When Cannes became old Hollywood

With Cannes Film Festival comes the anticipation of innovative, fresh new films, and an onslaught of tremendous fashion spectacles. This year as ever, it didn’t fail to deliver, but an unexpected guest came in the form of torrential rain. Doing little to dampen the atmosphere, the stars fought the elements with their very own tumultuous storm of fashion. And who can complain if Leo Dicaprio’s shirt clung a little tighter? The annual event steeped in majesty and grandeur opened with the long awaited Great Gatsby, and clearly the 20s glamour spilled out of the screen and onto the red carpet. For one year only, Cannes became Old Hollywood.

Cara Delevingne has become synonymous with striking style this year as she’s taken the fashion world by storm. When you look that good, a bin bag would look chic, but when met with Burberry it almost seems unfair. The model of the moment’s lace gown with plunging neckline was complimented with an array of bejewelled beauties. After the news hit the papers of the jewellery theft pre-festival, if Cara’s anything to go by there seems to be enough to go round... She was the epitome of a Hollywood siren, smouldering in this designer sensation.

When faced with standing next to Leonardo Dicaprio, it’s inevitable that the ability to use peripheral vision and look anywhere else is completely lost. But somehow, Carey Mulligan has flouted the laws of science (/obsession) and has managed to steal the show. The Hollywood starlet radiated regal sophistication, dazzling co-stars and fans alike. Her couture Dior dress was something in itself to be celebrated, oozing effortless class and fitting her frame like a glove. The blush pink tones with her platinum blonde hair and the dash of red lipstick culminated in a crescendo of Gatsby-esque glamour. Could it get any better? (Nope.)

Other notable beauties worthy of a mention come in the form of Lana Del Rey’s black and white masterpiece, with the scalloped detailing on the strapless neckline and fishtail detailing combining to accentuate her hourglass figure. Naomie Harris sizzled in her silver sensation, worthy of her Bond Girl status. And who can forget Isla Fisher? Red hair, red dress, red carpet: this scarlet siren sizzled amongst the other Hollywood stars.

Fancy jumping aboard the Old Hollywood brigade? We thought so. SWT are on hand to inject a bit of luxurious grandeur into your wardrobe. The key to 20s glamour came in the culmination of chic and simple, with a sprinkling of dazzling embellishments. Wrap yourself up in Gatsby glamour in our cream fox-fur shawl, perfect for adding a delicate splash of old Hollywood chic to any outfit. Our layered tops in ivory and coral come with hand embellished detailing at the neckline, which paired with skinnies can liven up any day time dress code. Or why not go all out Cannes in our very own bejewelled floor length dresses? With a subtle side slit and the vibrant, bold shades, this dress is a show stealer. Hang a bit of Hollywood up in your wardrobe.

http://www.southwestten.com/clothing/Cream-Fox-Fur-Shawl

http://www.southwestten.com/clothing/Coral-Layered-Top

http://www.southwestten.com/clothing/dresses/Coral-Maxi-Dress

So there you have it: Cannes, Gatsby and a whole lot of Old Hollywood, the ultimate trio. Oh, and Leonardo Dicaprio. Only mentioned him three times, that took real restraint. We hope we’ve successfully satisfied your thirst for encrusted Burberry and couture Dior (oh to live vicariously). Until next year Cannes, we miss you already.

When chaos Met couture

The 2013 Met Ball

It was Sienna Miller meets Burberry. It was Sarah Jessica Parker meets Mohican. It was Kim Kardashian meets, well, a sofa. It was 2013’s Met Ball! Vogue have done it again and thrown an outstanding bash full of fashion firsts, fashion favourites and of course, fashion fiascos. (Yes, we’re talking to you Madonna.) The night was charged with electricity, the punk theme holding sway as fishnets and excessive leather almost seemed vanilla. Here’s our take on who rocked, and who we’d really rather have rolled under the carpet.

My feeling on the whole ‘good news, bad news’ subject is always to go in with the worst first,  like ripping off a plaster, and today the plaster has to be Madonna. Rather fitting, because the only way to describe her outfit is painful. Tartan, fishnets, a studded choker, need I say more? For the woman who glorified Vogue, she hasn’t quite got the look down to a tee.

No one has ever tried to look for the good in an outfit more than I have this week, but it genuinely pains me to say that Beyonce definitely went a bit off track this year. She’s smoking hot as it is, so there’s really no need to wear a dress that looks like it’s been set on fire. The boots, the gloves- it’s definitely burnt our retinas. But who cares, it’s Beyonce. Through sickness and in health and all that jazz, we love you. 

Don’t worry, there’s light at the end of the tunnel! And it comes in the form of Blake Lively. The Gossip Girl star dazzled in this Gucci sensation, with organza layering that cascaded into a striking train. The feather detailing certainly had us all a flutter, and the soft silver and matte black tones oozed punk chic.

Jessica Alba kept it classy in this fitted, patterned floor length masterpiece, with a nod to the theme in head to toe leather and cut out panels. The epitome of effortless style, can she ever go wrong?

But the model of the moment stole the award for the look of the night. Cara’s plunging neckline is balanced out with her long sleeves, speckled with sharp gold stud detailing. Burberry meets Delevingne, it’s like Pimms and Summer, a faultless combination.

So there you have it, our highs and lows of the Gala of the year, and how the styles yoyo-ed. We’ve only scratched the surface, with the likes of Anne Hathaway and Rooney Mara equally deserving a standing ovation. We still haven’t managed to nab an invite, but until then we’ll just blog about it.  Besides, there’s always next year.