Beauty

We haven’t done a whole lot of Milan coverage just because, I find when one fashion week runs into another, you get very similar looks. So what I like to do is pick out what trend runs amongst the fashion weeks. These are the looks that are going to last through the season. This year lace seems to be big. But not too big. What we have been seeing are contemporary, edgy looks that have just the right touch of lace. Gives you that strong but soft look, who says you can’t bring home the bacon and feel your most feminine at the same time? Not our lead designers, that’s for sure.

Miuccia Prada is just one of many designers that melded this strend between strong and feminine. She found the fabric she adored and worked the entire collection around it. Lace is described by Miuccia as ‘the most important fabric in a woman’s life’ . Why? It is present at birth, marriage, death, and every other milestone in between. Lace is not just for your grandma girls, celebrate it. In typical Prada style, the lace Miuccia incorporated was not precious, but smart, and subtly suggestive. And in 2008, subtly suggestive is sexy, beautiful, and strong.

LaPerla is another fave that never seems to let us down when it comes to pretty girly things. LaPerla finessed the strong yet sexy look in her Madonna like ‘Like a Virgin’ days which she put to shame with lingerie like details that left very little, but just enough to the imagination.

Derek Lam was another who took his contemporary cues from goth women. His girls were shrouded models in black lace dresses, tops, and even sexy eye masks. I love this chic sheath with the gold toned lace and black underlay. This could even go for day if you throw a snappy black blazer over top. So pretty. And Erin Fetherstone (pictured first, above) was right on target with her girly girly feminine appeal. Not the most wearable piece mind you, but she followed suit with the trends rather elegantly.

Rumors are swirling that some celebs are taking the looks right from Milan to the Academy Awards carpets. Who do you think can dare to be this sexy? Check back Monday to find out!

Photos: Elle

Is it any surprise that most of our most beautiful celebrities this year also made the best-dressed list? No, me either. Which is why these are the same ladies that keep popping up in our celebrity trend spotting features as well. But there is a reason these names keep cropping up, because these ladies really know how to pull off beauty AND style and make it look so easy all at the same time. And speaking of these names, it struck me when writing this that WOW having the name KATE in Hollywood (or any version thereof) really helps with the style factor!! Just an odd coincidence though….the name Reese seems to be working well as well.

Let’s look at our top 10 Celebrity Trend Setters for 2007, and again, in no specific order. And you know, I can EASILY see a few of these names appearing on next year’s list as well. They are just THAT beautiful. *sigh*

We are starting off with Cate Blanchett, who never plays it safe and always wows the crowds. She is most famous for wearing her Balenciaga right off the runway and this is the same woman who considers Missoni maternity attire. Here she is doing just what she does best, the wow factor. Blanchett is arriving in Armani Prive at the Rome Film Festival for the premiere of Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

An article on trendsetters just wouldn’t be the same without mention of one of America’s most famous style icons. This girl can pull off anything from old-world glamour to rock punk edge. And, as we well know, she has transferred this style to her own LAMB line and her very first line of fragrances which apparently just can’t stay on the shelves. Here is our Gwen Stefani arriving at the NRJ French Music Awards in one of her more famous looks, black and white stripes.

Speaking of Balenciaga, we have the face of their Spring 2008 campaign, Jennifer Connelly. Again, here is another girl that pulls off those harder-to-wear gems with panache. One example of such ensembles would be the sculptural floral piece from their ’08 collection, and another is the Balenciaga she is wearing here at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala.

And our second Kate of trendsetters is Katherine Heigl who made the A-list but fast this year with her Emmy award winning performances. The red carpet WAS Heigl’s runway and she has been photographed in everything from Zac Posen to Valentino. She is also the best presenter in this year’s biggest beauty trends (as we have mentioned) with bold lips and soft waves. And here she is in an eye-popping red ensemble at the SAG Awards.

Kate number 3 is none other than the previously mentioned Kate Bosworth who we showcased in a stunning bikini just yesterday. She’s been flogged publicly for some weight issues which she has just as publicly made changes about. With a few extra pounds here (as if anyone can notice) Kate Bosworth is showing she can wear anything, even those horrid bubble skirts, and make it look like it is the only trend worth wearing. Kate is showing up here also at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala in a shiny Prada piece.

Baby! Baby! Baby! Baby! Reese was the word this year when Reese Witherspoon made waves at the 2007 Academy Awards in this gorgeous number by Olivier Theyskens. This was the post-divorce Reese that appeared at the Oscars and many other red carpet events with dazzling *nothing can get me down* smiles. Maybe it was the magic of Nina Ricci by Olivier Theyskens that had her smiling, or maybe it was the fact that she became my sister KATE’S new best friend this year (which will get anyone smiling!), or MAYBE, it was just good southern grit that kept this style queen’s pretty head above the crowds when her world crashed around her. So inspiring!

Ashley Olsen was best known in 2006 as the fly glasses and baggy sweaters girl that was scarily close to making the best dressed homeless look list, but this year she changed all of that. But who wouldn’t when one of your best pals is Christian Louboutin. *sob* With her style changes she is much less grunge and much more lady as we can see here at the 2007 Golden Globes in Reem Acra. And no, her sister didn’t quite make the list. But THAT’S what happens when you have an eating disorder girls! But seriously, would it kill the girl to smile??

Our Kate #4 is the lovely Kate Moss who has made headlines this year with her breakup with greasy Pete Doherty. But this hasn’t stopped the supermodel from always looking nothing less than gorgeous. And busy! This year Kate launched her new line Topshop, chopped off some bangs, and made menswear the latest trend. Here she is in one of her own pieces at a Fashion Rocks fashion show and concert.

Kate #5 is none other than the also known as Mrs. Tom Cruise, our girl Katie Holmes. Here she is looking stunning as ever at the Bambi Awards in Germany. Am I aging myself by remembering what a sweet little girl this one was on Dawson’s Creek? Who would guess that in 2007 she would be making best dressed lists all over the world. Moving from mildly dowdy in 2006 to elegantly chic in 2007 was an effortless switch for this young lady. Amazing what a good haircut (and an A-list hubby) can do for you! Of course, when your Italian casa is next-door to your BBQ pals the Armani’s, THAT doesn’t hurt either.

And last but not least I leave the poshest trendsetter until last. I know she is not many people’s favorites, but this does not stop her from being idolized by many for her uncanny ability to turn heads. Love her, love to hate her. It doesn’t matter if she is in Herve, Proenza Schouler, Leger, or her own dVb line, she is always gorgeous.