Fashion designers now and then in pictures - 2

What a difference a decade makes: take a look back at what the fashion world's biggest players used to look like...

KARL LAGERFELD
German designer Karl Lagerfeld lost 100lbs in just ober a year back in 2001. "I suddenly wanted to dress differently, to wear clothes designed by Hedi Slimane," he said at the time. "But these fashions, modeled by very, very slim boys-and not men my age-required me to lose at least 40 kg. It took me exactly thirteen months." He has kept his slim frame ever since.

MARC JACOBS
Marc Jacobs was the epitome of the grungy collections he produces in the 90s. Following several stints in rehab, Jacobs is fit and toned at 49.

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON
British designer Matthew Williamson has barely changed over the last fifteen years or so, only adding some facial embellishments to his look.

STELLA MCCARTNEY
Announced as French fashion house Chloe's new recruit in 1997, McCartney was just 26 years old. Now aged 40, she has build on her internationally successful eponymous label for over a decade.

TOM FORD
Ford is one of those gentlemen who becomes even more handsome with age. From his fresh-faced years at Gucci in the Nineties, he has since matured with some artfully grown stubble as he enters his sixth decade.

TOMMY HILFIGER
American sportswear designer Tommy Hilfiger has carved out a billion-dollar fashion empire over four decades, all while keeping his teeth extra pearly-white.

DAME VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
Westwood grew from young eccentric, to erm, old eccentric. Her hairstyles from 1987 to present day might have changed numerous times over, but that smile is all hers.

GIORGIO ARMANI
Still taking a post-catwalk show bow aged 77, take a look at Mr Armani in the early Eighties.

 Fashion designers now and then in pictures - 1

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Milan Fashion Week: Giorgio Armani autumn/winter 2012 - 2

Giorgio Armani autumn/winter 2012.

Milan Fashion Week: Giorgio Armani autumn/winter 2012 -1

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Milan Fashion Week: Giorgio Armani autumn/winter 2012 - 1

Milan Fashion Week: Giorgio Armani  autumn/winter 2012.

Catch up with all the news from Milan Fashion Week
 

Milan Fashion Week: Giorgio Armani autumn/winter 2012 - 2

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Oscars 2012 fashion: red carpet trends

It's called the biggest night in fashion, though quite how many of us mere mortals will be studying the Oscars red carpet to see what we'll be wearing this spring is fairly questionable.

Left to right: Meryl Streep in Lanvin for the Green Carpet Challenge; Stacy Keibler in Marchesa; Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen. PHOTOS: Getty.
This is totally fine if you're a) planning on winning one later like Meryl Streep whose custom made Lanvin for the Green Carpet Challenge gown looked a triumph next to her Best Actress statuette; b) possibly winning one like Jessica Chastain who although sadly lost out on the the night, still looked a winner in this Alexander McQueen gown; or c) escorting a potential winner like Stacy Keibler whose stunning Marchesa gown was teamed with the ultimate accessory - George Clooney. No one else need apply.

Left to right: Bérénice Bejo in Elie Saab couture; Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani; Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab. PHOTOS: Getty
Trends schmends. Sometimes we just want to look at a gown and sigh at how wonderfully, magically, dreamy it is. Step forward princess Penelope Cruz who channelled Grace Kelly in a dusty blue, off-the-shoulder Giorgio Armani fancy; best actress nominee Bérénice Bejo in her mint parfait Elie Saab couture gown. Of course, this is what Mr Saab does best, so no surprise that model-turned-actress Milla Jovovich also floored the competition in one of his creations.

LADIES IN RED left to right: Livia Firth in Valentino for the Green Carpet Challenge; Natalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior; Jane Seymour
Michelle Williams (top) has to be our best dressed of the night in her strapless tulle Louis Vuitton gown. She headed up a red gown gang whose notables also included Livia Firth in a stunning fairytale Valentino Haute Couture gown which was custom made for her Green Carpet Challenge from recycled polyester from plastic bottles (not your average style statement); Dior ambassador Natalie Portman who neatly dodged being predictable by choosing a vintage dress from the Dior archives from 1954; and veteran British actress Jane Seymour who by some genetic miracle managed to pull off a strappy red sparkly gown at the age of 61.

