During her first state visit in Britain, Carla had to measure up to the queen and Camilla Parker Bowles. Her style had to bear the scrutiny of most newspapers and magazines in France and in the UK, to finally being given the big thumb up...

Arriving at a lunch yesterday with Princess Letizia of Spain who looked drop dead gorgeous, Carla might have regretted not to rethink the outfit, knowing that even the Queen of Spain is quite youthful, yet very appropriate in her style.

Princess Letizia, was sporting an eggplant tiered dress by Spanish designer Felipe Varela, adding to lilac platform heels. The dress colour suited her skin tone and hair perfectly and had the perfect length to elongate her calves. The cut is so good that her thin waist is properly emphasized without being too tight.
Carla's dress should have been longer and she should not be weary of wearing heels... Kitten heels work better with longer shapes that go mid-calves as one can see in many movies of the 60s.

Carla's stylist should also be aware that she's got small squinty eyes and that fringe emphasizes strongly the bottom of her face.

Maybe Carla didn't want to outshine her host, in which case, she looked sufficiently good to not upset her either.

Simple elegance: Charlize Theron

Although usually I am the first to criticise stars and actresses that dress in black too often, I have to make an exception for Charlize Theron who is not afraid of taking risks but even so doing, she usually looks stunning and effortless.

Charlize joined Hanks's friends, colleagues and co-stars in New York to honour the star with the Film Society's 36th Annual Gala Tribute at the Lincoln Center.

Mlle Theron sports a lace dress by Lanvin Pre-Fall Collection 2009.
What do you think?

Carrie Bradshaw's look for less

If, like me, you read fashion magazines, you cannot have missed the information that Matthew Williamson is the latest designer to collaborate with H&M.

What I failed to know was that, even one year after the release of Sex and the City: The Movie, the Carrie Bradshaw look - i.e. as featured in the movie - still prevailed. Why else would Williamson design a dress highly inspired from the pink dress she wore in the movie and a similar studded belt?

Strangely, the H&M dress seems to be of better quality and cut than the number - certainly a designer item- worn by Carrie as the fabric is all crinkled at the front.

Personally, I always recommend wearing tulip shape skirts/dresses. It is broad on the hips and thus comfortable but more to the point, most of us can wear it and look good in it. Of course, to wear anything short, one has to have nice legs.

Below, find how to emulate that look. Nothing easier.
The shoes though, are customized: Patricia Field explained she added a mesh upper to the Dior black pumps. Personally, I don't really like that pink dress with these shoes as they shorten the leg because of the dress's length.

Why not wear any gladiator heel like the character who couldn't get enough of the gladiator heels Extreme by Dior she wore throughout the movie. The Bakers and the New Look number were the closest to it but gladiator heels are everywhere in many variations:

Look of the week: LE NEO-SAROUEL

Zara features a few sarouels in the current line after it has been seen in Hermes, Rick Owens, Nina Ricci, Kenzo etc summer and winter collections.

Although it may appeal essentially to a younger crowd, the sarouel is very comfortable and can reveal itself as one of the most flattering and elegant trousers of the season.

Here are a few ideas about how to sport themost fashionable piece of the season.

A designer to follow: Kara Ross

As far as new designers go, Kara Ross already has made a name for herself and her work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue US or Harpers BazaarUS. There is very little doubt that her style will translate overseas.

The designer has a real ability in retouching the classics and add a modern twist. Her pieces are strong yet understated. A look that works for everyday as well as for evenings.

Her rings and cuffs are especially vibrant and would highlight most black and boring wardrobes. Let's not forget a lovely and simple but remarkable collection of bags as well.

Let's wait and see but it would be a shame if no one saw the potential in Kara's collection.

Prices vary between 150£ to much more...
www.kararossny.com

I've got croc under my skin

Long a staple of luxury and style combined, crocodile has recently made a recurrent apparition in Fashion collections to the point where Crocodile went almost boring. That was before Bruno Frisoni, the designer for Roger Vivier came into the picture.

This pair of sculptural pair of sandals is spectacular and encompasses everything that stands for great design: a fabulous balance as the top of the straps go to the right level for a tiny ankle and the web of straps gives a lightness to the shoe that looks otherwise quite imposing.

Exit the Jimmy Choo of this world that would have you believe that a pair of pumps with swarovski is the ultimate height of footwear, Bruno Frisoni is here to remind us what High Fashion is. With Galliano and McQueen, always up to challenge our sense of balance, Roger Vivier is more vivid than ever. Enjoy the look of it for a very few of us will be able to afford this extremely extravagant number.

Trend Spotting: Mongolian Fur

The red tartan trend is pervasive but the mongolian fur is also found everywhere. And I can only rejoyce to the idea that people will pick up on that one. Last year, I bought a simple pine green scarf made of mongolian fur at Marks & Spencer for a mere 15£. From that moment, I knew Mongolian fur would be the next trend.

It has now arrived and everyone can do their purchase to the level they wish. Not everyone can afford the Hermes Sheepskin jackets...

So here are a few selections for you of what is available in retail:

From the pictures:
Mongolian Sheepskin Fur Coat by Joseph: circa 660£
Mongolian Fur Bag Telescope by Christian Louboutin
Mongolian Fur Cushion Next: 15£
Tara Jarmon Red Fur Coat

Left: TopShop Scarves: 35£