Inspired by mid-century design and architecture, WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie has created a collection that mixes smooth planes with intricate detailing. From leather with suede, organic cotton with waxed cotton to wool with leather, the collection showcases the duality, versatility and functionality of the brand while keeping the classic touches. Check for snippets of the fall/ winter 2012 lookbook below.

You can check the rest of the collection out at WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie.

Elle: Is it us or is Katy Perry giving Blow-up Doll Realness on this cover. She needs to take more notes from Tyra on the art of “smizing”. Score: 3

Vanity Fair: This is a pretty pic of Kate but it’s nothing special. VF’s cover kind of looks tabloidy which is a shame since this is the coveted “International Best Dressed” issue. Score: 3.1

Company: We’re so confused by Company’s September issue. Whitney Port looks great on the cover, but why are they advertising “summer style” for the fall? Score: 4

Allure: If you’ve seen Sofia Vergara in an interview then you know her spicy personality has more life than this cover. Although Vergara has a timeless beauty, this cover isn’t a complete flop more like a subtle dud. Score: 5

Glamour: We don’t hate this Victoria Beckham cover; it’s just not right for September. We want fashion, save the bubbles and Stephen Russell tiara for the October issue. Score: 5

Teen Vogue: Selena Gomez was the perfect pick to cover Teen Vogue; she just looks like she has to fart or something. Score: 5

Numero: Every once in a while you will find that hair and makeup will out shine the styling in a shoot, this is one of those moments for Candice Swanepoel on Numero. Score: 5

Harper’s Bazaar: A couture moment never goes unnoticed and Gwen Stefani is definitely rocking her Alexis Mabille Couture hat. Score: 8

Vogue Australia: Bella Heathcote looks like a modern day Little Red Riding Hood, nothing about the cover jumps out at you however. Score: 7

Elle UK: We love a watercolor floral print that draws you in and Rosie’s stoic but determined face is a winner!  Score: 8

Marie Claire: Look at Miley all grown up!  Score: 8

Glamour France: Charlotte Le Bun looks like she’s patting her weave. She’s apparently down with Beyonce, hence why we love this cover. Score: 7

Vogue Japan: Karlie Kloss looks stunning on the cover, but didn’t we just see a similar version of this look on Selena Gomez in the July issue of Elle magazine? Score: 8

Flare: Lindsey Wixson is making a bold statement on the cover of Flare Magazine in metallic; however we could live without the gold outer garment. Score: 9

Vogue: The CFDA needs to use this image to create an award for their annual fashion awards because Lady Gaga is serving us haute-ness in Marc Jacobs and crazy hair. Score: 10

Images via Fashionologie

Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium $1,695.00

Tory Burch 797 Large Satchel $625.00

Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. Clutch $295.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs Hobo- Classic Hiller $428.00

Michael Kors Satchel- Gia Embossed $895.00

Alexander Wang Darcy $850.00

RACHEL Rachel Roy Fringe Tote $89.00

This plunging look from Armani Prive isn’t just glamorously seductive, but a bit mysterious when paired with a shimmering veil.

This pastel gown from Chanel is feminine yet powerful. The metallic gloves add a touch of edge to an otherwise romantic dress.

At Dior, this voluminous dress reminds us of a mix between Betty Draper and Carrie Bradshaw…ultra girly with a touch of retro.

Sure to have a major red carpet moment, this gown from Elie Saab is over the top glamor and the turquoise color is to die for.

We think that Jean Paul Gaultier is looking for the remake of The Great Gatsby to come out now with this look that’s clearly inspired by 20′s flappers.

This bold hue mixed with the metallic print (plus a little Angelina Jolie leg) equals a sexy number by Valentino.

Super structured and shiny, this Versace trench dress looks like a suit of armor for the polished city girl.

Maybe it’s the mixed material or the contrasting hues, regardless this simple little Bouchra Jarrar dress is so sophisticated.

Taking the bubble dress to a whole new level, Giambattista Valli has fun with volume.

Leather, fringe, AND asymmetry? Love it. This Givenchy dress is edgy, dark, and beautiful.