Left to right: Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward; Rooney Mara in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci; Li Bing Bing. PHOTOS: Getty/AFP
In fact, the more romantic the better as this glamorous trio of bridal mermaids prove. And they weren't the only ones channelling the fairytale wedding vibe. The red carpet was positively fit to burst with all the floor-length white gowns on show from Cameron Diaz to Octavia Spencer. Of course, leave it to our favourite new fashion plate Rooney Mara to do it best. Her Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci gown was offset to perfection by her alabaster complexion and jet black hair.

NO-NOS left to right: Viola Davis in Vera Wang; Ann Sophie Bion; Missi Pyle.
Do not jostle and squeeze your assets into a dress that isn't equipped to deal with them properly, particularly if that dress is bright green. Never mistake a bin liner for an Oscars gown. One is for rubbish, one just looks it. And finally, try not to let your outfit look like a 1950's bedroom suite complete with frilly valance.

Left to right: Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford; Charlene, Princess of Monaco in Akris; Shailene Woodley in Valentino Haute Couture. PHOTOS: Getty
Just ask Gwyneth Paltrow whose sharply tailored white Tom Ford gown with cape detail was a total knockout without any need for elaborate frills, jewels, bells or whistles. Following suit were Charlene, Princess of Monaco who resisted temptation to over-embellish her elegant white Akris gown; and rising star Shailene Woodley who confessed that one of the major attractions of this beautiful Valentino couture gown was that she could still breathe in it.

Michelle WIlliams wearing Louis Vuitton.

Left to right: Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad; Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace; Glenn Close in Zac Posen. PHOTOS: Getty
Not every woman can pull off the whole 'I'm sexy and I know it' look without looking like they're trying too hard. Notable exceptions to this were Angelina 'OMG Amazing' Jolie who looked ready to ravish the photographers at any moment; Jennifer 'Shake Your Money Maker' Lopez whose motto is 'never knowingly underdressed'; and a surprise entry, Glenn Close whose whole demeanour screamed 'yes I may be old enough for my bus pass, but I've still got it damn you!'. Watch out Helen Mirren, there's a new sexy sexagenarian in town.

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You know you make me wanna pout: New season make-up

Make-up by Christian Dior . Capture Totale Radiance Restoring Serum foundation in 'Linen', £62. Glowing Color Powder blush in 'Sunkissed Cinnamon', £28. 3 Couleurs eyeshadow in 'Smoky', £32. Precision eyeliner in 'Black', £23.50. Rouge Dior lipstick in 'Angélique Beige', £22.30
White cotton and mesh polka-dot Dress, £1,175, by Stella McCartney, London

Make-up by Giorgio Armani, from Selfridges (020 7318 2486). Luminous Make-Up base, £33. Luminous Silk foundation in 'Ivory', £33. Sheer blush in 'Sand', £29. Brow Defining pencil in 'Brown', £17. Rouge d'Armani lipstick in 'Rouge 401', £23.Maestro eyeshadow Quatro in 'Desert', £39.50
Red sinamay Bow, £330, philiptreacy.co.uk . Black silk-jersey Dress with patent-leather appliqué polka-dots, £1,150, by davidkoma.com

Make-up by Yves Saint Laurent, from Selfridges , Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare Brush base, £36.Touche Eclat concealer in '1.5', £24.50. Teint Radiance foundationin 'No 2 Blond', £29.50. Pure Chromatics Wet and Dry eyeshadow in '4', £37. Singulier Nuit Blanche Waterproof mascara in 'Vibrant Brown', £22. Volupté Sheer Candy lipstick in 'Juicy Grapefruit', £21
Black synthetic-hair bow, £26, by Hershesons, from asos.com . Black silk Dress, £700, by Giles, from Dover Street Market, London W1. Pearl and diamond Earrings, £7,000, by Boodles, London W1 

Make-up by Chanel (020 7493 3836) Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating base, £28. Teint Innocence foundation in 'Clair', £34. Soleil Tan de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Fluid bronzer in 'Sunkissed', £30. Illusion d'Ombre Long Wear Luminous eyeshadow in 'Emerveillé', £22.50. Rouge Coco Shine lipstick in 'Boy', £22.50. Le Vernis nail colour in' Black Velvet', £17.
Black mink, rabbit and polyester-net Hat, £370, by Stephen Jones, London WC2 

