TRUE LOVE: Amal's Wedding Dress

Amal & George cover People Magazine. Photo: People.com

I don't know if George and Amal's love is real or just a pre-fab Hollywood closet block. And I still don't know whether or not George Clooney is gay. But I do know, since everyone is debating this right now, that Amal Alamuddin is officially > Kate Middleton when it comes to style. Amal has been nothing short of spectacular all week, from her hi-low fiery red McQueen micro-mini on her hen night, to her chic Bianca Jagger-inspired white pantsuit at her civil ceremony. Like Kate, Amal rarely has a fashion miss but here's the difference: Amal pushes it every single time. Kate? It's safe, pleasant, ironed. Excuse me while I take a Royal nap. Um Kate, the Queen called, she wants her nude hose back.  

Though Amal went leggy and edgy leading up to the big day, she opted for classic and timeless for her wedding day. People just released the first pics of her custom Oscar de la Renta French lace wedding gown, complete with hand-embroidered pearls and diamanté accents, plus an off-the-shoulder neckline and full circular train. Pretty, right? Here's the thing - Kate knows classic. Kate was perfect on her wedding day and so on that day she wins. I will give Kate her wedding day. But for everyday fashion choices, it's Amal. I love her brains, her hair and her style, and I wish her a long, happy life with George's credit card. Not that she needs it. 

Did you love Amal's Venetian Fashion Week? What did you think of her dress? And do you think that, wedding day aside, Amal beats Kate when it comes to style?

Banana Republic x Roland Mouret? Oui, Oui!

Le va-va-voom. Photo courtesy Banana Republic. 

Well, it seems to be the week for big designer collab announcements and this one comes courtesy of Banana Republic. The retailer just announced its next team-up with famed designer Roland Mouret. He ees French, and ee makes pretty frocks, zat ees all you need to know. Oh, and A-listers love him; in 2006, Mouret shot to fame when celebs first wore his now-famous Galaxy dress on the red carpet.

The Roland Mouret collection will fuse Mouret's signature hourglass dress designs with Banana Republic's much-loved Sloan fabric - the bi-stretch wonder-fabric that sucks you in, flattens you out (in all the right places, naturellement) and makes Spanx redundant. Mouret, famous for his exceptional skills in draping, structure and style, naturally gravitated toward this signature material, which he hand-draped, cut and pinned on the body to create this iconic 30-piece capsule collection.  

“Partnering with Banana Republic on this project was such an adventure for me,” says Roland Mouret. “The common goal for this collection is to offer incredible fit through an assortment of hourglass silhouettes using Banana Republic’s Sloan fabric, extending my love of structure into accessible prices. These pieces are multi-functional for the modern woman to wear and accessorize in her own way, making her always ready for life’s journey.”

Expect bold colourblocking, graphic perforated details, leopard prints and, of course, svelte cuts on everything from blazers and pencil skirts to sheath dresses. Apparel includes petite styles and will range in price from $62 (belt) - $205 (dress).

The women’s capsule launches exclusively at select Banana Republic locations worldwide and online in early August 2014.

Isn't that LBD to-die? I left the pic up on my laptop and as my husband passed by, his Pavlovian response was panting out 'oooh, pretty girl'. I think I saw some drool. Just the kind of reaction you'd expect from a man-eating dress like celui-ci, oui?