Images via Style.com

When the announcement that Raf Simons was to leave Jil Sander and head to Dior, many thought if it was a likely fit? Galliano’s Dior was often splashy and over the top, sometimes in the vein of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. No doubt, his take on Dior would be a vast step from where Galliano and even Bill Gayten, who head the house for two seasons post Galliano-Gate, left off.

Yet, for Christian Dior’s fall 2013 haute couture runway show held yesterday morning, July 2^nd, the designer had a packed crowd full of celebs from Sharon Stone to Hunger Games Jennifer Lawrence and fashion heavyweights from Anna Wintour to Riccardo Tisci from Givenchy, all waiting to see where he next take the house.

No surprise that Simons first call to duty was to erase Galliano’s garish board, and go for a minimalistic aesthetic, but we were delighted to see that he took it back to where the house first began. His collection was a throwback to the early days of Christian Dior. There were the house signatures such as a cinched waist, but he also brought back the Bar jacket (a blazer Christian Dior created in 1947 with a cinched waist with a large peplum) and yet reimagined the look for today pairing it with a cigarette trouser. Another gem was a minimal sheer black top paired with a full ball skirt that was consumed with blue floral and intricate beading. The look was a clash between the best of Raf Simons during his Jil Sander tenure and classic Dior; a hint of minimalism coupled with just enough drama.

Although, Simons’ step into a direction was at times joyous, intriguing and definitely praiseworthy, there were noticeable missteps. The palette was mostly neutrals and light pastels that screamed of Jil Sander. If you could take one image from his last collection at Sander and pair it with one of the strapless dresses of this collection, you could easily see they belong in the same family. Another, there were too many themes. From checkers to florals to tie-dye, the collection was a bit scattered. With the many themes, it felt too convoluted in the story it was telling.

Judging by the poker faces of the editors, designers, celebs and buyers that were in attendance at the show, one couldn’t figure out if Simons truly did a transcending and revolutionary job for his first couture collection at Christian Dior, but it was nonetheless a step in the right direction.

Check below of video from the complete collection!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYKUMwODbbI[/youtube]

Late last week, news hit the fashion world that Yves Saint Laurent will undergo a name change to Saint Laurent Paris. The name change resulted in much confusion and some dismay yet newly creative director Hedi Slimane has other tricks up his sleeve.

Stylecaster reports that Slimane’s touch extends beyond branding the luxury house. Slimane will also have a more “pared down and minimalist” approach to the ready to wear collections as well as producing new bags and other accessories, according to an anonymous source at PPR (YSL’s parent company) Stylecaster spoke to.

Although, Slimane, himself has not released word about his new direction with the brand, we can expect to see Slimane’s men’s spring / summer 2013 ready to wear collection when it debuts Grand Palais in Paris on June 28^th.

Story via Stylecaster / Image via IT deadline

Riccardo Tisci’s fascination with brocade is evident in Givenchy’s Resort 2013 collection. Filled with intricate patterns in silky creations from tunics to harem pants to evening gowns, Tisci also explores intricate leathers (especially with a mocha cocoon bomber) and the occasional denim on denim look with bell sleeves. Peep the full collection in our gallery!

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Images via Style.com

If there’s one thing we can say about Phillip Lim’s design aesthetic, he’s knows simplicity is key. The designer seldom creates clothes that may bog down or could be too intricate, instead incorporating a carefree/ effortless approach to designing garments.

For his Resort 2013 collection, Lim follows in that tradition creating a truly smart looking line, with a little bit of everything. From Khaki Mao pants to leather overalls and even laminated pigskin; the collection is a New Yorker’s dream filled with stuff to wear on the concrete as well as in the Hamptons.

If you don’t know where major fans of Lim, hence this latest edition in a perfect addition to his simplistic aesthetic.
Check out more in the gallery below!

Grade: A-

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Images via Style.com

If there’s one thing Oscar de la Renta is known for, it’s his proclivity for all things floral. While some designers use floral as a trend, de la Renta has built a career creating seasonal looks of the print that are just as timely as they are timeless. For the his 2013 Resort collection, the designer played heavily on a floral theme showcasing a multitude of styles; from large photo prints on silk tops and trousers to embroidered on high waist trousers and A-line dresses.