Make-up by maccosmetics.co.uk Prep & Prime highlighter in 'Bright Forecast', £17. Select Moisture Cover concealer in 'NW15', £13.50. Mac Pro Paint Stick eyeshadow in 'Pure White', £15.50. Lipstick in 'Russian Red', £13.50. Lip pencil in 'Cherry', £10.50. False Lashes mascara in 'False Black', £17.50. Nail lacquer in 'Shirelle', £9.
Black onyx and platinum Ring, £2,285, by Chanel Fine Jewellery, London W1 (020 7499 0005). White cotton-mix Shirt with black bow-tie, £25, by next.co.uk .
Model: Polina Sova at Union; Make-up: Natsumi Watanabe at Caren; Hair: Adrian Clark, using GHD Gold Series Styler; Nails: Glenis Baptiste at My Management; Make-up: assistant Yae Seno; Photographer's Assistants: Lee Whittaker and Nile Kennedy; Fashion Assistant: Frankie Graddon.

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What to buy in the sales

 Make sure your summer sale purchases don't leave you looking 'so last season' when autumn arrives with our guide to the spring/summer trends that will continue through to autumn/winter.

Sleeveless Jacket
A hybrid between a blazer and a gilet, the sleeveless jacket is the must-have garment for the winter. The style was first showcased at the spring/summer shows by the likes of Alexander Wang (left) however it has been layered with trousers or worn on its own, as seen at Dolce & Gabbana (right), for a tougher autumn/winter look.

Tunic and Trousers
If the idea of a dress over trousers conjures up ideas of 90's nightmares, think again. The tunic and trousers combo was sleek and chic at spring/summer Calvin Klein (left) and the minimalist vison rolled into autumn/winter where if featured on the Osman, Giorgio Armani and Peter Pilotto (right) catwalks.

Androgynous
The boy-meets-girl look has been creeping onto the womenswear runways over the last few seasons, with Teddy Boys dominating the Balenciaga spring/summer 2011 show (left). Men's tailoring - both laid back and more traditional - was rife on the autumn/winter catwalks, as seen at Paul Smith (right).

Blue
Blue made a serious splash on the spring/summer catwalks. Whether it was a royal hue or futher towards turquoise, blue was the colour du jour, as seen at Miu Miu (left). For autumn/winter blue continues to dominate, but this time in more jewel like tones at Roksanda Ilincic (right).

Floral
On the spring/summer catwalks floral prints ranged from the dainty and pretty as seen at Erdem (left) to the dramatic at Dries van Noten. In autumn/winter flowers were everywhere - from decorating the sleeves at Miu Miu to dominating the capes at Jil Sander (right).

Monochromatic
Black and white is a colour combination which isn't new to any catwalk. Keep it crisp as shown at both spring/summer Pringle of Scotland (left) and autumn/winter Burberry (right) and you'll be on to a winner.

Nude
Nude is a trend that has been around for seasons. It all started with 'camel' which took over the autumn/winter catwalks last year. For spring/summer it was translated into a softer 'nude' with a strong empahsis on the ballet, particularly at Chloe (left). For autumn/winter there is a pinky hue to the oh-so-wearable nude and a strong emphasis on seperates, exemplied by Michael Kors (right).

Pencil Skirts
Perhaps since Mad Men hit our screens, the revival of the pencil skirt has been inevitable. Featuring in numerous spring/summer shows including Emporio Armani (left) the skirt could be considered a staple- rather than statement-piece. This season, the pencil skirt has become the star of the show and comes with embellishment, splits and prints as seen at Jonathan Saunders (right).

Sheer
The sheer trend from spring/summer has been picked up both on the high-street and on the red carpet. However, the look gets a mini-makeover as it goes into autumn/winter. Gone is the all out sheer as seen at Richard Nicholl (left) and instead designers are bring in sheer peek-a-boo panels for a sexier edge, as seen at Stella McCartney (right), Versus and Louis Vuitton.

THE '70s
The Studio 54 vibe was everywhere for spring/summer 2011, most notably at Marc Jacobs (left), who showed a set of disco diva dresses to clear the dancefloor - Bianca Jagger eat your heart out! The '70s is back for autumn/winter with Gucci (right) picking up the baton with a range of ethereal gowns inspired by Frida Giannnini's muse of the moment: Florence Welch.

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