All Hail McQueen

Tory Burch in her own custom design
Taylor Swift left the sequins at home in J.Mendel

SJP honoring McQueen

The new household name, Sarah Burton, in a McQueen design

Salma in a nude McQueen gown

Rihanna rocking a lace Stella McCartney gown, a very prominent designer on last night's red carpet

Supermodel, Natalia, looking gorgeous in Valentino

Naomi Watts sparkles in Stella

Naomi Campbell in an avant-garde McQueen design

Michelle Williams always boho-chic, in MiuMiu

Leighton Meester donning Louis Vuitton

Kristen Bell glowing in Tory Burch

Karen Elson representing McQueen

Isla Fischer beautiful in blue Tory Burch

Gwyneth glistening in a design by best friend, Stella McCartney

Giselle looking regal in McQueen

Marchesa designers all wearing Marchesa with Fergie

Eva Mendes, personifying that sometimes less is more, in Stella McCartney

Diane Krueger in Jason Wu

Daphne Guinness doing McQueen as Alexander would

Claire Danes in Calvin Klein-- clean, sleek & simple

Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors-- hot in pink

Blake Lively ethereal in Chanel

Beyonce in Emilio Pucci

Ashley Greene sparkly Donna Karan

A red carpet event that its main objective is to bring you the most fashion-forwarded, star-filled, fashion-designing crowd? Yes, please! And, where can I get my ticket??

Last night's MET Gala soirée in honor of the late great Alexander McQueen was everything it should be: sparkle, shine, tulle, taffeta-- too much-- so much, that only an event in his honor would be appropriate for such extravagance & fluff. The fashion world looks forward to this annual night where fantasy takes precendence over conformity.

Pictures speak a thousand words, so rather than analyzing a red carpet where the only rule is to outdo the 'competition', I'm going to let the photos do the talking.

The Royal Red Carpet

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge The Duchess's second dress, also a Sarah Burton design for Alexander McQueen.
The newlyweds with their bridal party

Catherine's sister, Pippa, heading to the dinner in her second dress by Temperly London.

The sisters, both in Alexander McQueen.

The lace appliqué on the skirt of the dress was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework using the carrickmacross technique. The lace on the dress was Catherine's "something old". The dress was adorned with hand cut English lace & French Chantilly on the ivory silk gazar skirt with 58 covered buttons clasping the back of the dress. Blue ribbon was was added to the skirt as well to be Kate's "something blue".

The tiara was Kate's "something borrowed", from HRH the Queen of England. This Cartier "halo" tiara was given to Queen Elizabeth by her father on her eighteenth birthday.

Kate's diamond earrings by Robinson Pelham were here "something new" given to her by her parents. The oak-leaf & acorn design was carefully crafted to replicate the Middleton family's new coat of arms.

The official kiss! One of two of them :)

The stunning bride.

Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen creation.

Everyone knows that I love everything that has to do with fashion: textures, colors, fabrics, accessories, silhouettes, designers, models, fashion shows-- you name it, I love it.

However, in the past couple of years of girlfriends getting hitched and then myself recently planning my own wedding, I have found a new obsession (literally): weddings.
So when the world is hosting the most regal & fashion conscious wedding for all of us to see: I am the fanatic sitting on the couch at 5am waiting for all things fashion and, of course, wedding.

When I was younger Lady Di could do no wrong. Every time she graced the pages of a magazine I was always in awe of her beauty & grace. Her fashion sense & poise was truly one of a princess. We always knew it would take a very special someone to even hold a candle to her presence.

I still remember already loving everything that Catherine Middleton was wearing several years ago when her and Prince William were merely girlfriend/boyfriend. As their relationship progressed, so did her sense of style. She too possesses that certain 'je ne sais quoi' quality that Diana did so well. She wears simple dresses & suits paired with the perfect shoes & accessories so effortlessly.

I, along with 2 billion others, watched and waited Friday morning in immense anticipation to see what Princess Catherine would don on her most special day. I had been hoping and wishing that she would choose British designer Alexander McQueen, so when I heard that Sarah Burton was the designer I knew it was going to be a spectacular creation. The late genius himself would be so proud of what his new Creative Director has so thoughtfully constructed for the future Queen.

In my eyes it was royal wedding perfection-- I don't think they could have done anything better than they did. The neckline, the lace, the train, the silhouette, the veil, the tiara: all came together to create the most perfect bride. The tender moments between the young couple also made this a wedding everyone will be talking about for years and years to come.

Versatility Is Key

City Walk

Buckhead
Midtown
Forum

One of my favorite things to do at fab'rik is to see how each store merchandises & displays our inventory. It's so fun to look at how we all do things differently while still maintaining our fab'rik vision.
So it was particularly interesting to me when I saw that the 3 other stores had their mannequins rocking our new bright mint jeggings just like we did! We had just put them in the midtown window as well so I figured this was the perfect way to showcase four different ways to wear this summer trend of colored jeans! I love how each store has a completely different look for these haute pants!

