo, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Met Gala 2012, Met Red Carpet capes, Naeem Khan, Pier Paolo Piccioli, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, The Met, The Met Ball, The Met Gala, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tom Ford Cape, Valentino . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

If some of the pretty things on last night’s red carpet had you doing a deja-who wore it before, you weren’t alone.

Some put their left foot in, their left foot out; their right foot in, their right foot out, but no one did the hokey pokey quite like Ang did at the Oscars…or did they?

Carine, in Givenchy Haute Couture, reveals just enough leg, with a little left to the imagination. Clah-ssy.

Gisele with her sidekick, husband Tom Brady, kicked things back over to the right side, in Givenchy Haute Couture aussi.

Gisele, of course, is being loyal to the brand she fronts.

I prefer the women above, who didn’t go all the way, not that I would have been miffed at a little Margiela dare.

Ang went out on a limb and walked away with the Oscar for the biggest Internet meme (it really should be an official category at the awards next year).

Anja Rubik was hip to Ang’s vibe and stepped it up several notches.

Hip to be square. Square angles and geometric form, indeed.

Killer bone structure. Anja Rubik is in Anthony Vaccarello. Her hip? Not so much.

Has someone called Nadja Auermann?? Plus, are those the SS12 Gucci shoes I’ve been coveting?

Rose Byrne wore all white (and a little more fabric) at the SAG Awards, earlier this year.

Rose Byrne, sparkling on the SAG red carpet .

Janelle Monae jumped on the bandwagon with a black jumpsuit.

Sadly, satin doesn't wear as well as sequins. It wasn't my favourite look.

So, is Beyonce back? Did anyone notice?

She was hard to miss, wasn’t she?

Looking back for her inspiration...

...Beyonce found Penelope Cruz, in Marchesa, with Mr. Depp, last year at Cannes.

I don’t think B (as Gwyneth calls her) needs to be this in-your-face. I’d love to see her in Stephane Rolland Couture, or in a Tom Ford suit, without the frou and fuss.

By the way, that barely there back walk has been done elsewhere, aussi.

Georgina Chapman was reigning the red carpet again, with many a dress of her design draped on a drama queen, or few. You may recognize a couple from the picture below…

Sofia Vergara, Keren Craig, Georgina Chapman and Leighton Meester at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala.

Georgina is wearing the same dress that Lea Michele wore to the People's Choice Awards in January.

And GC wore that gorg golden gown that Keren Craig dons above, at her hubby’s Golden Globes bash.

Georgina, channeling her inner goddess, at the Weinstein After Party at this year's Golden Globes.

Jessica and Justin have got that posing thing, bang on.

Where have I seen those bangs before?

Bangs are showing up everywhere. You can thank this woman (and her hair stylist) for that.

The biggest revival on ze tapis rouge, however, was just super-duper. More on that in my next post…

Meanwhile, catch up on all Met Gala 2012 posts, so far.

Original images are credited as follows (all have been modified by yours truly): Carine Photo by Julian Mackler BFAnyc.com via Style.com; Tom/Gisele, Anja, Janelle, Beyonce, Georgina group, Jess/Justin photos by Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America; Brad/Ang photo by Alexandra Wyman Getty Images North America; Rose Byrne, Rooney Mara photos by Jason Merritt Getty Images; Depp/Cruz photo via JustJared; Lea photo by Frazer Harrison Getty Images North America; Chapman solo photo via Vogue.com. 

May 8th, 2012
Categories: Déjà Vu, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashionable Events, Red Carpet . Tags: Angelina Jolie, Angie's Right Leg, Anja Rubik, Anthony Vaccarello, Beyonce, Brad Pitt, Carine Roitfeld, Costume Institute Gala, Georgina Chapman, Gisele Bundchen, Givenchy Couture, Janelle Monae, Marchesa, Met Gala 2012, Penel, Rose Byrne, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, The Met, The Met Ball, The Met Gala, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tom Brady . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

Was it just me or did Bruno Mars in Prada look very Erik Estrada?

Bruno Mars, travelling back in time and space. (Loving the shoes, BTW.)

Are you old enough to remember eating Hostess chips from a paper bag and watching this man on CHiPs?

See all Met Gala 2012 posts. I have a dozen stories in my head – more to come tomorrow.

Erik Estrada image courtesy of Amazon.fr; Mars photo by Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images.

May 7th, 2012
Categories: Accessories, Déjà Vu, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashionable Events, Menswear, Red Carpet . Tags: aviator sunglasses, aviators, Bruno Mars, Costume Institute Gala, deja view, Déjà Vu, Erik Estrada, Menswear, Met Gala 2012, Prada, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, The Met, The Met Ball, The Met Gala, The Metropolitan Museum of Art . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, then you won’t know that Fashion’s big night is tonight. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting its annual red carpet fashion extravaganza, to fête the newly mounted exhibit in the Museum’s Costume Institute. Those of you who rock to the beat of a fashion drum will know it, of course, as the Met Gala.

Well, it seems a few zillion more of you do know the event, this year. The arrivals on the red carpet were live streamed for the first time in the Gala’s history – to keep up with the Joneses and the Burberrys. More on that in a post tomorrow. The digital professional in me needs to put together the bits and bytes in her head.

The exhibit to be celebrated is entitled Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, and features the work of the two iconic designers. Curators Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton noted the visual conversations between the designers from different decades, by comparing and likening their works, side by side. It’s a conversation I look forward to listening in on.

