Gory Girl Blog

Newly Slim Beyonce Turns Heads In Her Dramatic Gown At Met Gala

It is the fashion industry's night of nights, and as two of the fiercest celebrities around, Rihanna and Beyonce were always going to give the models and designers a run for the money.

Beyonce, who has dropped a few dress sizes in recent months, decided to show off her newly svelte figure in an extremely tight gown by Emilio Pucci last night at the Costume Institute Gala in New York.

And while, other than a cut-out of her décolletage, the 29-year-old singer remained covered up in her breathtaking gown, Rihanna turned heads in a daring Stella McCartney dress that left little to the imagination.

From the front, the singer's dress appeared rather conservative with just a subtle hint of skin on show.

But as she turned around, Rihanna revealed a daring slit up the side of the dress, held together with sheer mesh.

Beyonce was joined by her husband Jay-Z and showed off her figure in a form-fitting black fishtail gown with exquisite gold embroidery.

The stunning dress had a high neck design, complete with a cut out oval panel which revealed her décolletage.

Of course, having her husband by her side proved helpful because the tight-fitting nature of the ensemble meant it the Single Ladies singer needed assistance climbing the stairs.

The Met Gala is one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar and is held every year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This year the event has been dedicated to designer Alexander McQueen, who took his own life last February.

Beyonce has recently returned to the States from Paris where she has been working on new material ahead of her much anticipated comeback.

She is set to feature on an upcoming track with Jay-Z and Kanye West and is believed to have laid down some vocals while in Europe.

Other guests at the event included Jennifer Lopez, Brooklyn Decker and Rosie Huntington Whitely.

The three ladies all went for pink gowns, with Victoria's Secret model Rosie being the most daring in a dress which was split from the neck down to her navel.

Actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eva Mendes along with singer Madonna all wore varying shades of blue.

Maggie's form fitting ensemble appeared to be slightly see-through around the chest while Madonna's attire, complete with silver stars, was a demure choice compared to the more 'out there' designs she usually wears to such events.

Isla Fisher also chose sparkly blue Tory Burch, while Eva Mendes went for an asymmetrical Stella McCartney.

McCartney was a popular choice on the night with Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Iman all wearing designs by the Brit.

Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Gwyneth, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristen Bell, Naomi Watts and Renee Zellweger all chose flattering and dazzling gold gowns.

While gold was the most popular choice of the evening, some brave starlets chose colourful dresses - Isabel Lucas was ethereal in coral Louis Vuitton, Zoe Saldana wore lemon Calvin Klein, while Jinnfer Goodwin snubbed designer labels for a jade green Topshop Unique frock.

The Olsen twins were typically high fashion in Christian Dior (Ashley) and Givenchy (Mary-Kate) Haute Couture.

The young starlets of screen and song including Blake Lively and Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, Twilight stars Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Ashley Greene, Glee's Lea Michele and singer Taylor Swift all managed to shine just as brightly as more seasoned industry names in their colourful assortment of gowns.

The men were not forgotten, with Miranda Kerr, Jessica Also and Fergie bringing along husbands Orlando Bloom, Cash Warren and Josh Duhamel respectively.

A Bag Fit For A Princess? Kate Middleton's $1,665 Tote That Was Named After Diana

Given the circumstances, Kate Middleton is bound to be compared with Diana. But is the future princess actively channelling her fiance's late mother?

Miss Middleton, 29, has been spotted carrying Tods' D-Bag - a classic leather tote that the Italian label named for Princess Diana after her death in 1997.

Though it has been updated in style since its launch, with rounded corners and a zip, the style hallmarks are still there - quality leather, exposed stitching and a clean, classic design that screams luxury without flaunting an obvious designer label.

It is these features that have made it a popular choice with both A-listers and shoppers.

Fashion-forward actress Kate Bosworth owns a D-Bag in the same hue as Miss Middleton, while Jessica Alba has a bright glossy red one.

Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Leighton Meester and Zoe Saldana have also been seen with different versions.

Of course such luxury doesn't come cheap. A simple leather version costs from $1,665, while the 'luxury' version, with platinum hardware and kid leather lining costs from $4,650.

Think that's pricey? A glossy crocodile skin version costs upwards of $28,000.
Diego Della Valle, the son of the company's founder, revealed why it was such a natural decision to name the bag after Diana.

'She was an incredible supporter of our product,' he told the Times in an interview last year.

He explained that the former wife of Prince Charles had discovered Tod’s herself, by browsing in the shops, unlike many high-profile women these days who are gifted with the bags they carry in order to generate press coverage.

'It was interesting for us because she used the D-Bag in many different situations, between official dinners or when she was in Africa,' he added.

Tod's was founded in the late 1920s by Dorino Della Valle, Diego's father.

But it was the younger Della Valle that spotted an unusual studded moccasin in a vintage shop in the U.S. in the Seventies, and used it as inspiration for what is now the brand's most successful product.

He explained how the company came to have a name that is so distinctly un-Italian.
'The idea was to try and get a name that was easy to read and pronounce in every part of the world and recognise,' he revealed.

'At the time it was a little ambitious - I was young - but today it’s correct; people love the name. It’s easy.'

The company says its artisan craftsmen and an obsessive attention to detail are the secrets to its success.

Its website reads: 'Luxury... means having the know how of artisans apprenticed and trained over decades, and the capacity to detect the slightest fault in an apparently impeccable hide and discard it as unfit for Tod's.

'It is these same artisans, whose families have often been cobblers for generations, who hand cut individual strips of leather (sometimes as many as 100) and later sew them together, hammer them into shape and ultimately create an inimitable shoe or bag that only an Italian artisan with his ancestry and experience can create.'

Big Hair From Billion-dollar Woman Jessica Simpson As She Reveals How She Climbed To The Top Of Fashion World

She may have lost some of her lustre when it comes to record sales, but Jessica Simpson reigns supreme in the fashion world.

Her empire is projected to make history this year, by becoming the first ever celebrity fashion line to earn one billion dollars in annual sales.

The singer-turned fashion designer's clothing line raked in an astonishing $750 million dollars in sales last year, making it the top selling celebrity clothing empire.

The 30-year-old celebrated by posing for a playful - and revealing - photo shoot for New York magazine.

'I never thought I'd be some fashion mogul!' she admits in the accompanying interview.

When asked why her brand is so successful, she replied: 'When it comes to other celebrity brands, I think a lot of people do a great job, but it can't be all about them. Everybody doesn't want to just look like the celebrity, because they can't. They just want one element of that style.'

She also told the magazine she plans to launch new ready-to-wear and career separates lines.

The Texas native launched her Jessica Simpson Collection in 2007 with a line of handbags, shoes and boots.

She has since expanded it to include watches, clothing, cosmetics, luggage, bathing suits, and fragrances, which are all sold in major department stores across America.
According to fashion blog thefashionistaforum.com her sales have risen by almost a quarter in the last 12 months.

That would put her in the same league American fashion titans Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and Donna Karan.

In the interview, Jessica also opens up about her engagement to former NFL player Eric Johnson, and described his marriage proposal.

'It felt great for somebody to be on his knee and I had to sit on that knee because I was so excited and overwhelmed,' she said.

Jessica has not yet revealed a wedding date - or who will be designing her wedding gown.