Yet, de la Renta embraced more “of the moment” trends including peplum, sprinkling in a few silhouettes of a peplum top with column trousers.  The collection was more bright, colorful and trendier than we’ve seen in most de la Renta collections, but the essence of the old school designer still remains: he knows how to make a lady feel classy, sensual and full of sugar and spice; a rarity in some of today’s designers.

Watch the entire Oscar de la Renta Resort 2013 collection below!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izAw4fFa1zM[/youtube]

Images via Style.com

The Good

Prada vs. Givenchy

Although the night belonged to Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli – the focus for the Costume Institute Gala’s latest exhibition, Impossible Conversations, there was a war waging on between two fashion houses. Prada had many come in the garms including: Gwyneth Paltrow, Carey Mulligan, Eva Mendes and Anna Wintour but it was Givenchy that closely followed them with many celebs in the house’s scene stealing red carpet moments. Rooney Mara walked with designer Riccardo Tisci in a Givenchy Haute Couture black asymmetrical one-sleeve lace dress. Other celebs in Givenchy included: Gisele Bundchen, Coco Rocha (in a vintage number owned previously by Elizabeth Taylor) and the most jaw dropping of the night, Beyonce – who showed up last – in a combo of black lace, crystal embellishments and a train of purple feathers giving Kiss of the Spider Woman tease.

Other notable mentions in our good category: Carey Mulligan in Prada, Marion Cotillard in Dior, Eva Mendes in Prada, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry, Ivanka Trump in Peter Pilotto and Anna Wintour in Prada.

Most Improved: Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney. Kristen’s been a little lackluster on the red carpet as of yet (her low: under performing in a copper Zac Posen to last year’s Emmys). So it was nice to see Kristen embrace color in a tangerine lace Stella McCartney dress.

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy

January Jones in Versace

Yellow Not So Mellow: Yellow was the color that really stood out on the red carpet last night. While many wore seas of nude, or blush tones, both Solange Knowles and January Jones stood out in bright hues. Solange went a tad darker in a canary number with peplum effect in a Rachel Roy dress as January Jones tapped into the future with a strong bodice Versace gown.

The “Costumey” Award: We know what you’re thinking. “Aren’t you supposed to be costumey to the Met Gala?” Well no not really. Avant Garde is acceptable but there is a difference between looking very editorial and runway-esque and looking like you came out of a period piece. Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte, we’re judging you.

Best Dressed Buyer: Linda Fargo of Bergdorf’s was the ONLY one in co-exhibitor Elsa Schiaparelli vintage design and for that we give her a round of applause.

The “Carny” Award: Yeah, hands down this goes to Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen. She looked like she escaped from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus.

Best Dressed Male: It’s Kanye West at the Met. This was a no brainer.

Failure to Launch Award: This is a tie to both Dakota Fanning and Debra Messing. Once we heard Dakota was going to wear Louis Vuitton, we thought this was her moment to wear something Victorian-esque and sexy, not look like Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie, although, she comes in tie with Debra Messing in a bland looking gold Kaufmanfranco gown. What happened to the fuchsia wearing, neon loving Debra Messing of Michael Kors yore? Come back, little Debra.

Dynamic Duo Award: We might get some slack for this, but we loved Rachel Zoe and Karolina Kurkova together in both of Rachel Zoe’s designs. It called for some much needed drama on the red carpet.

Best Dressed Couple: Gisele Bundchen in Givenchy and Tom Brady in Tom Ford. Aside from their matching slicked up do’s, both Tom and Gisele looked equally stunning. We especially loved how Tom’s oversized bowtie.

The Bad: Leading the nights fails included Bianca Brandolini D’Adda in a way too much sparkle gown and cape combo (was very Game of Thrones), a frightening looking Mary Kate Olsen and Jessica Stam in some sort or papier-mâché creation.

The Fugliest of Them All: No words can go out to Milla Jovovich. We were so confused by the propotion of her dress and it had the nerve to be too long. As one of the best dressed of the Met 2011 last year, Christina Ricci failed – miserably – in Thakoon’s bow and Jessica Chastain looked like she wore the Empire State building in her column dress.

Images via Getty