Tonight’s gala was hosted fittingly by Mrs. Prada (in a well-fitted brocade suit), Jeff Bezos (yes, he, of the Internet jungle), Carey Mulligan (really?) and Ah-na.

Ms. Wintour, wore Mrs. Prada, a break from her usual red carpet couture – Chanel.

She rocked a lobster-encrusted (had to!) dress from the Italian label.

Mixing species - fur and crustaceans. Only Ah-na.

Bob's your uncle - or in this case, your aunt, who works in fashion.

While it’s not my favourite, I applaud Ah-na for knowing her style and keeping it consistent. Also, that lobster had to be an inside joke between she and Mrs. P.

Not a bad one for a biz in which everyone is trying to claw their way to the top, where these ladies already reign supreme.

Nicely done, Ms. Wintour. Nicely done.

Why smize when you can smirk? [Update May 8th: I've been fishing around and have found the lobster link! Look for a post later this week.]

Here’s the song, in case I’ve put it in your head…

Lots more conversations in my head on this event…stay tuned.

Original photos by Kevin Mazur, WireImage – modified by moi.

May 7th, 2012
Categories: Fashion Exhibitions, Fashionable Events, Red Carpet . Tags: Anna Wintour, Anna Wintour in Prada lobster dress, Costume Institute Gala, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jeff Bezos, Met Gala 2012, Miuccia Prada, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, The Met, The Met Ball, The Met Gala, The Metropolitan Museum of Art . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

My dears, I beg your pardon for being away so much. My day job has kept me very busy these past weeks. Forgive, but by all means, don’t forget?

I am finally coming up for a breath of perfumed air – just in time to catch a haute doc at Hot Docs in Toronto tonight (North America’s largest documentary festival).

About Face: The Supermodels, Then and Now, by photog and portrait-maker extraordinaire, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (who has made films and photographs of everyone ‘from porn stars to politicians’), promises to be a moving portrait of mannequins of the moment, from the ’40s to the ’80s (and includes women in their 40s and their 80s!).

One of my all-time faves, Carmen Dell’Orefice.

China Machado - looking fantastic - at 82!

The film features fashion femmes from Carol Alt, Marisa Berenson, Karen Bjornson, Christie Brinkley and Pat Cleveland to Carmen Dell’Orefice, Jerry Hall, Beverly Johnson, Paulina Porizkova, Isabella Rossellini and China Machado. Highlighted, along with their cheekbones, are the intricate relationships these women had with their physical appearance and the brash business of beauty.

Isabella Rossellini, 59. Have always loved her vibe.

Christie Brinkley, 58.

The director wanted to know, “What was it like to be overwhelmingly beautiful? To be constantly judged on your looks, your face, your body? How did it feel when your moment passed? How far would you go to keep that beauty from fading?”

These women captivated me as I was growing up. I can’t wait to hear  what they have to say about culture, couture and the cult of being beautiful.

Fused together, for the Ageless Beauty shoot for the April 2012 issue of Harper's Bazaar.

If you are in my fair city, you might still be able to get rush tickets for tonight. Hot Docs continues until May 6th.

All photographs are by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders for the April 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, where you can read the entire Ageless Beauty feature.

May 4th, 2012
Categories: Fashion and Film, Fashion Photography, Magazines . Tags: age and beauty, Ageless Beauty, bad customer service, Beverly Johnson, Big Fashion News, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Carol Alt, China Machado, Christie Brinkley, cult of beauty, exshoesme.com, fashion and film, fashion documentary, Films About Fashion, Harper's Bazaar, Hot Docs, Isabella Rossellini, Jerry Hall, Karen Bjornson, Marisa Berenson, models, Pat Cleveland, Paulina Porizkova, supermodels, Toronto film festivals . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment

My dear old punk friends, remove all sharp objects from your line of sight before you go any further.

This is not a joke.

Your Docs now have heel-ing flower power.

You are not being punk'd, this is a real collaboration.

Brit retailer Liberty has teamed up with compatriot brand, Dr. Martens to produce printed shoes, boots and satchels.

I kid you not.

But kids? They will love these.

The "Strawberry Thief" print that just stole the stomping-good memories of every concert you attended in your youth.

Winged Docs? Punk grownups everywhere just whinged a little.

Now, of course, Dr. Maertens, the man, didn’t design these for the punks, back in the ’60s. He and chum Dr. Funck (really!) created the original boot with air-cushioned soles for a foot injury. The shoes and boots became part of the fabric of youth culture in England when suited, ska-loving skinheads donned them (with black and white laces, nach). These early skinheads are not to be confused with the politically driven groups of later years, by the way.  Pete Townshend (“Who?”, you younger kids, ask…) also wore a pair on stage and they officially became part of the uniform of rebellion. They were originally boots for the working class, now working for a cause.

These days, that rebel’s cause is rooted in gardens and flowers, in the suburbs of the world.

Keep calm and carry on.

You can go back to polishing your trusted cherry/hunter-green 20-hole original Docs now.

Images courtesy of Liberty.

May 1st, 2012
Categories: City Style, Designer/Retail Collaborations, Shoes . Tags: 1960s, British style, Docs, Dr. Maertens, Dr. Martens, exshoesme.com, Liberty Dr. Martens collaboration, Liberty of London, Liberty UK, London style, mods, punks, skinheads . Author: Jyotika Malhotra . Comments: Leave a Comment