All That Flare

As we've all heard a million times, 70s glamour is all the rage this season. Killer platforms, disco-worthy dresses, & floral motifs were all over the runways. The trickiest of them all? The super-flared jean.

Gone are the days of thinking that flared jeans only belong in the 70s era because they are very much a part of everything spring 2011. They are an easy fix to a dull wardrobe and can be worn tons of different ways!

Pair yours with a flowy blouse or even a button down & blazer combo or you can rock a tee & cool necklace. Shoes? They look great with an assortment of different shoes: heels, wedges, & platforms!

Spring Trends for Haute Moms

Crochet

One-Shoulder

Neutrals

70s
Flowy/White Denim
Bold Colors & Prints

Today, our resident fab'rik mommy & fab'rik owner, Dana Spinola, is presenting spring trends to a group of Atlanta mom's-- Mother's of Pre-schooler's to be exact. Sometimes moms get in their heads that they can no longer wear the new fashions & statement pieces of the season. But then again, in the midst of carpools and play dates, time with the husband, laundry, errands-- you get the idea-- who has time to wrap their head around all things new & chic? So, with the help of a few of our favorite MOPs, we are here to prove them all wrong.

This Ain't Your Mom's Crochet

Fully crocheted or crochet accented pieces are all the rage this season. Whether it's a top that's rimmed with crochet or a fully-crocheted dress like Katie is wearing, this is an easy and versatile trend that should be in everyone's closet. Crochet looks better in neutral colors especially when paired with natural and brown tones accessories.

Bold is Better

A huge trend of the season is all things big, bright & bold. Adding color to any outfit is a guaranteed pick-me-up. Gone are the days of all black: spring is back and ready for color & fun! Jaclyn's wearing the perfect spring/summer wedding look. The bold red paired with the flattering print couldn't be a better silhouette for this on-the-go mom. Make sure when you approach this trend to find a hue that suits your hair color and skin tone!

One-Sided Statement

Some women are fearful of asymmetrical necklines, however, these are truly your new best friend. Not only are they uber-flattering, they're a great change from the typical strapless dress. Alicia is ready for a hot date-night in this chic jewel-toned one-shouldered cocktail dress.

70's Flare

A major trend for this season is anything 70s inspired. This is a such an easy trend to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe-- not to mention super-flattering. 90% of body types look more proportional with a flare or bootcut pant, and as we all know the 70s were all about the flared bell bottom. Steffanie is modeling this trend perfectly as it is paired with a mini-floral top & stacked wedges. Whether she's running around town or hanging out on a play date this is such a great go-to-outfit.

Go With the Flow

Going flowy with tops & dresses has always been a mommy-friendly trend in the fashion world. It's a great way to hide any 'flaws' or areas of concern but even more importantly is a comfortable way to look chic & put together. Flowy tops look amazing with skinny jeans & fitted shorts! Throw on some wedges and you're good to go!

Au Neutral

In contrary to the statement we made above about bold colors, nudes & neutrals are super hot for spring 2011. Some women stay away from these colors since they can easily wash you out. If your skin tone tends to blend in with nudes, peaches, and blush tones then white is always a safe bet. Jennifer is hip & ready in her white tunic paired with khakis & wedges!

Mommy Must Haves

Jeans: skinnies (you can do it!), bootcut, and a white pair for summer

Shoes: wedges (a spring must), colored flats, sandals, & cowboy boots (great with dresses)

Accessories: statement jewelry (think bold necklaces & bangles) & bright spring scarves

Dresses: one for date night, running around, & girls' night

Rules To Dress By

-Don't buy it if you won't wear it

-If you buy it, wear it... soon!

-Don't be afraid to dress up-- even to go to the grocery store-- it's amazing what looking cute can do for a girl's confidence :)

-Dress up for your husband- even if you're just at home

-Find your style & flaunt it!

Wedge It Out

With each new season comes new shoes, and my personal favorite this spring is the wedge sandal.

What's not to love? They're ten times more comfortable and supportable than a high heel & really allow you to add height to your outfit in really versatile situations, without necessarily dressing up the look.

Think about it, most of the time we wear heels in dressier scenarios, with a wedge you can actually make the outfit look cool & casual, especially with wide leg pants & shorts without making your whole outfit look more done up.

These are super tricky when paired with skinny jeans, but if you find a sleek wedge that isn't too clunky then they're a go. Otherwise, you'll look like you have hooves for feet!

Wedges are the perfect shoe alternative for shorts, skirts, bootcut & wideleg jeans. They're the best option especially if you know you're going to be on your feet all day :)

Sequins, Sparkle, & Stars, O My!

ScarJo in D&G
Vintage glamour: Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang
Reese Witherspoon
Red hot Penelope in Gucci

Oprah, in Zac Posen

Best Actress winner, Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Charming in Chanel, Michelle Williams

Marisa Tomei

Melissa Leo

CK on Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Hudson

Hilary Swank in Gucci

Halle Berry in Marchesa

Hailee Steinfeld in custom Marchesa

Gwyneth in Calvin Klein

um yes hi! i just had twins!

Avant-garde favorite, Cate Blanchett in Givenchy

Host, Anne Hathaway in Valentino, with Mr. Valentino himself as arm candy

Supporing actress nominee, Amy Adams, in L'Wren Scott

Last night's performer looked radiant in this Monique Lhuillier sparkler.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. And while last night's awards show seemed to disappoint a lot of the fashion world, I do believe that there were some beautiful moments throughout last night's 83rd annual Oscar red carpet event.

Prima Ballerinas

In my humble opinion, I feel that Black Swan's Natalie Portman saved the best for Oscar. She glowed in her wine colored Rodarte gown, giving a much deserved nod to the film's costume designers. Her co-star, Mila Kunis, was one of my favorites in a peak-a-boo lavendar Elie Saab laced gown, which created an amazing effect on her slender silhouette. She totally rocked that dress.

The Red Sea

Red tones were all the rage last night as red carpet greats, Sandra, Penelope, & Anne looked unbelievable in the evening's chosen hue. One has to point out newbie & nominee Jennifer Lawrence, who set the tone on last night's carpet as the first to arrive in a curve hugging Calvin Klein sleeveless gown. She looked ravishing in this simple yet elegant number & hit the nail on the head by keeping her jewelry uber-simple.

Is Calvin the New Red Carpet Go-To?

Calvin Klein scored another mention yesterday, as Gwyneth Paltrow couldn't have looked more perfect in her poured on silver CK number. Her sleek hair & art-deco Louis Vuitton jewels were the perfect surprise to complete an already perfect look.

Missed Pitch

I don't necessarily want to categorize the following 2 as flubs, because on another night they may not have been. However, in the midst of the rest of the gals, these were my lesser favorite looks. Reese, a la Elle Woods, with her high (extremely bouncy) pony tail looked great in her classic Armani Privé gown, however, no one can ignore the shocking resemblance it had to Julia Robert's Valentino gown she wore on her winning Oscar night. All the while, I really appreciated the emerald jeweled earrings, but sincerely hope that the wedding dress she chooses is more resonant of her fashion reputation we've all grown to love.

Nicole Kidman just didn't cut it for me, and since this strike 2 (possibly 3) of this year's award season, one has to wonder what is going on? My mother is a huge Nicole fan (rightfully so) and adored the gown, I just felt that the front mimicked oragami (which we've seen done so much better-- uhmm Charlize Theron) and was slightly confusing.

I lied, there was a mishap now that I remember, Marisa Tomei. I didn't get it. At all. It was too much. Too much navy, too much tulle, too much dress. At least her hair and jewelry were simple to offset the large amounts of dress below her waist.

Halle & Hailee

Are the yin & yang of the Oscars. The veteran & past-winner versus the young fledgling starlet. However, both chose dazzling muted toned Marchesa sparklers for the event. Halle redeemed her SAG malfunction in a tan Marchesa ah-mazing-ness. She couldn't have looked better, and no one can wear that color better than she can-- no one. Nominee, Hailee Steinfeld graced the carpet in a one-of-kind creation that she helped design. I have to say, based on her 3 red carpet appearances this season she really knows how to hit a high note without dressing older than she is. She is the epitome of what any 14 year-old should wear to these things ;) Not to mention, she's super adorable.

Honorable Mentions

I couldn't bare to leave out Michelle Williams, Amy Adams, & Hilary Swank who all looked gorgeous in their respective dresses. Michelle too did significantly better this go-round looking so chic in her stunning Chanel gown. Amy Adams, rocked her fully-sequined navy short-sleeved L'Wren Scott dress. While I didn't love the necklace choice with the neckline (a big earring would have been enough) the dress fit her so incredibly well and her hair was perfect: loose & flowy to juxtapose the structure of the dress. Hilary looked divine in her slate grey Gucci gown (new look for Gucci I might add) as you all now know I have an avid adoration for all things sequined & feathered... lurve.

The One Who 'Brought It'

I'm sure that all fashion mavens rejoiced as Cate Blanchett perused the red carpet in a pearl & crystal encrusted Givenchy dream dress. It's one of those dresses, that while you're sitting at home on the couch vegging out gawking at all these beautiful ensembles, you think to yourself, "I want to go somewhere to wear something like that!" Then reality smacks you in the face each commercial break.

We all know the Oscars were wanting to appeal to a younger demographic but I'm just gonna throw out there, if you want to appeal to all demographics, I think Sandra Bullock & Robert Downey Jr. should host next year... just sayin'...